Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 475

Chapter 475: ’Tranquilis Kingdom’

’Did Athena really call Hendrix... cousin?’ Florian thought, unsure if he had heard correctly, a faint pulse of disbelief tightening in his chest.

"P–Prince Hendrix... what are you doing here?" Lucius asked, bowing quickly, his eyes darting between Hendrix and Florian as if unsure which of the two he should be watching more.

Hendrix’s lips curved into a smooth smile, the kind that seemed practiced yet effortless.

"I heard my dear cousin was having tea with some friends in the garden," he said, his voice warm but carrying an undercurrent Florian couldn’t place. "And I thought I’d take the chance to introduce myself." His gaze slid past Lucius—calm, deliberate—landing squarely on Florian.

Florian’s breath caught for a fraction of a second, his eyes widening.

Lucius noticed. "Oh... right, uh—Prince Florian, this is... Prince Hendrix Obsidian, he’s—"

"His Majesty’s brother. I know," Florian interrupted, schooling his expression into polite composure. He inclined his head and offered a respectful bow. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

Hendrix stepped forward, ignoring the space Lucius occupied, and extended his hand.

Florian hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty passing over his face, before placing his own hand atop Hendrix’s.

The other prince leaned down, his lips brushing lightly over Florian’s knuckles—a fleeting contact, but enough to send a faint heat to Florian’s cheeks.

’Don’t think about the dream now. Not the right time.’ 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

"The pleasure’s all mine," Hendrix murmured, holding Florian’s gaze just a beat too long. "I’ve heard you were a good friend to Athena. Thank you for taking care of her."

When he released Florian’s hand, his attention shifted seamlessly to Athena, who was waiting nearby.

’So they really are cousins...’ The thought lingered, tugging at Florian’s curiosity.

Lucius made a subtle movement, as if to intercept him, but Florian ignored it.

As much as he wanted to press Lucius for answers about Heinz, the sudden revelation—and Hendrix’s presence—was too intriguing to let go.

Lucius’s jaw tightened faintly, but he didn’t follow. As the second prince of Concordia, Hendrix stood beyond his reach, and pulling Florian away would have been stepping into dangerous territory.

Of course, Lucius didn’t know there was a history—however unspoken—between Hendrix and Florian. His only concern was Heinz’s deep, unmasked loathing for his younger brother.

’I’ll think about Heinz’s whereabouts later.’

Florian followed Hendrix toward the table where Athena and Scarlett sat. Athena’s face lit up with genuine happiness at the sight of him.

"Hello, Athena... and you must be Princess Scarlett," Hendrix greeted smoothly, his voice dipped in charm. Scarlett, still caught off guard by his sudden appearance, gave a graceful curtsy.

"Prince Hendrix, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I didn’t expect to see you here," Scarlett said, straightening with practiced poise, her eyes briefly flicking over him in quiet assessment.

"Well," Hendrix replied with a faint, almost knowing smile, "I didn’t really announce my arrival. And the moment I did, I went straight to visit my cousin." He gestured toward Athena with an easy, familiar motion.

"I was just as surprised," Athena admitted warmly. "It’s been far too long since I last saw him." She turned to Florian. "Please, join us. Uh... Prince Florian, would it be alright if he did?"

Every pair of eyes shifted toward Florian. Hendrix’s gaze lingered the longest—steady, deliberate, and far too knowing.

Florian’s chest tightened under the weight of it before he gave a small, awkward nod. "O-Of course... the more the merrier."

Athena’s expression brightened immediately.

Naturally, Hendrix chose the empty seat beside Florian. As he settled in, his arm brushed against Florian’s for just an instant—light enough to seem accidental, but impossible to ignore.

Florian shifted in his seat, his posture suddenly rigid. Athena and Scarlett sat down as well, though Florian could still sense Hendrix’s quiet presence at his side.

"I hope you don’t mind me asking this so suddenly," Scarlett began, her voice polite but edged with curiosity, "but I’m not one to ignore the elephant in the room." Her gaze moved between Hendrix and Athena. "So the two of you are... cousins?"

’Good job, Scarlett,’ Florian thought with silent relief. He’d been wondering the same thing, but had no idea how to phrase it without sounding intrusive.

And really, who wouldn’t be curious?

No one knew Athena had ties to anyone from Concordia—much less to Heinz’s half-brother, the Second Prince himself.

"Ah, well... yes," Hendrix said easily. "It’s not widely known, but it’s also no secret. My mother is a princess from the Tranquilis Kingdom. Athena’s father—the king of Tranquilis—and my mother are siblings."

Florian blinked.

’So that’s it... cousins by blood. Makes perfect sense. But still... Athena, connected to Concordia through family? That’s a thread no one could have guessed.’

Wait...

That would also mean the very kingdom Heinz was actively trying to ruin...

...was Athena’s kingdom.

Florian’s breath caught, his eyes widening before he could mask his reaction.

Across the table, Hendrix’s gaze flicked toward him, sharp and perceptive.

A faint smirk tugged at the prince’s lips as he propped his chin atop his hand, studying Florian for the briefest moment before turning his attention back to Athena.

’So it’s true...’

’God. I feel like throwing up.’

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