The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] novel Chapter 447

Chapter 447: Shift in Perspective

"How could it be just love?" Ollie asked as if defeated.

For some reason, he was pretty sure that it had to be something worse, or maybe a different strain?

Because what he’d read and why he liked romance books was that they said that love was supposed to make you feel great, floaty, warm, and starry-eyed. But he felt nauseous. His stomach churned, and his vision was blurry.

His heart thumped too loudly. His fingers were twitchy. His brain? Scrambled eggs.

This couldn’t possibly be normal, right? Or maybe it was because it wasn’t love?

He had grievances, which his brother apparently sympathized with. "I—I think I understand," he said solemnly. "I was like that too. Back when I didn’t really get what was happening. It was scary. I thought I was dying."

Ollie perked up immediately. "You—You figured it out?! You recovered?!"

Luca nodded, face serious, tone soft. "Well, not exactly. But it was more manageable once I learned more. Once I understood myself."

Ollie inched closer. "How? What worked for you?"

Luca tapped his chin thoughtfully.

"Talking about it helped. A lot. As well as asking for assistance." He smiled a little and blushed a lot. "Mostly talking to Xavier. He’s been invaluable. He even helped me study."

"Study?" Ollie squinted. "Wait—what were you studying?"

At that, Luca leaned forward. Expression grim. Voice lowered like he was about to whisper the name of an ancient forbidden technique.

"It’s still the books...But I realized they weren’t exactly truthful."

Ollie blinked. "...What?"

Luca nodded gravely. "They didn’t cover everything. They missed the real secrets. The true triggers. Like...wall slams..." he hesitated, voice going reverent, "They don’t really tell you everything."

"Wall slams?!" The blonde looked like he’d been physically slapped by the idea.

"Yes," Luca said seriously. "Xavier taught me how to do it. It really helped me learn about myself."

"You’re telling me that helped with your...feelings?!"

Luca nodded again, more enthusiastic now. "You should try it too! Especially if you think you’ve got the drums. If it doesn’t help, we can always ask Princess Kira. Or someone with more experience."

Ollie had gone so still that it was alarming. The idea of wall slamming someone seriously sounded crazy, but it seemed like his good brother was standing by it. Maybe he ought to try? Especially since manly men should probably know how to do it. Even his brother got taught...

But just as he pondered on the advice, he gasped as he remembered something important.

"Oh! And I also asked Mom for help!"

"Wow! Yeah, she should know a lot about this! What did Marquise Julienne say about it, brother?" Luca asked, excited to compile more relevant knowledge.

Ollie lit up. "Well, she didn’t outright say it was love. But she told me something really weird—and kind of smart?"

Luca leaned in.

"She said... to picture that person in a family photo. You know, like with someone else. A partner. Kids. Pets. A house and maybe a garden—but without me in it. Then to see how I’d feel about it."

Luca’s eyes widened, the glow around his temples pulsing faintly as horror dawned.

Ollie tilted his head. "If it’s bothering you that much, then maybe it’s time to start thinking about it."

Luca, already pale, went absolutely ghost white.

Because, of course, when his brother said that, his brain followed the instructions.

It conjured the image.

Xavier, smiling gently beside someone else. Holding their hand. Bending down to kiss their forehead. Cuddling someone else to sleep. Laughing, or just doing anything, something, with someone who wasn’t him.

Luca clutched his shirt. "No. No, no. That’s not allowed. He can’t. He won’t. He wouldn’t—"

Ollie blinked at him. "Luca?"

"I don’t feel so good about that," Luca whispered, looking personally attacked.

"Well," Ollie said slowly, "Then that means you’re not just friends. Also, he’s already your husband, so I think that is great."