Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 411

Chapter 411: ’Something To Consider.’

"Yes, Your Majesty," Afton replied evenly, his voice calm and deliberate as he folded his hands neatly over his lap. "Given the prince’s unique psychological response and the strength of his attachment to you, I believe this spell presents the highest chance of success. It’s not without risk... but neither is inaction."

’So he’s sure this will work... Confident, but not arrogant. At least he’s not making promises he can’t keep.’ Heinz’s crimson gaze didn’t waver as he studied the professor. ’He understands the stakes. That’s something.’

Lysander leaned forward slightly, his tone sincere.

"Your Majesty, I’ve worked with Afton before—during a case involving a knight who suffered from fragmented memory after being cursed. I can vouch for both his methods and his discretion. He’s not only meticulous—he’s respected across both magical and medical circles."

Heinz remained still, but his eyes shifted briefly toward the bed. Florian stirred, a faint whimper escaping his lips.

A tremor rippled through the boy’s body, his fingers twitching slightly against the sheets.

Azure, sensing the change, uncoiled and let out a soft hiss, his tail lashing once before settling protectively beside Florian’s waist.

Another nightmare.

’So soon? It’s not even night yet.’ Heinz’s jaw tightened, but he kept his expression composed, unreadable.

He turned back toward the two men seated before him.

"This spell would require me to drop all defenses," he said, voice like steel wrapped in velvet. "To willingly step into an unstable, unpredictable mental world—with little to no assurance. You’re asking the King of Concordia to place himself in a position of vulnerability, with no concrete guarantee of success."

Afton didn’t flinch under the weight of the words. Instead, he inclined his head respectfully. "I understand completely, Your Majesty. I wouldn’t propose this lightly. But your connection to His Highness isn’t ordinary—it’s what we refer to as a core tether. In psychological terms, it’s an emotional constant within a fractured mind. If Prince Florian’s consciousness has indeed retreated inward, your presence may be the only thread strong enough to pull him back."

’Core tether...’ Heinz studied him with the same calm intensity he reserved for diplomacy or war. ’He keeps speaking in calculated terms. That tells me he’s thought this through... but it doesn’t make this any less dangerous.’

"I’ll consider it," Heinz said at last, his voice cool but not unkind. "For now, I need to tend to Florian. He’s stirring, and if he wakes up to unfamiliar faces, it will only worsen things."

He stood, straightening his coat. "Lysander, tell Lucius to prepare a secure room for Professor Afton. Private quarters. Guarded. Ensure he has what he needs while he’s here."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Lysander replied promptly, rising from his seat.

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Afton added, also standing. He gathered his materials swiftly, with the grace of a man used to operating in high-pressure environments. But just before stepping out, he paused.

Heinz turned slightly, already halfway to Florian’s bedside.

"I’ll summon you both when I’ve made my decision," he said without looking back.

Lysander bowed and exited without another word.

Afton lingered only a second longer before speaking—this time, more personally. "If I may add something, Your Majesty..."

Heinz turned fully now, raising a brow.

"One of the reasons I took particular interest in this case is because I began studying psychology during my time in Floramatria... Prince Florian’s homeland."

Heinz blinked, surprised, though it didn’t show. His voice dropped slightly. "You studied in Floramatria?"

"I did," Afton confirmed with quiet pride. "Their Arcane Scholars Guild offered insights into magical cognition and emotional memory that changed the way I approached trauma entirely. Much of what I’ve developed... began there."

Heinz gave a slow, measured nod. "Noted."

Afton bowed once more, more deeply this time. "I await your decision."

And with that, he left.

The door shut behind them, and silence reclaimed the room.

Heinz exhaled slowly through his nose, his gaze drawn again to the bed.

Florian had begun to stir again, his small frame tensing beneath the silk sheets. His lips moved restlessly.

"N-No... no..."

Heinz moved to him, his steps quiet but purposeful, and sat gently at the edge of the bed.

Azure let out a soft, mournful croak as he pressed his nose to Florian’s cheek. The prince’s breathing became shallower, his chest rising and falling with each labored inhale.

"No... please... I-I didn’t mean to... stop..."

"Florian." Heinz reached out and gently brushed the sweat-matted hair from his forehead, his hand firm yet soft. "You’re safe. No one will hurt you anymore."

Florian’s eyes didn’t open, but a whisper left his lips, cracked and aching.

"Heinz..."

"I’m here," he murmured, lowering his voice into a near-whisper as his fingers grazed Florian’s cheek. "I’m not going anywhere."

He sat there, watching him as his breathing slowly calmed, though the tremble in his fingers never fully faded.

If Heinz was being truly honest with himself, he didn’t care about the risks to himself. The physical danger, the mental toll, even the vulnerability of surrendering to a spell that might fail—none of that frightened him.

What terrified him was what would happen inside that mind. What he would do. What he would say.

’I don’t even know what I feel. I don’t know who he is. Who either of them are.’

’I don’t understand this version of him. I never understood the last one either.’

’I hate this.’

’Why am I still capable of feeling fear?’

He gritted his teeth and buried his face briefly against Florian’s shoulder, breathing in the faint scent of lavender and ash—something fragile and comforting, something him.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify