Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 378

Chapter 378: ’Be Wary.’

"I’ve made this outfit days ago, darling! You do not have to worry. It’s actually my surprise ever since I heard the princesses were going to test you!" Drizelous exclaimed, arms raised dramatically as he twirled on his heels.

’What is going on...?’

Florian stood still, half-dressed in one of the outfits, watching the flamboyant man practically bounce across the room. Three outfits lay draped across his bed and armchairs, each more extravagant than the last. Embroidered silks, sparkling gems, and flowing fabrics—Drizelous had clearly gone all out.

"Oh, let me tell you. His Majesty might not even let the princesses test you anymore, and instead crown you queen himself with this outfit!" he giggled, striking a mock-regal pose.

’Why is he even here?’

It was still early. Too early. The sky outside was still streaked in sleepy orange and blue. Cashew stood near the wall, carrying Azure in his arms, his expression quietly confused. Even the dragon blinked in visible bewilderment.

Florian’s gaze sharpened on Drizelous. Something was wrong.

"Drizelous..." Florian said slowly, adjusting the collar of the second outfit, not even bothering to admire the look in the mirror. He didn’t care about clothes right now.

Drizelous kept chattering, blissfully distracted. "Oh, I think you don’t even need to try the third one! This one looks absolutely—"

"Drizelous!" Florian suddenly snapped, his voice rising enough to cut through the air like a whip.

Drizelous flinched slightly, genuinely startled. His arms dropped, and he turned with wide eyes. "Your Highness? That was... shocking."

He chuckled awkwardly, still trying to wear that eccentric mask of flamboyant charm. But Florian wasn’t buying it—not today.

"Drizelous," Florian said again, more softly this time, stepping forward. "Are you alright?"

There was a pause. A moment too long.

Drizelous opened his mouth to laugh it off—but Florian cut in again, his tone unwavering. "Don’t lie. I know you’re aware of... your mother’s situation. Have you visited her?"

And just like that, the air shifted.

Drizelous stopped smiling.

His eyes, which were always glinting with playful mischief, now dimmed as if someone had pulled the curtain shut on their light. Slowly, almost deliberately, he reached up and removed his glasses, setting them on the table with a soft click.

"Ah." He laughed, but it was weak now. A hollow sound. "You caught me, Your Highness. And here I thought I was hiding it well."

’Hiding it well? Seriously?’ Florian thought, biting the inside of his cheek. There was nothing well-hidden about the tension in Drizelous’ shoulders or the way he hadn’t once mentioned Delilah since arriving.

Still, he didn’t press that. He stepped closer instead, softening his tone.

"You don’t have to worry too much—or mourn just yet, Drizelous. Due to some circumstances... she’s only currently under investigation."

"I know, Your Highness," Drizelous said with a sigh, slumping down into one of the ornate chairs near the table. He leaned forward, elbows resting against the polished surface, fingers laced loosely together. "I was already informed about that as well."

His voice was quieter now. Heavy.

"I’ve not visited her. I don’t plan to."

Florian blinked, surprised. "What? Why not?"

Drizelous looked up at him. His vibrant personality had vanished like smoke, and in its place was something quieter. Sharper. More human.

"She did this to herself," he said, almost through gritted teeth. "Her obsession with... she—" His voice caught. He paused, as though the words physically hurt to say. "She wouldn’t listen. She wouldn’t stop."

He exhaled hard and leaned back in his seat, a hand brushing through his perfectly styled hair, now slightly unruly.

"I wouldn’t even try to stop it if she got punished for actually committing a crime."

It was a terrible thing to say.

Cold. Detached.

But Florian... couldn’t blame him. Not entirely.

’He’s angry... not heartless.’

And maybe that was worse.

Because you only get angry when it hurts.

Because you only distance yourself when you’re trying not to break.

It was just... surprising to see Drizelous—always the eccentric, always the dramatic flutter of color and sound—crack like this.

’Oh... Oh.’

Florian blinked. ’Was that the news Delilah was supposed to share? The one from Heinz’s story?’

’So that’s why he pursued it... That makes so much sense. In a kingdom ruled by vanity, clothes are power. Influence.’

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