An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2457

Chapter 2457

“I’ve shown you all some courtesy, finished my tea, and now I have other matters to attend to. I won’t stay to keep you company. I’ll take my leave,” Tobias said calmly.

Without waiting for a response, Tobias clasped his fists in farewell and stood to leave.

As the private room door opened, Cardinal Dragon Marshal’s expression darkened, and he instinctively moved to stand.

But before he could act, the city guard commander placed a firm hand on his arm, shaking his head in silent warning.

Noticing the subtle tension, Tobias paused momentarily at the door but chose to walk away without looking back.

Stephan, stationed near the doorway, exhaled a deep sigh of relief as Tobias departed unharmed. Glancing back into the room, he noted the sour expressions of the three men seated inside, his anxiety mounting once more.

The earlier discussion had clearly gone poorly. Thankfully, it hadn’t escalated, or the consequences would have been difficult for both parties to bear.

“Why stop me? That Tobias is arrogant beyond belief and clearly disrespects us! If we don’t put him in his place, does he think we’ll just let him walk all over us?” Cardinal Dragon Marshal fumed, slamming his fist against the table.

The impact shattered the round sandalwood table, sending food and wine scattering to the floor. In his younger, more volatile years, Tobias wouldn’t have left the room alive.

The city guard commander, however, remained composed. “General, if Tobias were just an ordinary man, you could act as you see fit. But he isn’t. He’s a direct descendant of the Ballard family and a guest of the prince. If something happens to him here, do you think the prince will let us off easily?”

“Exactly,” the Grand Secretary of Dragon Pavilion chimed in. “Confrontation is one thing, but resorting to violence is out of the question. It’s not worth offending the prince over a moment of rage.”

The commander’s warning and the Grand Secretary’s reasoning were clear: threatening Tobias was one thing, but harming him would spell disaster.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal ground his teeth. “So I can’t reprimand him, can’t lay a hand on him, and am just supposed to let this slide? If word of this gets out, how will I maintain my authority?”

“General, patience is key,” the city guard commander said calmly. “We extended an invitation to dine as hosts. If anything happens to him here, we’ll bear the blame. However, if an unfortunate incident occurs elsewhere, that’s a different matter entirely.”

The marshal paused, processing the suggestion, before a sly smile crept across his face. “You mean we act… discreetly?”

The commander lowered his voice, gesturing subtly. “Select a few trusted men, apprehend him quietly, and… eliminate him without a trace. If the operation is clean, even if the prince suspects something, he won’t have proof to act against us.”

Cardinal Dragon Marshal’s eyes gleamed with understanding. “Clever. Very clever!”

This wasn’t his first time handling such situations. If Tobias were from West Lucozia, he might tread more cautiously. But Tobias hailed from Oakvale, and despite his influential background, he held no real power here.

The Ballard family’s reach didn’t intimidate them, and the prince, bound by practicality, wouldn’t wage war over a single life.

The Grand Secretary of Dragon Pavilion hesitated. “Shouldn’t we think this through more carefully? Such actions could lead to unintended consequences.”

The marshal’s face hardened. “You saw how Tobias acted. A foreigner daring to show such insolence? If we don’t make an example of him, who else will think they can walk all over us?!”

The Grand Secretary sighed, shaking his head. “I just don’t believe it has to come to this.”

“Fine,” the marshal snapped. “If you’re too scared, stay out of it. But let me be clear—if word of this leaks, don’t blame me for turning against you.”

“General, you have my word. I’ll pretend I was never here today,” the Grand Secretary said with a forced smile.

Though the Grand Secretary sought to avoid conflict, he knew better than to challenge the marshal directly. Years of political survival had taught him that some battles were best left untouched.

Cardinal Dragon Marshal scoffed but said no more. With the city guard commander’s support, he didn’t need the Grand Secretary’s involvement to deal with Tobias.

Inside a Moving Jeep

In the back seat, Tobias sat with his eyes closed, seemingly at ease. Beside him, Stephan fidgeted nervously.

“Tobias, I don’t think this bodes well. You should leave West Lucozia immediately—tonight, if possible,” Stephan urged after a moment’s hesitation.

“I’ve already arranged to return to Oakvale with the prince tomorrow,” Tobias replied, opening his eyes. “Leaving now would damage the trust I’m building with him.”

“Trust or not, your life comes first!” Stephan countered, his voice tense. “Cardinal Dragon Marshal is violent and vengeful. You humiliated him in public today—he won’t let this go. If you stay, you may not live to see tomorrow.”

Tobias raised an eyebrow. “You believe he would go so far as to kill me?”

“Knowing his temper, it’s highly likely,” Stephan said firmly.

“I’m under the prince’s protection,” Tobias said, his tone measured. “If they harm me, how will they face him?”

Stephan shook his head. “If they handle it cleanly and leave no evidence, the prince can’t act against them. They’re too valuable to West Lucozia for him to risk alienating them over you.”

Tobias fell silent, mulling over Stephan’s words.

He was right. Though he was the prince’s guest, their connection was still new. The prince wouldn’t risk his relationship with the marshal for someone he’d just met.

The stakes were high, and Tobias knew he couldn’t afford to gamble with his life.