An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2443
“Honestly, we shouldn’t waste time arguing about who would make a better king. We need to figure out who is most likely to take the throne,” Jensen said plainly.
As a businessman, Jensen only cared about profit. For him, it didn’t matter who was king, but rather who had the best chance of winning. He thought it was smart to back that person.
“Who is most likely to win depends on who has the strongest support,” Jonathan said thoughtfully.
“Oh, right! I forgot to ask—who are the Moseys supporting?” Jovian exclaimed, slapping his forehead. They had been discussing this for a while, but still hadn’t figured out the Moseys’ position.
“I think they support Prince Nathaniel,” Jensen said, narrowing his eyes as he considered the situation. “He’s close to Anders. With his great potential and the king’s favor, the Moseys might see him as their best option.”
“Just because Anders is close to him doesn’t mean the whole Mosey family agrees,” Jovian countered, shaking his head. “Family interests are much more important than personal relationships.”
“Dad, you have a lot of experience. What do you think?” Jonathan asked.
“If I’m right, the Moseys have probably chosen to support Prince Matthias,” Simon said seriously.
“Prince Matthias? Why do you think that?” Jonathan asked, looking confused.
“The Moseys have a lot of influence,” Simon explained. “In all of Oakvale, only the Spanner family comes close to having the same level of power under the king.”
He continued, “As for Sir Mosey, he has already reached the highest position a vassal can achieve. If he wants more, his ambition must be aimed at gaining absolute power.”
The weight of his words made the three Ballard brothers’ faces grow serious.
“Are you saying… Sir Mosey wants to overthrow the throne?” Jonathan asked, astonished.
“That’s hard to believe. I’ve heard…”
Jovian raised an eyebrow. “He seems kind and charitable, staying out of politics. How could he have such big ambitions?”
Jensen frowned. “You can’t judge people by appearances. Sometimes, the friendliest folks are the most dangerous. Sir Mosey has been quiet for years. Who knows if he’s been waiting for a chance like this?”
Years in business had taught Jensen a lot about people. He had seen men who acted like friends, giving gifts and favors, only to turn on others when the opportunity arose.
“It might sound crazy, but it’s possible,” Simon added. “However, starting a rebellion would be too risky. What Sir Mosey really wants is to control the king and make him a puppet to rule the kingdom.”
“A puppet?” The three Ballard brothers exchanged worried glances, their frowns deepening.
This reminded them of the infamous Dragon Guard. They worked in the shadows, never showing off their power, but their name alone frightened everyone in the court. It seemed the Moseys were planning something similar.
Simon continued, “Prince Tristan is too weak and sickly to handle the throne, so the Mosey family won’t support him.
“Prince Nathaniel is skilled in war and diplomacy. He’s smart, but once in power, he would be hard to control. His abilities could even threaten the authority of his supporters.
“The only candidate the Mosey family would back is Prince Matthias. He’s brave but lacks strategy. He’s easy to manipulate, has potential, and would make a perfect puppet. Supporting him aligns with Seamus’ plans. That’s why I think the Mosey family will choose Prince Matthias for the throne.”
Simon shared his thoughts, convinced that Seamus was hiding something and playing a deeper game.
so convincing that no one suspected him.
But now, with the Dragon Guard fallen and the monarchy weakened, it was time for Seamus to show his true self.
“Based on your analysis, supporting Prince Matthias is the best choice for the Mosey family,” Jensen said, agreeing.
“Dad, since the Mosey family is backing Prince Matthias, who should we support?” Jonathan asked.
“I’m in a tough spot too,” Simon replied, shaking his head. “The four ancient houses and the eight great families of Oakvale all play a part, but the real decision will come from the Mosey and Spanner families. Before we decide, I need to know where the Spanner family stands.”
He then turned to Jonathan. “You’re close with the fourth son of the Spanner family. Go find out what you can.”
“Got it. I’ll handle it right away,” Jonathan said, nodding before he left.
The situation was urgent, and they needed to make a decision quickly.
“Jensen, check in with the Fallon family too,” Simon instructed his second son.
Even though the Fallon family wasn’t as powerful as the Spanner or Mosey families, they were still one of the four ancient houses, equal to the Ballard family.
“Understood!” Jensen replied and hurried off.
“Dad, what about me? What can I do?” Jovian asked eagerly. He didn’t want to just sit back while something so important was happening.
“Your task is the most crucial,” Simon said, his expression serious. “I need you to go to West Lucozia.”
“What do I need to go to West Lucozia for?” Jovian asked, curious about the mission.
Simon made a surprising statement that caught everyone off guard. “The real issue with the royal succession isn’t the Mosey or Spanner families. It’s the West Lucozian monarchy. Their influence is unmatched.”
He explained further, “The West Lucozian iron cavalry is the strongest. No one in Dragonmarsh can compete with them—not the eight great families of Oakvale or the four ancient houses. The power of the West Lucozian monarchy is simply too great.”
“To put it simply, if the Prince of West Lucozia decided to claim the throne, no one could stop him. So, in Oakvale’s battle for the crown, the West Lucozian monarchy’s opinion is crucial. Once they choose a side, that person will become the next king.”
Jovian nodded in understanding. “Now I get it. Dad, I know what I need to do. I’ll go to West Lucozia right away.” With a quick bow, he rushed off.
Simon gazed out at the darkening sky and let out a soft sigh. “Things in Oakvale are about to get complicated.”
His face showed a deep sadness, as if the burden of his role weighed heavily on him. In times like these, he knew he would have to adapt if he wanted to protect himself.