Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!-Chapter 251: ’That Was Scarlett’

Florian and Scarlett talked for a while longer. To his surprise, she wasn’t all that different from before—still sharp-tongued, still quick to scowl—but in a way that felt less hostile and more... familiar.

Less like an adversary, more like an exasperating younger sibling.

Kind of like Kaz, his little sister.

An annoying little sister. A bratty one.

That realization made it easier to tolerate her quirks, though it didn’t make her any less dramatic.

As they spoke, Florian learned a few things about her—things that painted her in a different light.

Scarlett was the youngest of three princesses in her kingdom, Prospera Dominion. That alone explained much of her resentment. She had been the easiest choice for her parents to send away, the most disposable piece in their game of politics.

No wonder she held so much bitterness—it wasn’t just about being here; it was about being chosen to be here, as if her value had never mattered in the first place.

He also learned that she and Camilla had been friends long before they were sent to Concordia. Camilla’s family had visited Prospera Dominion in the past, allowing their friendship to form before either of them had known they’d be part of this so-called competition.

’Now I wonder if Camilla is also hiding some secret personality,’ Florian mused. ’Actually, are all the princesses hiding something?’

Another surprising fact: Scarlett did not even like Heinz. At all.

She didn’t hate him, but there wasn’t an ounce of romantic interest in her voice when she spoke of him. The only reason she wanted to become queen was so she could freely visit Prospera again and act as its representative.

Marriage between two powerful kingdoms would open doors for Prospera, granting her homeland greater influence. To her, that was all that mattered.

But there was still one question lingering in Florian’s mind.

"Why are you comfortable telling me all this?" he asked, watching her carefully. "What if I blab to His Majesty?"

Scarlett’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing in suspicion. For a moment, Florian braced himself for an outburst—something dramatic, a loud Hah?! and an insult about his intelligence.

But to his surprise, she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly before answering.

"I started to feel like you don’t want to be here just as much as I don’t," she admitted, her voice calmer than he expected. Then, she hesitated before adding, "Camilla is my best friend, but to her... this is a big opportunity."

She scowled, as if frustrated by her own reasoning. "I don’t know, maybe it’s a dumb reason. Hmph." She turned her head away, huffing, but the defensiveness faded quickly.

"I just feel like I can, okay? Trust you, I mean..."

Florian, who had initially found her insufferable, softened at her words. It was rare to see her drop her bravado like this, and though he wasn’t sure he wanted to, he felt an unexpected tug of sympathy.

"Hey... Lady Scarle—"

"You can just call me Scarlett," she interrupted. Then, shifting slightly, she muttered, "In private... In return, can I just call you Florian?"

Florian raised an eyebrow at her before breaking into a laugh. "Yeah, that’s no problem, La—Scarlett." He corrected himself with a small smile.

’I initially wanted to befriend Bridget and Mira, but... Scarlett is surprisingly nice company,’ he thought.

"You can come here anytime, Scarlett," he added after a pause. "If... you need someone to talk to."

Because this was the kind of friendship that was meant to be a secret. Something maintained behind closed doors, for appearances’ sake.

It was an unspoken agreement.

Scarlett glanced at him, her lips parting slightly as if she had something to say. Then, just as quickly, she turned away again.

"If you insist."

Silence lingered between them, not heavy, but unshakable—like an unspoken understanding had settled into the space. The soft crackle of the fireplace filled the quiet, mingling with the distant hum of the palace beyond the walls. Florian leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting toward the ornate clock on the wall.

Come to think of it.

’It’s been almost an hour now...’

Cashew still hadn’t arrived.

That was strange. Lucius should have sent him by now, right? Or had Cashew gotten caught up in something? Florian frowned slightly, making a mental note to check on it later. But before he could dwell on the thought, Scarlett let out a quiet breath and rose to her feet, brushing invisible dust off the fine silk of her dress.

"I’ve said everything I needed to say," she declared, her tone crisp once more, her usual haughty air slipping back into place like a well-worn cloak. "I should leave before my maids start wreaking havoc over my disappearance."

Florian arched an eyebrow. "You didn’t tell them where you were going?"

Scarlett scoffed, tossing a curl over her shoulder. "Of course not. All they know is that I went out for a walk."

He huffed a soft laugh, shaking his head. "You shouldn’t worry them like that, you know."

She merely rolled her eyes, her voice light with amusement. "Today is just a rare occasion."

Florian chuckled, entertained by her stubbornness. "I can walk you out, if you want."

Scarlett waved a hand dismissively, already turning toward the door. "No need. I can manage on my own." Then, as if considering the possibility of being caught, she added with a smirk, "If anyone sees me, I’ll just act like I mistakenly entered the wrong room."

Florian let out a quiet laugh. "Sounds like a solid plan."

"I know."

Her fingers brushed the doorknob, but just before turning it, she hesitated. It was brief—so brief that if he hadn’t been watching closely, he might have missed it. Her posture remained poised, her expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of something—uncertainty, perhaps.

Then, in a softer voice, almost reluctant, she murmured, "Thanks."

And before he could respond, she was gone, slipping out into the corridor like a whisper of silk.

Florian exhaled, leaning back in his chair, running a hand through his hair.

’That was... surprisingly pleasant.’

Scarlett was still Scarlett—bratty, prideful, a little too sharp with her words—but beneath it all, there was something real. A vulnerability she likely didn’t let many see. He never thought he’d find himself enjoying her company, but...

’It was nice.’

He was about to call out to Azure—who was still hiding under the bed—when a sudden, sharp sound cut through the quiet corridor.

A small scream.

High-pitched. Startled.

Florian’s body tensed, his pulse spiking.

’That was... Scarlett!’