Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!-Chapter 292: ’Is This For The Test?’

Florian swallowed hard as the massive obsidian doors began to creak open, the deep groan of ancient hinges echoing through the corridor like a warning bell. A cold draft swept out from the widening gap, brushing against his skin and raising goosebumps along his arms.

’Here we go,’ he thought grimly, forcing himself to stand straighter even as unease coiled tight in his gut.

Inside, even before he could fully see the throne room, Lucius’s voice rang out—sharp, clear, and commanding:

"His Majesty has arrived," Lucius announced, his words slicing cleanly through the heavy air.

Instantly, the low hum of conversation from within fell silent, as if someone had slammed a door on it. The abruptness of it made Florian’s heart hammer harder against his ribs.

’Well. That got their attention,’ he thought dryly, though the bitter edge in his mind couldn’t mask the tension winding tighter inside him.

"Come," Heinz said quietly, the command carrying easily even though he didn’t so much as glance back. His stride forward was unhurried, brimming with the kind of effortless authority that Florian could never hope to imitate.

Florian hurried after him, bowing his head slightly in an unconscious attempt to make himself smaller, less noticeable, less... wrong.

The moment they stepped across the threshold, Florian heard it—a ripple of soft gasps from the assembled princesses, almost like a wave breaking against the shore.

Against his better judgment, Florian glanced up.

Shock. Confusion. And something else—something raw flashing across their faces. Horror, even.

Lucius’s usually unflappable expression faltered for a split second, his sharp yellow eyes betraying his surprise before he reassembled his mask of cold composure.

Delilah, however, didn’t bother hiding her reaction. Her mouth tightened into a thin, furious line as she stared at Florian with barely contained anger, as if his very presence had somehow insulted the sanctity of the room.

’Why is she looking at me like that?’ Florian thought, throat dry and tight. ’What did I do this time?’

Instinct screamed at him to back away, to step aside, to join the others at the sidelines—but Heinz gave no such indication. No subtle signal. No word of instruction.

Just forward. Always forward.

The princesses hastily bowed to Heinz, their movements stiff, jerky with uncertainty. Florian, feeling like a lost and wayward lamb dragged to a lion’s den, swallowed his fear and mirrored their gestures as best he could, before quickly returning to Heinz’s shadow.

’What is this... what am I about to walk into...?’ Florian thought miserably, nerves fraying with every step.

Heinz showed no sign of discomfort as he strode down the grand crimson carpet, heading straight toward the massive, blackened throne that towered over the room like a brooding sentinel.

When they reached it, Florian faltered, caught awkwardly between taking a step back or staying where he was.

But Heinz spoke first, his voice low, almost lazy, yet impossible to disobey:

"Stand beside the throne," he said.

Florian obeyed instantly, heart pounding against his ribs like a caged bird. He stepped into place behind the ornate seat, where the golden edges and blood-red cushioning seemed almost menacing up close.

Now, for the first time, Florian found himself standing before the court, facing Lucius, Delilah, the princesses—every single pair of eyes drilling into him, burning him alive with their scrutiny.

’This is a nightmare,’ he thought numbly, feeling heat rise to his face, prickling the back of his neck.

On his shoulder, Azure shifted, letting out a low, rumbling growl that broke the silence like a ripple in still water. The little dragon’s golden eyes narrowed sharply, as if warning them all to stay away.

Florian heard a soft, collective gasp.

Bridget, Mira, Camilla—even Scarlett—their bodies stiffened visibly at the sight of Azure, who was now arching his small body protectively.

’Of course,’ Florian thought bitterly. ’They’ve never seen him before.’

Bridget and Mira, who had long since started avoiding Florian for some reason, gawked openly. Camilla, who had always kept a distance, looked almost alarmed. Scarlett’s usual expression cracked, curiosity glinting through her crimson gaze.

Even Lucius’s eyes flickered for the briefest moment, while Delilah’s scowl deepened further.

’Great. As if I wasn’t already enough of a spectacle,’ Florian thought, wishing more than anything to melt into the stone floor beneath his boots.

Heinz, meanwhile, reclined in his throne with the unbothered grace of a man surveying lands he already owned. His legs crossed lazily at the ankles, one arm resting casually on the carved armrest.

Florian stiffened behind him, trying to blend into the throne’s imposing shadow—anything to escape the suffocating attention pinning him in place.

The silence stretched on unbearably long, as Heinz allowed the tension to steep like bitter tea, a faint, knowing smirk curving the corners of his mouth.

Finally, after what felt like a full eternity stretched taut over a blade, Heinz spoke—his voice rich, deep, and amused.

"So," he drawled lazily, his dark gaze sweeping over the stunned assembly, "you all might be wondering why I summoned you—and why Florian is standing at the front."

Nobody dared to speak.

The throne room was so silent, Florian could hear the faint rustle of his own clothing whenever he shifted his weight. His fingers fidgeted slightly behind his back before he quickly stilled them, feeling the heavy weight of expectation settling over him.

Florian risked a sideways glance at Heinz. The king sat lounged back in his massive throne, exuding an air of complete control and unshakable ease. Since no one answered, Heinz simply continued, his voice calm and deliberate.

"As you all are aware," Heinz began, his deep voice cutting through the silence, "I have been very busy as of late. I also know that rumors have been circulating... rumors regarding Florian and myself, given the amount of time we have spent together."

’Spending his days with me? That’s... such a weird way to phrase it—and it’s only going to cause more misunderstandings,’ Florian thought, feeling his stomach twist uncomfortably. ’Is he doing it on purpose?’

Even something as simple as walking into the throne room side by side could stir enough whispers to cause problems. And now this?

"Recently," Heinz continued, unbothered by the growing tension, "Florian and I returned together to the Village of Forgotten Waters."

The moment the words left his mouth, a ripple of shock passed through the room. Even Florian flinched, his eyes darting to Heinz in disbelief.

’He just said it outright?!’

"Your Majesty?" Bridget adjusted her glasses hastily, her voice tinged with both confusion and alarm. "Just the two of you? Why?"

Heinz shifted his gaze toward Florian, a small, almost mischievous glint in his eye. Florian caught the look and braced himself.

"You should answer this," Heinz said smoothly.

’Ah. I had a feeling he’d throw it at me,’ Florian sighed inwardly, forcing a small nod as he turned to face the assembled princesses. Alexandria and Athena looked calm enough, but the others wore expressions ranging from suspicion to outright shock.

Clearing his throat, Florian searched for the right words. How could he possibly condense such a complicated situation?

"One of the kidnappers who... took me before," Florian started, his voice quiet but steady, "mentioned someone who helped me escape. A boy. He... he died helping me."

The memory weighed heavy in his chest, but he pushed through it.

"One of the other kidnappers who we took back to the palace mentioned he had a sick sister, so I requested to his majesty that I wanted to help her as repayment."

Florian finished simply, his throat tightening. He didn’t dare meet anyone’s gaze.

Heinz nodded once, his expression unreadable. "I accompanied Florian for the sake of discretion—and to personally assess the village’s condition."

Florian nearly rolled his eyes.

’Bullshit,’ he thought. ’That’s not why you came at all. But whatever. It’s not like I can say that out loud.’

"And the village’s state," Heinz continued, his voice growing more serious, "was a cause for concern. Florian provided valuable input regarding how best to help... and it has come to my attention that the Village of Forgotten Waters is not the only one suffering."

Florian’s chest tightened. The image of the burned village, the charred remains of homes and empty streets, flickered through his mind.

’Where are they now? The villagers... Did the savior find them? Did they move somewhere safe?’

He fought the urge to frown.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty," Mira said, stepping forward, arms crossed neatly against her chest. Her voice was sharp but respectful. "But what does all of this have to do with why you summoned us? And the rumors?"

Before Heinz could answer, Azure—perched comfortably on Florian’s shoulder—exhaled a small puff of smoke. The tiny dragon looked up at Florian with wide blue eyes, tongue flicking out in a doglike manner.

Florian couldn’t help the small, fond smile that touched his lips as he reached up to give Azure a light scratch under the chin. Azure chirped quietly, tail swishing.

’Even now... you’re still so adorable,’ Florian thought warmly, grateful for the little dragon’s grounding presence.

Heinz finally spoke again.

"I summoned you to announce a few matters tied to all of this," he said. "First: Florian has been assisting me in creating plans to better support struggling villages. I intend to present these plans to the dukes during a Sovereign Summit."

"A Sovereign Summit?" Bridget repeated, her voice rising slightly in surprise. "We learned about that. The dukes will be coming here—to the palace?"

Heinz nodded, his expression unwavering. "Correct."

The weight of the revelation settled heavily over the room. Sovereign Summits were rare and significant events.

"Florian," Heinz continued, "will act as my representative during the summit. He will present his proposals to the dukes. I will merely oversee."

There was a beat of stunned silence.

"I have been working with him closely," Heinz added, "teaching him how governance works, and preparing him for this responsibility."

The air practically crackled with tension. Florian stood rigid, feeling all the princesses’ eyes snap toward him in renewed shock—and maybe something more complicated: envy and disbelieif.

Then Alexandria stepped forward, her soft expression laced with hope. freewebnσvel.cѳm

"Then... are you announcing this because you will also be giving us a task? A test... for the upcoming Sovereign Summit?"

Her voice was innocent, almost sweet. Florian nearly sighed.

’Yes. Definitely. Why else would he summon you all? Of course there’s a catch somewhere.’

Florian braced himself for the inevitable announcement.

Unexpectedly, Heinz’s answer came smooth and firm:

"No. I will not be testing you during the summit."

The room froze.

Florian’s head whipped around to stare at him. He didn’t even think—his shock slipped out unfiltered.

"What?" he blurted aloud.

The word echoed in the stunned silence, and the mortification that followed hit him like a slap.

’What the fuck is he up to?’