Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!-Chapter 193: No Reaction

Leon took a step back, stunned. "So, you don’t believe in me?"

"I believe in potential, not entitlement," she replied. "Your behaviour has shown me that you’re not ready."

He turned away, pacing. "This is about tradition, isn’t it? About the matriarchal line. You’d rather see me sidelined than challenge custom."

"Challenge the custom? The norm? And for whom? You? No. You think you’re important enough for us to abandon customs and challenge the norms?" She said harshly. She was hoping her son would learn, but it seems like that day will not come.

Leon stopped, facing her again. "Then why appoint Riven? He’s an outsider."

"Because he brings a perspective you lack," she said. "That he sometimes mirrors you, and he treats you like how you treat everybody else."

Leon was seriously offended by his mother comparing him to that mutt. That fucking useless mutt!

Leon looked away, his jaw tight. "So, what now?"

"You have two choices," she said. "Earn Riven’s approval and reclaim your position, or find your own path to power. You need to understand the responsibilities of leadership, not just the privileges."

He met her gaze, anger simmering beneath the surface. "Fine. But don’t expect me to grovel."

She sighed, her expression softening slightly. "Leon, this isn’t about grovelling. It’s about growth."

Leon turned sharply on his heel and stormed down the corridor, his long strides filled with fury and wounded pride. The echo of his retreating footsteps faded, but the silence that followed was far heavier.

The Dowager Queen stood still, her back straight, shoulders proud, but her expression slowly shifted. She brought a hand to her temple and exhaled a long, tired sigh.

So much arrogance, so little wisdom.

Her son—so full of potential, but so thoroughly consumed by entitlement.

She turned and began to walk slowly back toward her chambers, her thoughts spinning. She was in no mood to discuss things with those officials, she dismissed them immediately.

Leon believed the throne belonged to him by virtue of blood. But bloodlines were a fragile claim. A ruler without allies was like a lion without a pride. Alone, vulnerable, and destined to be dethroned.

He had no allies of his own. That was the bitter truth. No generals were loyal to him alone. No scholars, no nobles, no merchants who whispered his name with reverence. They followed her. Everything he wielded was hers—granted through her power, her name, her favour. And yet he strutted like the world bowed at his feet.

She loved him, of course. Fiercely. But that love did not blind her to his flaws. It pained her to see him like this—brash, reckless, proud—but she would not coddle him. Not now. Not when the future of the kingdom depended on what kind of man he became.

He needed to be humbled.

She had seen how Riven made her son serve meals, fetch clothes, even feed him. She had heard the gossip. The Queen’s son, playing servant to a wolf. Many whispered that it was undignified.

But she had not intervened.

Because humility was not humiliation. It was discipline, restraint, empathy—qualities Leon had yet to master.

If he wished to rule, he would have to earn it. He would have to put himself in others’ shoes, otherwise he will become a greedy, selfish ruler, no he already was one, he needed to change.

Riven lay sprawled on the plush bed in his chambers, the ornate ceiling above offering little entertainment. The palace was grand, yes, but at this moment, it felt more like a gilded cage. Leon had stormed off earlier, his pride wounded from their last interaction, and hadn’t returned since. Riven smirked at the memory, but now, boredom gnawed at him.

With a sigh, he rose, stretching his arms overhead, wincing slightly as his injured shoulder protested. The kidnappers did not handle him gently, tsk tsk!

He stepped out into the corridor, intending only to take a brief stroll to help his digestion.

As he turned the corner, he nearly collided with the palace’s deer butler. The young man, with his gentle eyes and calm demeanour, looked up, startled. It was the same guy from earlier!

"Apologies, Lord Riven," the butler said, bowing slightly. "Do you require assistance?"

Riven’s eyes sparkled with mischief. He’d always found the butler’s composed nature intriguing, and now, an idea formed. "Actually, yes. My shoulder’s still giving me trouble, and I can’t quite manage a proper bath on my own. Could you assist me?"

The butler nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Shall I prepare the bath now?"

Riven had expected a blush, a stammer, perhaps even a flustered refusal. Instead, he was met with professional courtesy. Undeterred, he followed the butler back into his chambers.

The butler moved efficiently, drawing the bath and adding fragrant oils to the steaming water. Riven watched, amused, as he began to undress, deliberately slow, hoping to elicit a reaction. He was lean, but he still had abs!

Yet, the butler remained unfazed. "The bath is ready, Lord Riven."

Riven stepped into the tub, the warm water soothing his muscles. He leaned back, allowing the butler to gently wash his back, careful to avoid the injured shoulder. The touch was professional, devoid of any hesitation.

Riven threw being reserved out the window and just went for it.

"You know," Riven began, trying to break the silence, "most would be a bit more... Reactive in this situation."

The butler smiled faintly. "I am trained to serve without personal bias, Lord Riven."

Riven chuckled. "Impressive. But surely, even you have limits."

The butler paused, then replied, "My duty is to ensure your comfort and well-being. If assisting you in this manner achieves that, then I am fulfilling my role." ƒrēenovelkiss.com

Riven leaned forward slightly, turning to meet the butler’s gaze. "You’re quite the enigma."

The butler met his eyes calmly. "As are you, Lord Riven."

The bath concluded without further incident, the butler assisting Riven in drying off. He was ready to help Riven get dressed as well, but Riven refused his help. What was the fun in teasing when the other person does not react?