The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]-Chapter 979: Of All People

A trick question.

One that would’ve carried a far more serious threat had he not been sporting that pose that already had one adjutant visibly exasperated.

And yet, as if used to it, Kyle Nox simply answered, "Young Lord Aziel, it’s good to see you today. But I believe Imperial Princess Gianina hasn’t entered just yet."

"But considering that the banquet is about to officially begin, you’d most definitely see her soon."

Kyle delivered it with the practiced, formal ease of someone long accustomed to this sort of exchange, even as everyone—especially the more enterprising and opportunistic ones—gradually stopped their earlier antics just to look at him. Through it all, he kept that same gentle smile on his face.

And really, how could the interested onlookers not pause upon hearing Kyle utter Princess Nina’s name?

Wouldn’t that mean the person who had just stopped in front of DG was related to the Imperial family?

To the credit of one Luca Kyros, he managed to keep his neck straight. He didn’t look up at his husband with those dangerously curious doe eyes.

A cousin?!

Still, he most definitely tilted his head when the person before them responded.

"Tsk."

The sound came with a sneer.

And that—of all things—made Luca gasp.

Because he never thought he’d witness something so blatantly impolite coming from a Solaris.

It was almost absurd.

Of course, it didn’t help that the golden-eyed new member seemed to have conveniently forgotten his husband’s own tendencies for literally anyone else other than him. Then again, since becoming partners, Luca had never once been treated with anything less than reverence by the most curt descendant of that family.

So this attitude?

It felt foreign.

And it was coming from a child at that.

Oh yes.

He was... striking.

A good-looking kid who had clearly put thought into how he presented himself. Luca even admired how he could bend himself like that for a very long time.

He stood at an odd angle, one leg slightly extended while his torso twisted just enough to suggest elegance. One hand hovered mid-air as though caught in the middle of a flourish. His chin tilted a particular degree, and his gaze was carefully angled to catch the light. Even the way his long hair fell around his shoulders looked arranged, as if he had practiced how it should frame his face.

It was the kind of pose he likely believed looked incredibly cool.

And to be fair... to certain eyes, it did. Like the eyes of the children on the floor, who certainly liked his flashy arrival.

He was tall with long black hair that flowed neatly past his shoulders and blue-green eyes that gleamed with confidence. There was a familiar sharpness to his features as well, something Luca’s special someone probably had in those earlier days.

But despite all that, this person was a child nonetheless.

One who tried his absolute best not to look like one, but couldn’t possibly hide it from one little system.

"Host! This person seems to be Lord Aziel Solaris, registered as Princess Nina’s third cousin and therefore the benefactor’s relative! Invitation records I could access didn’t initially have his age, but based on a scan of the bones on his hands and wrists, he is likely thirteen."

D-29 wanted to add an explanation about possible factors affecting its assessment, but didn’t have the time because monitoring the situation had suddenly become far more important.

Because just as the hardworking videographer finished explaining, and just as Luca was still thinking about how unusual this meeting was, the child had already stepped forward.

"Well, no matter. I’m here for something else anyway."

Then he walked closer.

With purpose, confidence, and the practiced charm that always worked on everybody else.

Aziel placed a hand over his chest, posture straightening as he shifted into something more refined. He subtly adjusted his angle, making sure the light hit him just right. His expression softened, and when he spoke, his voice carried a practiced sincerity that would have convinced most people.

"May I reserve your first dance?"

It was smooth.

It was bold.

And to most onlookers, undeniably charming.

Even to Luca’s eyes.

But unlike what Aziel had been hoping for, the golden-eyed beauty didn’t react the way he expected. There was no fluster, no hesitation.

Instead, Luca simply thought how cute it was.

It was odd that the kid didn’t greet Xavier, who was standing next to him. But still, his husband’s little cousin had just asked him to dance! How incredibly welcoming!

But before Luca could respond, someone who had been silent until now finally spoke.

"Young Lord, have you obtained permission from a guardian?"

The voice was calm, cool, and rare among the spectators. And sure enough, it made several people gasp.

"Y-you!"

Aziel reacted immediately, indignation flashing across his face as he turned to look at who dared to say that, only to realize it was that annoying bloke again.

That Montclair.

How dare he say that to him?

But instead of backing down, even as Aziel looked ready to snap, Xavier simply looked down at him. His gaze was steady, unreadable, and just slightly colder than before.

"It’s because the program positions the festivities very close to the curfew for the underage guests."

"!!!"

This guy, really!

__

But the Imperial Crown Prince could actually return the accusation, as this punk had long been testing his patience.

Aziel Solaris, not even alive for more than thirteen years, had caused many unexpected issues the moment he learned to read and write.

Yes, they were really related, sharing great-great-grandparents.

But no, he had no idea who the Prince really was and what he probably looked like now.

And maybe that was the problem. For the child born after the Imperial Crown Prince had left the confines of the Palace to live elsewhere became thoroughly obsessed with looking for his cousin.

Then again, even if Aziel was born earlier, it would be impossible to learn about Prince Aeric’s true identity.

After all, more than protecting the heirs from other threats, most successors are guarded from the likeliest of enemies: their very own relatives.

Particularly those who think they have the ability to claim the throne.