Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 513

Chapter 513: ’Unless...’

’Why is he just staring at me?’ Florian furrowed his brows slightly, lifting his gaze to meet Heinz’s.

It was almost eerie—Heinz stood before him as if ensnared by some invisible enchantment, his face composed, calmer than Florian had ever seen it.

He wasn’t angry, wasn’t scolding, wasn’t sharp with his words or movements.

No... this calmness was different.

Heavy.

And yet... Heinz was only touching his face, his thumb grazing along his cheek with an almost reverent care, his other hand lightly brushing over the soft edge of Florian’s veil.

Just... staring.

Florian’s pulse quickened. ’Should I call him again? I already called him... why won’t he say anything?’

The silence stretched, and soon Florian found himself staring back, caught in an unspoken contest of who would break first.

But in that suspended moment, his eyes betrayed him, slipping downward and taking in Heinz’s attire.

The difference was striking. This wasn’t the Heinz he was used to—the man who lived in sharp, black garments, dark and brooding like the very shadow of Concordia itself.

No, tonight he was adorned in deep silks traced with gold, every pattern curling like fire dancing across his frame. Regal, commanding... yet softened by the elegance of Floramatrian style.

And then there were the accessories—gold draped across him like chains of sunlight, a crown unfamiliar yet fitting, far more ornate than the one Florian was accustomed to seeing upon his head.

It was strange, yes... but undeniably breathtaking.

’He looks good.’

The thought came unbidden, slipping through before Florian could stop it. He had always known Heinz was handsome—everyone did.

Dubbed the most handsome man in Concordia, the title suited him well enough.

But Florian had grown so used to that brooding mask Heinz always wore, that distant, stormy expression, he never truly saw him like this.

Here, with a calm face, with the lanterns casting soft shadows that caught the gleam of his crown, with that outfit that lent him a near otherworldly presence... Heinz wasn’t just handsome. He was... arresting.

Before he realized it, the words left his lips in a low, honest murmur. "You really look handsome tonight, Your Majesty."

For the first time since Florian had entered, Heinz’s expression shifted. The controlled calm faltered, his eyes widening ever so slightly, as if he hadn’t expected those words at all.

And then—oh?

Color bloomed across Heinz’s cheeks, stark against his usually composed features.

His lips parted just barely, but no words came out, only silence and that betraying flush of crimson that deepened the longer Florian stared.

Florian blinked in surprise, his own heart skipping.

’Is he... blushing?’ Florian blinked rapidly, his breath catching.

This might have been only the second time he had ever seen Heinz’s face turn red, but this—this was different.

Not a fleeting flush. This was full, undeniable fluster, painting across the stoic king’s features like fire across stone.

It was so rare, so startling, that Florian could only stare.

"Don’t..." Heinz’s voice finally broke the silence, low and weighted. His eyes softened, but his tone carried something dangerous underneath. "...say things like that, Florian. Unless..."

Florian tilted his head, confusion flickering across his face. "Unless?"

Surely this wasn’t the first time he had complimented Heinz—or anyone, for that matter. Compliments slipped from his lips often enough.

Why was this one different? Why did it feel like the air between them had thickened, pressing on his chest, as though the ballroom doors themselves were holding their breath?

Heinz’s eyes narrowed just slightly, and then he leaned down.

’No, no, no—bad thoughts. Bad thoughts!¹’

Something... sinful.

Florian’s heart thudded violently. ’No. Ignore it. Ignore it!’

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify