The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]-Chapter 972: The Spring Roll Incident

Stunning.

Yes. Most definitely beautiful.

But there were many kinds of beauty. However, Luca?

He embodied the kind of beauty that would cause someone—several someones, actually—to stop, stare, and stutter.

The golden-eyed cadet looked almost unreal in his ceremonial attire.

Practically ethereal.

In contrast to the strong and intimidating lines adorning the much taller cadets, Luca looked like the personification of grace.

Layers of pristine white fabric draped over his frame in an elegant cascade. The design was structured yet fluid, like folded wings caught mid-motion. An asymmetrical cloak fell from his shoulders in soft pleats, one side flowing longer than the other before tapering into a narrow train behind him. The material caught the light in faint ripples, giving the impression of something that was both delicate and ceremonial.

Beneath the cloak, the silhouette sharpened.

A fitted black undersuit traced the lines of his slender figure, the dark fabric contrasting sharply with the pale layers above. The trousers were tailored and sleek, tucked neatly into high black boots whose polished surfaces reflected faint glints of light with every movement.

In truth, there was nothing particularly unusual about his attire. It wasn’t the latest technology that changed colors as he walked, nor did it light up whenever the fabric was tousled.

But even so, Luca glimmered in the most fascinating way.

Luminous pearls had been set carefully throughout the outfit, their soft sheen far more refined than the sharp brilliance of other precious stones.

A pearl brooch rested at the side of his collar, anchoring the draped cloak where it gathered near his shoulder. The brooch was not a simple circle. Instead, its metal setting formed a delicate star-like motif crafted from gold, the pearl resting at its heart like a drop of moonlight.

There were pearls around his slender waist, and further down, Luca’s cuffs bore the same treasures mounted in gold settings. For the first-timer, those were the most important pieces of the ensemble.

Each pearl sat within a circular golden frame that resembled a small celestial compass. Fine golden spokes radiated outward around the gem, forming a quiet but unmistakable symbol that matched the ones fixed at Xavier’s own cuff and collar pins. When the two stood together, the designs would align in meaning as much as in appearance.

If only the transfixed Imperial Crown Prince could get over his momentous pause so he could approach his waiting wife.

Then again, maybe it was better that Xavier didn’t get too close.

Because if he had, he might not have noticed the missing layers of cloth on his little wife’s back.

So much for the generous amount of fabric in the front and in the trailing train.

When Luca made the slightest turn to the side, the Imperial Crown Prince almost lost his balance.

For holding that slit against that delicate back were nothing more than chains of gold and pearls.

"!!!"

The ladies who hadn’t been able to dress up their children in a very long time had clearly poured every ounce of effort into preparing for today’s banquet. And it showed in how everyone looked as if they had been scrubbed to the nines.

In a sense, he should’ve known from how the mop came out looking somewhat similar. Like unmistakable sworn brothers, they certainly came out like dangerous magnets.

Kyle... was, well, Kyle. Coming from a family that had always been under the scrutiny of the Empire, he had always presented himself in a way that was befitting of his status.

So truly, the transformation was best seen in Jax, who momentarily exchanged his overalls for something that made even his mother weep.

But despite everyone cleaning up, the Prince was simply stuck thinking about something he knew was absurd.

Was it even legal for Luca to walk around like that?

Probably not.

But at that point—and in a rare show of solidarity—only Xavier and one mortified father seemed to be asking that question. Everyone else simply praised Luca for his exquisite attire.

And truly, it was praiseworthy.

In the end, the Prince simply surrendered everything to fate after realizing something important.

It wasn’t even the outfit.

Or the pearls.

Or the countless careful details of Luca’s ceremonial attire that captured everyone’s attention.

They were all beautiful, of course.

But the moment Luca scanned the waiting crowd and saw Xavier, the way his expression softened—and the way that smile blossomed across his face—was more than enough to make the Imperial Crown Prince want to keep his wife entirely to himself.

He was just perfect.

So perfect that many others seemed to think so too.

They had barely left for the Imperial Palace.

And already, Xavier felt like it was going to be a damn long night.

__

In stark contrast to one troubled wolf, Luca felt tingly all over as his husband told him that he looked great. He even said beautiful. It was murmured into his ear, and he almost melted right there, especially since Xavier himself looked particularly dashing at the moment.

Then again, the blessed prince had always looked dashing even in the middle of a fight.

Unlike a few individuals who encountered a little bit of a trial.

See, after surviving the dance lessons, they—Luca, Ollie, and Theo—had tried on several outfits, and the golden-eyed cadet had actually wanted to wear something similar to the taller men because it just looked so cool.

Extremely defined lines, clear cuts, and sharp corners. It was easy to imagine them going into battle and winning before it even started.

Now with that kind of aura, who wouldn’t want to wear the same thing?

Unfortunately, after one disastrous attempt that his good brother said they should never speak about again, the much shorter members of their guild had to admit the glaring issue once they saw themselves in the mirror.

They looked like sad, soggy spring rolls.

Even Luca, who normally had a different level of aesthetic, could see the difference after Noah walked out wearing the same outfit.

"..."

"..."

Safe to say the mothers around them quickly intervened and showed them many other options, which was how Luca ended up wearing that night’s attire.

He remembered his worry, asking, "My Lady, are you sure? Isn’t this too beautiful?"

He saw it on a mannequin for the first time and became worried about walking with such fine fabric.

But Countess Jenna, as well as his very own mother, insisted, "Won’t it be a waste for clothes to stay unused?"

"!"

It would be.

Luca’s eyes widened in distress, and he promptly got into those clothes.

And in a way, they were correct, because he did feel a little different after seeing himself.

As someone who usually wore piloting suits and cadet uniforms, dressing up like this and attending something so formal felt like a surreal experience. In fact, from wearing clothes handed down by several people to wearing something specifically made for him, Luca could definitely feel a massive improvement in his life.

And today, he could only hope to enjoy as much of the event his family had prepared as possible.

Ah, but more importantly, the excited wife hoped to finally learn more about his husband and his in-laws!

__

Sure enough, while one Prince experienced a small bout of cognitive dissonance as he dealt with conflicting feelings of liking and hating the banquet, one explorer seemed genuinely excited for it.

Xavier watched intently as the little chipmunk had his face practically pressed against the hovercraft window.

Luca stared out like he was trying to absorb everything.

And to be fair, he really was.

The Guide had visited the capital before, and he thought he had already seen many impressive things. Towering buildings, magnificent halls, and wide avenues filled with lights. But the moment their hovercraft finally began approaching the place that was said to be the Imperial Palace, he suddenly found himself looking back at his husband for confirmation.

"T-this? This is the Imperial Palace?!" Luca asked incredulously because that was actually his husband’s house?!

From afar, the palace looked less like a residence and more like the centerpiece of an entire world.

A vast complex of gleaming towers rose into the sky like a crown forged from light and steel. Countless slender spires stretched upward in elegant tiers, their surfaces catching the last glow of the setting sun so that the entire structure shimmered in pale gold and silver. Wide terraces and sweeping platforms radiated outward from the central palace like petals, surrounded by long reflective waterways and manicured gardens that looked almost unreal from above.

Even from a distance, Luca could see the massive landing leading toward the main gates, broad enough to swallow entire fleets of hovercraft.

It was magnificent.

It was overwhelming.

And most importantly, it was likely super expensive as one D-29 would eventually corroborate.

Luca slowly turned to look at Xavier again.

Because his husband was currently sleeping in a place that was probably smaller than a hovercraft parking lot.

How could he have wronged his own beloved?!