Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight! novel Chapter 532

"My, who is this adorable little thing?" Asher's tone was laced with mock amusement, his eyes glinting as they lingered on Cashew.

Heinz's brows furrowed, the faintest twitch of irritation flashing across his face. "Cashew, why have you come here and…" His head tilted slightly, gaze narrowing. "Where's Azure?"

"Oh, he's with His Highness," Cashew replied quickly. "And I came here because I was looking for you—it's almost time for your dance with His Highness and, uh…"

His words trailed off as his gaze flicked toward Asher. Bowing nervously, he stammered, "H-Hello, I'm Cashew. Prince Florian's personal servant."

"A personal servant?" Asher chuckled, low and amused. "He really has it better here. And such a cute servant as well."

He moved forward with casual ease, though his looming presence made Cashew stiffen. The boy's eyes widened, and he instinctively stepped back.

'What is he doing?' Heinz's eyes hardened, following Asher's every move.

"Do you know Florian well?" Asher asked smoothly, his attention never leaving Cashew.

Caught off guard, Cashew glanced at Heinz as if pleading for help. The sight made Heinz pause—curious.

Only just recently, this boy, once twisted against him by Hendrix's schemes, had been glaring daggers at him.

Yet now Cashew stood closer, almost relying on him. His loyalty had shifted, especially after Heinz temporarily entrusted him with Delilah's duties.

If Florian truly became his queen, then Cashew's position would be secured without question.

'It's as if he doesn't even remember hating me.'

"Y-Yes…?" Cashew squeaked, his voice breaking in a way that betrayed his age.

"Oh, that's nice," Asher said, voice dripping with false sweetness. "I've been wanting to know more about how he's faring here. Perhaps we should have a conversation about—"

"Cashew is quite busy." Heinz's voice cut cleanly through the moment.

He stepped forward, towering slightly over Cashew, forcing Asher to halt. "He's being trained to become the new head maid of sorts. He has plenty to oversee for this ball." His eyes flicked down briefly to Cashew. "Where is Florian?"

"He's with the princesses and Azure," Cashew answered quickly.

"Then you know what to do for our dance, correct?"

Cashew straightened under the weight of Heinz's stare and nodded firmly. "Everything's been prepared, Your Majesty."

"Oh?" Asher tilted his head, lips curving. "Something special for your dance, Your Majesty?"

Heinz didn't so much as glance at him. "Yes."

"Interesting. It really seems you're more enthralled with Florian than you're letting on," Asher mused with a chuckle, before finally stepping away. "Which is great. This will work out in our favor."

Both Heinz and Cashew remained still, watching until Asher's back fully turned.

"Good luck, Your Majesty," Asher added over his shoulder, then walked off, his figure fading into the distance.

'What a strange man.' Heinz exhaled slowly, though his jaw tightened. Asher's words dripped of something sour, his disdain for his own son too transparent.

Still, the exchange had been useful. Heinz now knew Asher's angle, his dislike for Florian. And that knowledge was enough to remind him of one truth—if anyone dared to try and take Florian, it would not end in peace.

Not for them. Not for anyone.

He despised how exposed he felt in this outfit—it was far less than he was used to—but the thought of Florian in his own matching attire eased that discomfort. 'He looked breathtaking… he always does.'

His lips curved faintly. 'I wonder how he'll react to the little surprise I've prepared for our dance.' The image of Florian's flustered face flashed in his mind—cheeks reddened, words caught in a stammer. Heinz's chest rumbled with a soft chuckle. 'He'll be helpless, and I'll savor every second of it.'

"Your Majesty." Another noble stopped to bow, voice eager.

"Your Majesty, I've been meaning to—"

"I'm afraid I can't talk right now," Heinz cut in, his tone cold and final. He didn't even spare the man a glance. His eyes were already scanning the glittering crowd, searching—until he found it. A familiar glimmer of pale purple hair.

There he was.

Florian.

He stood among the princesses, Athena and Scarlett, his laughter light as he held Azure in his arms. The dragon nestled comfortably against him, content.

The sight carved into Heinz's chest, filling it with something dangerously warm.

A smile tugged at his lips, rare and fleeting. He brushed past Cashew, his stride purposeful as he headed straight toward Florian.

'This is where it begins. The first step—and then he'll be mine, completely.'

His gaze darkened with resolve. 'And Hendrix will see it. He'll see who truly owns Florian now. He'll see their reality, not the one he clings to.'

Because Heinz wasn't going to let him win.

Not ever again.