'What is happening to me? Why would I do that… Why would I say that?!'
Something was wrong. No, something was definitely wrong. It all started with that sudden flash of memory—strange and vivid—right after he had bumped into Heinz.
But what had triggered it?
The question hung unanswered in Florian's mind, but there was no time to dwell on it. What mattered now was the imminent danger. Heinz stood before him, his hand already gripping the hilt of his sword, his expression darkened with pure hatred.
'Why is he even acting like this? Isn't he supposed to just ignore me? Florian's barely worth his attention in the novel. He's been acting so aggressive since the announcement.'
None of this was making sense.
The only thought now screaming in Florian's head was how to undo whatever damage he had done. But how could he? Words had already failed him once. What if he said the wrong thing again?
'I have to pull myself together… He's… He's coming closer.'
"I have been having a very awful day, Florian," Heinz growled, his voice low and brimming with anger. "And I have grown tired of your nonsense. To deal with it again and again… hah…"
With an ominous rasp, Heinz unsheathed his sword. Each step he took was deliberate, the steel catching the light as it left its scabbard. Florian instinctively took a step back.
"Your Highness…" a soft voice broke through the tension.
Cashew.
The boy's frail fingers clutched at the hem of Florian's tunic, his small frame trembling against Florian's side. The weight of that tiny gesture anchored Florian, stirring a protective instinct he didn't even know he had. Without thinking, he shifted to shield the boy, placing himself squarely between Cashew and Heinz.
"Y-Your Majesty..." Florian stammered, his throat tightening. "Please, let me explain. You misunderstood what I said."
Heinz's gaze bore into him, sharp and unyielding. "Oh? So now you think I'm an idiot?"
'I didn't even say anything offensive! I just… I just asked a question!' But the truth was, Florian didn't even know why he had asked it. That memory—the strange, foreign thought—had taken control before he could stop it.
Heinz took another step forward, and Florian felt Cashew shaking harder behind him. The boy's fear was a knife twisting in his gut.
'Think, damn it. Why is he here? Why does he care so much about me staying away from the princesses?'
"Should I just end this with one quick swipe?" Heinz's voice cut through the air like the edge of his blade. "It would be one less problem to deal with."
Florian's mouth went dry. He swallowed hard, feeling a lump that refused to budge.
'What the fuck are your problems anyway? Fifty percent managing a harem, thirty percent ruling a kingdom, and twenty percent being pissed off at me. You chose to announce you're looking for a wife, and now you're mad about it? Wait… that's it! That's why he's here!'
"Silent now?" Heinz sneered, raising his sword slowly. "Then—"
"Y-Your Majesty!" Florian burst out, his voice cracking under the weight of desperation. "I… I just thought about helping you!"
Heinz froze, his sword mid-air. His brows furrowed, his glare shifting into wary confusion. "What are you spouting this time?"
"I… I know why you're here," Florian stammered, his voice trembling but gaining strength as the words spilled out.
Heinz's scowl deepened. "How could you possibly know that?"
Florian hesitated for half a second before forcing a faint smile, a calculated move to mask his panic. "How could I not?" he said, his tone soft but laced with conviction.
"You're here to check on the harem… aren't you?"
'I may forget things. Some details might slip away, and the information I know may change, but there's one thing I'm certain of: you don't go to the harem. You summon them to you. And judging by the direction you were heading, it's obvious where you're going.'
Florian's words hung in the air, heavy and deliberate.
Heinz didn't respond immediately. His stance faltered, and for the first time, his sharp exterior seemed to waver. He stepped back, his grip on the sword loosening slightly, his eyes narrowing in cautious consideration.
'Bingo.'
Florian seized the moment. His confidence swelled just enough to push through the tension.
"And I know why you want to check on them," he continued, his voice steady despite the knot tightening in his stomach.
"You cannot possibly—" Heinz started, his tone sharp but tinged with disbelief.
"Your Majesty, I..." Florian placed a hand on his chest, fingers splayed as if to center himself. "...know I've been a thorn in your side. I realize now how much of a nuisance I've been, and I understand why you've never shown me affection."
He paused, carefully watching Heinz's expression. Though still guarded, the king's anger seemed to dim, replaced by wary curiosity.
"I've been meaning to apologize," Florian went on, his tone soft but deliberate. Then, summoning every ounce of courage, he took a step forward, closing the distance between them. "The reason I asked why I shouldn't go near the princesses… it's because I think His Majesty doesn't realize how much of an asset I could be—"
"Get to the point." Heinz snapped, his patience thinning. His free hand massaged his temple, as if Florian's sudden change in demeanor was giving him a headache. The sword still hung loosely at his side, its edge gleaming ominously in the dim light.
Florian bowed his head deeply. "I want to help you find a bride."
Heinz blinked. The abruptness of the statement caught him off guard. "What?"
"Y-Your Highness?" Even Cashew, who had been silent, squeaked out in surprise. Florian could feel the boy's wide eyes on him, but he didn't dare turn away from Heinz.
"Before you say anything, Your Majesty, let me explain." Florian straightened, his expression calm but determined. "Lucius, your butler—I know he can't stay near the princesses for extended periods. Whatever the reason, his presence there is limited."
'That's reason one.'
"And you, as king, are burdened by your duties. You can't possibly spare the time to closely observe the princesses to decide which one is most suited to be your queen."
'Reason two. And now… for the gamble.'
"I am the only one who can keep a constant eye on them," Florian said, meeting Heinz's gaze—or trying to. It was only then he noticed that Heinz wasn't truly looking at him. Not directly. It was a detail Florian had read about before, one he hadn't fully understood until now: Heinz never looked at him because of the disgust he felt.
That realization stung more than Florian cared to admit, but he pushed the thought aside and pressed on.
"I know His Majesty will never choose me," he continued, his tone unwavering. "But I'm still part of the harem. If nothing else, you can use me. I can observe the princesses on your behalf and provide you with the information you need to make the best choice."
Heinz furrowed his brows. His expression was inscrutable as he studied Florian. The silence stretched, and for a moment, Florian wondered if he had overplayed his hand.
Then Heinz spoke, his voice low and calculating. "And what do you want in return?"
'Heinz is smart. He went straight to it. No arguments, no questions—just straight to what I want. He knew I wanted something in return.'
"If I succeed," Florian said, his voice firm despite the weight of the moment, "if I help you find the perfect bride… then I ask for one thing."
He paused, drawing a steadying breath before delivering the final words.
"Please let me return to my kingdom."