Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 334

Chapter 334: ’Why I Chose You?’

"I’m... sorry," Florian began, voice trembling just slightly, his hands clenching at his sides.

"I know. I completely lied to you at first. And I asked Lucius and Lancelot not to tell you either. I hope you understand it was only for the sake of the summit. I was just really, really concerned you might stop it, since you know, and—"

He was suddenly cut off when Heinz placed a firm but gentle hand over his mouth.

Florian stiffened, eyes widening. Heinz wasn’t looking directly at him—his face had turned to the side, but his golden eyes flicked toward Florian in a sideways glance. His expression was unreadable, caught somewhere between irritation and fatigue.

’Is he... going to make my head explode?’ Florian thought in panic, the image of Arthur’s gruesome end flashing behind his eyes. ’I mean, it’s not like it would take much effort for him. I should’ve brought a helmet.’

But Heinz only sighed again, long and weary, and said, "Florian, has anyone ever told you that when your emotions get too high... you talk too much?"

’I mean, I already knew that without anyone saying... but I can’t help it.’ Florian internally sulked. ’Also, how does he expect me to answer him with his hand still on my mouth?’

"First of all," Heinz said, voice firm but calm, "I am not angry." He gave a slight shake of his head. "But that doesn’t mean you were right. You should have told me. You and I—we know more about that man than anyone else. When it comes to him, I cannot be in the dark."

His tone wasn’t scolding. It was... something else. Heavy, serious—yes—but not cold. In fact, it almost felt like... concern.

It was the first time Heinz had spoken to him like this. With gravity. With weight. Like Florian mattered.

Heinz gave him a moment, then added, "Nod if you understand."

Florian, still unable to speak with Heinz’s hand covering his mouth, nodded slowly, obediently.

Heinz finally dropped his hand and turned to face him more directly. "As for Lucius and Lancelot... if they fail to find anything, I will punish them. This is no longer a personal issue, Florian. It’s a matter of security. Too many things have happened. The royal knights and my head butler should have kept things under control. And..."

Heinz paused, meeting Florian’s eyes with an intensity that made the air feel heavier.

"I won’t cancel the summit," he said. "I’ll let them handle it for now. But in exchange..."

’In exchange...?’

"After the summit," Heinz continued, "unless the perpetrator or that savior has been caught, you will move to a room next to mine."

Florian’s eyes shot wide open. ’What? But there’s no need!’ he panicked, ready to protest—but Heinz’s hand was still there, holding him close, effectively silencing him again.

He glanced up at the older man’s serious expression, and his shoulders slumped.

Heinz wasn’t joking. He wasn’t threatening. He was just... resolute.

Florian slowly nodded again. freёwebnoѵel.com

"Good," Heinz said, finally withdrawing his hand. "In the first place, I wasn’t asking for your permission. If you have any qualms, I’ll just remind you how many times that person has come near you. Unless you want to die like the original Florian, I suggest you listen this time."

Florian swallowed hard.

He had a point.

He had a damn good point. So even though he wanted to argue, to insist he didn’t need protecting, Florian kept his mouth shut.

Heinz crossed his arms, his expression unreadable once more. "Now," he said, gesturing with a tilt of his head to the large, obsidian door ahead of them, "all the dukes are inside that meeting room. Do you still want to go in now or not?"

’Why is he...?’

"Why are you asking me, Your Majesty?" Florian asked cautiously.

"Isn’t it obvious?" Heinz replied. "You said you needed your notes. I don’t plan on stopping the summit. But if you don’t think you can do it, I won’t force you."

’Is this... a test?’ Florian thought warily.

It wasn’t like Heinz to offer choices. Not unless they were veiled in expectation.

"Florian, you don’t have to look at me like that," Heinz muttered, letting out yet another sigh. Then, unexpectedly, he reached for him again—pulling him close with the weight of his dark cape, wrapping it around Florian’s shoulders.

Florian blinked up at him.

"Like what?" he asked.

"You think I’m testing you."

’How does he always know what I’m thinking?’ Florian thought, mildly annoyed but more so startled.

"I’m not testing you," Heinz said plainly. "I just want to know. If you can’t do this—if you freeze up, forget what to say, panic in front of the dukes—then no matter what I want, we can’t afford that. Not with all eyes on us right now."

’Can I do this? Can I really do this? Can I...’

’I have to.’

"Yes," Florian repeated, firmer now—but not convincing.

His grip was warm, steady, and far too intimate.

’Why is he being so touchy today?’ he thought, his heart rattling in his chest like a startled bird.