Help! I Became A Guy In A BL Novel!-Chapter 258: Insane

"I’ll take this town, and I’ll take whatever else I damn well please. You think you can threaten me in front of all these people and walk out like some smug bastard? I’ll carve that grin off your face, Soren." Leon declared.

Soren stood atop a low slope just outside the occupied house, issuing orders with his usual cold precision. Snow leopard soldiers moved like shadows under his direction—forming patrols, fortifying key positions, and drawing up defenses that could hold the town should Leon attack at sunrise.

Riven stood just behind him, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.

"This barricade needs to extend down the east road. If they push from there, we’ll be wide open," Soren said, voice low and firm. "Have the archers stationed on the rooftops. I want a clear shot the moment I give the word."

The soldiers saluted and darted off.

Riven gave it another moment. Then, when Soren turned to consult a map with his lieutenant, Riven stepped aside, gesturing to one of the wolf guards standing nearby. They weren’t many—Ronan had barely placed anyone here—but the few that had come with Riven now stood in uncertainty.

"Listen," Riven said quietly. "Follow Soren’s orders." He had no experience in such things, he knew how to negotiate, but Leon was not giving him a chance.

Riven was already slipping away under the cover of the trees before anyone could ask him any more questions.

He followed a narrow trail leading into the woods behind the town. The wind carried the scent of ash and pine, and further ahead, the familiar, faint smell of Leon. He was a wolf after all, he ought to use his animal senses.

He’s alone? Riven narrowed his eyes. That was... unexpected. He had imagined Leon would be at the center of his army, barking orders, preparing for an all-out assault. But the trail led further into the woods, away from the tents and soldiers.

Riven stepped carefully through the underbrush, the soft crunch of leaves under his boots barely audible.

And then—

"What are you doing here, Riven?"

Leon’s voice cut through the stillness like a blade.

Riven paused mid-step. Leon hadn’t turned around. He stood with his back to him, a few paces away, facing the trees. The early morning light hit his golden hair just enough to make it glow faintly. His shoulders were rigid. His tone was cold.

"Leave," Leon said again, slower this time. "Right now."

Riven scowled. "I’m not going anywhere."

He stepped forward, arms tight across his chest.

"We came here to negotiate," Riven snapped. "And you declared war. Is that what a newly reinstated king does? Start battles and break treaties that would ruin his and his kingdom’s reputation?" frёewebηovel.cѳm

Leon still didn’t turn around. His fists were clenched at his sides.

"Don’t talk to me like you give a damn about me or my reputation," he said, voice low. "I know what I’m doing so leave."

That got a reaction.

Leon turned.

His eyes were red-rimmed, burning with emotion he clearly didn’t want to admit to. "You came here with him," he said sharply. "Soren. You came here holding his hand. You knew exactly what you were doing."

"What was I doing?" Riven muttered, almost to himself, running a hand through his hair as he stared at Leon with disbelief. "Leon... As far as I was concerned, we had a fling. Something that happened once because we were drunk, and the next time was because of... Maybe curiosity."

Leon flinched like he’d been struck. "A fling?" he echoed, voice dangerously low.

Riven didn’t notice it, or maybe he chose not to. "Yeah. There was tension. That one time... It happened. It was good, okay? But don’t act like it was something it wasn’t. You’re a king, Leon. You weren’t going to be with someone like me." Riven felt like what he said made sense.

How would Leon even fit into his weird relationship? And he had already decided not to go after anybody anymore. He was fine with just Soren and Ronan! Two men were enough!

Leon had his own kingdom to manage, and he did not believe Leon was open to sharing a man... He was also not sure if the other two would agree to it. It would be the death of him!

Leon’s hands curled into fists. He looked like he was struggling not to snap.

"Don’t act like you don’t know," he said through gritted teeth. "Don’t stand there pretending you were clueless."

"I don’t know!" Riven snapped back, exasperated. "So why don’t you tell me what you expected from me? Huh?"

The two of them stared at each other, the tension between them stretching taut like a drawn bow.

"What do you expect me to do, Leon?" Riven’s voice dropped, pained. "Stay there? In the Lion Kingdom? With you? As what? A secret lover? An unofficial consort? A pawn? Because I can’t do that."

Leon’s mouth opened, but no words came out.

"Sure, I like you," Riven admitted. "But you also know what kind of complicated mess I’ve got going on with Soren and Ronan. You tell me—honestly—where the hell do you fit into this dynamic?"

Leon said nothing. His jaw tightened. His eyes burned.

"So consider it a one-time thing. Nothing more can come out of it." Riven was being serious now. "This war is just insane. Please, just stop this. I think of you as my friend! I don’t think you should start a war and anger your-"

Leon stepped closer. "It’s insane because I care, Riven! I wanted something with you! But you—" he cut himself off, breathing hard. "You threw me away like it didn’t mean anything." No, no. It was insane. He was drawn to Riven for reasons he couldn’t explain. Sure, he was charming, but that was not enough. There was something that made him feel like...

Feel like they were meant to be.

Riven’s shoulders sank. His voice was quieter now. "I didn’t throw you away. I just didn’t know there was anything to hold onto."

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