[Scene – BBN Field Broadcast, The Capital Square, Afternoon]
The plaza buzzed with celebration as citizens gathered for follow-up interviews after the Queen's reform.
BBN cameras rolled. The reporter, Dora Vale, smiled brightly.
---
Dora Vale:
"Citizens of the Union are still reacting passionately to Her Majesty's decree! I have with me—"
Before she could finish, chaos erupted. A citizen in a tattered brown coat shoved past the crowd and struck Classic Blackwood — the royal envoy and King's advisor — hard across the face.
The sound echoed through every speaker, every holo-screen, every BBN stream.
Gasps filled the square. Soldiers moved instantly, pinning the man to the ground.
---
Citizen (screaming):
"You talk about merit while we starve! Numbers or not, we're dying out here!"
Blood trickled from Classic's lip. He didn't move. He simply stared at the man, eyes calm — terrifyingly calm.
---
Dora (stammering):
"L-Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for—"
Classic raised a hand. The soldiers froze mid-action.
---
Classic (quietly, into mic):
"No one touches him."
The crowd murmured. Even Dora went silent.
---
Classic (turning to the citizen):
"You struck a Blackwood on live broadcast. Tell me… did it make you feel powerful?"
Citizen (breathing hard):
"No. Just… seen."
Classic wiped the blood from his lip, straightened his collar, and faced the camera.
---
Classic (coldly):
"This is the price of awakening a nation.
When the people start to feel again… they forget who taught them to."
He looked back at the citizen.
> "Release him."
Gasps again.
---
Soldier:
"But, sir—"
Classic:
"Let him walk. The King will decide if freedom still means forgiveness."
He walked off as the BBN feed cut abruptly to static.