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

The anguish.

The distraught.

The utter betrayal.

Luca didn’t say anything except for the soft gasp he let out, but when everyone turned and saw him holding it all in, it became painfully obvious to the Imperial couple that they had just said something they absolutely should not have.

It had only been meant as a cute anecdote about their son’s younger days, one where they found Xavier’s thinking surprisingly childlike. But how could they have known it would trigger something like this?

Even Xavier himself stiffened, his back ramrod straight as he turned to Luca as if trying to catch and steady him.

The sight that followed was so shocking that even little Nina panicked when she saw her brother chipmunk suddenly looking like he was about to collapse.

Luca wilted. His knees wobbled. His hands shook as he stretched them out toward Xavier with trembling fingers, his golden eyes half-lidded, his lips parting as though he were on his deathbed.

”X-Xavier...” His voice cracked pitifully.

It was likely confusing to everyone else, but to Luca, the weight of such words was too real.

”LUCA!” Duke Leander choked, his chair scraping as he tried to rush forward in indignation. But before he could even stand fully, his wife’s hand clamped down on his arm.

”Stay down,” Duchess Amelia whispered sharply, her eyes narrowed. ”Unless you want him to learn that you even pay double.”

”!!!”

The Duke froze on the spot, his whole body petrifying like stone. Then, with the obedience of a scolded pup, he sank back into his seat with his imaginary tail tucked firmly between his legs.

Meanwhile, the white-haired husband, now carrying his sickly looking wife in his arms, finally spoke, his voice calm but pained. ”Luca, it was for a reason.”

Luca’s lips quivered as he weakly turned toward him.

Xavier’s composure cracked further as he hurried to explain. ”Back then, the economy wasn’t as stable. The market was in a downturn. S-so, when I was younger, I thought an economic stimulus was needed...”

His words tumbled out faster and faster, practically word-vomiting economics at his golden-eyed spouse. ”But because, as a young prince, I couldn’t exactly cut taxes for everyone, I decided to increase spending. I bought necessary supplies all at once and at full price, thinking it could help kickstart the frozen market.”

His hands tightened around Luca as he kept going. ”If the market is good, then taxes and earnings for different industries rise as well. That way, it becomes easier to make money in return.”

At that phrase, Luca’s weakened ears twitched. His gaze sharpened through the haze of his distress.

”Really?” His voice was soft, fragile, but filled with sudden interest. ”Is that... is that how it is?”

Xavier nodded earnestly, desperate to convince him. ”Yes. And because things are more stable now, I’ve changed. I always try to buy with discounts so I can be financially responsible.”

The Emperor and Empress sat in distress. Their usually composed son looked like he was in physical pain, scrambling to explain, while their son-in-law looked like he might keel over from heartbreak.

But then—

Color began to return to Luca’s cheeks. His trembling subsided as he reached up and cupped Xavier’s face gently. A small smile spread across his lips.

”I see. It was to help everyone... and you even managed to earn better after.” His golden eyes softened. ”I’m sorry. I-I thought you were just spending carelessly.”

Relief swept the table like a tide.

But outside of their intimate bubble, several people had gone pale. Reflexively, a number of elders quickly hid their terminals behind their backs, guilty as though they had just been caught. After all, had they not just raided the Star Mall earlier after seeing all the new things?

And over at one corner, a certain Duke thought very seriously about swallowing the diamond statue he had ordered recently so that his precious son would never, ever find it.

The dinner somehow managed to proceed even better than expected after that. But from that moment on, it seemed to be a universal rule: always, always look for discounts.

For a certain wolfish husband who had nearly been devoured by suspicion, it felt like the perfect time to introduce his family to other family members, especially the ones with two legs and unusable wings.

However, fortunately—or unfortunately—for them, amidst the dizzying pace of work, Butler Henry’s terminal buzzed with a grim reminder of reality.

Like something out of a fairy tale, the disappointed members of the Imperial faction were forced to bid tearful goodbyes. They had to return to the Imperial Palace for dinner.

Although ”dinner” there really only meant the dull consumption of nutrient solution, none of them could afford to skip it—especially not the butler. His absence alone would immediately raise suspicions.

The others were in similar positions, each with tasks that could not be ignored.

The Mylors had to leave early to prepare for tomorrow’s auction, though not without carefully packing away the food Luca had set aside for Owen. Killian, meanwhile, was forced to assign additional contingency guards because, apparently, they now had to deal with the unexpected presence of fans.

And so, one by one, everyone drifted away after the insane yet heartwarming events of the day.

The clearing grew quieter. Rest hovered in the air.

But just when the Duke and Duchess thought it was time to finally breathe and retreat to their own quarters, they were startled by the sight of their golden-eyed son running toward them.

Before either of them could react, Luca crashed into them with surprising force and wrapped them both in a hug.

”L-Luca?” Duchess Amelia’s arms froze midair, utterly unprepared for such a rare initiative. Her expression went blank as her son buried his face shyly into her shoulder.

It wasn’t until he spoke, muffled but earnest, that she understood.

”Thank you... for being so welcoming today.” Luca’s voice trembled, his words bashful. ”I was nervous before. I’ve watched some of those shows D-29 mentioned, and they always make it seem so difficult to meet your in-laws. I thought maybe... maybe it would be hard to have a harmonious meeting.”

He clutched them tighter, as if afraid to let go. ”Mama, Papa... I—I really enjoyed today. It’s only because you were so understanding and welcoming. Thank you... for making not just me, but everyone, feel like they truly belong.”

The world stopped.

The Duke and Duchess went still, their hearts lurching as if struck by lightning.

Then, as if silently thanking the stars for not letting them fumble earlier, they both moved at once. Amelia’s hand gently stroked his hair, while Leander’s large palm patted his shoulder with care.

”Of course, Luca,” Amelia whispered, her eyes misting.

”You... you’re our precious son,” Leander managed, his voice cracking as tears stung his eyes. He was already near another collapse from the day’s chaos, but this—this almost destroyed him in a whole new way.

If he had lost his mind earlier, if he had failed to hold himself back, he might have ruined this moment forever.

Now, instead, his heart soared as he thought deliriously, Our precious son is calling us the best parents.

What greater honor was there?

Sure enough, it was perfectly fine to add more people to the family.

What was adding more, when in return, they could receive hugs like this?