If AC are anything like the UK commuter airline that I worked for many many years ago... then the answers is "They may - they may not".

The system will show one seat at the lower fare.

Someone with high enough provileges on that system can create additional seats at that fare by doing some magic and moving seats from one fare bucket to another.

I don't know what AC's policy is on giving staff discretion to do this.

Where I worked we had some discretion, especially when it came to groups, or when we got the impression that we would lose the sale if we didn't offer the lower fare. But we were a much smaller company.

It may be worth talking to a supervisor (as ordinary "rank and file" reservations agents won't have the right privileges on the system). But there is no guarantee that they will be able/willing to help.