The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL]-Chapter 917: Front Row Seats

And report it did.

It was just that no one thought the subtle (not) report would cause more than just a stir, as particular busybodies just couldn’t help themselves.

"Husband!"

"Please tell us more! Sid said it was you who decided on the final verdict!"

A certain Imperial Crown Prince had to close his eyes ever so slowly as he tried not to look at those perfectly reddened lips, sparkling golden eyes, and clasped hands.

It was a desperate attempt to avoid the next questions he didn’t really have answers to.

When D-29 came barreling at them with prompts, Xavier had initially planned on solving it simply. He was going to tell D-29 to monitor, but allow Eden to continue with her attempts at getting access into House Orell’s system. They just had to make sure they didn’t trip anything in the process.

But why?

Well, because not only was Eden trying to figure out what really happened to her brother, but her search had also led them to discoveries about House Orell’s and House Aramont’s renewed communication with the Federation. Ideally, they would have more to gain from doing this, provided it was done carefully.

Of course, this was years back. Xavier was quite literally a teenager back then when it all came to light. But it was also one of the reasons why it was easier to trust both Eden and Curtis with more information than the rest, because Xavier understood more of their actual motivations from this private incident.

He could answer questions about Eden’s discoveries, the sanctions received at that time, as well as how Deputy Officer Curtis practically haunted the Imperial Prince to petition on behalf of Eden without her knowledge.

But how was he supposed to answer the questions this bunch was throwing at him?

"As childhood friends, how long have they known each other?" Princess Kira, who had honestly been like a live wire since her fiancé left for today’s prior commitments, clearly needed an outlet and ended up becoming so invested that she just had to take notes.

Unfortunately, these people who were taking well-deserved breaks were all looking at him expectantly.

"Have they always fought since they were young?! They have so many nicknames for each other!" Ollie’s hair antenna couldn’t be stopped as he demanded to know exactly how they got to this point.

"..."

"..."

But of everyone, Xavier’s concern would definitely be his little wife’s eager involvement.

At this point, he was rather certain that D-29 was contagious. If even Sid had been reduced to an eavesdropper, then things were really getting serious.

"Husband, husband! That other woman said she would always love Deputy Officer Curtis! But wasn’t she walking hand in hand with the other man just earlier?!"

Gods.

Just what was Xavier supposed to do with this invested lot?

__

Riveting would be an understatement.

Because what followed got the busybodies clutching at their seats and at each other.

Luca watched as the footage showed that woman called Celine standing just close enough to Deputy Officer Curtis that anyone looking from afar might think she was confiding in him.

In truth, she was performing.

Her voice dipped, soft and trembling in just the right places, eyes misting over as she clasped her hands together like she was afraid they might fall apart if she loosened her grip.

"I don’t know why I’m saying this," she murmured, glancing toward the corridor Tavian had disappeared into. "It’s just... seeing him chase after her again made me realize how foolish I’ve been."

Curtis didn’t respond. He was busy lining up his next shot at the arcade machine, fingers steady, expression neutral.

Celine let out a small, fragile laugh. "Maybe things would have been different if I had made different choices back then."

The machine beeped. Curtis adjusted his stance.

"My life might have turned out differently if I had ended up with you instead," she said softly.

That finally got a reaction.

Of course it would. As an adjutant tested by the heavens today, he had already been generous by not shooting down her implication that there had been a choice to be made.

But this was just pushing it.

Curtis paused, then straightened, eyes still on the screen as if he were choosing his words with the same precision he used to line up a shot.

"Wishful thinking is free," he said. "But at some point, most people would outgrow fantasies."

Celine’s breath hitched, her fingers tightening against each other.

She had expected resistance. Even now, part of her admired him for it. Always so consistent. So immovable. It was precisely why he had once been impossible to reach, and why he still was.

"I know," she said quietly, lips trembling just enough to sell the hurt. "I know it sounds ridiculous. Especially when I came here with Tavian. But it’s hard not to hope when even Eden, after everything she’s done, was given another chance."

Curtis finally turned his head.

Celine looked up at him then, eyes bright, expression earnest to the point of shamelessness. "If I were her, I wouldn’t have let go of you. Of us. I know it sounds like nonsense, but I believe you know this too. I have always loved you. I think I always will."

Curtis stared at her.

Not in shock.

In genuine confusion.

He wasn’t even sure where this audacity was coming from.

Before he could respond, Celine’s gaze flicked past him, catching sight of Eden emerging from the corridor. Something sharpened in her eyes.

This was her moment.

She stepped forward and reached for Curtis, waiting for the perfect moment to tumble right onto him in what was meant to be a desperate embrace.

"I really meant what I said," she murmured, voice low and intimate. "I know I can never be her, but if I were, whatever happened, you would have always remained mine."

Curtis stepped back.

It was instinctive. Clean. Like avoiding something he was allergic to.

The moment she missed her target, another presence filled the space she had just tried to occupy.

"Having a nice chat?"

Eden’s voice cut in calmly from behind him.

Celine stiffened, then slowly looked to the side, surprise blooming across her face as if she hadn’t been fully aware that Eden had returned.

"Oh," she said softly, cheeks flushing. "We were just... reminiscing about the past."

She gave a small, embarrassed smile, eyes flicking toward Curtis, confident he wasn’t the type to throw people under the bus.

Eden smiled.

It even reached her eyes.

"Well, it’s sometimes good to reminisce," she said evenly. "It helps remind people of how far they’ve come. I appreciate the reminder."

Celine couldn’t help but flinch.

"But I don’t think it really applies here," Eden continued, her tone unhurried as she stepped closer to Curtis and lifted a hand to his jaw with casual familiarity. "Contrary to popular belief, he has always remained mine."

The words landed cleanly.

Sharp. Final.

Celine’s breath caught.

Eden tilted her head slightly, gaze steady. "But if you’re that determined, and if you think you can convince him otherwise, you’re welcome to try your luck."

She smiled.

Celine looked like she had just been struck.

Curtis, for his part, stood there, stunned into complete silence.

Right on cue, Tavian’s voice rang out from the corridor behind them.

"Sorry for the wait!"

Eden dropped her hand and turned away without another glance, already walking toward a different arcade machine. Curtis followed her automatically, leaving Celine frozen where she stood, mind blank, expression hollow.

It took Curtis several steps before he finally found his tongue.

"And just where did you get that idea?" he asked.

Eden stopped.

She took her time turning back to him, gaze sweeping over his face with pointed slowness.

"If it’s not true," she said calmly, "then maybe next time, when you’re thinking of strangling me, try not to look like you’d rather kiss me."

Curtis stiffened.

"Then maybe I wouldn’t confuse you with someone who thinks about me every other night like it’s part of your extremely busy schedule."

She looked away, already moving again.

"My dear Curtis, if you’re going to question things," Eden added over her shoulder, "at least try to look the part."

She took another step. And another.

She continued walking like she didn’t just floor one Deputy Officer and a bunch of cadets who were secretly watching.

From a hidden room in DG’s booth, one Orcish Princess couldn’t help but exclaim, "Wow. I gotta write that down!"