"You..."
Before Florian could fully process the situation, Scarlett grabbed a nearby candleholder, its green flame flickering ominously, and charged straight at him.
"The only reason you're acting like this is because of your face! Without it, you're nothing!"
Her words echoed in Florian's mind. 'She's saying exactly what Aden wrote... word for word.' His eyes widened as realization struck. She was following the script of the novel—his novel.
"Y-Your Highness, no!" one of the maids shouted, panic lacing her voice.
"Let's see how arrogant you can continue to act if I burn that disgusting face of yours!" Scarlett screamed, her words venomous.
'She's actually going to do it.'
Florian braced himself, adrenaline surging through his veins. He sidestepped swiftly, narrowly avoiding Scarlett's lunge. The candle's flame licked at the air, but it was too close.
"Y-Your Highness, Prince Florian—your hair is on fire!" Cashew's terrified voice rang out, his small frame flailing as he looked around frantically for water.
Florian froze, the scent of burning hair reaching his nose. A part of him wanted to panic—wanted to scream like the original Florian had in the novel—but he forced himself to stay calm.
The fire wasn't large, only a section of his long, golden hair catching the green flames, but it was still a dangerous situation. Around him, the princesses erupted into chaos.
"Lady Scarlett, w-what did you do?!"
"Someone help him!"
Unlike the original Florian, who had panicked and run in circles, prolonging the incident, this Florian kept his composure. Ignoring the hammering in his chest, he reached for a nearby chalice of water. The cold liquid doused the flames in an instant, extinguishing them before they could spread further.
'That was too close.' He exhaled, the tension finally easing as the fire sputtered out.
When Florian opened his eyes, the room had fallen silent. Maids and princesses huddled together, their faces pale. Scarlett stood restrained by her maid, her own expression a mixture of fury and fear. Cashew and Lucius were both at Florian's side in an instant.
"Your Highness, are you alright? Can you answer? Are you in shock?" Lucius's voice was steady but tinged with urgency as he carefully examined Florian.
Cashew, already in tears, clung to a singed lock of Florian's hair. "Y-Your Highness... your... hair..."
Florian offered Cashew a gentle smile, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I'm fine. It was just a small flame, and I managed to put it out before it got worse."
He turned his gaze to Lucius, his calm demeanor unwavering. "I'm not in shock. I saw it coming and reacted in time."
Lucius studied Florian intently, his piercing eyes searching for any signs of lingering fear or distress. When he found none, he sighed heavily and turned to Scarlett, who was still thrashing weakly against her maid's grip.
"Princess Scarlett," Lucius began, his voice icy, "this behavior is beyond disappointing. I will report this incident to His Majesty immediately—"
"Don't bother," Florian interrupted, his tone light but firm.
Lucius froze mid-sentence, his sharp gaze snapping back to Florian. Even Scarlett stopped struggling, her wide eyes darting toward him.
"What?" Lucius said, his voice low with disbelief. "Your Highness, she—"
Florian raised a hand to silence him. 'It's pointless. Heinz won't do anything. Reporting this will only embolden Scarlett further.'
He took a deep breath, crafting his expression into one of serene composure. 'If I take the high road here, it could work in my favor. It's all about the long game. Kill 'em with kindness.'
Florian rose from his seat, ignoring Cashew's whispered pleas for him to stay put. Giving his loyal maid a quick thumbs-up, he walked toward Scarlett.
Though his lips curled into a polite smile, Florian knew his eyes betrayed none of the warmth his expression implied.
"D-Don't come any closer to me, you freak!" Scarlett shouted, her voice cracking.
Stopping a few steps away, Florian inclined his head slightly. "I recognize that I may have taunted you earlier, which seems to have caused this... tantrum."
"Tantrum?!" Scarlett shrieked. "How dare you—"
"I forgive you," Florian said simply, cutting her off.
Her face twisted in confusion and disbelief. For a moment, Florian savored the flicker of horror in her eyes.
"I truly do," he continued, his voice soft but unwavering. "And besides..." He reached up, brushing his fingers through the charred ends of his hair. "I've been meaning to get a haircut."
Scarlett's jaw dropped, her fury momentarily replaced by sheer bewilderment. Around them, the other princesses exchanged uneasy glances, unsure of how to react.
"But Your Highness, this is not only an act of hate, but also a serious violation of the law. We should inform His Majesty—" Lucius began, his tone resolute, only to be interrupted by a commanding voice.
"Inform me of what?"
The room froze.
Not just Florian, not just Lucius or Cashew—everyone.
'Why... is he here?'
Every pair of eyes turned toward the entrance of the dining hall, where Heinz stood with two knights flanking him. His expression was as cold and unreadable as ever, while the knights behind him surveyed the scene with thinly veiled curiosity.
"Y-Your Majesty!" one of the maids stammered, quickly bowing. Everyone else followed suit, snapping out of their shock to bow deeply, including Florian.
'This is bad. This is the worst-case scenario. If Lucius tells Heinz, he'll dismiss it in front of everyone. And when he does, Scarlett will take that as a green light to torment me even more. Damn it!' Florian's thoughts spiraled into panic, even as he kept his head low.
"What has happened here, Lucius?" Heinz's voice was steady and commanding, cutting through the tense silence.
Lucius straightened, cleared his throat, and began. "Your Majesty, Princess Scarlett attempted to burn Prince Florian with a candle. Fortunately, Prince Florian managed to evade, and only his hair was burned. However—"
"Your Majesty, please!" Scarlett suddenly interjected, her voice desperate as she took a step closer to Florian, even daring to touch his arm. "Florian... he provoked me! He was mocking me and Camilla! Isn't that right, Camilla? Tell him!"
Camilla, standing nervously beside her maid, nodded shakily. "Y-Yes, sire! It's true... we were just dining peacefully, but Prince Florian began verbally attacking us. He's... he's unhinged!"
'Ah. Well, I'm screwed.' Florian lifted his head slightly, his gaze meeting Heinz's cold, calculating stare. 'He's definitely not going to consider my proposition now. I might as well brace myself for months of bullying while I figure out how to escape this mess.'
"Lucius," Heinz's voice broke the silence, "remind me of the rule regarding discord within the palace and the harem."
Lucius hesitated, his shock evident before he answered. "Your Majesty, the Law of Palace Harmony forbids all forms of conflict, discord, or disruptive behavior within these walls."
Heinz nodded, his expression unreadable. "Explain its purpose."
Standing tall, Lucius complied. "This law exists to maintain the palace as a sanctuary of order and unity, a reflection of the balance we seek to uphold throughout the kingdom. The harem, in particular, holds the sacred duty of exemplifying harmony. Members are expected to mediate disputes, temper tensions, and ensure peace among themselves and others."
"Correct. And what are the consequences for breaking this law?" Heinz asked, his tone sharp.
Lucius hesitated for the briefest moment before answering. "First-time offenders are treated with leniency, Your Majesty. The punishment includes five hours of solitary reflection, followed by a written apology and an account of the actions that caused the discord."
"Very well. Princess Scarlett will serve five hours in solitude and write her reflection. The other party will also write an apology."
"W-What?!" Scarlett's voice cracked with indignation, her face pale. "Your Majesty, please! He—"
"Enough," Heinz interrupted, his cold tone brooking no argument.
Lucius bowed deeply. "As you command, Your Majesty." He signaled the maids, who quickly ushered the sobbing Scarlett out of the room despite her protests.
"As for the rest of you," Lucius continued, addressing the other princesses, "you may either resume your meal or retire to your quarters."
"Pardon me, Sir Lucius." Bridget raised her hand, adjusting her glasses with deliberate precision.
Lucius glanced at Heinz, who gave a subtle nod of permission.
Bridget cleared her throat. "Your Majesty, if I may ask, it's rare for you to visit the dining area unannounced. Might we inquire as to the purpose of your visit?"
The room grew tense again, all eyes fixed on Heinz. Even Florian found himself holding his breath, his mind still racing to process the surreal events that had just unfolded.
'This is... good, right? I only have to write an apology, and Scarlett actually got punished. That's huge progress. Maybe this is the turning point I need—'
"I came here to speak with Florian," Heinz said, his voice calm but firm.
"What?!"
The word burst from every mouth in the room, an incredulous chorus that echoed against the high ceilings.