Soren's POV
The grand chamber of Blackwood Castle was colder than any battlefield I had ever stepped on. Not because of wind or steel, but because of the eyes on me—four pairs that weighed heavier than any sword.
The King.
The Queen.
The Prince.
Chris Blackwood sat high on the throne, calm, unreadable. Amara, beside him, her gaze sharp as a dagger cloaked in silk. And Classic, the prince—young but already carrying the air of a man who could someday rule.
I stood alone before them. A soldier in armor, but stripped of all defense.
---
Chris (voice calm, but cutting):
"Soren Vask. You have served me with loyalty. You have bled in silence. You have carried the Blackwood flag higher than any man. But loyalty is not immunity. Discipline must breathe in every corner of my empire—even in the shadow of my most faithful sword."
The words stung. He did not shout, but his calm voice shook the room more than thunder.
I lowered my head.
"My King, I accept your words. I accept your judgment."
---
Amara leaned forward, her tone sharp:
"Do you truly? Or do you only bow in this hall, while your heart brews pride elsewhere? Tell me, General… can the people still look at you as the pillar of obedience when even the King's lash touched your back?"
Her words were acid. She wanted to see if I would crack.
I did not.
"My Queen… they will see not a man above the law, but a man under it. That is strength, not weakness."
---
Then Classic spoke, his young voice respectful, but heavy with curiosity.
"General, as a prince, I must learn from you. Tell me truthfully—when you were punished, did a part of you want to resist my father? Did you, even for a second, question his command?"
The chamber froze. That question could cost him his life in another setting.
I lifted my head. Looked at the prince, then at the King.
"Yes, Prince. For a heartbeat, I did. Because I am a man before I am a sword. But that thought died as fast as it came. I do not live for myself. I live for His Majesty's will."
---
Chris finally rose from the throne, descending the steps slowly. His eyes locked on mine.
"You answered well, Soren. And because you spoke truth in the presence of my Queen and my blood, I will tell you this: you are punished not because you failed, but because I needed the Union to remember no man lives above me. Not even the shield of Blackwood."
He stopped right in front of me.
Then—his hand touched my shoulder.
"But you are still my shield. And until your last breath, you will remain so."
---
In that moment, I felt the weight of the world and the fire of loyalty burning together in my chest.
I kneeled deeply.
"Your Majesty. My life is yours. My sword is yours. My name is yours. Forever."
And when I rose, I caught the Queen's calculating eyes, and the Prince's curious stare.
They had all seen it.
The Iron General bent, but did not break.