An Understated Dominance Novel (Dahlia & Dustin) by Marina Vittori updated 2025-26 - An Understated Dominance Chapter 2653

Chapter 2653

Tristan hesitated at Milton’s words. Walking away from a sky-fallen relic felt almost impossible. Even with unease churning in his chest, the risk might be worth it.

Before he could decide, the clatter of hurried footsteps and armor rang from the distance.

“Who’s there?!” Tristan spun, hand on his sword.

Milton and the soldiers raised their weapons, eyes narrowing.

Out of the trees emerged another party—Matthias and Nathaniel at the front, dozens of elite soldiers behind them.

“Matthias, Nathaniel?” Tristan’s brows rose in surprise.

Nathaniel was first to speak, eyes glinting. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Brother. What a coincidence.”

Matthias added, “We saw the golden light and followed it. Didn’t expect you to arrive first.”

Tristan gave a wry smile. “So the three of us meet here. Fate indeed.”

“Perhaps God’s will,” Nathaniel replied lightly.

But Matthias’s gaze had already shifted to the coffin. “Brother, this thing fell from the sky. Strange indeed. What do you intend to do?”

“I’m debating whether to open it,” Tristan admitted. “It’s too strange, maybe dangerous. But if I walk away, I could miss vital clues.”

Nathaniel nodded. “Brother, you’re right. Since we’re all here, why not decide together? This coffin may hold something tied to the elixir. Open it and see.”

Matthias agreed. “Third Brother speaks sense. Instead of standing here, find out for ourselves—but with full precautions.”

The three quickly moved into action.

Matthias ordered his soldiers to form a ring around the pit, shields and spears at the ready.

Nathaniel handed yellow talismans to his men. “If anything odd happens, stick these on the coffin. They may suppress it.”

Tristan told Milton to distribute antidotes and healing pills, preparing for poison.

Milton sprinkled a special powder around the pit. “Evil-repelling powder. Might deter whatever’s inside.”

Once everything was set, the three princes exchanged a long look—anticipation and wariness mingled in their eyes.

Matthias gestured to two of his strongest men. “Go down and open it slowly. Any unusual movement, stop immediately.”

The soldiers climbed carefully into the pit. They placed their hands on the lid and pressed.

A faint “click” sounded. The lid slid open, a soft fragrance drifting out—similar to the island’s scent but older, stranger.

Everyone held their breath.

Inside lay a man’s body, perfectly preserved as if only asleep.

He wore a white robe covered in intricate embroidery. His face was striking—skin pale as jade, long lashes, high nose bridge, thin lips. Even lifeless, he radiated an otherworldly presence.

“Who… who is this?” Nathaniel whispered, shocked.

Matthias frowned. He had seen countless corpses, but never one so intact—or so beautiful.

Tristan stared, confusion churning. This was no ordinary man. Why was he in a crystal coffin that fell from the sky onto Fairyharbor Island?

As the three princes wrestled with their questions, the corpse’s eyelids twitched. Then his eyes snapped open—deep as the night sky, hazy with sleep but quickly sharpening, locking straight onto them at the pit’s edge.