(Imperial Balcony — Just before dawn)
The city hadn't yet awakened, but the Empire's pulse was already beating. From the balcony, Chris watched the horizon glow red as the morning sun brushed against the towers of Blackwood Capital. The streets below were being cleared for the B.A.M. convoy — the largest display of military might since the Empire's founding.
Behind him, Amara appeared, still in her night robe, hair flowing like molten gold under the first light. Her eyes carried that mix of curiosity and caution that only Chris could summon.
Amara (softly):
"You're awake early, my king."
Chris (without turning):
"I haven't slept. I was thinking about your little favor."
Amara (smiling faintly):
"Your little chaos experiment?"
Chris (turns, eyes sharp):
"No. Not chaos. Balance."
He walked up to her, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"My queen… I want you to go there. Yourself. Physically."
Amara (startled):
"Physically? You mean on the road?"
Chris (nodding):
"Yes. Don't call them off. Don't send an order. Go there. Step right in front of the convoy and block them."
Amara froze. Her expression flickered between disbelief and admiration.
Amara:
"Chris… that's the largest military formation in the Empire. Hundreds of armored vehicles, drones, elite soldiers. You want me to stand in their path?"
Chris smiled — that quiet, unsettling smile that could melt confidence or create it.
He reached for her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze.
Chris:
"Exactly. I want them to stop because you're there. Not because they were told to. Not because they were ordered. But because they saw you, and they knew—instinctively—that even the engines must kneel before their queen."
Amara (in disbelief):
"That's madness."
Chris (softly):
"That's power."
He turned toward the city again, voice lowering like thunder rolling through calm clouds.
Chris:
"Anyone can issue commands from behind a desk. But only a ruler with divine authority can walk into danger and silence it with presence alone. I want them to feel that. I want them to see that your face... your presence... is law."
Amara (nervously):
"And if they don't stop?"
Chris (grinning):
"Then I'll know the army has forgotten who built it. And when I come for them, even their armor won't save them."
Silence filled the balcony. The city below began to rumble—the B.A.M. engines awakening, a rolling thunder approaching the capital.
Amara's heartbeat quickened. She turned to him, searching his face for hesitation. There was none.
Amara (quietly):
"You really want me to do this?"
Chris:
"No, my love."
(He took her hand, eyes fierce yet adoring.)
"I need you to."
The queen exhaled, then nodded slowly. Determination replaced doubt.
Her silver robe shimmered as she walked toward the chamber doors.
Amara (without looking back):
"Then let the Empire see what kind of woman their king kneels to."
Chris's lips curved into a proud, dangerous smile.
Chris (murmuring to himself):
"That's my queen."
Outside, the roar of the convoy grew louder. And soon… the entire Empire would witness its most shocking sunrise yet.
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