The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]-Chapter 916: The Long Con

Eden didn’t dignify his words with a response, but just as always, Tavian smiled like a man who had never once considered the possibility that he might be unwanted.

"I was starting to think you were avoiding me," he said, leaning just a little too close. "You disappeared so suddenly earlier."

Eden tilted her head, eyes sweeping over him slowly in a way that could almost pass for interest.

Well, that wasn’t entirely wrong. She was interested in him in a way. Interested in stuffing him in a bag, never to be seen again.

"Oh, I didn’t disappear," she replied sweetly. "I just... needed some air."

Her gaze flicked pointedly down his front. Where she could privately see the holographic progress bar she was monitoring.

[Cloning... 57%]

"Some environments can be a little... suffocating."

Tavian chuckled, clearly choosing the interpretation he liked best. "Still as sharp as ever. I missed that."

"You would," Eden said. "You always did like things that make you uncomfortable."

He laughed again, mistaking the jab for playful flirting. "You always did have a strange way of saying you missed me."

Eden let out a soft huff, her gaze drifting back to him with mild, practiced indifference. "Missed is generous. I’d say I remembered you existed. There’s a difference."

[Cloning... 63%]

Tavian clicked his tongue. "Ouch. You’ve gotten sharper."

"I’ve had a lot of practice dealing with things that don’t take the hint," she replied, eyes briefly flicking toward the corridor before settling back on him. "It does wonders for one’s patience. Or lack thereof."

[Cloning... 69%]

"You make it sound like I’m a nuisance," he said, though his tone was amused. "But you’re still standing here."

"I’m polite," Eden said. "It’s a terrible flaw. People start thinking it means something."

[Cloning... 74%]

He leaned in a little, lowering his voice. "It does mean something. You could’ve brushed me off already, but you didn’t."

Eden met his gaze, expression unreadable. "And you could’ve learned to read a room by now, but here we are. Growth is slow for some people."

[Cloning... 80%]

Tavian laughed under his breath. "You always did talk like you were above it all. That’s what I liked about you."

"Tragic," Eden murmured. "And here I thought your taste improved with age."

[Cloning... 86%]

There was a brief pause. Then Tavian shifted his weight, eyes narrowing slightly as if something had just occurred to him. "You know, I’ve tried contacting you before."

She raised a brow. "That sounds like a personal problem."

"You changed your contact information."

"People do that," Eden said lightly. "It’s called moving on."

[Cloning... 91%]

"That’s cold," Tavian said. "We weren’t just anybody. We grew up together. We have history. And despite everything, I still cherish that history. I’m not one to hold grudges, you know that."

Eden wanted to punch him in the gut, twist him around, and then stomp on him flat.

Of course, you don’t hold grudges. You’re the grudge, bastard. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

But instead of letting out a barrage of insults, Eden’s lips curved faintly. "Some things are better left in the past, you know."

"Besides, would that be a wise move considering your little pet back there?"

[Cloning... 95%]

Tavian studied her for a moment before smirking. "You’re not about to pretend you care what Celine thinks, are you?"

Her gaze shifted, just a fraction. "No. That would be too much of a lie. Still, it would be rude of me to step on her feelings for the sake of history."

He scoffed. "Celine doesn’t get to decide who I talk to. She doesn’t own me."

Eden hummed softly. "Right. But I’m pretty sure she’s not aware of that."

[Cloning... 98%]

"Come on," Tavian said. "At least give me your contact. We’re not strangers. You don’t have to lump me in with the rest."

She hesitated just long enough to look reluctant, her eyes flicking away before returning to him. "You’ve always enjoyed complications in life."

[Cloning... 99%]

"I’d like to believe it keeps life interesting," he replied smoothly.

With a quiet sigh, Eden lifted her terminal. "Fine. But don’t make it weird."

He grinned as he did the same. Their devices chimed softly as the exchange went through.

[Cloning... 100%]

The moment the confirmation flashed, Eden’s gaze dipped briefly, her lips pressing together as she completed the scan openly. She kept her expression neutral, though the faintest trace of satisfaction tugged at the corner of her mouth before she smoothed it away.

Who would’ve thought he’d be so complicit?

Tavian took a step closer, clearly encouraged by the small concession. "See? That wasn’t so hard."

Eden stepped back at the same time, creating just enough distance to make the shift obvious.

"Careful," she said dryly. "Unless you’re aiming to be remembered as the guy who lurked outside the restroom, I’d suggest we both head back."

Her eyes flicked pointedly down the corridor.

"Wouldn’t want anyone getting the wrong idea."

__

Thankfully, her odd movements, which had a certain Deputy Officer gritting his teeth while trying to keep his sanity intact, had a different effect on one great deciding factor.

"Sid! She cloned his terminal!"

"Of course, she cloned his terminal. I already told you she wasn’t about to go and cheat."

The little system continued to observe as they returned outside, but this time with even more dedicated nodes for immersion.

"But how did you know?"

The guardian mecha once again didn’t think he would end up in this position after a long time of existing with grace and poise, but here he was, gossiping for the sake of peace.

"Because like I said earlier, this wouldn’t be the first time she has done this."

"Deputy Officer Curtis was her first high-profile target."

"Eventually, she got caught. But because what she did uncovered an even bigger case, and Lord Curtis vouched for her, Lady Eden’s punishment turned into employment."

"!!!"

Sid belatedly realized it would have been better if he worded that differently in case someone decided to commit something unspeakable against the crown, but it was too late.

D-29 was already whirring.

But thankfully, the little system’s calculations were interrupted by a new discovery.

"Sid, there’s an attempt for remote access. Should I allow it or not?"

"Ah, now that you’d have to report."