The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]-Chapter 843: Proprietary Secrets

The final game plan came only after weighing several options.

In truth, Luca had been nervous since the day they all sat down to talk about how and how much information they were comfortable with relaying, and what information should be kept hidden.

But when Luca finally lifted his head and looked around to see everyone who was waiting on his decision, the unease softened.

Everyone was waiting for him patiently.

The once frightened child suddenly realized that he was definitely not alone.

How had it even happened?

He started with one companion, D-29, and a few chickens.

Then his first friend. His sworn brother.

Somewhere along the way, he ended up with the best husband. Several bony elders. A loving family. Then an even bigger one. Then he came to know so many friends who quietly became family, people he trusted without ever needing to stop and think.

Luca looked back and realized that such a large shift had occurred.

And just now, as he looked up, they were all there.

And more than that, they were all willing.

If he wanted everything hidden, they would keep it hidden. Even if it meant making things harder. Even if it meant losing opportunities. Even if it meant enduring suspicion and pressure.

They would do it just for him.

That was when the originally lonesome youth realized something else.

There was no need for that anymore.

Certain inexplicable things would still remain a secret. After all, there was really no way to explain the existence of the dungeon when even the manager was just as confused. Moreover, if all companies were allowed to have proprietary knowledge, then why can’t they?

But there were also things they could explain. Things they could teach. Things they could finally share after preparing to contend with all those expected risks for what felt like forever.

And for a certain businessman, that meant one thing:

Expansion.

The kind that he planned to begin with their humble booth.

After all, when the little money-grubber first thought of the concept for their expo booth, he had a vision.

And that vision came with a very clear background sound.

Ka-ching! Ka-ching!

__

Which raised the obvious question.

What exactly was Luca going for?

The answer lay in the parts of the booth they had not yet touched.

And it was precisely why the young cadet made an announcement that caused the entire kitchen to freeze.

"Excuse me, everyone!" Luca said brightly, clapping his hands together.

"I really hope you all enjoyed that." The participants were eagerly nodding and it earned everyone a bright smile from the young cadet.

"While I would love to keep the class going, it’s already time for our last lesson today. And I think it would be nice to cap it off by learning how to use the same sauce for pasta this time around."

"!"

There were several sharp inhales.

But Luca wasn’t done.

"Before I proceed, I think it would be best to notify those who are staying for the dinner service that unlike the other dishes which could be classified as snacks, this one can be a bit heavy."

A few people straightened while some hands instinctively went to their stomachs.

"And while I certainly wouldn’t stop anyone from eating what we make next," Luca continued, clearly trying to be helpful, "I would personally suggest you leave a good bit of space for dinner."

He said that with a boyish smile. It was an excited grin born from looking over at his husband who he knew worked hard to make the restaurant he wanted into a reality.

The reactions that greeted Luca were immediate as a ripple of realization spread through the participants.

There was more.

Of course, there was more.

But not everyone would be able to stay.

Some people groaned softly. Others stared at their remaining time slots in disbelief. A few looked torn, as if forced to choose between destiny and digestion.

Several people whispered urgently among themselves.

But more than anyone else, it was the keenly curious gaze of a select, knowing few that landed on one Crown Prince, who had no choice but to look away.

Yes. He was aware.

Very aware, alright!

He knew exactly what was coming.

He was next on the chopping block.

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Xavier Aeric Theron Solaris goes by many names and titles.

For a good while now, he had been Cadet Xavier Montclair.

To most people, he was practically a phantom. To a select few, he was the Imperial Crown Prince, the Empire’s eternal light. To an even smaller group of deeply unfortunate and overly experienced individuals, he was the Glacier of Solaris.

And to exactly one person, he was a devoted husband.

Unfortunately for him, the same wolf of a pilot was in the middle of acquiring yet another title.

Xavier the Restaurateur.

To be fair, he never asked for it.

It simply happened.

The grueling ordeal began the moment those golden eyes fluttered up at him. From there, the negotiations lasted no more than a few seconds. He agreed almost immediately, his downfall sealed the moment the correct emotional buttons were pressed in the correct order.

He really should have expected it.

In the blink of an eye, the little fox put those allegedly innocent fingers to devastating use, tugging lightly at the cuff of his sleeve before looking up and asking, far too casually, "Do you think you’d be okay with handling the restaurant?"

The hypnotized prince was vaguely aware that his little wife followed up with a list of perfectly reasonable explanations. Something about his cooking skills. His composure. His etiquette. His ability to deal with people who may or may not be unscrupulous.

But none of it truly registered.

Not when Luca’s hands had already slid down to lace their fingers together.

The unshakable glacier did not stand a chance.

He lost. Completely. Utterly. Without dignity.

And that was precisely why he left nearly half an hour before the cooking lessons wrapped up.

Because while the rest of the booth was preparing to wind down and recover, the newly minted restaurateur was only just getting started.

And whoever had written that suspicious guide D-29 had handed him, the one that claimed managing a restaurant could be made simple and efficient—Xavier wanted to give them an emotional finger.

Possibly followed by a lawsuit.