An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

After a brief discussion in the meeting room, Austin invited Jovian to tour the West Lucozia castle.

The castle was enormous, equipped with imaginable facilities. Unfamiliar visitors could easily get lost in its vastness.

Jovian prided himself on being well-traveled, yet as he toured the castle, even he couldn’t hide his astonishment.

Unlike the ostentatious displays of wealth seen in luxurious estates, this castle could only be described as grand, majestic, and awe-inspiring. Everything in his line of sight conveyed a sense of grandeur and majesty.

What stunned Jovian the most was the House of Heroes inside the West Lucozia castle. The structure was nine stories high and looked like an ancient monument.

The walls were lined with memorials of fallen soldiers. The place was packed with thousands of tablets, each engraved with the hero’s name and a detailed account of their life stories for future generations to honor and remember.

The Ballard family had a family tree that recorded a few notable figures, but their archives seemed utterly insignificant compared to the House of Heroes. No wonder the West Lucozia cavalry was unmatched. It turned out the root of their strength was there.

By the time they completed the tour, the sun had already set.

Austin had prepared a special dinner and invited Jovian to join him. Despite the 30-year age gap between them, they got along remarkably well.

Jovian quickly realized that Austin, the so-called hellraiser, was far from the reckless scoundrel people claimed him to be.

On the contrary, he was highly educated, capable, and brilliant, excelling in both civil and military affairs. In many respects, Jovian-despite his years of experience-felt inferior to him. Indeed, the Rhys family had no shortage of talented individuals.

and Austin enjoyed their dinner inside the castle, another

there was no response from inside. Still, none of them seemed ready to leave, worried that someone else

then looked at Percival, whose face had turned pale and covered in sweat. He couldn’t help but tease, “Mr. Wentworth, the sun’s about to set.

They were physically

to a life of comfort and luxury. He had never experienced anything like this

Thatcher. I don’t need your concern,”

had somehow procured a pair of leaves and were

waiting around like this isn’t getting us anywhere. Why don’t we find a place to sit and grab a bite? After all, people need food to survive,

stomach and looked

thing holding him together was his sheer willpower.

do you think?” He turned to

was resting with Huxley and

by the situation, they won’t open the

had long since

Matthias a favor, with the intention

waiting, he had at least shown his sincerity-no matter what happened, Matthias would know he had put

has spoken, I’ll join you for a drink.” Percival

a silent understanding passed between