CHAPTER 440: ’ATHENA & SCARLETT.’

There was a pause. A beat of silence that stretched just a little too long—thick, suffocating. Both Athena and Scarlett’s eyes widened ever so slightly, and Florian’s hands instinctively clenched into the fabric of his lap.

He felt small. Cornered by his own words.

"I was told last night by His Majesty... that you both—and the rest of the princesses—already knew about Alexandria’s crimes," Florian began, his voice soft but heavy. "And that you had to watch her execution."

He inhaled deeply, willing his voice not to shake.

"So... I feel like I can be more open now, which is... honestly, a relief."

’It’s not that I want to talk about it. But it’s worse pretending everything’s fine.’

His mind drifted for a moment, back to the night before—Lucius’s quiet voice, the tension in the room after he left. Heinz had gone silent afterward, retreating to his office and calling in Cashew. And Florian hadn’t seen much of him since.

When Heinz did return later that night, he merely spoke briefly about the princesses, then went straight to bed.

’He’s distancing himself. I wonder why?’

But Florian hadn’t asked. Couldn’t. He already felt like he was barely keeping it together.

"Alexandria..." he continued, forcing himself back to the present. "It was no secret we were close. I even rooted for her to be with His Majesty."

There was a bitter smile on his face, more painful than amused.

"Finding out that much of my suffering was because of her... and that it went as far as me being kidnapped, and...how much she hated me..."

The words stalled in his throat.

Images flashed—rough hands grabbing him, cold steel against his skin, the smell of dirt and sweat and blood, the panic of not being able to breathe. His stomach turned. He quickly brought a hand to his mouth, trying to suppress the sudden wave of nausea.

"Your Highness, are you... okay?" Athena leaned forward, her voice laced with concern. "You don’t have to tell us anything."

"Athena’s right," Scarlett added, voice unusually gentle. "Don’t force yourself. We can call your servant—Cashew, right?"

Florian looked up at them, blinking away the tears that threatened to form. He shook his head.

’No... no, I have to do this.’

He took another shaky breath, pushing the lump in his throat back down.

"I want to trust you. Both of you," he said quietly but with resolve. "I... I see you as my close friends. Of course, I care about the others too, but you, Athena... Scarlett... it’s you two, the most."

Scarlett’s brows rose slightly, clearly surprised. Athena’s eyes, on the other hand, softened, glassy with emotion.

"So I need to know." Florian’s voice grew tighter. "Do you hate me? In any way? Do you... want to hurt me?"

He glanced toward the column where Lucius was supposed to be hidden, just barely visible from where he sat. His presence offered some sense of control—some assurance that he wasn’t alone.

Athena responded first, almost immediately. "How could I ever hate you, Your Highness?" she asked, her voice trembling with sincerity. "I... I don’t hate you. Not at all."

From the corner of his eye, Florian saw Lucius shift slightly, then nod once.

’She’s telling the truth...’

The tightness in Florian’s chest loosened, just a bit.

But he waited. Scarlett was still silent, her expression unreadable.

Then, finally, she let out a slow breath. "At first... I did," she admitted bluntly. "I’m sure you already knew that."

Florian didn’t move. He just listened.

"As I told you, I didn’t want to be here. Still don’t," she added, glancing at Athena. "And Athena knows that now too."

Scarlett turned back to him, her voice steadier. "I hated how it seemed like you enjoyed it here—how you acted so... desperate to stay especially with his majesty. It made me angry. I didn’t understand you, but at the same time I wanted to be queen for the sake of going home."

Florian swallowed hard, but didn’t interrupt.

"But after the first test," Scarlett continued, "Despite how mean I was, despite everything...you still helped me."

She lowered her head.

"I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have hated you. And I don’t hate you now."

Her fists clenched slightly against her skirt.

Florian’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, flickering once more to Lucius. The older man looked just as surprised—then slowly nodded, confirming it.

She meant it.

"If anything... I hate Alexandria. For what she did. I always knew she was strange, but who knew she was that delusional?" Scarlett let out a sharp huff, her eyes narrowing. "She can talk to Gods but couldn’t get a hint?"

Florian laughed—really laughed this time. Not just a polite chuckle or a forced sound to ease tension. It slipped out of him, breathy and light, like something he’d been holding in for far too long had finally loosened its grip around his lungs.

He covered his mouth slightly, still smiling as the laugh faded. It wasn’t loud, but it was genuine.

Scarlett grinned, clearly amused, and Athena, ever the softer of the two, giggled behind her hand.

’Ah... I’m so relieved.’ Florian thought, his shoulders relaxing for the first time that day. There were still worries tucked deep in his chest, still lingering shadows of fear and doubt—but in this moment, those were easier to silence. At least for now.

At least... they didn’t hate him.

"Thank you... Scarlett, Athena," he said softly, the words sincere as he looked at each of them. His voice was steady now, though a trace of emotion still laced his tone. "It must’ve been hard for you too—especially you, Athena. You were close with her."

Athena lowered her eyes, her smile dimming just a little. "I was... surprised. And disappointed, honestly. I did feel bad when I saw her get executed. I think a part of me still hoped she’d explain herself... but she never did."

Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her sleeve. "I had already felt something was wrong. She started distancing herself from me. I didn’t understand it then but... I suppose now I know why."

Scarlett crossed her arms with a dramatic huff. "What a bitch, if you ask me. I didn’t shed a single tear. The only thing that made my skin crawl was the fact she had no eyes."

Florian’s expression faltered.

’No eyes?’

Oh.

Right.

Heinz had mentioned it. That Alexandria—and Idris—had both been tortured. But hearing it again, from someone who saw it...

Athena visibly shivered, wrapping her arms around herself as if to ward off the memory. "That was... frightening to see. His Majesty is frightening."

"Oh, he is," Scarlett agreed without missing a beat. "I can’t believe I ever hoped he’d actually let us go home. I mean—he said he wasn’t even really looking for a queen. That whole selection thing was just bait. For her. So why are we still here?"

Florian froze, a chill creeping down his spine.

’Wait, what?’

He blinked. "His Majesty told you what?"

Scarlett tilted her head, looking slightly confused by his reaction. "Have you not heard?"

Florian shook his head slowly.

"His Majesty said he’s no longer looking for a queen."