Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!-Chapter 191: Serve Me!

"Sounds like quite the legacy of badass women," Riven said, eyes glinting with amusement.

Leon’s voice softened. "They were. And my mother, Queen Anara, was no exception. She ruled during a drought that nearly destroyed our harvests. The fertile soil had been depleted, and we needed a new source of revenue fast. Considering our geological position, she had taken advantage of the trade routes that passed through. Capitalised on it and saved the kingdom."

Riven blinked. He hadn’t expected Leon to speak so tenderly. His voice trembled with something close to reverence. It was... Adorable.

"And are you worried about living up to their expectations?" Riven asked with genuine curiosity. He wanted to understand the real Leon, beyond the arrogant attitude.

"Hah, of course not. I know that I will be great at everything I do." Leon spoke with a smirk, he said it like it was a fact and not an opinion.

"Your pride suits you better when it has context," Riven said at last.

Leon gave him a confused look. "What do you mean?"

"You act arrogant about your status, your power, your palace—but here, talking about your ancestors, you’re proud for real. No arrogance. Just... Genuine admiration. That’s what makes you compelling, a little lovable even."

Leon looked away again, his ears tinged pink.

Riven’s gaze lingered on the line of Leon’s shoulders—too proud, too stiff, too used to bearing authority without question. It was both amusing and frustrating. The Lion King was competent, yes, but entirely too convinced of his own righteousness.

Still, Riven couldn’t deny that there was something compelling about him.

He folded his arms, watching as Leon stopped to give curt instructions to a palace aide, who bowed and hurried off without protest. No hesitation. No challenge. Everyone around him had been conditioned to obey, even when he was no more than a temporary ruler.

There had to be something about him, right? Otherwise, why else would he be on the throne and no one rush him to take a Queen?

That was the thing about this kingdom—it was a matriarchal society. Riven had read that much. The true sovereign was meant to be a Queen, not a consort or a king. Until then, Leon held the reins as a placeholder, the decision-maker in the absence of the throne’s rightful heir. frёewebnoѵēl.com

This was well known, but he was truly starting to understand the intricacies.

Maybe his arrogant facade was his way of showing others that he was a competent ruler, he was the pride of the Lions. He was the rightful heir.

In the original story, Riven remembered, Leon never married. He became a true King, not just in title but in spirit. Through strength, wisdom, and experience, he broke tradition and earned the people’s love on his own terms.

Maybe he was more like Lady Maia than he would like to admit.

Of course, that transformation didn’t happen overnight.

In the book, it was Eli, the sweet, timid love interest- who slowly helped Leon become that version of himself. But Eli had no real power, no sharp edge. Just quiet determination and an unfailing belief in Leon’s potential. It took Chapters upon Chapters of gentle persistence and vulnerability to reach the core of the prince’s heart.

Riven, however, was no Eli.

He was not here to softly persuade or endure Leon’s arrogance with patience. No, Riven had leverage. He had been given real authority in this strange new kingdom.

He did not intend to suppress to torture Leon, of course not.

He needed reforming. He needed someone who wouldn’t flatter him, wouldn’t bend to his whims or coddle his ego. Riven had seen too many spoiled aristocrats ruin themselves by believing the world owed them obedience.

But Leon didn’t have to be like them. Riven had seen glimpses—faint cracks in the armour, flashes of pride that came not from ego, but from love. Love for his kingdom. For his ancestors. For his people.

That was the version Riven wanted to nurture. The real Leon, buried beneath the entitlement.

He didn’t say any of this out loud. Not yet. Instead, he walked a step behind the King and thought quietly to himself.

"Leon," he called out, his voice light, "it’s time for lunch."

Leon, seated by the window with a book in hand, looked up slowly. His expression twisted into a suspicious frown. Riven was smiling again—that same playful, knowing smile that had landed him in one embarrassing situation after another since the day his mother doomed him with the arrangement.

"That smile means trouble," Leon muttered, snapping the book shut and rising to his feet with a languid grace.

"It means lunch," Riven replied, his tone sweet but just a touch too innocent.

Leon narrowed his amber-blue eyes, but his stomach growled before he could protest. With a disgruntled sigh, he gave in. "Fine."

Together, they walked through the ornate halls toward the dining room. The usual bustle of attendants and courtiers was absent. The Dowager Queen was currently presiding over court affairs, so for once, the royal table was not crowded with advisors and nobles. It was just the two of them.

To Riven, this was normal, to Leon, it was not. He never had lunch alone like this. He was always surrounded by court officials.

The long dining table was set neatly with covered silver dishes and carved goblets of chilled juice. The wait staff stood along the wall, waiting silently for instruction. Riven took his seat first and gestured to the untouched dishes with a glint in his eyes.

"Leon," he said cheerfully, "why don’t you serve today?"

Leon paused mid-seat and looked at him, stunned. "Serve?"

"Yes," Riven nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Place the food on my plate. Properly. You know, like a considerate host should."

Leon’s jaw tensed. He glanced at the silent wait staff standing perfectly still along the wall. They were clearly confused as to why the King... Well, ex-king was being asked to perform the task usually delegated to them. They did not want to be fired when Leon got his status back.