Scene: War Room — Minutes Later, After Classic is Excused
Chris's POV
Classic had barely left the room when I let go of the leash I'd been holding tight.
> "He's idealistic," I said flatly, turning back toward the map. "But not stupid."
Amara didn't reply immediately. She was watching me. Studying the tension in my shoulders. The pause in my breathing.
She knew something had shifted.
> "What is it?" she asked, voice lower now. "I can feel it."
I looked at her—no longer just my queen, but my only equal.
> "I'm done playing internal politics," I said. "I've reminded the council who I am. I've reminded the nation who you are."
I tapped a blinking red dot on the outer edge of the map. The projection zoomed out, revealing a neighboring continent—Delvaron.
Borderline trade thieves. They've been taxing Blackwood cargo in disputed waters, and we've been "diplomatic" for months. That ends now.
> "I want Delvaron," I said with ice in my voice. "And I don't want negotiations. I want occupation."
Amara stepped forward slowly, scanning the map.
> "They haven't launched a direct attack on us. This would be… conquest."
> "No," I corrected, my hand slamming the map console. "It's example."
I turned to her, eyes lit with fire.
> "Let every border nation remember what happens when you test Blackwood's patience. Let them choke on the price of arrogance."
Amara arched a brow. Not disagreeing. Just calculating.
> "And what narrative do you want the world to hear?"
I smirked.
> "That we offered peace. That they chose resistance. That Blackwood doesn't invade—we correct disorder."
She looked at me in that way she does—like she's already ten moves ahead, but still wants to hear my next line.
> "And who leads the assault?"
> "You," I said without hesitation. "You will carry my wrath. With five million B.A.M. You don't just lead this war, Amara… you brand the world with our seal."
There was a pause.
She stepped closer.
> "You trust me with a war?"
> "I married you knowing one day you'd wage one."
She smiled—not wide, but deeply.
> "Then I want full control," she said. "No oversight. No council. No Classic. Just me and the empire's fury."
I placed my hand on her cheek, softly.
> "Then make the world remember why we never knock twice."
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