Please get me out of this BL novel...I'm straight!-Chapter 377: ’No Jinxing.’

"Kraa!" The little blue dragon croaked out, almost chirping in delight as he nuzzled against Florian’s cheek with the eagerness of a kitten reunited with its favorite person.

Florian let out a small breath of laughter, warm and genuine, as he reached up to scoop Azure into his hands.

The dragon’s scales were cool and smooth against his palms, and the soft flutter of Azure’s wings tickled his wrists.

He stared at him fondly, heart softening at the sight of that familiar blue glimmer in the dragon’s eyes.

Azure blinked back at him, tongue flicking out as he tilted his head to the side in that strangely expressive way he always did.

"I didn’t think I’d see you again so soon," Florian murmured, leaning in to gently nuzzle their noses together. "You’re not mad at me anymore?"

Azure shook his little head, wings fluttering briefly in the air.

"That was fast," Florian said, smiling. "I was really sad that you were mad at me, you know."

His voice was light, but his thoughts strayed—deeper, heavier.

’Or maybe you weren’t mad at me at all. Maybe... you were just mirroring Heinz.’

Florian’s smile faltered just a little as he sat down with Azure in his lap. The idea had been sitting in the back of his mind since last night, but now it was starting to make more and more sense.

As far as he knew, Azure had been a gift—or rather, part of what the God had granted Heinz when he made that wish to be the most powerful. That wish had come with strings attached. And Azure, in all his adorableness and affection, might just be one of them.

The night Heinz had come into his room drunk... Azure had been strange. Almost agitated. And then Heinz followed, radiating the same volatile emotions.

It was as if Azure had felt everything Heinz did and reflected it outward.

’When Heinz was angry... Azure was angry. When Heinz was withdrawn, Azure hid away. And now that Heinz is calm again—’

Azure had returned.

Twice now, Florian had noticed the correlation. It couldn’t be coincidence.

The question was why. Why was Azure always so affectionate and loyal to him, when he never treated anyone else that way?

’Maybe... their emotions are only connected when Heinz is feeling something intense. But otherwise, Azure still has his own will. His own thoughts.’

That theory made sense. After all, Azure had done things Heinz would never do—like cuddle. Like perch on Cashew’s head.

Which he did now, wings fluttering as he flapped over and landed directly on Cashew’s white-blond hair.

Cashew froze, startled, eyes darting up as if trying to look at the dragon on his head without moving.

"Seems like he missed you too," Florian said with a chuckle, watching the scene fondly. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Cashew blinked slowly, then huffed just a little, looking away in that awkward, stiff way he always did when he got flustered.

"I didn’t miss him," Cashew muttered, trying to sound gruff. "I—I figured he’d come back soon."

Florian let out a soft giggle, hiding it behind his fingers.

’They’re like siblings.’

The image warmed him. It made things feel... normal. Peaceful, even.

Well—peaceful enough. He was purposefully ignoring every other thing happening in the palace, but for tonight?

It was worth it.

The moment was broken softly by Cashew’s voice, hesitant but curious.

"Tomorrow is the princesses’ test for you... right, Your Highness?"

Florian nodded, plucking a small crumb from Azure’s snout. "Yep."

Cashew carefully lifted Azure from his head and placed him gently on his shoulder, where the dragon immediately wrapped his tail around his neck like a scarf.

"Do... do you know what they’re planning to do?"

Florian shook his head, letting out a long breath. "Nope. All I know is I’m not allowed to bring you," he gestured at Cashew, "and I assume Azure too. I’m supposed to go alone. Lucius is the one escorting me, I think."

Cashew frowned, brows furrowed with uncertainty. "Aren’t they doing too much? I—I mean, it’s just a test. Why so much secrecy? You... didn’t do this much when you tested them."

Florian gave him a helpless smile. "Well, I only had you and Lucius to help me set up my test. They’re six princesses. I’m sure they were more creative. Maybe even a little vengeful," he added with a weak laugh. "The test I gave them was... kind of psychologically traumatic."

Cashew’s face fell slightly.

Florian looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.

’That test wasn’t even mine. It was Heinz’s idea. But I still had to pretend it was mine.’

Cashew didn’t say anything, but the silence between them stretched longer than it should have. He looked... concerned. Really concerned.

And Cashew was always worried for him, sure—but this felt like more than usual.

Florian tilted his head.

’Why would he be this worried? The princesses don’t hate me. They’re not cruel. They passed my test, even if they hated it. If they held grudges, they wouldn’t have...’

But still, Cashew’s unease lingered.

’Heinz approved the test too. So it can’t be something dangerous.’

Besides, this test wasn’t just for Florian. It was also a test for them—to see if they’d treat Florian fairly, now that they knew what it felt like to be put under pressure.

If they acted cruelly... they’d fail. Simple as that.

Florian reached across the table and patted Cashew’s hand, gently squeezing it for reassurance.

"Don’t worry too much, Cashew," he said softly. "I’ll be fine. I’ve survived a kidnapping, remember? And you know I’m mentally strong. There’s nothing they can throw at me that’ll break me."

He smiled.

Azure crooned quietly from Cashew’s shoulder, sensing his unease too, nuzzling against his cheek.

Florian’s gaze softened as he looked at the two of them.

"You’re right, Your Highness. You’re... the bravest person I know." Cashew said quietly, his voice softer than usual, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Florian blinked at him for a moment, surprised by the sincerity in his tone. The boy meant it.

He looked away, eyes drifting toward the half-eaten plate of biscuits on the table, as the flickering wings of his butterflies caught the candlelight like shards of stained glass.

’In my original life, I didn’t have a good life. There really isn’t much that can break me at this point. I just want to do my job... and get back to Kaz.’

Just thinking of Kaz made something inside him ache. Florian tried not to think about her much because it made him feel homesick.

Getting home was all that mattered.

So no, Florian wasn’t scared. Not really.

Not of the test.

Not of the princesses.

Not of the palace.

None of this could truly kill him.

As long as he doesn’t die as Florian, he was fine.

But then—

A tightness bloomed in his chest. Subtle at first, barely noticeable. Then sharper.

The ache wasn’t just emotional now. It was physical.

A pinch, a twist beneath his ribs that made him pause, made his breath stutter ever so slightly.

It wasn’t the kind of pain that made him double over or gasp. It was quiet. Creeping.

Like a hand slowly curling around his heart and squeezing.

’Why am I suddenly feeling like I’m jinxing myself?’

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