An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

That afternoon in a private room of Soluna Hall, events unfolded exactly as Grace had anticipated.

After dealing with Tristan in the morning and Matthias at midday, Nathaniel now appeared before her. Within one day, all three of the most powerful princes came to see her one after another.

Tristan had asked her to investigate the mastermind behind the recent events, while Matthias had inquired whether she was that mastermind. As for Nathaniel, he was probing to see if a hidden master was backing her.

All three harbored the same suspicions, though each focused on different aspects of the mystery.

Grace could only choose to deflect with vague responses and stall for time. She didn’t give any clear responses to any of them. She was aware that such matters couldn’t be admitted. Otherwise, that would only invite more trouble down the line.

She naturally understood that no matter how carefully the news was contained, eventually it would leak out. In just a few more days, she bet her brothers would likely piece everything together.

Grace let out a weary sigh, sensing the dull throb of an approaching headache. Her original plan was to take advantage of Dustin’s breakthrough, then attack the unprepared Hall of Gods forces and wipe them out in a single coordinated strike.

Her plan had succeeded, but it had also brought her a new problem.

She had previously kept a low profile, quietly developing her strength and making money discreetly. But now, she had thrust herself into the spotlight, where avoiding attention was impossible.

“What could possibly trouble the Princess of Ariella? Seeing you sigh like this is quite the novelty,” Dustin said from behind her.

Grace turned and said helplessly, “Please don’t tease me right now. I’m dealing with a headache because my three brothers’ eyes are on me now. Nothing but trouble awaits.”

“You’ve kept a low profile long enough. Maybe it’s

head. “I prefer to make my money on the down-low.

people’s ambitions. They will come for your piece of the

you considered what happens when one of your three brothers takes the throne? None of them will allow

of whether you resist. Worse yet, they might even place you under house arrest

fell silent at

and use her authority to serve both her country and her father. But once a

would be stripped away, and the intelligence organization would also be reshuffled. Still, she could live with that since she had never

even surrendering everything might not guarantee her safety because her mere existence would threaten

was better than them fabricating charges to throw her in prison or simply

wasn’t being cynical about human nature after having witnessed too much darkness and understood the true character of rulers. Throughout history, most rulers have been

“Ms. Linsor!”

suddenly knocked on the door and entered with

received a report that there’s been an outbreak of plague in Ashen Coast. It’s spreading rapidly, and many civilians have already

has always been peaceful with

may be connected to

Covenant?” Grace’s expression changed. “I thought they were wiped out. Don’t tell

an expedition. He brought 200,000 troops into the Ashen Coast, sealed bridges and blocked roads, and

and hundreds of core