The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]

Ah. It’s that list.

Kyle exhaled slowly.

So people have started talking.

”Are you talking about the list of possible marriage candidates?” he asked, voice low and measured, carefully verifying the facts.

Ollie’s eyes narrowed, lips twitching as he sucked in a breath.

So, it’s true?! There really is such a list?!

Kyle didn’t need to hear him speak. The expression on Ollie’s face spelled everything out in neon lights.

”It’s the same kind of list most noble families prepare for their children,” Kyle said plainly. ”It’s been there ever since we entered Primary School. And it’s the one I told you about last time when you said you’d introduce people.”

He didn’t elaborate further. More like couldn’t.

Because even now he couldn’t explain that it was actually a joint list—a cover list for the Imperial Crown Prince, whose identity remained concealed. Yes, those people really signed up for him, but at the end of the day, it was essentially a census of eligibility.

”H-how many...” Ollie started, then blurted, ”How many sweethearts do you have?!”

Kyle looked mildly startled as the small blonde practically clawed at the lapel of his coat.

”Zero sweethearts.” He immediately clarified. ”But for the number of people in that list...”

”I’m not sure now,” Kyle admitted after a beat. ”But the last time I heard, it was close to a thousand.”

”YOU’RE NOT EVEN SURE?!” Ollie squawked.

Kyle winced. ”It’s because I never paid attention to it. I never planned to use it. But...” He looked down at him, eyes sincere, ”If you want to see it, I’ll get it for you.”

But instead of pulling up a data file, Kyle called Killian.

Ollie blinked, stunned by the unexpected turn. He was not expecting that turn of events.

In fact, he didn’t even know why he wanted to see the list so badly—or why, every time it was mentioned, he felt his blood boiling.

He was still deep in his thoughts when Killian’s face popped up on the screen.

”The candidate list? You actually want to see that now? Don’t you already have someone in mind?” Killian asked, confused.

”That’s why I’m asking for it,” Kyle said simply, as if he were just out there stating facts. ”Ollie wants to see it.”

The startled blonde almost fell off him.

”Oh? Did he find out about the list?” Killian sounded rather amused.

”Yeah, so help me out here.”

”Why should I? You let us run around like headless beasts for months.”

Kyle exhaled. ”Because if I fail at this, you’ll need to get married. So it’s all up to you. Go choose your poison.”

”HA! This brat!” Killian laughed through the screen, voice practically echoing with mockery. ”Fine. Good luck explaining the version that’s quadrupled by now,” he added, the teasing lilt in his tone making it very clear that he was thoroughly enjoying his younger brother’s predicament.

Now, Ollie, who was out of frame, suddenly gasped. ”QUADRUPLED?!”

”Huh. He’s actually there?” Killian said, visibly entertained. ”You’re really going for it, huh?

With his presence now exposed, Ollie had no choice but to lean in and greet the person on the other end of the call—a very famous, sometimes intimidating Killian Nox.

The blonde hesitated for a moment, then awkwardly squirmed closer to Kyle’s chest. The giant adjusted the holoscreen, angling it so they both fit in the frame.

Ollie was still being carried like a front-facing knapsack, limbs tucked, face pink and most definitely weak in the knees.

”H-Hello,” he managed weakly.

The Chief of Staff raised a brow. ”Ollie, it seems like he’s still trying to convince you.”

Ollie looked at the screen while trying to avoid Kyle’s face as he nodded with a squeak.

”Well,” Killian said, crossing his arms, ”you’re a good kid. That said, from his brother to a potential future victim—I feel obligated to warn you.”

Kyle narrowed his eyes, somehow envisioning the trash that would come out of his older brother’s mouth.

Killian smirked. ”He’s temperamental. Moody. Selectively deaf. Writes dangerously detailed contracts with terrible fine print. And worst of all—he thinks he’s always right.”

Kyle scoffed. ”Ignore him. He’s well into the early stages of senility and just doesn’t want to admit it. Besides, how would he know anything about relationships? He’s married to his job. Literally. I’m pretty sure his assistant filed the certificate.”

”Oh, is that so? You vanish for a few years, and suddenly you’re brave enough to say that out loud?” Killian countered smoothly. ”Let’s see how long that courage lasts when I tell Mom.”

”Please do. You’d actually be doing me a favor. But while you’re at it, better prep your excuses for dodging all your engagement meetings. Let’s see who gets grounded at this age.”

The brothers volleyed verbal jabs back and forth like seasoned pros, their tone sharp but familiar, fueled by history and laced with affection they wouldn’t openly admit to.

Ollie, however, wasn’t quite ready for the full display of Nox family banter. They had their own. Lots of it, in fact. However, it would usually be someone pulling someone’s hair or something to that extent.

He watched, increasingly concerned, eyes darting from one to the other as dread settled into his gut.

Wait. Did they say engagement meetings?

The implications were stacking up like an avalanche.

He raised his hand hesitantly, voice unusually small but determined. ”Um...excuse me.”

Both men paused mid-bicker and turned to look at him.

”This...list,” Ollie began, choosing his words carefully. ”Do you really have to choose from it?”

Kyle and Killian exchanged a look.

And Ollie, pinned between their stares, suddenly had the strange, sinking suspicion that it really was a big deal.

Killian was the first to speak, his voice a little more relaxed this time, as if trying to soothe a scared animal. And maybe he really was. Because in the eyes of the two giants, Ollie probably looked exactly like that. ”Not really. But it would be more convenient to do so, largely because we’re public figures.”

”So if it’s not on the list then...” Ollie asked, trailing off.

”It should be fine,” Killian answered. ”I’m guessing you don’t like the list?”

The blonde hesitated, surprised at the question. He hadn’t really thought about why and how he felt about this list until earlier, but the pit in his stomach made it pretty clear. ”Yeah, I guess so,” he mumbled, clenching his fists.

The brothers were both taken aback. Killian had only meant to tease, but now he felt like he was bullying a little baby.

”Well then,” Killian said, clearing his throat, ”just render it useless. It’s never been a requirement.”

”Huh? Render it useless?”

”Yeah. Either you join the list, or better yet, just take him off the market yourself. Just remember, we don’t have a return or exchange policy.”

”WHAT?!” Ollie practically shouted, face flushed, his toes curling in his boots.

Killian grinned. ”Yeah. I’m guessing he already confessed? He wouldn’t be asking for that list if it weren’t because of something like this.”

Ollie’s eyes widened as he stammered incoherently.

”And it looks like you’re trying to make up your mind. Well, we don’t do returns or exchanges, but we do free trials. So, you should go do that.”

Kyle’s brow lifted as he wondered what his brother was up to.

”A free trial???”

”Yeah—trial husband, trial boyfriend. Or just date for a period of time to see if you can stand his face. You’re a mechanic, right? You know about trial and error. If you’ve got no experience for comparison and nothing to lose, best to try it so you don’t regret it.”

Was he hearing things properly? Ollie wasn’t quite sure if he was just imagining things or if Lord Killian really said that.

Killian added smoothly, ”I sent the list over. Ollie, don’t worry about him too much. If you don’t think you want him, there are 4,314 people on that list as of now.”

”Brother!” Kyle facepalmed.

”Yeah, yeah—I’m talking too much. You two go ahead, I’ve still got work to do.” He turned to Ollie one last time. ”And Ollie—you might want to consider giving him a chance. He’s passable. Sometimes.”