Scene: Amara's Chamber — Emotional Continuation
Amara's POV
I stared at his outstretched hand.
The same hand that signed executions.
That vanished for weeks.
That built an empire, brick by brutal brick.
Now it hovered in front of me—not as a weapon, not a command—but a request.
A man… stripped of the armor only I ever truly saw through.
I didn't speak right away. My fingers clutched the edge of the towel. Not for modesty—but for grounding. Because everything inside me felt like a war.
He waited.
No pressure.
Just… presence.
I stepped closer, heartbeat thudding like war drums behind my ribs.
> "You love me?" I asked, voice nearly breaking. "Then why did you leave me to carry it all alone?"
His eyes flickered, pained.
> "Because I thought I was protecting you," he said quietly. "I thought the crown demanded distance. But I forgot… the crown was only ever worth something when I wore it beside you."
His words hit places I didn't want to admit still ached.
I looked up at him, my voice a whisper now.
> "You made me a sword. Then feared the fire in my grip."
He shook his head, stepping even closer.
> "No. I feared how much I needed you. And how much damage I'd already done."
He gently reached for my hand—not forcing. Just offering.
> "Amara. I can't undo what I've done. But I can promise this…"
His voice broke slightly.
> "If you let me back in… I will never choose silence over you again."
And something in me shattered.
Not in pain.
In release.
I placed my hand in his.
He pulled me into his arms, careful, trembling. As if afraid I'd vanish if he held too tightly.
And I did something I hadn't done in what felt like forever.
I rested my head on his chest.
And cried.
Not for the empire. Not for the weight. Not for the throne.
But for me.
For us.
His arms wrapped around me.
Strong.
Warm.
Still 01 of the Blackwood Empire.
But now, 01 with a heart in his hands.
> "We'll fix this," he whispered into my hair. "Together."
And for the first time in a long time…
I believed him.
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