CHAPTER 437: ’FLORIAN’S FAMILY.’

’What in Concordia is he even saying?’

Florian’s eyes narrowed, arms crossing tightly over his chest as he stared at Heinz with barely restrained irritation. His jaw was clenched, shoulders tense.

He looked like someone ready to throw something at him—and honestly, Heinz was getting a little frustrated too.

He furrowed his brows, clearly confused. "Bait? Test? Florian, what are you—"

But Florian cut him off before he could finish.

"There’s no other reason for Your Majesty to host such a thing than for a test—or to lure someone out using me as bait," he snapped, eyes burning. "I just got kidnapped. I understand that there’s still that strange man out there, but—"

This time, Heinz cut him off.

"This isn’t a test, nor am I using you as bait." His voice was firm—almost hurt.

Because it was true. It hadn’t even crossed his mind. The thought that Florian believed that—that he expected that from him—made something twist unpleasantly in Heinz’s chest.

’Is that really how little he trusts me...?’

Heinz had wanted to do something—anything—for Florian. Even if he wasn’t the original. Even if he didn’t remember all the pain.

Even if he looked at Heinz like he was a stranger, or worse... the enemy.

Maybe it was for both of them—for the Florian in front of him and the one who had suffered quietly before him.

Because Heinz knew... somewhere inside, the original Florian was still there. Watching. Waiting.

And maybe, selfishly, Heinz wanted to do something that wasn’t cruel. Something beautiful. To walk Florian into a ballroom, show him off, make it known that he belonged at Heinz’s side.

Because Florian was going to be their queen.

’How did that get so twisted in his head? How did we end up here again?’

Heinz’s lips parted to explain—but Florian struck first.

"How do I know that?" he demanded, voice low and bitter. "Considering most of my suffering would’ve been avoided if I was aware of the truth from the start."

Heinz froze.

That one hit where it hurt.

"...That’s..." he began, but the words faded. He didn’t know how to answer that—not in a way that would make it better.

Because Florian was right.

He had been kept in the dark. Lied to. By Heinz.

If Heinz hadn’t realize he loved Florian, it might’ve continued on.

Heinz wanted to tell him the truth now. He wanted to confess everything—his feelings, his regrets, the burning desire to protect him at any cost.

He wanted to swear that if the world tried to hurt Florian again, he’d burn it all down. Kingdom and crown be damned.

But Florian was looking at him like that. Like he was one of the people who had hurt him. One of the people he couldn’t trust.

And Heinz... couldn’t speak.

Not like this.

’My chest is aching again. Fuck.’ He really hated it.

Lucius stepped in, clearly sensing the tension thickening in the air. He gave Heinz a small glance before stepping forward, addressing Florian with practiced gentleness.

"I understand your frustrations, Your Highness," he said carefully. "But this is really just a party. For you. That’s why we plan to give you full control. From the invitations, to the theme and décor, the menu, even the staff—everything will go through you."

Florian blinked, surprised.

Lucius continued, voice steady. "It’s been hard on you. His Majesty knows that. He’s been with you since your return—he’s seen it himself."

Heinz looked away, jaw tightening slightly.

Florian was silent now, his eyes no longer filled with anger, but something quieter... more uncertain.

Lucius hesitated, then added, "Perhaps... if His Majesty agrees... we could even invite..." He cleared his throat. "...Your family."

"His family?"

"My family?"

The words left both Heinz and Florian at the exact same time, their voices overlapping with mirrored confusion.

Lucius gave a small nod, seemingly unfazed by their reactions. "Yes. His Highness often speaks of missing home... and his sister. So I thought—why not use this as a chance?" He smiled slightly, his tone matter-of-fact. "It is His Highness’ birthday, after all. I’m sure the Queen of Floramatria and the Crown Princess especially would be delighted to celebrate with him since they were unable to see him off."

Florian blinked.

The silence that followed was thick, hanging in the air like a fog that none of them dared to cut through just yet.

’Was that... a good idea?’ Heinz wondered inwardly, eyes flickering toward Florian with something unreadable—uncertainty, perhaps, or guilt. ’He isn’t the real Florian. He probably doesn’t even see those people as his family.’

He could feel it now, the unease crawling up his spine.

The Florian in front of him wasn’t the same one who grew up behind palace walls in Floramatria. He didn’t have the same memories, the same wounds, the same attachment to that life. The sister Florian always talked about... wasn’t the Crown Princess at all.

It was that girl. Kaz.

’So there’s no use in this, is there?’ Heinz thought grimly, folding his hands together. ’Even if we invite them, even if they come... Florian won’t care. He’ll just reject it.’

He braced himself.

He was sure Florian would probably reject the idea as he already ha—

"Would you really agree to that, Your Majesty? If I agree to the ball?" Florian asked suddenly, voice laced with a new kind of energy—curious, almost eager—as if he hadn’t just spent the last few minutes firmly against the entire idea.

The shift was immediate, almost unnatural.

Heinz blinked, momentarily thrown off. His lips parted, but no words came out at first.

’What...?’ he thought, narrowing his eyes slightly. ’He was so against it a moment ago. What changed?’

He studied Florian carefully now. The boy stood straighter, his expression unreadable but his eyes—those traitorous, gleaming eyes—held something that made Heinz’s gut twist.

Even Lucius seemed surprised. The attendant glanced between them, then looked at Heinz with an almost pleading look in his eyes. As if silently urging him, "Please say yes for His Highness."

Heinz frowned.

Lucius couldn’t have known what he was feeling. That was the entire point of the barrier spell Heinz placed around his emotions. His magic was specifically laced to keep Lucius from peeking through the cracks—so why did Lucius look like he knew?

’Are my thoughts leaking through?’ Heinz wondered. ’No... impossible. I would’ve sensed that. So why is he looking at me like that?’

Something wasn’t right. Everything in his instincts told him something was off.

There was too much calculation in Florian’s sudden change of heart.

Too much precision in that question.

But despite the chill settling in his chest, Heinz met Florian’s gaze, calm and composed on the surface.

"If that’s what you want," Heinz said slowly, weighing each word, "we can invite whoever you wish. If it’s your family you want to see... then I will accept."

’Let’s see what you’re planning, Florian.’

Florian’s eyes lit up instantly.

Genuinely.

Startlingly.

Like someone had just handed him something he’d long stopped hoping for.

"I agree to the ball then."