.
In the left corner of the platform, Eugene stood firmly, his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes scanning the faces of the people as if reading their thoughts. He did not seem moved when his name was announced as advisor, but those who knew him well would notice a faint glint in his eyes—the glint of a man who waited long for the word to be given to its rightful owners.
As for Michelle, his features were a mix of astonishment and contemplation; he did not expect to receive such appreciation. He remembered the long nights he spent teaching the children of deprived neighborhoods in secret, when education was given only to the children of the elite. He whispered to himself:
"The time for light has come."
Declan stood beside one of the palace guards, and as soon as he heard his name as "Minister of Agriculture," he looked at the ground for seconds of silence, then raised his head toward the sky. A smile of shy pride touched his lips, and he said in a faint whisper:
"I swore to plant good in this land, and I shall."
Valerian showed no notable reaction; he thought he would only come for war and did not expect to take this important position. His face remained as solid as a statue, but the looks of the people around him were enough to make him tense—perhaps they were questioning him—but he trusted Kayden.
As for Freeze, he was sitting on a back chair, leaning his arm on a wooden armrest, wearing his dark cloak as usual. His medium-length grey hair was tilted with his sitting angle, and his brown eyes watched the crowds. As soon as his name was mentioned, murmurs broke out; some looked at him with doubt, others with amazement, but he did not move. He only tilted his head slightly and said to himself:
"They thought I was the dagger, and did not know that it only wounds the enemy."
With every name mentioned, the square grew increasingly turbulent.
At the announcement of Eugene's name, some cheers rose, while others expressed surprise: "Isn't this William's son? Isn't he the one who appeared suddenly?" But those present realized that his closeness to Kayden meant something significant.
Upon hearing Michelle's name, applause broke out from students and educated youth who had long read his writings in secret and found in him a symbol of enlightenment amidst the darkness.
When Declan's name was spoken, the ranks of the commoners began to clap warmly, raising their arms toward the sky as if their voices were saying:
"Finally, someone worthy of cultivating this barren land!"
But when Valerian's name was announced, a heavy silence fell. Faces changed. Some exchanged glances of unknown concern, and that was only dispelled by Marcus's voice affirming:
"We trust those whom the Emperor trusts."
Then... the greatest shock.
"Freeze... responsible for trade and securing the maritime borders."
Shouts, amazement, questions...
"Freeze?! Have they lost their minds?"
"Isn't this the one to whom crimes were attributed?"
"How can they appoint him?!"
But after a moment, a wave of cheering began from the left side, where groups of former fighters who had fought with him stood, speaking of his efforts and achievements.
The applause surged, and surprise turned into loud support, because they had not forgotten who Freeze was in the shadows, even if others forgot him in the light.
The people stood in packed rows, stillness hanging over the large square. No sound was heard except the slow beat of drums, announcing the approach of a decisive moment in the history of the Empire. The sun began to set behind the horizon, as if the entire sky were preparing to bid farewell to an era that had lasted long.
In the middle of the square, an execution platform was erected, its wood freshly polished, built in haste—not to be a place of humiliation, but a witness to the long-awaited justice.
Maxwell ascended with heavy steps, yet his face was not devoid of a smile—the smile that had long hidden betrayal behind it.
Emperor Joseph stood beside him, his face pale, no longer carrying the tone of greatness. His clothes, which used to shine with gold, were now faded, covered in the marks of imprisonment and humiliation.
the guard approached the Emperor's mouth, asking:
"Do you have a final word?"
The Emperor raised his head, looked at the sky, and said with bitterness:
"I betrayed... and I was betrayed... and I will end up under the feet of those I used to see as insects."
Then he fell silent, as if he had finally surrendered to fate.
Kayden stood at the top of the opposite platform, his eyes fixed, showing neither spite nor pity. He said in a loud voice:
"In the name of justice... in the name of the blood that was shed... and in the name of the children who slept hungry...
Maxwell... Joseph... You have been sentenced to death as payment for your betrayal of the Empire, your conspiracy against the peoples, and your crushing of all who spoke the truth."
Everything grew quiet... then the voice of Commander Marcus rose, giving the signal...
"Let the swords fall."
And in a single moment...
The two heads fell, and with them fell an entire era of oppression.
The people were silent, then slowly, applause began... a faint clapping... which gradually turned into a thundering roar, as if the entire nation were exhaling decades of oppression.
Eugene closed his eyes for a moment, as if saying goodbye to a past he lived with his heart's blood.
Freeze settled for a single look at the two bodies, then turned his back and walked away.
Michelle wrote in his small notebook:
"The era of darkness has ended... and the time of light has begun."
As for Kayden... he remained standing in his place, motionless.
He knew that justice does not end when the fighting ends... rather, it begins after it.
Far from the capital, at the Bryan family home, the atmosphere was charged with fear and anxiety. The family, consisting of Luna, Albert's kind wife, and her son Adrian, lived in a state of constant tension. The father was absent, a captive far away, while the second son was in a war whose reason they did not know.
In the heart of the manor, everyone sat around a large table, and an argument was heating up between Luna and her son Adrian. Their talk revolved around the idea of Luna going to the capital to understand what was happening there, but Adrian flatly refused the idea, fearing for his mother from the dangers she might face. On the other side of the room, Olivia sat in silence, her face clouded with sadness because of what the family was going through, while she prayed from her heart that Kayden and Albert would return safely.
At that moment, everyone heard a loud knock on the door, but this time it wasn't to tell them bad news as had been the case with Albert before; rather, it was a knock carrying good tidings that shook the entire family.
The door opened, and the messenger entered, his face bright and his eyes carrying a hint of joy. In his hand was a paper carrying the news that would change the course of things.
The messenger said enthusiastically as he presented the news:
"The news from the capital... Kayden has won his war, the former Emperor has fallen, and his rule has collapsed!"
Moments of silence passed before Adrian replied in a voice full of astonishment:
"I don't believe it... this is unbelievable! That boy... who would have expected him to do that? Despite all his previous cooperations, I still can't believe what I heard."
Adrian took a deep breath, as if the words he heard were almost too big to grasp. Then he added:
"Does this mean the revolution is over? Did the revolutionaries win? Maybe I should congratulate him strongly when he returns home."
The messenger smiled with a light laugh and said in a calm tone:
"It seems the news hasn't reached Fiore yet... Kayden won't be returning home."
Adrian and Luna shouted in one voice, with clear anxiety:
"What?"
The messenger laughed again, then continued in a more serious tone:
"Kayden has become the Emperor now. The Imperial Palace is his home now."
The moment froze in place. No one believed what they heard, but Margaret, who was following the conversation in silence, burst with joy. She raised her hands to the sky and said to herself:
"My prayers have been answered... his dream has come true! The young master will be happy from now on."
At that moment, a wide smile spread across her lips, while the family contemplated what this news meant for them all.
In front of the Imperial Palace, a slight smile appeared on Kieran's face as he departed quietly after being released by an unexpected order. He knew exactly who was behind this decision. He stopped for a moment, looked toward the sky, and murmured in a voice barely audible:
"Elias and Kayden... I will never forget this favor as long as I live."
On the other side of the palace, steps echoed in the stone corridor with a majestic resonance. Albert, who had not been informed of his release, was pushed inside the palace without explanation. He walked with anxiety, his eyes never leaving the ground, his hands shackled by questions. When he approached the throne, he raised his head slowly, only for his eyes to fall upon a scene he never expected. It was not the Emperor who received him, but his son, Kayden, standing there, moving toward him with quick steps and confident eyes.
Without uttering a word, Kayden threw himself into his father's arms, then said in a trembling voice, his eyes on the verge of tears:
"Welcome back, Father... I'm sorry... I'm sorry for what I caused you. I didn't know that all this would hurt you this way."
Time stopped for a moment. Albert could do nothing but wrap his arms around his son, holding him tightly as if he feared he would vanish between his hands. Tears flowed down his cheeks, and his heart could not believe that this meeting was real. After a moment of frantic silence, Kayden whispered in his ear:
"Father, there is someone who wants to see you."
Albert hesitated, then said in a warm tone:
"He can wait, I want to spend time with you."
But Kayden squeezed his arm and said with a faint plea:
"Father... now, please."
As soon as he finished his sentence, someone stepped forward from behind him. His steps were calm, but his gaze was charged with something deep. He fixed his eyes on Albert's and said in a confident, affectionate voice:
"Welcome... Brother."
Albert's features froze, and his eyes widened before a name buried in his memory for a long time escaped his lips:
"Harry?!"