Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 493

Chapter 493: ’Scarlett’s Dilemma.’

"Prince Florian!" Scarlett exclaimed the moment her eyes landed on him.

Florian had barely knocked before she pulled the door open, her movements unusually frantic. With a sharp gesture, she dismissed her maids from the chamber, not even waiting for them to fully leave before she tugged Florian inside.

Her grip was firm, almost desperate, and Florian’s brows furrowed as he allowed himself to be dragged into the lavish room. Scarlett’s usual air of confidence was nowhere to be seen—instead, her expression was riddled with worry.

The sight of it immediately set a weight in Florian’s chest.

"Did something happen? Is it the ball? Your family? What is it?" Florian asked quickly, his voice carrying more urgency than he meant.

Deep down, his stomach twisted. The last thing he needed was yet another problem piled onto the mountain he already carried.

"The ball? Nonsense!" Scarlett scoffed, though her voice lacked its normal steadiness. "We’ve planned that perfectly. I’m not letting anyone ruin your birthday tomorrow but..."

Her words trailed off as she pushed him down onto a red-and-gold couch, its embroidery as elaborate as her palace décor.

Relief flickered through Florian—it wasn’t the ball. But then...what could it be?

Scarlett’s voice dropped to almost a whisper. "It’s more of a... personal problem." She stood before him, covering her face with both hands, though she peeked at him through the gaps between her fingers.

Florian tilted his head, curiosity sparking.

’Personal?’

"By personal you mean..." He crossed his arms, leaning back slightly. "It’s related to Athena?"

Scarlett’s ears turned scarlet, matching her hair.

’Bingo.’ Florian chuckled softly. "Alright, what about Athena? Did you finally confess—"

"No! Of course not!" she interrupted, her voice far sharper than her flustered expression allowed.

"Then?" Florian pressed, his grin widening.

Scarlett hesitated, fingers tightening against her cheeks. When she finally spoke, her voice cracked with nerves. "W-Well... I wanted to ask her if we could... be partners for the ball. But I don’t know how."

She shifted from foot to foot, still refusing to lower her hands. "I think she assumes I’ll spend most of my time with Camilla or my family... but I—I wanted to try asking her if she’d want to... be my partner."

Florian blinked. His eyes widened slightly at her admission. Princesses partnering up for the ball wasn’t unusual—but for Scarlett, this was different.

This was a step forward, one that exposed her in a way she never allowed herself to be.

Her usual fire and boldness had melted into uncertainty, leaving behind someone wracked with doubt.

"I’m not sure if she’ll say yes," Scarlett murmured, her hands finally slipping from her face. Her shoulders trembled with the weight of her words. "And I’m not even sure if she’d want to be my partner. I... hate the thought of rejection. But at the same time, I really, really want to try..."

She drew in a shaky breath, her eyes glistening with unspoken hope. "I want to ask her."

Florian exhaled, half a laugh, half disbelief.

’Damn. She’s really got it bad.’

To think, this was the same loud and very proud princess who used to look down on Athena—and even on him.

It was almost absurd how much she had changed.

Florian chuckled softly. "You’re overcomplicating things. You two are practically glued to each other already. Athena clearly admires you, Scarlett. Whether or not it’s the same kind of admiration you feel for her, I’m a hundred percent sure she’ll say yes."

"It’s not just that."

Scarlett finally lowered her hands from her face. Her earlier blush of embarrassment had drained into something heavier, her gaze dimming with a somberness Florian rarely ever saw from her.

She crossed the room in slow, hesitant steps, her usual confidence nowhere to be found, before sinking onto the couch beside him.

Her back curved against the cushions as though weighed down by her thoughts.

She dropped all her practiced elegance, lounging ungracefully with her arms folded over her lap—an image so unlike the commanding princess most knew her to be.

Slowly, carefully, he shifted closer, letting his shoulder brush lightly against hers, a quiet reminder that she wasn’t alone. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

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