An Understated Dominance - Chapter 2552

“Find a scapegoat?” Nathaniel asked, his brows furrowed in confusion.
He clearly didn’t grasp Cynthia’s point. “What exactly do you mean, Mother?”

“Think about it,” Cynthia said. “If your enemies are too powerful to confront directly, why not let the royal gods from the Hall of Gods deal with them for you?”

A sly smile curved her lips as she added, “Your brothers, for example—or any other thorns in your side.”

Nathaniel straightened, a spark of realization flashing in his eyes.

“That’s brilliant, Mother. I get it now.”

He had been too caught up in panic earlier to see the bigger picture. The arrival of the Hall of Gods at his doorstep wasn’t just a threat—it was also an opportunity.

If handled correctly, Nathaniel could use the royal gods to eliminate his rivals. That wouldn’t just resolve the immediate crisis; it would also strengthen his standing with the West Lucozian monarchy.

By letting the Hall of Gods do the dirty work, he could clear the path to the throne. This wasn’t just killing two birds with one stone—it was a clean sweep on all fronts.

As always, his mother’s counsel had proven invaluable.

“No matter what happens, you must stay calm and find a way to turn the situation to your advantage,” Cynthia reminded him.

She continued, “I’ve said what I needed to. You know what to do from here. Surely you don’t need me to plan every step for you?”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ve got it handled,” Nathaniel replied with a nod.

With a plan now in mind, it was time to act. His intelligence network and personal connections would finally be put to use.

“Before I forget, there’s something else you should consider,” Cynthia said, as though suddenly remembering. “You need to start building a stronger relationship with Logan. He’s going to be essential to your claim to the throne. If you can win him over, he could become one of your greatest allies.”

Nathaniel shook his head. “His connection to the West Lucozian monarchy does make him valuable, but from what I’ve seen, he has no interest in politics. No matter what we do, I doubt it’ll change anything.”

Truth be told, Nathaniel had never had a good impression of Dustin. He had tried more than once to win him over, but Dustin remained indifferent, not even offering the courtesy of a polite response.

What truly infuriated Nathaniel was how Dustin used the Dracan essence to outmaneuver him. If Cynthia hadn’t stepped in to calm him, he might’ve already turned against Dustin outright.

What initially seemed like a golden opportunity had turned into a frustrating dead end. Nathaniel saw no reason to keep investing in someone so uncooperative.

“Even if Logan isn’t interested in politics, there are other ways to win him over,” Cynthia said firmly. “The point is—he’s a valuable asset and well worth the effort. No matter what, do not make an enemy of him. Do you understand?”
“I’ll keep that in mind, Mother,” Nathaniel replied. He didn’t argue, but he wasn’t about to make any promises either.

As far as he was concerned, Dustin might hold some value—but if he couldn’t be utilized, then he wasn’t worth the effort.

Nathaniel had already gone out of his way to extend an olive branch. If Dustin wasn’t interested, there was no point in wasting further energy on him.

He had tolerated Dustin’s schemes and dealt with the chaos that followed. He’d already done more than anyone could reasonably expect. If Dustin still didn’t take the hint, Nathaniel wasn’t about to demean himself by begging for his approval.

He was the prince of Dragonmarsh. Why should he keep bending over backward for someone of lesser rank?

Even if he couldn’t win Dustin’s support, Nathaniel had no intention of making him an enemy—so long as Dustin didn’t provoke him first.

“It’s getting late. You should return home now. Remember, those who aim for greatness must tread carefully. Don’t rush the journey,” Cynthia reminded him.

“Understood, Mother. I’ll take my leave,” Nathaniel said, bowing respectfully.

As he departed, Cynthia watched his retreating figure and sighed softly. “He still has much to learn.”

With her keen insight, it was easy for her to see through her son’s thoughts. While he had taken most of her advice to heart, his feelings toward Dustin clouded his better judgment.

“Prince Nathaniel is young and ambitious—it’s no surprise he’s a bit headstrong,” said Nita Ambrose, the elderly maid beside her. “It’s only natural to feel competitive with someone his own age, like Logan.”

Nita had been with Cynthia since childhood and was her most trusted confidante. Despite their respective roles, they were as close as sisters.

In addition to her loyalty, Nita was also a grandmaster martial artist and served as Cynthia’s personal bodyguard.

Cynthia’s rise through the palace ranks—outmaneuvering other consorts and even surpassing the queen—would not have been possible without Nita. With her constant protection, Cynthia never had to look over her shoulder.

“Years ago, someone from the Regal Observatory predicted that Logan was destined for greatness,” Cynthia said softly. “He’s also the ideal right-hand man for a future king. Even though he’s kept a low profile all these years, his potential remains immense.”

“People tend to focus on the West Lucozian monarchy backing him, but they fail to realize that Logan himself is the true key. I just hope Nathaniel learns to recognize and seize that opportunity.”

“If Logan’s not interested in politics, there’s little Prince Nathaniel can do,” Nita replied. “The wisest course is simply to avoid turning him into an enemy.”

Cynthia nodded thoughtfully, then changed the subject. “I need you to go to Spanner Villa and tell the two elders to protect Nathaniel discreetly—just in case anything happens.”

“Yes, my lady,” Nita said and silently disappeared into the shadows.