The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] novel Chapter 916

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.

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?"

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

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