Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!-Chapter 364: ’Why Else?’

The final day of the summit passed like a dream too fleeting to hold onto.

One moment, Florian had been quietly sipping tea between discussions and playing the polite prince; the next, he found himself standing beside Heinz at the grand entrance of the Diamond Palace, the soft breeze tugging at the edges of his cloak as they watched the dukes prepare for their departures.

The first to leave—predictably—were Duke Alaric and Alexandrius. No one was surprised, least of all Florian.

Florian’s gaze lingered on Alexandrius’ retreating figure, his jaw tightening with a quiet sense of frustration. ’I didn’t get the chance to help Lancelot... Not even a word. And that bastard’s still holding his mother over his head like a noose.’

A bitter taste curled at the back of his throat.

Andrew, of course, was still as insufferable as ever—loud, smug, and entirely too self-important.

But Alucard, the youngest, stood in stark contrast. Florian had only spoken with him briefly over the course of the summit, but even in those short interactions and careful observations, the boy had struck him as surprisingly soft-spoken, almost timid.

Compared to his father and older brother, Alucard seemed like a misplaced puzzle piece in their family.

Then there was Alaric—eyes sharp, speculative—as he looked at Florian not with scorn, but with calculation.

Still as terrifying as ever, but Florian could feel the shift. It wasn’t animosity anymore.

’He’s really drawn to the idea of making me Lucas’ duchess.’ The thought made Florian want to shiver.

Lucas, at least, was decent—kind, even. He had offered Florian an apologetic smile, the kind that came from secondhand shame, and spoke to him gently before entering the carriage.

"Please tell Lucius to come visit my manor once in a while," Lucas had said with an embarrassed chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. "He does not even reply to my letters."

Florian had only nodded, smiling politely. But that moment stirred something deeper.

’Lucas seems to really want to connect with Lucius.’ The realization stung.

The pang of regret most likely settled heavy in Lucas’ chest for what happened to Lucius.

Next came Duke Roland, ever formal and dignified. His farewell leaned more toward Heinz—expected, really—but his son, Rodrick, had turned to Florian with a small smile.

"I heard from my father that you handled yourself exceptionally, Your Highness. Well done."

Florian had returned the compliment, though his feelings about the two remained neutral. Not enemies, not friends. Simply... tolerable.

Then came Duke Cedric.

To Florian’s dismay, the man hadn’t dropped his flirtatious airs. In fact, he might have dialed them up.

He gave Florian a wink and a flourishing bow, making the younger man suppress an audible groan.

’God, is he really flirting again?’

And yet—surprisingly—Florian found himself no longer flustered. Just vaguely amused, and a little exhausted.

His twins, Nividea and Nevideus, were next. Unlike their father, the two seemed genuinely drawn to Florian. There was a warmth in the way they spoke to him—earnest and unguarded.

"I heard you adopted a boy our age!" Nividea chirped, her eyes shining. "Well... I heard he was your servant, but you don’t treat him as such."

She giggled softly, and it made Florian’s lips tug upward.

"I would’ve loved to meet him! We rarely meet people our age who actually want to befriend us."

Nevideus, standing slightly behind her, nodded. "We... would love to invite you to our manor sometime, Prince Florian. If you’d like."

Their sincerity caught him off guard. He smiled, genuinely this time. "I would love that."

It was a short moment, but a sincere one—and that made it rare.

Finally, came the last of the guests—Duchess Elara and her son, Eleonor.

Florian straightened almost instinctively. He hadn’t expected this parting to strike such a chord, but it did.

Eleonor approached first, reaching out to shake Heinz’s hand. "I am sure my mother mentioned that I requested to oversee the project when it comes to our duchy. I look forward to taking part, Your Majesty. It’s truly a wonderful endeavor."

Heinz returned the handshake with a measured smile. "Preparing to take over the mantle, I see?"

Eleonor laughed, boyish and bright. "Mother’s been planning to retire for years now. Says she wants to travel the world before she gets too old."

"Ah, but you still have much to learn," Elara said as she stepped forward, her eyes twinkling with both pride and mirth.

"Oh my, but you still have a lot to learn," Elara said with a gentle smile, her gaze drifting to Heinz. Despite the warmth in her tone, her words carried the quiet wisdom of someone who had seen and endured far more than she let on.

Her eyes softened. "I am glad you hosted this summit, Your Majesty. Truly. I know there had been tension between us... and perhaps I’ve given you much reason not to trust me." She paused, her voice faltering briefly before regaining its strength. "But this—this might mark a new age for our kingdom."

She bowed low, with grace that came not just from etiquette, but sincerity.

Heinz stepped forward, his crimson eyes steady. "Of course," he said calmly. "You are not only a duke, but you were my mother’s best friend—someone she revered deeply. I see you with much regard."

Elara’s eyes widened slightly, her lips parting for a moment as if she wanted to speak but didn’t know how. She smiled instead, softer now. Less political. More personal. There was something wistful in her expression—nostalgia, perhaps.

Florian blinked, tilting his head ever so slightly. ’Elara and Anastasia were best friends... but didn’t all the dukes agree on Hendrix becoming king? Why did Elara support that decision, then?’

He didn’t voice the thought, but it lingered in his chest like a cold stone.

Elara turned her gaze to him now, and the warmth in her expression only deepened. "And Your Highness, truly—you were magnificent throughout the summit. You have the makings of a great ruler."

"You flatter me, Your Grace," Florian replied with a small, courteous smile. "It wouldn’t have been possible without your cooperation and assistance."

He meant it. When Alaric and Alexandrius had tried to corner him, twist his words, and undermine his presence, it was Elara who had subtly yet decisively stepped in to balance the scale. Without her, things might have ended differently.

"It is true," Elara said firmly, her tone laced with a proud approval. She reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder, firm yet kind. "Actually, if you—or His Majesty—don’t mind, I’d like to ask something of you soon. A task I believe only you can accomplish."

Florian’s smile faltered slightly, curiosity replacing the calm. He glanced at Heinz instinctively. Elara did too. Heinz met her gaze, contemplative, then finally nodded once.

That single nod told Florian far more than any words. Heinz knew exactly what she meant.

’What is this about?’ he wondered. ’And why do I feel like this isn’t something minor?’

Elara’s smile grew, a touch of satisfaction glimmering in her eyes—as if pieces of a long-laid plan were finally moving.

"I can’t tell you the details now," she said softly. "But if you’re willing... I’ll be sending a letter when the time comes."

A thousand thoughts buzzed in Florian’s head, but none made it past his lips. He looked at her and simply nodded.

"Of course," he said. "I will be waiting."

There was trust in his voice, even if his heart was a knot of uncertainty. If Heinz had faith in him—then maybe he could have faith in himself too.

Elara’s expression softened once more, and Eleonor, standing quietly at her side, smiled with visible pride.

"Then," Elara said, turning back toward the path leading to the carriage, "we shall be off."

And just like that—they were gone.

One by one, the dukes and their entourages had departed, taking with them their ambitions, secrets, and promises. The courtyard that had been bustling with guards, carriages, noble chatter, and strained smiles only hours ago now stood quiet under the early afternoon sun.

Only Florian and Heinz remained beneath the elegant archway of the Diamond Palace, flanked by a few discreet guards who kept their distance.

The silence between them stretched long, comfortable... yet contemplative.

Florian exhaled slowly, watching the last carriage disappear beyond the gates. ’It’s over. The summit is over.’

Yet somehow, it felt like something far greater had just begun.

The summit was over, yes—but the shadow that had lingered over it hadn’t lifted. The question of who had been sabotaging him still loomed like a quiet storm on the horizon, waiting to break.

Florian’s eyes shifted sideways, expecting to meet the same cold, unreadable gaze Heinz had been wearing all day. It was obvious he had been angry—silent, curt, distant.

But when Florian looked, Heinz was already staring at him.

"You’ve been overthinking the whole day, haven’t you?" Heinz asked, his tone even, but there was something softer beneath it—something that almost sounded like concern.

Florian’s brow twitched, caught off guard. "No. I mean... at first, yes. But I eventually realized something. As long as it’s not someone I trust—I’ll be fine."

Heinz’s gaze didn’t waver. "And how are you so sure it’s not someone you trust?" he asked quietly. "Betrayal doesn’t come from strangers, Florian. It only hurts when it comes from someone close."

Florian’s breath hitched, his green eyes widening slightly.

’I... hadn’t thought of that.’

The thought clawed its way into his chest like cold iron. Still, he refused to let it settle. He couldn’t. He had to hold onto something—anything.

"Maybe," Florian muttered, "but overthinking everything won’t help either."

Then, he narrowed his eyes at Heinz, his voice rising slightly in challenge. "Are you really this upset just because I asked you to spare Lucius and Lancelot, Your Majesty?"

There was sarcasm in the title, a sharp edge. If Heinz was going to call him foolish, Florian would bite back.

"They’re your most trusted aides. They helped you get to where you are now—they’ve never turned their backs on you. You’re acting like they committed treason just for wanting the summit to end peacefully."

Heinz raised a brow, as if amused more than annoyed. "Do you truly believe that’s why I’m angry?"

"Huh?" Florian blinked, thrown off balance.

Why else would Heinz be mad?

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