Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!-Chapter 232: Insignificant

Riven replied, shifting in his seat. "Hey, do you know where Raphael is? I haven’t seen him in ages."

Eli’s eyes lit up. "You’re in luck. Raphael’s in town for some business. He’s staying at his residence in the capital."

Riven’s heart leapt with excitement. "Really? That’s fantastic! I didn’t get to see him last time he was here. Things were so hectic."

Eli chuckled. "Well, now’s your chance. Here’s the address."

With the information in hand, Riven returned to his room to get dressed.

Riven made his way quietly down the hallway, his footsteps light against the wooden floor. He’d already been up for a while, but he was still tired.

The fresh air had helped a bit, but now he wanted to look presentable. After all, it wasn’t every day he got to see one of his oldest friends.

He pushed open the door to his room and stepped inside, instantly spotting Ronan still curled up in bed.

Ronan was sprawled comfortably on his side, one hand tucked under the pillow and the other loosely gripping the edge of the blanket. His silver hair was a tousled mess, his features peaceful for once.

Riven smiled faintly. "Of course you’d be sleeping in. You deserve it." Eli told him how Ronan managed things quickly so that it would be a safe space for everyone. So that Riven could roam freely in his territory.

Careful not to wake him, Riven tiptoed to the wardrobe and pulled out a fresh set of clothes. He slipped into them quietly, wincing only once when his belt buckle clinked a little too loudly. Ronan didn’t even stir.

Riven glanced over his shoulder one more time, debating whether or not to leave a note. Of course, he should. Why was he even double-guessing himself? He did not want Ronan to worry.

Riven leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on his forehead. "Rest well," he whispered.

Walking back toward the door, he looked back one last time.

Then he slipped out, pulling the door shut behind him with a soft click.

Dressed and ready, Riven made his way to Raphael’s residence. The guards at the gate recognised him immediately, thanks to Ronan’s clear declaration of Riven’s importance. They bowed respectfully and allowed him entry without hesitation.

Inside, the manor was grand with high ceilings and ornate decorations, though it did not compare to the male lead’s houses he had been to, that is just protagonist buff. A servant greeted him and led him to the drawing-room, where Raphael was reviewing some documents. He was not in his study because he did not like the closed-off space.

"Riven!" Raphael exclaimed, rising to his feet with a broad smile.

"Raffy!" Riven rushed forward, enveloping his friend in a warm embrace.

"It’s been so long," Raphael said, pulling back to look at him.

They settled into plush armchairs, a tray of tea and pastries between them. For a moment, they simply enjoyed each other’s company, the silence comfortable and familiar.

But Riven’s smile gradually faded, a shadow passing over his features. He set his teacup down, fingers fidgeting with the hem of his sleeve.

"Raphael," he began, voice tinged with hesitation, "I’ve been meaning to say... I’m sorry."

Raphael looked up, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"I’m sorry for what happened," Riven continued. "And for apologising so late. You were imprisoned because you helped me escape. I did not mean for it to happen, but it happened anyway. I’m just so sorry." fгeewёbnoѵel_cσm

Raphael waved a dismissive hand, a chuckle escaping his lips. "No, no, you don’t need to apologise. Everything I did was out of my own volition."

"But still," Riven pressed, "you suffered because of me."

Raphael leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Riven, helping you was an easy decision. Even if I went back in time, I’d do it again. And besides, because the Alpha favours you so much, I was released and even handed over the title immediately. Otherwise, I would have had to fight a few old fogeys for the noble house."

He laughed, the sound light and genuine. "To me, helping means doing it without expecting a sorry or a thank you."

Riven felt a weight lift from his shoulders, gratitude shining in his eyes. "Thank you, Raphael. Truly."

They started bringing up the past, the training session where Riven performed horribly, laughing about it.

As the laughter faded into a soft hum of comfort between old friends, Riven leaned back and stretched out his legs. He glanced at Raphael, who was now sipping his tea with a bit more seriousness than before.

"So," Riven asked casually, propping his chin in his hand, "what have you been up to lately? Besides getting in and out of jail, then being handed your entire noble house on a silver platter, that is."

Raphael chuckled but sighed right after. "Well, with all the corrupted elders being... dealt with, let’s say, the Alpha ended up cleaning house pretty aggressively. A lot of those ’respectable’ figures weren’t so respectable after all."

Riven hummed, unsurprised. "Figured as much. They never did like me."

"They didn’t like a lot of people," Raphael replied dryly, setting down his cup. "Anyway, because of all that, I’ve been given more responsibilities. The Alpha said it was time the younger generation took the reins. I don’t know if that’s a compliment or him just getting tired of the situation.

"I’d say it’s because you’re competent." Riven smiled.

He hesitated, lips parting and closing once before he finally added, "There’s something else, though. Something you should probably know."

Riven raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Your father was imprisoned too," Raphael said quietly, watching Riven’s reaction closely.

There was a pause. A long one. Then Riven blinked and looked away, as if he’d been reminded of something, something he put on a shelf and left there. It was not that he cared or was unaware of the situation, he simply forgot about it. His father was that insignificant to him.

"...Right," he admitted. "I forgot. It’s not that I didn’t know, I just... Forgot."

"Ah, I see." There was a glint in Raphael’s eyes that Riven missed.

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