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" – Amara's POV
I stood on the balcony of the East Wing, overlooking the training grounds where newly recruited B.A.M. operatives drilled under a red-drenched sky. The empire was changing—Chris had unified it with his laws, his ruthlessness, and… his silence.
But silence could also scream.
A message had just reached me. Delivered by a trembling courier, barely able to look me in the eye.
Classic Blackwood had made his move.
Publicly.
I stormed into the strategy room, slamming the card onto the obsidian table. My core council looked up from their datapads. Darius followed behind, quiet as ever.
"He addressed the Council of Governors this morning," I said through gritted teeth. "Declared his allegiance to Chris… and claimed a position as co-guardian of the Blackwood Legacy."
Gasps.
Shock.
And from me?
Rage.
"That role doesn't exist," I said. "Not unless the Emperor creates it. And he didn't."
Darius cleared his throat. "He spoke with power, Amara. With control. The citizens… they're calling him The Silent Flame. Said he's the balance Chris never had."
I turned slowly toward him, eyes like daggers. "You're defending him now?"
"No. I'm warning you."
I hated that he was right.
Classic had played the long game. While I stood beside Chris in war, in pain, in love, Classic had been carving loyalty out of the shadows. Now, in one morning, he'd rebranded himself as a statesman. A pillar. A brother to the throne.
And Chris… hadn't even objected.
I clenched my fists.
Why didn't he tell me? Why didn't he stop it?
"Send a message to the Emperor," I said coldly. "Request an immediate meeting. If Classic wants to rise, fine. But I will not let him stand next to me as if we are equals. I bled for this empire. I buried Skylar for it. I earned my place beside Chris."
Darius nodded. "And if the Emperor refuses?"
I paused.
Then smiled faintly.
"Then I'll remind him… who made him untouchable in the first place."
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