Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!-Chapter 274: ’Only A Heartbeat Longer’

"What is going on here?"

Florian turned at once, the sound of that unmistakable voice halting every thought in his head. His bright green eyes met deep crimson—unflinching, familiar, and sharp. Standing just a few steps away was Heinz, towering with a raised brow, his long black hair cascading in effortless waves down his shoulders like ink spilling over silk.

He wasn’t wearing his usual armor today. Instead, he was dressed in something far more relaxed—luxurious, yes, but casual enough to feel... intimate. Now that Florian had seen Drizelous’ work, he could easily recognize the familiar craftsmanship in the layers Heinz wore.

"Y-Your Majesty..." Florian bowed slightly, his voice polite but edged with a flicker of nervousness. He could hear the faint rustle of fabric behind him—Alexandria must have curtsied as well.

’This is the first time I’ll ever be glad to see Heinz so randomly.’ Florian thought, glancing back up. ’I need to speak to him. Alone.’

"You look exhausted," Heinz said, his head tilting slightly as he crossed his arms. "Let me guess—Drizelous put you through his usual... process?"

Florian gave a weak nod, his body still tense. "Yes. Very much exhausted, in fact. I was just heading to my room."

There was a subtle pause, but Heinz didn’t move. He just... stared. Blankly. As if waiting for more.

’I don’t think he understands.’ Florian’s throat tightened. ’Should I just ask him directly? But... Alexandria is right here. Inviting Heinz to my room would just—’

A soft croak came from his shoulder. Azure, perched snugly on his neck, tilted his head in perfect mimicry of Florian’s confusion. Florian looked up at Heinz again, eyes silently pleading, urgency flickering beneath his calm mask.

Heinz’s expression shifted—barely. His crimson eyes widened by a fraction, and Florian exhaled quietly, relief washing over him.

"Are you feeling alright, Florian? Did something happen?" Heinz asked, tone casual—but Florian knew him well enough to hear the seriousness beneath the softness.

"Yes..." he began, pausing ever so slightly, "I’m feeling alright."

The "yes" wasn’t for the first question, and they both knew it. He tried to sound light, uninterested, but Heinz wasn’t fooled. A subtle glow flickered in Heinz’s eyes, and just for a second, his expression darkened—sharp, calculating, dangerous. But it vanished just as quickly behind that familiar smirk.

"Well then," Heinz said smoothly, "I have something important to discuss with you. Shall we go to your room?"

Florian bowed his head again, a flicker of gratitude in his chest. "As you wish, Your Majesty."

’Good job, Heinz.’ He allowed himself the smallest internal smile. ’Sometimes I forget how in sync we can be.’

All that was left now was to excuse himself from Alexandria. But as he turned to her, his heart tightened. Her eyes—bright, full of something honest—lingered on him a moment too long.

’She’s the only one among the princesses who truly has feelings for him.’ Florian thought, the weight of guilt nudging his ribs. ’And she looked so hurt earlier...’

Right on cue, Alexandria cleared her throat softly. "Y-Your Majesty," she said, her voice gentle, "it’s nice to see you again. Twice in one day."

Heinz stepped forward slightly. "Alexandria. What are you doing here? Did you need something from Florian?"

She hesitated only briefly, then glanced at Florian. "I was going to return... Azure. I found him earlier—apparently, Prince Florian had lost him."

Florian’s stomach dropped.

His eyes widened just a fraction, lips parting in surprise.

’Fuck. I forgot to tell her not to tell him.’

Azure let out a low growl toward Alexandria, the tiny dragon clearly displeased. But as if sensing Florian’s internal panic, the little creature quieted again. Still, Alexandria pressed on.

"But... please do not be upset with Prince Florian, Your Majesty," she said gently, offering Heinz a smile that tried to soften the situation. "He was so distraught... He was in tears, mumbling your name like he was in a trance."

Florian felt a pang of gratitude—but also mortification. He knew she was trying to protect him, but every word out of her mouth made him want to sink into the floor.

’Please stop talking...’ he thought helplessly, forcing himself to glance at Heinz.

Their eyes met—and Florian flinched.

Heinz was already staring at him, unreadable, the red in his eyes like simmering coals.

’Great... here it comes.’ Florian braced himself. He had let Azure, the divine dragon entrusted to him—no, gifted to Heinz by a literal God—wander freely around the palace. It wasn’t just careless. It was practically sacrilegious. And the one who found Azure had been one of the royal princesses. Just perfect.

But Heinz didn’t look angry.

"You cried?" he asked instead, one brow quirking slightly, a faint edge of amusement in his voice.

Florian’s cheeks instantly burned. That tone. It wasn’t mocking—but it was teasing. Gentle. It somehow made things worse.

"I... I was just scared of His Majesty’s anger," Florian muttered, gaze dropping to the floor, his voice quieter than before. His embarrassment was palpable.

Heinz chuckled—an unbothered, almost amused sound—and held out his hand for Azure to come.

But Azure, ever contrary, turned away from Heinz’s hand and dove straight into Florian’s clothes, burrowing deep and hiding completely.

’Hm?’ Florian blinked in confusion, feeling the dragon curl against his skin. ’Why is he hiding?’

Heinz didn’t seem surprised. In fact, he offered a smile that barely reached his eyes.

"Rest assured, Florian... Alexandria," he said smoothly, "Azure does not get lost. If he didn’t return to Florian right away, I’m sure there was a reason."

He turned his gaze back to Alexandria, who was still smiling sweetly—perhaps too sweetly.

"I do wonder what that reason was, though."

Alexandria giggled softly. "Perhaps... he was curious about the princesses," she replied, a playful lilt in her voice. "Maybe he was drawn to me, Your Majesty. After all, he did approach me first."

’Eh? That’s not what she told me earlier... and is she flirting right now?’ Florian thought, eyes widening in disbelief. ’Seriously? Now?’

Heinz let out a soft hum, one that didn’t betray much emotion—yet Florian could sense the shift.

"I highly doubt that," he said calmly. "Didn’t he attack one of your maids?"

The smile vanished from Alexandria’s lips. Her breath hitched ever so slightly, and Florian’s gaze darted back to Heinz in shock.

’Wait—was he already here during that part of the conversation? Was he... eavesdropping?’

"A-Ah... yes, he did," Alexandria admitted, voice barely above a whisper.

An awkward silence followed. One that stretched far too long.

Florian could feel the discomfort settling over them like a suffocating fog. He knew Heinz had changed—had grown more reserved, more careful with his words and affections—but seeing him treat Alexandria with such coldness felt strange.

’He used to at least flirt with them, even if he was a bastard about it...’ Florian thought, lips pressed in a tight line. ’He could at least show a little warmth. Especially toward her. Heinz isn’t stupid—he knows she likes him.’

But Heinz didn’t care. Not even a little.

He turned away from Alexandria as if she no longer existed and looked at Florian once more, his tone calm and decisive.

"Then it’s settled. We should go, Florian," he said without pause. "Alexandria, return to the princess wing."

There was no room for argument.

Alexandria bowed, trying to keep her composure. "Of course, Your Majesty."

Florian’s chest tightened with guilt. He watched her curtsy, her expression still poised—but the hurt in her eyes was unmistakable.

He didn’t say anything. What could he say?

And just like that, Heinz turned on his heel and began walking, not sparing her a second glance as he headed in the direction of Florian’s room.

Florian lingered for only a heartbeat longer before silently following.