The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]-Chapter 988: Matched Steps

Pins, needles, and at least three mini heart attacks.

Now, one would think that Luca would be the one experiencing all of that, especially with the pressure of opening the dance floor.

But surprisingly, it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Because it was actually Xavier, the Imperial Crown Prince, who was going through all of that. And all at once.

After all, how could he not when it was Luca who approached him with an elegant posture and shining eyes, asking,

"My lord, may I please have this dance?"

Luca stood before a seated wolf, formal to the last detail, one hand outstretched in invitation.

And Xavier’s head most definitely rang.

Now, he did realize that because of Luca’s bid, it wouldn’t really matter if anyone else won with a higher amount; what would matter was that Luca would be able to dance with Xavier before having to dance with Cassian.

But the floored husband didn’t particularly think that his wife meant "asking" literally, either.

And yet there he was, asking him formally.

Despite the surprise, Xavier accepted immediately, but when he realized the position of their hands, the Glacier of Solaris definitely flinched.

For it was at that moment that he realized he had done and fucked up.

He really should’ve just revealed his identity.

Because now, what was he supposed to do with this?

How exactly was he supposed to dance the female version?

Ah.

Well, apparently, the answer was simple.

He just had to do it while looking at his wife.

And while ignoring Sid’s increasingly alarming pleas.

"Master."

"Don’t—"

Because really, the all-too-devout husband didn’t need to be told how bad the situation was.

He was very much aware.

Xavier was as apprehensive as one could get. Frankly, he never expected this.

But when his gaze landed on his little wife’s face, he found it impossible to ask if they could switch.

How could he possibly do that after seeing that expression?

Luca radiated determination.

And more than that, he radiated love.

It showed in the way he held Xavier’s hand, in the way his other arm came around his waist so naturally.

"I practiced with my Mom!"

Luca grinned up at him, bright and proud.

"Not sure if I can do it like you did, but I’ll try!"

The prince, who was now positioned to take the female steps, initially felt like his body would lock up.

But hearing his chipmunk’s resolve did something to him.

For some reason, his body softened.

And just like that, Xavier let Luca lead.

He could feel the shocked stares from all around them. He knew exactly what this must look like.

But none of that mattered.

Not when all he could see were those glimmering eyes.

Not when all he could feel was that quiet, steady pull from the one person who had him completely.

However, things changed the moment the music Luca personally recommended started playing.

Uh-oh.

Just what kind of dance did Duchess Amelia teach Luca?

Safe to say, back at the manor, one Butler was already in need of a cold compress just to survive what they were about to witness.

Because their innocent Young Master had absolutely been conned.

Conned by the Duchess, no less.

Into learning the very same dance she once used to almost detach Duke Leander’s leg.

Butler Gary, for the life of him, couldn’t even bear to look.

But that was okay, because the rest of the Empire was already captivated by the way Luca twirled the extremely tall Xavier.

"!!!"

It only took a few steps for the realization to spread. Then again, if the Imperial Crown Prince were being honest, it only took the first notes of the music to identify.

The only reason why he needed to see what Luca was planning on doing next was because he couldn’t believe that his little chipmunk would actually instigate such a dance.

A turn. A shift. A sharp pivot that came just a little too close for comfort.

Tango.

Any noble would recognize it.

And yet no noble would attempt it.

Not unless they were willing to risk their pride, their balance, and quite possibly their limbs. It was the kind of dance that had sent more than one unfortunate soul to the medical bay, or worse, into permanent social exile after an especially disastrous misstep.

Of course, none of those Xavier had actually seen for himself; it mostly came from his mother, who needed to tell him about it so he could prepare for such a threat.

And yet Luca moved as if he belonged in it.

He looked at Xavier with eyes so sharp and a mouth so sly that it made the entire exchange feel dangerous in the best way possible.

This little fox.

Just what had he been up to while Xavier was busy handling captured terrorists?

Apparently, learning from his mother.

A dance so passionate it was said to reveal one’s feelings.

What Duchess Amelia had not particularly emphasized was that she had once used this exact dance to ensure that no one would ever want to partner with her again. Her leg movements had been sharp enough to threaten a person’s actual foot, and her turns were fast enough to leave someone disoriented for the rest of the night.

Then again, she had also taught it because it was a dance Leander excelled at. Well, at least provided they were partners. It had been one of the moments that proved to a then-skeptical Amelia just how compatible they were.

And now, as she watched her son perform it, she could not help but admit something.

Even when her normally stoic son-in-law looked like he initially wanted to run away at the very beginning, she felt like there was really no one else who could match Luca as he did.

Not when even she had nearly lost a leg when Luca decided to take dancing seriously.

"Lia, t-this? How does our son..."

"I taught him the basics," Amelia replied, her gaze steady.

Then she added, almost absently, "But this? That’s all them."

Around the dance floor, the atmosphere had shifted into something else entirely.

There was anticipation, thick and exciting.

There was suspense that made it hard to breathe.

And there was that strange, intangible pressure that made no one dare look away.

Because what they were watching did not feel like a performance.

It felt like something far more dangerous yet entirely too captivating.

Luca led, but not in the way most would expect.

Each step looked deliberate to the point of precision. Every movement carried the weight of something that could have easily turned into an attack. A turn resembled a sweep. A pivot looked like a strike. Even the way their bodies came together felt too heated, as if they were testing limits rather than simply following a routine.

It was definitely not a routine anyone had seen before, and not one that others could reasonably follow.

There were close embraces that lasted just a heartbeat too long, followed by sharp releases that made the audience tense. Their steps cut through the floor with exactness, each motion landing perfectly where it needed to be. At several points, it looked like one wrong move would send everything collapsing and a few tables flying.

And yet it never did.

With the two of them, it looked effortless.

It looked inevitable.

Like their bodies had already agreed long before the dance even began.

Through it all, Luca’s elation was unmistakable.

Bright. Open. Completely unhidden.

Because his husband could do it.

Just like his mother said, he would definitely feel good after finding someone so compatible.

And who else could be more compatible than his husband?

"Host! Your hard work has paid off!"

Luca definitely agreed with D-29 as he looked at his husband’s handsome face.

Their eyes met, and in that moment, something passed between them.

Xavier’s expression softened into a small smile that should be treasured by any fortunate onlooker.

For it was one they would only see when he was with Luca. It was a smile of surrender.

A quiet agreement that he would follow, that he would let Luca do exactly what he wanted.

And Luca, the suddenly excitable dancer, did.

He guided, turned, and shifted his weight with confidence before pulling Xavier into a final movement that made several onlookers tense.

Then he dipped him.

The world seemed to tilt with them.

A collective breath was drawn in, sharp and unsteady.

And Xavier, supported securely in that position, looked up at Luca.

At those shining eyes.

At that unrestrained joy.

And in that moment, with everything else fading into nothing, he could only think that if this was not love, then he would not know what was.

Dang.

Now he just needed to find a way to erase all the footage.