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

Chapter 995: Interested

Xavier, who had been shuffled behind his wife’s small back, had to take deep breaths to avoid getting too flustered knowing that he was a person who had faced death’s doors too many times to count.

So, really, he could do it.

He could survive whatever this was.

There was the hard launch that had just happened, and how even the single-celled organisms of the Empire probably now knew that he was the husband of one Luca Kyros.

But more importantly, there was the matter of reassuring his little wife, who sure looked like a courageous chipmunk as he faced off with Cassian.

Now, obviously, Luca would be able to obliterate the heir of the Federation if it really came down to ability or even just sheer willpower, but Luca had never been that kind of person.

Of course, certain individuals who had been defeated and dismantled to oblivion would think and say differently, but there was a reason they weren’t there to talk or defend their case.

Then again, even if Luca had been one to punch first and ask later, Xavier was shameless enough to admit that he was rather biased.

But really, of all things... Cassian wanting him?

Which planet had to be sacrificed for such a curse to come out of anyone’s imagination?

Xavier’s hand slid around Luca’s waist as if he needed to both comfort and hold back a small fighting dog.

Not that he was concerned about what would happen to Cassian or the possible political fallout, but because he was concerned about his wife getting sick from biting that opportunistic narcissist.

"Luca," Xavier said calmly, his voice steady despite everything, "maybe it’s as the Benefactor said. Maybe it isn’t like that at all."

Luca’s head turned immediately, worry clear in his eyes.

But Xavier only offered a reassuring look before continuing, his tone remaining composed.

"After all, it would be rather presumptuous to assume romantic interest outright," he added lightly, though his gaze flicked toward Cassian with something far sharper underneath. "For someone like me, I suppose there could be... other reasons to be of interest."

"So perhaps," Xavier continued, his arm still steady around Luca’s waist, "there’s a reason for looking at me nine times?"

There was a subtle emphasis in his words.

Those who were quick caught it immediately.

Nine times.

That wasn’t something that could be easily dismissed.

This time, his gaze settled fully on Cassian.

"Would you care to clarify, Mister Benefactor?" Xavier asked, tone polite but leaving no room to retreat.

It sounded reasonable.

But to Cassian, it felt like a trap. Actually, no, it was definitely a trap to put into words the kind of interest he had.

Worse, any complaint he made now, or any attempt to protest the situation would only make him look guilty.

A war crime would have been better than this.

But he couldn’t lose focus.

Nor could he allow them to get the better of him.

Cassian looked past Luca and met Xavier’s eyes.

And immediately felt his temper rise.

Unlike the golden-eyed cadet, this one didn’t look confused.

He looked at him with clear killing intent.

Fine then.

He would see how far they could play.

The Federation heir, who seemed to have recovered thanks to sheer irritation, finally managed to speak.

"Of course, I was interested."

There were gasps.

Actual, audible ones, because no one had expected him to admit that so plainly.

But unlike earlier, Cassian didn’t flinch this time.

He had already chosen his route.

There was no way to perfectly win in this situation, but after being pushed this far, he figured he might as well take something from it.

"However," Cassian continued, voice steady now, "I believe Young Lord Luca may have misunderstood a few crucial things."

He gestured lightly around them.

"Like everyone here, I’m interested in DG," he said, tone even. "In this day and age, who wouldn’t be?"

His gaze shifted, deliberately landing on Xavier despite now addressing Luca.

"But in particular," Cassian added, "I heard that he’s the Royal Military Academy’s top student in your year."

Luca looked taken aback, clearly unsure if he should believe that.

Cassian noticed so he pushed further while shrugging slightly.

"I was simply curious," he said, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, "about the abilities of such a top student, as well as the other rumored honor students."

His tone remained casual, but the implication carried weight.

"As it’s only natural, I just wanted to see the difference between myself, my fellow students, and the students of the Empire’s top school."

Now he had dragged in the Academy and even the Empire.

Worse still, while it sounded harmless, the other Imperial cadets who had long been considered as top students especially when it came to seniority, seemed to have been bypassed in favor of the youngest students.

However, Luca, who hadn’t read into the subtext simply tilted his head.

"But why?"

Cassian stepped forward.

One step.

Then another.

Closing the distance between himself, Luca, and effectively Xavier.

Then, just about two steps away, he answered.

"For one, who wouldn’t be curious?"

A pause.

Then—

"Second," Cassian continued, voice lowering slightly, "I wanted to know what kind of group was enough to capture the attention of the person I was actually interested in."

"Huh?"

Cassian’s gaze flicked down briefly toward Luca.

Then lifted again, directing a pointed gaze at the wall of a person before him.

"I apologize," he said, tone measured, almost placating. "I didn’t really know he was married."

A beat.

"If I had seen a better ring befitting his status, then I would’ve probably known better than to hope."

Cassian smiled despondently, but it was impossible to hide the way his eyes glinted.

Sharp.

Recovered.

Across from him, Xavier didn’t move.

The two simply looked at each other.

It looked and felt like an electric, albeit quiet standoff.

Golden eyes blinked in an attempt to cope with the new developments.

Then, realization seemed to dawn.

"Oh—"

"I’m sorry, I think I misunder—"

"It’s alright," Cassian cut in smoothly. "I also spoke out of turn."

He waved it off lightly, as if none of this had been anything more than a small inconvenience.

"But if you are truly apologetic," he added, "then perhaps you could grant my earlier request."

Luca, still shell-shocked, let out a small breath of relief.

It looked like things wouldn’t escalate into a full deterioration of relations that would result in a fine or incarceration.

"Earlier request?"

"Yes," Cassian replied. "I did ask to meet your guild members, right?"

"Ah, yes..."

"And did you really want to meet them?"

"Of course," Cassian said without hesitation. "And so you can rest assured, I only wished to ask for a friendly spar."

"A spar?"

Cassian nodded then looked pointedly at Xavier as if issuing a challenge.

"Just a reassurance, that the person I was interested in fell into the right hands... that’s all."

"What...?"

No one could believe what they were hearing.

How did they even get from that to this?

And yet, as the crowd stood there wide-eyed, trying to absorb what had just unfolded—

One adjutant, who understood all too well how a certain someone’s mind worked, slowly closed his eyes in acceptance.

Then, in an all-too-practiced motion, Kyle Nox reached up and loosened his cravat.

Oh fuck this. Here we go.