Amara's POV
The palace bells began ringing at dawn — three slow tolls.
Each strike echoed through the capital like a warning.
Every citizen of the Blackwood Empire knew what that sound meant.
Lockdown.
I ran barefoot through the corridor, my nightgown brushing the marble, my hair unbound.
The throne room doors were wide open — and there he stood.
King Chris Blackwood.
Clad in black, eyes hollow with fury, the bandage on his hand soaked through with red.
Soren and Mara stood at attention beside him, soldiers lined along the hall like statues carved from fear.
"Close every gate," his voice commanded, deep and thunderous. "Suspend all public movement. Freeze trade. Ground the transports. I want silence in my streets."
I stopped midway up the stairs, my voice shaking. "Chris, what are you doing?"
He turned his head slowly, eyes glinting like steel. "Securing order. If fear has to remind them who rules, so be it."
I stepped closer. "You're punishing millions for what a few did? For laughter you imagined in your head?"
His expression didn't flinch. "They didn't laugh in my head, Amara. They laughed in their hearts. And hearts must be reminded who they belong to."
"Chris—"
He raised his hand. "Mara. Execute Code Black. Immediate enforcement."
Mara hesitated, glancing at me, torn. "Your Majesty… with all respect, this is a full military freeze. The citizens—"
"—will obey," Chris cut in sharply. "Or they'll vanish."
"Chris!" I cried, running to him, grabbing his arm. "Listen to yourself! You're turning peace into a cage! This isn't order — it's fear!"
He looked down at me, eyes cold and calm. "Fear works."
"No," I whispered, shaking my head, "you work. You and I — together — we made them believe again. Don't destroy that."
For a brief moment, something flickered in his eyes. Regret? Pain?
But then it vanished.
He looked past me to Soren. "General."
Soren's jaw was tight. "Your Majesty, if I may—"
"You may not."
That tone froze the entire room. Even Soren — the man who'd faced wars and death without blinking — lowered his gaze.
Then Chris turned back to me, stepping closer until I could feel his breath.
> "You call this destruction, Amara. I call it discipline."
I gripped his hand tighter, my voice breaking. "Please… don't do this. You'll lose them. You'll lose me."
He froze for a second. Just one. Then his jaw tightened.
> "If you love me, then stand beside me. If you can't, then stay out of my way."
He pulled his hand free and walked past me. The massive hall doors closed behind him with a thunderous slam that echoed through my chest.
I turned to Soren, desperate. "Do something!"
He exhaled deeply, shaking his head. "I can't, My Queen. When the King says lockdown… even the air obeys."
Mara's voice was softer, full of conflict. "He's not thinking clearly. But we can manage containment. Delay the harsher orders. I'll stall the troops, quietly."
I nodded weakly, tears burning my eyes. "Do it. Please. Buy me time."
Because deep down, I knew what came next.
Chris Blackwood didn't bluff.
When he said lockdown, he meant it — the kind that could starve cities, silence protests, erase enemies.
And tonight, the Blackwood Empire — my husband's masterpiece — was about to hold its breath in terror.
—To be continued—