The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] novel Chapter 663

Chapter 663: From Discounts to Embraces

The anguish.

The distraught.

The utter betrayal.

Luca didn’t say anything except for the soft gasp he let out, but when everyone turned and saw him holding it all in, it became painfully obvious to the Imperial couple that they had just said something they absolutely should not have.

It had only been meant as a cute anecdote about their son’s younger days, one where they found Xavier’s thinking surprisingly childlike. But how could they have known it would trigger something like this?

Even Xavier himself stiffened, his back ramrod straight as he turned to Luca as if trying to catch and steady him.

The sight that followed was so shocking that even little Nina panicked when she saw her brother chipmunk suddenly looking like he was about to collapse.

Luca wilted. His knees wobbled. His hands shook as he stretched them out toward Xavier with trembling fingers, his golden eyes half-lidded, his lips parting as though he were on his deathbed.

"X-Xavier..." His voice cracked pitifully.

It was likely confusing to everyone else, but to Luca, the weight of such words was too real.

"LUCA!" Duke Leander choked, his chair scraping as he tried to rush forward in indignation. But before he could even stand fully, his wife’s hand clamped down on his arm.

"Stay down," Duchess Amelia whispered sharply, her eyes narrowed. "Unless you want him to learn that you even pay double."

"!!!"

The Duke froze on the spot, his whole body petrifying like stone. Then, with the obedience of a scolded pup, he sank back into his seat with his imaginary tail tucked firmly between his legs.

Meanwhile, the white-haired husband, now carrying his sickly looking wife in his arms, finally spoke, his voice calm but pained. "Luca, it was for a reason."

Luca’s lips quivered as he weakly turned toward him.

Xavier’s composure cracked further as he hurried to explain. "Back then, the economy wasn’t as stable. The market was in a downturn. S-so, when I was younger, I thought an economic stimulus was needed..."

His words tumbled out faster and faster, practically word-vomiting economics at his golden-eyed spouse. "But because, as a young prince, I couldn’t exactly cut taxes for everyone, I decided to increase spending. I bought necessary supplies all at once and at full price, thinking it could help kickstart the frozen market."

His hands tightened around Luca as he kept going. "If the market is good, then taxes and earnings for different industries rise as well. That way, it becomes easier to make money in return."

At that phrase, Luca’s weakened ears twitched. His gaze sharpened through the haze of his distress.

"Really?" His voice was soft, fragile, but filled with sudden interest. "Is that... is that how it is?"

Xavier nodded earnestly, desperate to convince him. "Yes. And because things are more stable now, I’ve changed. I always try to buy with discounts so I can be financially responsible."

The Emperor and Empress sat in distress. Their usually composed son looked like he was in physical pain, scrambling to explain, while their son-in-law looked like he might keel over from heartbreak.

But then—

Color began to return to Luca’s cheeks. His trembling subsided as he reached up and cupped Xavier’s face gently. A small smile spread across his lips.

"I see. It was to help everyone... and you even managed to earn better after." His golden eyes softened. "I’m sorry. I-I thought you were just spending carelessly."

Relief swept the table like a tide.

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