(Scene – The Royal War Chamber, Blackwood Palace, Two Hours After the Convoy Halt)
The room was alive with chaos — generals shouting, ministers waving reports, holographic maps flashing red across the marble walls.
The image of the Queen standing before the B.A.M. convoy replayed on every hovering screen.
Arguments filled the chamber.
Minister Keld:
"Your Majesty, that stunt nearly triggered a civil protocol! The convoy thought it was an ambush!"
Minister Rhoan:
"Public reaction is unstable! The Queen's interference without military clearance—"
Before anyone could finish, the heavy doors swung open.
The Queen entered.
No guards. No escort. Just Amara — head high, calm, radiant in her silver gown that shimmered under the chamber's harsh light.
The whole room fell silent. Even the holo-screens paused, as if the palace itself held its breath.
Then — the second set of doors opened.
Chris Blackwood strode in, dark suit sharp as a blade, presence heavier than the air itself. Every minister bowed instantly.
---
Minister Rhoan (nervously):
"Your Majesty… we were just reviewing the Queen's unsanctioned—"
Chris raised a hand. Silence.
His eyes went straight to Amara. For a heartbeat, the tension between them felt electric — too fierce, too intimate for the room they were in.
He walked up to her slowly.
Every step echoed.
Chris (softly):
"So… you did it."
Amara (meeting his gaze):
"You told me to."
Chris (smirking faintly):
"I told you to block them… not to make the entire army worship you."
Amara:
"Then you should have known better than to send a queen to do a soldier's job."
The ministers exchanged worried glances. Even General Soren, who stood near the back, looked uneasy — unsure if this was pride or punishment.
Chris took another step closer.
Now, they stood almost chest to chest — the air between them charged with unspoken fire.
Minister Keld (whispering to another):
"They're going to argue."
But Chris didn't argue.
He reached up — slowly, deliberately — and cupped Amara's face.
The entire room froze.
And before anyone could process what was happening, he pulled her in and kissed her.
It wasn't gentle. It wasn't staged.
It was a claiming — raw, passionate, defiant — in front of every minister, general, and advisor in the empire.
The room went completely still.
No one dared move.
When he finally pulled away, his voice dropped — low, dangerous, intimate.
Chris (to her, still close):
"You walked into my army's path… and made them kneel. You turned steel into silence. That's not defiance, Amara."
(He touched his forehead to hers.)
"That's power… shared."
Amara smiled faintly, eyes glistening.
Amara (softly):
"Then maybe the throne is big enough for two."
Chris turned to the ministers, arm still around her waist.
Chris (coldly):
"For those of you trembling — understand this. The Queen does not need permission to act. Her will is mine. Her steps are my command. Anyone who questions that…"
(He glanced toward Soren, voice hardening.)
"…can test which of us they fear more."
No one spoke. Not even Soren.
---
Minister Rhoan (hesitant):
"Your Majesty, the cameras—"
Chris (grinning):
"Let them broadcast it. Let the world see what unity looks like in the Blackwood Empire."
He turned back to Amara, lowering his voice.
Chris:
"You've given the people their heart today, my love. Now it's time I give them their warning."
He kissed her hand this time — slow and deliberate — before walking toward the central command console.
Chris (to his ministers):
"Prepare a national address. Title it: The Crown United."
Amara smiled softly, watching him command the room again — but this time, beside her, not above her.
---
As the ministers hurried to obey, General Soren leaned to a nearby aide and whispered quietly:
Soren:
"That wasn't just a kiss. That was the empire's new law."