An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2627

Chapter 2627

When Valon’s decree reached the royal households, reactions varied wildly.

At that moment, Tristan was in his study, quietly weighing the risks and rewards of a journey to the southern frontier.

His performance during the plague hadn’t been remarkable—but compared to Matthias and Nathaniel, he still fared slightly better.

Still, he knew such a marginal advantage wouldn’t change anything in the grand scheme.

Just then, Milton burst into the room, clearly flustered. “Your Highness! Word from the palace—His Majesty’s condition has worsened. He may not have long. A special edict has been issued: whichever royal family member retrieves the elixir from Fairyharbor Island will be named the future crown prince!”

“The future crown prince?”

Tristan’s eyes lit up.

But his excitement quickly gave way to doubt.

He had heard the stories about Fairyharbor Island—but they were just that. Stories.

Whether the island even existed in the East Dragonmarsh Sea, let alone held an elixir that could extend life, was a complete unknown.

Clearly, the emperor was grasping at straws, desperate to cling to life.

Still, with the throne dangling before him, it didn’t matter whether the mission was grounded in myth or reality—he had to try.

“Send my orders,” Tristan commanded. “Lock down all docks on the eastern coast. Bring in every fisherman who’s ever sailed the East Dragonmarsh Sea—young or old—for questioning. And pull out those Persian glass mirrors from the royal warehouse. They’re said to reflect illusions at sea. Maybe they’ll show us something useful.”

“Yes, Your Highness!” Milton quickly withdrew to carry out the orders.

Meanwhile, at Matthias’s residence—

Matthias had barely caught his breath from his last campaign when the imperial messenger arrived with the decree. He rushed out at once to receive it.

Upon hearing the contents, he was stunned—then thrilled.

He had expected to be condemned for his brutal actions in Linche. Instead, the emperor’s health had deteriorated, and now he was summoning the royal family to hunt for an elixir.

If Matthias could return from Fairyharbor Island with the medicine, the throne would be his.

“Kyle! Send word immediately. Mobilize the elite troops. Prepare the ships. We sail for Fairyharbor Island to find the elixir!”

Kyle hesitated, brows furrowing. “Your Highness, Fairyharbor Island may not even exist. No one knows where it is—or if there’s even any medicine to be found.”

“Then find out!” Matthias snapped. “I want every piece of information there is on Fairyharbor Island. Track every rumor, interrogate every sailor, follow every lead. I don’t care what it takes.”

“Yes, sir!” Kyle bowed and left without another word.

At that same time, inside a luxury car speeding down a quiet road—

Nathaniel reclined with his eyes closed, enjoying a rare moment of rest, when a phone call came through.

He listened for a moment, then burst into laughter.

“Excellent. Excellent! Fairyharbor Island? Elixir of life?” His grin widened. “Then I will be the next crown prince. No doubt about it.”

Without missing a beat, he gave new orders to the driver. “Turn around. We’re heading somewhere else.”

Unlike the others, Nathaniel had more than just vague tales to go on.

He knew someone who had actually been to Fairyharbor Island.

And now, it was time to pay that person a visit.

Grace’s reaction was different from her brothers’.

When she received the decree, she didn’t feel joy or excitement. Instead, her brows furrowed.

The emperor’s worsening condition was deeply concerning.

But even more troubling was the way he’d used the throne as bait—offering it as a reward in exchange for a legendary cure.

Grace knew exactly what this would lead to: bloodshed, political maneuvering, and chaos.

And the worst part? The heir chosen by such a method would be decided by luck and ambition—not wisdom.

She thought of the innocent lives lost in the southern frontier. Her heart burned with grief and quiet fury.

Neither Tristan, Matthias, nor Nathaniel had what it took to rule justly.

If any one of them inherited the throne, the kingdom could spiral into disaster.

“Do you really think there’s an elixir of life on Fairyharbor Island?” she asked, turning to Logan, who was seated nearby, carefully cleaning his sword.

Logan didn’t pause in his work. “The ancient texts speak of three sacred mountains around Fairyharbor—Fachahuchar, Yoraima, and Fairyharbor itself. But according to the old fishermen, the island is more like a tear in space and time. Everyone sees something different.”

He placed the sword on the table. Its spine caught the light, reflecting his calm, sharp features. “A century ago, a monk went there to preach. He came back mad. He said the people on the island survive by feeding on the vital energy of others. Claimed he saw warships from the era of King Wu of Zhoo. And strangest of all, he left in his prime—but returned looking decades older, his hair completely white.”

Grace’s eyes narrowed. “You’re saying people go in—but don’t come out?”

“No one knows,” Logan replied evenly. “Some call it a land of immortality. Others call it hell, where your soul is stripped away forever.”

Grace fell silent for a moment, then said, “I’m going. I’ll find this so-called Fairyharbor Island.”

“That was my plan too.” Logan nodded seriously. “My father doesn’t have long either. If there’s even a chance we can find that elixir, extend his life… I have to try.”

Valon wasn’t the only one fading—Rufus Rhys was also showing the signs of the Five Declines. His life, too, was slipping away.

This might be their only chance.

And no matter what waited out there, Logan was ready to face it.

They both were.