Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!-Chapter 253: ’Never Less Complicated’

Athena’s breath hitched. The faint pink dusting her cheeks deepened, and then—before Florian could even process it—she spoke.

Fast.

"I-It’s nothing much, really! I mean, it’s something, but it’s not—well, it’s not what you’re thinking! Um—what I mean is, Lady Scarlett and I just... talked?" Her fingers curled slightly against the fabric of her gown, twisting the material as if anchoring herself. "After the test, she approached me. Out of nowhere. I was so sure she was going to insult me, or—or make some kind of remark, but instead, she just..."

Athena exhaled sharply, as if she still couldn’t quite believe it herself.

"She apologized."

Florian blinked.

’Scarlett? Apologizing?’

"I-I was surprised too," Athena admitted, nodding as if she had read his thoughts. "She just—she said she was sorry. For all of it. Everything she’s done to me." Her voice wavered slightly, like she wasn’t sure if speaking it aloud would make it real or take it back.

"I didn’t know what to say. I think I just stood there, completely frozen, because she looked so uncomfortable saying it that I wondered if she was being forced to."

’That does sound like Scarlett,’ Florian mused.

Athena’s hands clenched for a moment, then released as she continued, the words spilling out in a rush. "But she wasn’t! She wasn’t forced at all! I don’t know why, but... she was being nice. Not completely nice, she was still—well, her. But after that, she didn’t treat me the same. And then after the ball, when she was looking for you, she saw me and—she asked me where you were. And we just... talked a little."

Florian’s brows furrowed. "Talked?"

Athena gave a small nod, her expression still tinged with disbelief. "Just simple things. Nothing important. But it was... different. I think we’re on speaking terms now?"

’Scarlett, on speaking terms with Athena.’

That was... unexpected. But then again—

Scarlett had bullied him too.

Relentlessly, at that. Yet somehow, she was his friend now.

A chuckle escaped Florian before he could stop it, soft and amused. "Huh." He tilted his head, studying Athena. "Do you think she’s always wanted to befriend you?"

Athena stiffened slightly at the question, blinking up at him with those wide, hazel eyes. "I—" She hesitated, her lips pressing together before she slowly lowered her gaze. "...I don’t know."

’Neither do I,’ Florian thought.

Scarlett was sharp-tongued, brash, and stubborn to a fault—but maybe, just maybe, there had always been something more underneath.

Still smiling, he looked at Athena. "Well, that’s good then." His voice was light, sincere. "The only real issue the harem’s ever had were the in-fights. If this helps lessen them, then I’d say it’s a win."

Athena glanced up at him, something flickering in her eyes—relief? Gratitude? Whatever it was, she nodded shyly. "Y-Yes. I think so too."

Then, as if suddenly realizing how long she had been standing there, Athena quickly stepped back, her hands folding neatly in front of her. "I-I won’t keep you. I know you’re still recovering, so... I’ll let you rest."

She hesitated for just a moment, then softly repeated her earlier words. "I just wanted to ask how you were."

Warmth stirred in Florian’s chest again, gentle and familiar. He smiled.

"Thank you, Lady Athena."

Athena had already turned, her steps light and almost hesitant against the polished floor as she walked away. Florian exhaled, feeling the weight of his day begin to lift as he reached for his door handle. A moment of peace. A quiet morning. Something rare, something precious these days.

But just as he was about to step inside—

"W-Wait!"

Florian paused, blinking in surprise. He turned back, his gaze landing on Athena. She had stopped in her tracks, her fingers curled slightly at her sides, as if battling with herself over something. There was a moment of hesitation in her stance, a fleeting uncertainty. Then, after a brief but noticeable pause, she took a step forward again, her voice faltering slightly as she spoke.

Florian arched a brow, his hand still resting on the door handle. "Did you need something else, Lady Athena?"

Athena’s gaze dropped, almost shyly, before she glanced up at him, the faint pink still coloring her cheeks. She seemed suddenly more vulnerable, more unsure than usual. "I-I almost forgot," she admitted, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her hands nervously smoothing down the sides of her gown. "Lady Alexandria and I... we’re having a tea party again later." Her voice softened, the words almost timid. "I wanted to ask if you wanted to come."

Florian blinked, taken off guard for a moment. Then, a soft chuckle escaped him.

’A tea party again, huh?’

The last time he’d attended one with them, it had been a surprisingly pleasant change of pace—until Heinz had summoned him, cutting it short. That memory lingered, bittersweet.

"I’d love to," Florian said with a small, genuine smile. "It’s been a while since I’ve had a quiet afternoon." The words were simple, but they carried a quiet sincerity.

Athena’s expression brightened, the relief clear in her eyes. It was almost as if a weight had lifted from her shoulders. "That’s wonderful! It will be in the gardens again—same time as last time."

Florian nodded, his gaze softening. "I’ll be there."

Athena beamed, the warmth in her smile contagious. "Then... I’ll see you later, Lord Florian." She gave a polite curtsy, her movements graceful as always, before she finally turned to leave for good this time.

Florian watched her go, his hand lifting in a casual wave, a small smile lingering on his lips. "See you later, Lady Athena."

Once she disappeared down the corridor, Florian stepped back into his room, closing the door behind him with a soft click. He leaned against it for a moment, the cool wood against his back grounding him as he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

His morning was off to a good start, all things considered. Scarlett and Athena were on speaking terms—an unexpected but welcome turn of events—there were no immediate fires to put out, no pressing catastrophes demanding his attention. And for once, he had something simple to look forward to: a quiet afternoon tea.

’Not bad. Not bad at all.’

But—

His smile wavered, just slightly, as unspoken thoughts pressed in, dimming the fleeting sense of ease.

’Is that why Heinz told me to figure it out when I asked why he interrogated Scarlett?’

It wasn’t just a passing curiosity anymore. Heinz wasn’t the type to act without reason, and Florian knew better than to ignore the significance of his words. Scarlett had been thoroughly questioned—more than she should have been, if it was just a routine inquiry. And while Florian hadn’t been there to witness it himself, the way Scarlett recounted it told him enough. Heinz had been prying. Hard.

’But if he already suspects the culprit could be one of the princesses, why not just say it outright?’

A sigh slipped past his lips as he pinched the bridge of his nose, the familiar tension creeping back in. The peaceful morning, so easily fractured.

Heinz wasn’t careless. If he was holding back, there was a reason. Was he waiting to see if Florian would reach the same conclusion? Or was he hesitant to name a suspect without undeniable proof? Either way, it left Florian in a frustrating position.

He could feel the threads of this mystery tangling around him, pulling tighter with each passing moment.

’Things never get less complicated, do they?’