The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]-Chapter 963: A Ruler’s Instinct

In a gathering of beings that no one ever thought was possible, Luca started to explain the reasoning behind his insistence.

Like the drastic changes that he learned about after doing a bit of research.

Normally, there would have been more gatherings throughout the Expo. But this year, it was mostly condensed to the parade and the closing night for security reasons.

"My brother showed me recordings of the past closing banquets," he said. "He told me that this year’s gathering might be a little difficult."

"Why?" someone asked.

"Well... because everything has been very hectic this year," Luca admitted. "And because of everything that happened, especially our... bold moves..."

He coughed lightly.

See, Luca wasn’t the most politically sensitive person in their group. But as he learned more and more from the people around him, he definitely had a feeling that a lot of the changes, including the mounting pressure that people were quietly dealing with, were inadvertently caused by him.

One could argue that such wasn’t his fault, but he was well aware that the Federation, as well as the other delegations, wouldn’t have insisted on coming over if not for what they had done.

To think that part was just the tip of the iceberg, as there was a laundry list of concerns that they needed to deal with.

"I figured that everyone probably didn’t have enough time to really focus on preparations for the banquet."

Luca shifted slightly where he stood.

"So I thought maybe I could come up with something we could all use to our advantage."

In his mind, it wouldn’t be a big thing, but at least it would be something for all the trouble!

"And um... I also accidentally overheard a few things and figured that doing this could help."

That immediately made several people tense.

"What kind of thing?" Kyle asked carefully.

"Well..." Luca said hesitantly, "Some people were talking about the possibility of friction between House Kyros and the Imperial Family."

Silence.

Of course, the majority of those present knew that such rumors existed. In fact, most of them would have predicted that such an issue would arise sooner or later.

A house suddenly rising in power, when left unchecked, could always be mistaken for a threat to the current rulers, especially considering how they hadn’t really appeared in such a long time.

In most situations, they would really appear shady!

Then again, everyone present also knew that those rumors couldn’t be further from the truth. But still.

Luca hurriedly waved his hands.

"I know it’s not true!" he said quickly. "Everyone here already knows that. But I thought that if people outside see something like this..."

He trailed off before forcing himself to continue.

"It might help improve reputation and relations."

Now he was really flustered.

His words started tumbling out in a rush.

"I might sound like I’m overreaching," Luca said nervously. "But when Kyle told me that I’m also technically a Solaris, I realized I shouldn’t just think about what benefits House Kyros."

He rubbed the back of his neck.

"I thought I should also consider what the Imperial Family might be facing."

He took a quick breath.

"So I thought maybe this could help a little."

The explanation came out like a stream of hurried thoughts.

It had originally been meant as a surprise.

Back then, before he ever saw the pearls for himself, Luca had honestly been considering using crystals instead.

But now that they had managed to obtain such beautiful pearls...

Well.

It suddenly seemed perfect.

If they could show that the Imperial Family also had access to such rare goods, or even establish close enough ties, then the narrative surrounding a possible usurpation wouldn’t become the norm.

Luca gulped a breath of air like someone who had just finished running.

"And well," he added shyly, "I also heard that the Aeruns are much easier to deal with when they see beautiful things..."

He hesitated before finishing his sentence.

"So I thought maybe we could make better diplomatic relations if we show a bit more sincerity by offering something like this."

Silence fell across the space.

Unbeknownst to the sincere little chipmunk, his explanation had completely caught everyone off guard.

One person in particular reacted the most dramatically.

Duke Leander.

The devoted father suddenly burst into tears.

"My son...!"

He clutched his chest as if his heart had been struck by divine lightning.

His most precious son was already thinking like a monarch!

Duchess Amelia sighed softly.

She had clearly expected this reaction.

The elegant duchess gently placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder to comfort him while he continued to tremble with overwhelming paternal pride and devastation.

Why was his child perfect for that position!?

Around them, the others were equally speechless.

They had been expecting many things.

But not this in particular, especially when they had all tried to get a handle on such rumors.

The Emperor and Empress exchanged a quiet glance.

There was unmistakable surprise and joy in their eyes.

Because what they were seeing right now was someone incredibly thoughtful.

Someone unexpectedly perceptive.

Someone impressive.

And that someone was currently scratching his cheek shyly while wondering if he had said something wrong.

But among everyone present, no one was more affected than Xavier.

The Imperial Crown Prince felt as if his heart had momentarily stopped while listening to Luca’s explanation.

His wife had taken the initiative.

Xavier had always tried to keep unnecessary responsibilities away from his little chipmunk.

But if he were being honest, he had always worried about burdening him with duties he had never asked for. If his wife were perfectly okay with just staying as is, then he would just figure something out.

And yet here Luca was.

Thinking about diplomacy.

Thinking about reputation.

Thinking about the Empire itself.

Not that Luca didn’t start such encompassing, macro-level developments, but this time around, his little chipmunk specifically mentioned his personal involvement.

Xavier’s heart began pounding heavily in his chest.

To say he was touched would have been a massive understatement.

A fierce desire to protect Luca from everything and everyone surged through him.

And yet at the same time, he was constantly reminded that Luca had always been his own person.

Someone who made his own choices and was now someone who thought on such a scale.

The Crown Prince had been seated the entire time.

But now he stopped his pearl extraction entirely.

Without saying a word, Xavier reached out.

Luca was standing beside him, a little bit unsure of himself.

So when the prince suddenly took the hand resting at Luca’s side, the golden-eyed cadet blinked in surprise.

But the glorified extractor clasped his wife’s hand gently.

Then he lifted it.

And pressed it against his forehead.

Luca froze.

The Crown Prince held his wife’s hand there quietly, his eyes focused on Luca as if he were making silent promises that only the two of them could understand.

He didn’t even care about everyone else who stood around them, and only resumed breathing when Luca suddenly brightened.

"Oh!"

The moment of solemn emotion broke instantly.

"I saw a couple of pearls earlier that looked really similar," Luca said excitedly. "Do you think we could get something matching?"

Xavier didn’t hesitate.

"Of course."

Because truthfully, he would have willingly matched with him even if they were wearing the most obnoxious thing imaginable.

At this point, there was truly nothing he wouldn’t do for his wife.