An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

“Gentlemen, I’ve done my part and had my tea already. I still have things to take care of, so I’ll leave now. Farewell!” Jovian said.

When no one responded, he didn’t say another word. He nodded respectfully, stood up, and exited the room.

When the door opened, Warrick’s face darkened, and his hand instinctively moved toward the hilt of his sword. But before he could act, Huxley gently touched his arm and shook his head.

Jovian noticed something was off and paused at the doorway before stepping out.

Boston, who was standing by the door, let out a quiet sigh of relief as he watched Jovian leave without a scratch. His relief was short-lived, though, when he saw the grim expressions on the faces of the three men inside.

It was clear that the meeting hadn’t gone well. Fortunately, nothing too serious had happened. Otherwise, Boston would have much explaining to do to both sides.

“Why did you stop me? That arrogant brat clearly doesn’t respect us. He’ll think we’re pushovers if we don’t teach him a lesson.” Warrick slammed his fist on the table.

The rosewood split apart under the impact, and food and wine flew everywhere. In the past, his temper would have led him to kill Jovian on the spot.

“If he were anyone else, you could do whatever you wanted,” Huxley said calmly.

“But Jovian isn’t just from the Ballard family. He’s also Lord Austin’s guest. If something happened to him here today, do you think His Highness would let us off the hook?”

“That’s right,” Percival added. “We can threaten and intimidate all we want, but harming him is out of the question. It’s not worth provoking Lord Austin over a petty dispute.”

thing, but hurting him would cause a lot of trouble. Even though they weren’t afraid of the Ballard family, they still had to

we

word got out about this, his reputation would take a

Prescott, calm down,” Huxley said calmly. “We invited him here. Lord Austin will hold us responsible if something goes wrong on our watch.

seemed to get the idea. “You’re saying that we should handle this…

throat and lowered his voice. “As long as we keep it clean and leave no evidence, even if

the sound of

wasn’t anything new to him. If Jovian had been a local noble from West Lucozia, Warrick might

and had some influence, but not enough to stir things up here. With their reach, Warrick didn’t need to worry about the Ballard family’s

as long as they didn’t make a scene, Warrick figured that Austin wouldn’t

something we should take lightly. Maybe we should think this

one thing, but if it led to someone’s death,

“But let me make one thing clear-everyone knows what happened today.

Prescott.” Percival laughed awkwardly. “Consider me absent

without causing trouble. If he could avoid it, he would. After all these years in politics, he knew that sometimes, it was best to let things slide and tolerate a little trouble when

“He cast a sideways glance

was easy enough. He

closed

should leave West Lucozia now. The sooner, the better.” Boston finally spoke up

tomorrow. If I leave now, I’d be going back on my word.”