[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-royal-military-academy-s-impostor-owns-a-dun":3,"chapter-the-royal-military-academy-s-impostor-owns-a-dun-the-royal-military-academy-s-impostor-owns-a-dun-chapter-291":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},630051,871,"Chapter 291: Cherished","the-royal-military-academy-s-impostor-owns-a-dun-chapter-291",291,"\u003Cp>Scratch that; there weren’t just one but four people who would probably benefit from Lulu’s majestic presence right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One would be Duke Leander, who was on the far side of the lobby. He stood quietly beside the remnants of the conflict, his eyes looking at every alleged passenger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, it wouldn’t be the first time someone could possibly attempt to pass off as a hostage to escape punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t spoken in several minutes, arms crossed, surveying the injured, the shaken, and the quiet hum of his son moving through the crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was the kind of calm that required tremendous effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His knuckles were white where they gripped his forearm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Butler Gary approached him, offering a report. \"Minor injuries, a few moderate cases, but no criticals. The Young Lord’s aid came just in time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leander said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes were fixed on his son, who knelt beside a sobbing grandmother as he helped her stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leander didn’t blink.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hated this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t hate that his son was someone with this kind of personality; he just hated how he just got back and had to keep on dealing with increasing responsibilities and the after effects of people’s greed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But more than that, he hated the idea of pulling him away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His son wasn’t meant to be tucked behind walls and guards.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was out here. Healing people, figuratively and literally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the very thought terrified him, Leander didn’t say a word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His son looked back at him once, maybe to check if he’d done the right thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke gave the smallest nod before deciding to deal with their exit plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And maybe it was a good thing that the Duke had left for the command center, or he would’ve seen something not for the faint of heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or,well,not for protective fathers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The precious son had walked the entire stretch of the passenger lobby twice over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d checked on the families tucked together in clusters of exhausted relief and reassured every person who looked like they were on the verge of falling apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even now, his eyes scanned the edges of the crowd, looking for anything—or anyone—he might have missed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, his feet led him to Ollie.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little mop had gone from blubbering into people’s sleeves to handing out roll-ups and comforting sobbing children with the kind of cheerful awkwardness that only he could pull off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At present, he was showing a little girl how to peel the edges of a fruit strip like it was a sacred art form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ollie looked up, eyes wide, arms full of candy, and smaller limbs. \"Brother!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was pretty excited to see Luca but recognized how somber he was with how dim those golden eyes were.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Brother, here, have some milk. Maybe this would help!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luca smiled faintly. \"Thanks, brother.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ollie gave a thumbs-up, followed by a too-bright grin. \"Go sit down. I think you need to rest, too.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So, with a small sigh, Luca found a corner of the room—just off to the side, where the lights were low and the edge of the wall curved into shadow—and finally allowed himself to sit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He folded his legs before him, drawing his knees up, and loosely cradled the half-empty bottle of milk Ollie had stuffed into his hands earlier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time since they arrived, Luca let himself feel the weight of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was one thing to hear about Ollie’s plight and feel partly at fault, and another to see actual people getting hurt in front of him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention how it could’ve gone worse if Xavier hadn’t stepped in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His chest tightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pressed the bottle to his lips just to have something to do, but the milk did nothing to distract him from the way his thoughts spiraled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, quiet footsteps approached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t need to look up to know who it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Imperial Crown Prince settled beside him, not saying anything at first, just sitting close enough that their shoulders brushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They stayed like that for a while, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Eventually, Luca broke the silence, his voice soft and a little shaky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xavier, I—I’m sorry. I was reckless. I acted without thinking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier’s brow furrowed slightly, though he didn’t turn to face him just yet. \"You acted when it mattered.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if you had waited, then you would’ve hated yourself forever. I know you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That silenced him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s because you know you could’ve done something. Anything.\" Xavier said as he looked at the people still gathered together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And I told you I’d round them up. If anything, I should apologize for dealing with them before asking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It sounded like it was just a matter of fact. But it had caught Luca’s breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of husband would I be if I couldn’t back you up?\" The Prince nudged Luca’s slumped shoulders gently, trying to coax a reaction from the still-too-serious guide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luca’s eyes shimmered. It was always like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Xavier...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mn?\" The Prince reached out, brushing his fingers lightly over Luca’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luca had long thought about this, especially ever since D-29 showed him a few review materials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was always cared for, protected, and supported. And Xavier had done this wordlessly. And Luca couldn’t help but see the injustice in this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little chipmunk hesitated. Then tilted his head thoughtfully. \"But Xavier, how about you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier blinked. \"Me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luca nodded seriously. \"When do you become the wife?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Huh? The what?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I mean, D-29 showed me all these social modules and household compatibility reviews,\" Luca said seriously, his milk bottle almost forgotten on his lap. \"And one of the things it said was that a ’happy wife, happy life.’\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier nodded slowly, intrigued. \"Right.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But what to do when I’m the wife?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier choked on air. \"Wha—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’malwaysthe wife,\" Luca insisted, clutching the milk like a lifeline. \"But isn’t that unfair?\" he looked up at Xavier, eyes serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When do you get to be the wife?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier stared at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Because obviously, happy wives would have happy lives, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if I’m always the wife, then what about your happy life?\" Luca’s brows were furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Obviously, that was not what it meant. Not by a long shot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the combination of D-29 and Luca wouldn’t have known any better, and so the little wife had been stuck thinking about the injustices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier blinked again, his lips twitching. The corners of his mouth trembled, and for a moment, Luca thought he might’ve broken him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, softly—dangerously—Xavier asked, \"Do you not want to be my wife anymore?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That’s not—!\" Luca’s ears turned red. \"I’m saying it’s not balanced! That’s all! I just—\" He flailed slightly, looking down at his milk like it might help him argue better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luca looked horrified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No! I mean—maybe not always? Or at least let me rotate duties!\" He frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There should be a schedule. You can’t just be the one doing all the protecting and supporting. That’s unfair, right?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just like today and the day before that, including all 400 attempts at their lives and guild that he didn’t even have to face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However he looked at it, it just seemed like husbands have it worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier finally gave a short, low laugh, finally letting it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The allegedly problematic husband let out a breath, clearly amused. \"Luca, it’s a joke. ’Happy wife, happy life’—it’s a phrase they use to say that husbands only get peace when their wives are content.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That sounds like a warning.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is,\" Xavier agreed solemnly. \"One passed down through generations.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh no,\" Luca muttered. \"That’s even worse.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Exactly. It’s not actually a good measure.\" Xavier let out a breath, clearly amused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For one, it really should be ’happy spouse, happy life.’ And not in a self-serving way.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eh?\" Luca blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s not me making you happy because I don’t want you complaining.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’m trying to make and keep you happy because it makesmehappy.\" Those amused Azure eyes stared at Luca, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to do with himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But if you must know. I’m very happy keeping you safe, smiling, and financially stable.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, if you’d be interested in keepingmehappy, I hope you’d continue being my wife,\" Xavier whispered as he leaned closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luca gasped. His face reddening at Xavier’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His mouth opened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Closed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opened again. He looked like he was buffering because he really was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luca’s hands flailed briefly before clutching his milk bottle like a blessed talisman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier simply smiled, a corner of his mouth slightly raised as he burned the poor, flustered chipmunk with his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"M—maybe! But if I’m always going to be the wife, I also need to do things!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier’s grin widened, satisfied. \"Of course. Anything for my wife.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luca made a strangled sound and felt like he needed to down the rest of his milk in his panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But, beneath the flustered chaos, his heart felt full. Safe. Cherished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Okay,maybe that was one person who didn’t need cow therapy anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>",1509,"2026-06-02T06:16:21.520Z",1,"novelbin.me","3c3037423fee92b8ccd067555c2c197f7ed230486d7a4afda9de54f66e2675d6","the-royal-military-academy-s-impostor-owns-a-dun-chapter-292","the-royal-military-academy-s-impostor-owns-a-dun-chapter-290",1073,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-royal-military-academy-s-impostor-owns-a-dun-cover.jpg"]