An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Eloise executed a graceful bow and turned to depart when a sudden upheaval disrupted the calm.

A resounding crash echoed through the hall as the ceiling gave way, and a shadowy figure dressed in black descended dramatically. The assassin was wielding a sharp sword.

“Your Highness, look out!” Quick on her feet, she immediately raised her voice to warn Rufus of the imminent danger.

“Rufus! Your time has come! Die!” The assassin’s cry reverberated as he thrust the sword.

only a momentary glint of light. As the radiance faded, the assassin’s sword had

at the sword that had impaled him, seemingly

by the doorway, watched in disbelief, questioning how an assassin had managed

during Albert and Jaxon’s absence, as if the assassin had orchestrated the plan with

consequence of opposing the

to spurt from Rufus’s chest wound. Rufus staggered backward, eventually collapsing

entire castle was promptly alerted. Guards converged from all directions, but the assassin skillfully leaped out the window and made a

warriors from the

Your Highness!” Eloise rushed to Rufus, who was coughing up

You’ll be fine! You’ll

toward