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.

Austin enjoyed their dinner inside the

officials remained anxiously stationed at the gates. They had made repeated inquiries throughout the day, but there was no response from inside. Still, none of them seemed ready

tease, “Mr. Wentworth, the sun’s about to set. Are you planning to keep waiting here? At your age, can you handle this much

both from military backgrounds. They were physically strong, so waiting under

of comfort and

I don’t need your concern,” Percival

attendants had somehow procured a pair of leaves and were frantically

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

Percival rubbed his growling stomach and looked

his hunger was becoming unbearable. The only thing holding him together was his sheer

think?” He turned to Warrick instead of

same goal. If he was resting with Huxley and Warrick beat him to the

nodding in agreement. “Judging by the situation, they won’t

initial impatience had

there to repay Matthias a favor, with the intention

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

I’ll join you for a drink.” Percival

a silent understanding passed between