An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

“An outsider? Who is it?” Percival asked urgently. “Could it be that assistant general who came in at noon?”

Warrick frowned. “I’ve looked into that man. No background, no connections-just an old hand in the military. Been around forever, knows the ropes, but has no real pull.”

“It’s not him-it’s someone connected to him.” Huxley lowered his voice. ” Remember what Sir Austin said at noon? When he summoned that assistant general, he specifically mentioned the Ballard family.”

“The Ballard family?” Percival looked surprised. “You mean the Ballards from Oakvale? Are you saying they’ve already beaten us to it and met with the prince?”

“The prince hasn’t met with them, but according to my intel, this man, Jovian Ballard, spent two hours chatting with Sir Austin today. They talked and laughed like old acquaintances. Sir Austin even invited him to stay for dinner at the castle.”

Huxley’s face darkened.

He continued, “Look, the Ballards sent someone at a time like this. They’re obviously trying to sniff out information. Sir Austin ignores us completely but meets with Jovian privately-doesn’t that say something about where he stands?”

“This doesn’t make sense.” Percival frowned. “The Ballard family has no direct ties to the royal family, nor do they have business dealings with them. So why would Sir Austin place such importance on Jovian? Could there be something else going on?”

“I find it strange too,” Warrick agreed. The Ballards might have some sway in Oakvale, but in West Lucozia, they’re nobodies. If they had real pull, they wouldn’t be sending an assistant general to deliver their message. And knowing Sir Austin, he wouldn’t go out of his way for people like that.” 11

They were puzzled. They couldn’t understand why Austin would meet with Jovian privately. What could possibly connect them?

“Gentlemen, the details of how this happened don’t matter anymore. What matters now is how we handle this Ballard family member,” Huxley reminded them.

Jovian’s relationship was pointless. Their focus needed to shift to extracting the intel

this?” Warrick didn’t respond directly. Instead, he turned the problem over to

the prince or Sir Austin, why not go after that

continued, “He’s new to West Lucozia and in an unfamiliar territory, which makes him easy to deal with. We should invite him for a meal and learn more

it that way.” Warrick quickly approved the suggestion. Though he couldn’t enter the castle’s gates, dealing with an outsider like Jovian was clearly

the question is, who should extend the invitation?” Huxley

Prescott, isn’t that assistant general, Boston Graham, one of your subordinates? You could have him extend the invite and act as the intermediary. What do you

“Percival suggested.

take care of

“Warrick readily agreed.

was two ranks lower than him, and someone at that rank typically had no place in important meetings. But with Warrick personally arranging the invitation, he

gossip, and he didn’t want to stay there. If word got out, the Ballard family would be thrust into the limelight. That was the last

agreed with Austin to return to Oakvale together the following

the hotel, Jovian

for his introduction, which had allowed him to meet Austin and

perspective, it was all about the influence of the Ballard family. Being associated with them was enough to open doors

to dine with Austin didn’t come around often. Even getting acquainted

rang, and he answered it. His smile quickly faded and was replaced by a