Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 108

Chapter 108: ’I’ll Think About It’

"Why should we?"

’Is he... serious? Florian thought, the question echoing in his mind. His lips pressed into a thin line as he fought the urge to frown. He took a steadying breath, forcing himself to keep his tone measured, calm. "We were going there because they needed help, right? Shouldn’t we still... help them?"

"And risk danger again?" Heinz replied, arching a brow in that effortless, condescending way that made Florian’s stomach churn.

Florian clenched his fists behind his back. "You’re more aware now—more careful," he countered, his voice firmer this time. "I’m sure news has already spread about what happened. No one would dare try something again, not after—" He faltered, his words catching in his throat. "Or... or you could send relief to them. They—"

Levi’s face appeared unbidden in his mind, vivid and haunting. That quiet determination in his eyes, the way he had been so willing to risk everything for people he barely knew. And then Arthur’s voice crept in, sharp and accusing: "A sick, dying sister, wasting away in the Village of Forgotten Waters. He turned against the crown to get her the medicine she needed."

Florian’s throat tightened, a lump forming that he couldn’t swallow down. His words dissolved, unfinished. Heinz’s gaze locked onto him, cold and piercing, like a blade threatening to strip him bare. Florian’s heart pounded in his chest, but he couldn’t back down. Not this time.

Heinz’s silence stretched between them, oppressive and calculating. Finally, he spoke. "Is this about the rogue who helped you? The one from the village?"

Florian swallowed hard, his mouth suddenly dry. "...Yes, Your Majesty," he admitted, bowing his head slightly to avoid the intensity of Heinz’s stare. "I think it would still be good to follow through and help them. They’re... they’re suffering."

’I’m not the charitable type—never was, never will be,’ Florian thought bitterly, biting the inside of his cheek. ’I barely had enough money to scrape by in my own world. I’ve spent most of my life looking out for myself. But Levi... he risked everything. He died for this, and now his sister might still be waiting for him. How can I just walk away from that?’

The weight of guilt pressed down on his chest like an iron hand. No matter how much he tried to rationalize it—he’s just a character, just part of this story, not even important in the grand scheme of things—it didn’t help. The ache in his gut refused to let him go.

"It would b—"

"I’ll think about it," Heinz interrupted, his tone cutting through Florian’s words like a blade.

Florian blinked, stunned. "You will?" he asked, his voice soft, almost hesitant. He hadn’t expected even this much.

"Yes," Heinz replied, leaning back in his chair with a lazy elegance that somehow only made him seem more dangerous. "I’ll think about it after the ball. Do well, and maybe I’ll grant you this favor."

It wasn’t a yes. It wasn’t a no. It was a maybe. And for Florian, that was enough.

A genuine smile broke across his face, unguarded and bright. His eyes sparkled with relief, and for a brief moment, Heinz looked... surprised. Just for a moment, as if he hadn’t expected such raw gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Florian said, bowing deeply. "I’ll take my leave now."

He turned on his heel and left the room, closing the heavy door behind him with care. The moment he was alone, he exhaled sharply, leaning against the cool stone wall for support. His chest rose and fell with uneven breaths, the mixture of fear, hope, and determination swirling inside him almost overwhelming.

’Then I really have to do well with this test,’ Florian thought, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. ’Levi, wherever you are... I’ll repay the favor. I’ll help your sister. I promise.

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’What was that?’

’For a moment, I...’

This was the first time in what felt like forever that he’d allowed himself to really look at Florian—to truly see him.