The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] novel Chapter 946

Chapter 946: Two Timers

"Your Highness, everything is in place."

Bram bowed as he spoke behind Prince Eren, his posture impeccable despite the weight pressing against his spine.

"We’ve received confirmation that Princess Marin has received clearance to enter and disembark. If no other interruptions occur, she should be meeting up with Prince Elior while the competition is still in full swing."

"Good."

Bram couldn’t help but shiver at that single word. In the ornate chamber, which boasted flawless heating and carefully maintained air circulation, he nevertheless felt a distinct chill seep into his bones.

If he were being honest with himself, he had once believed that perhaps, at some point, the Prince would reconsider.

But that possibility didn’t even look plausible in the face of such a callous response.

Now, the already doomed aide had no right to label anything as evil when he himself was marching to hell for being complicit in all of this. Still, even for someone raised to understand that in most royal families only the strongest survived uncontested, he couldn’t entirely rid himself of his reservations.

Especially when it came to messing with children. Especially one who wouldn’t even be able to contend for the throne even if she tried.

Therefore, in her stead, he tried.

"But Your Highness..."

Silence stretched between them.

"But?"

Prince Eren slowly turned to face him, his expression composed, almost curious. The look alone felt like judgment.

Bram bowed lower.

"Did I just hear you say ’but’?" the Prince continued mildly, as though generously offering his aide a chance to take it back.

"I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’ve made a grave mistake."

"Such a soft heart you have," Eren remarked, the faintest trace of amusement coloring his voice.

Then his gaze sharpened.

"Do you think they would think twice before getting rid of you—us?"

"...No, Your Highness."

"Mn."

Prince Eren turned away again, his attention returning to the panoramic view of his kingdom’s capital. His fingers began to drum lightly against the table, each tap deliberate, like someone pressing piano keys in a quiet recital.

"Just like every other generation, this is simply a matter of personal survival," he said evenly. "The only difference is that I don’t wish for their deaths to be useless. No—I want them to be remembered by our people as the key figures who sacrificed so we as a race could soar."

The rhythm of his fingers continued, controlled and steady.

"If I merely wanted to eliminate them, I could have used poison or arranged assassinations just like our predecessors did. And yet, I didn’t."

His hand paused for only a fraction of a second before resuming.

"Instead, I wanted them to take on better roles. I wanted them to participate actively, to leave their mark in history."

Only then did the drumming stop.

"So tell me," Eren asked calmly, "have I not been magnanimous enough?"

Bram stiffened. The question wasn’t truly a question.

He dropped to his knees, his forehead striking the floor in a full bow of remorse.

Prince Eren barely spared him a glance.

"Pick the perfect spot for launch," he instructed without emotion. "And since I’d like to grant my loyal aide a small concession, inform them they may at least allow for a hug."

Bram’s movements halted at once. A large lump rose in his throat, nearly choking him.

"...Thank you, Your Highness," he said, his voice barely steady.

__

Meanwhile, just as one disgruntled aide left to carry out his master’s orders, another was struggling to keep it together while maintaining proper posture despite everything he was witnessing.

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