Scene: Royal Courtyard – Amara's Public Address – Amara's POV
The courtyard was filled with faces—nobles, officials, citizens, and soldiers alike, dressed in black and crimson. A giant banner of Darius fluttered high above the main palace gates, golden laurels placed beneath his image. The drums had stopped. The horns had gone silent.
It was time to speak.
I stood alone on the imperial platform, adorned not in jewelry or glamour—but in sleek, formal mourning robes, embroidered with the Blackwood insignia over my heart.
The microphone buzzed softly as I stepped up.
All eyes turned to me.
And behind them, I felt the weight of a million more—watching through screens across every district of the empire.
I didn't hesitate.
> "Today, we honor a man who gave his life for this empire—not in war, but in loyalty. Darius stood for Blackwood when others only stood for themselves. His strength, his service, and his sacrifice will be engraved into the memory of this empire forever."
There was a ripple of respectful silence. A few bowed heads. Others watched stoically.
> "Let this be a reminder that even in death, loyalty speaks louder than rebellion. The empire does not forget its own."
Then it happened.
A voice from the crowd. Not hostile—just sharp, clear, and impossible to ignore.
> "If Darius was that important… where is the King?"
Murmurs spread instantly like wildfire through the crowd. The question echoed beyond the gates, replaying across networks. Even the Blackwood Broadcast Network had to pause their narration.
I didn't flinch.
I looked straight ahead, my voice steady.
> "The King made the decision to honor Darius with full imperial rites. It was his command. But this funeral… this tribute… was meant to be led by the one person Darius gave his final loyalty to."
I paused.
Let the silence stretch.
> "Me."
That turned heads. Some looked surprised. Others looked impressed. I didn't stop.
> "As your Empress, I stand before you not to excuse what happened… but to remind you that this empire does not run from the truth. We carry it. We live it. We rule with it. Chris Blackwood entrusted me with his empire during his silence, and I will not let him—or any of you—forget what that trust means."
A slow wave of applause began. Not thunderous. Not wild. But growing.
> "The King is where he needs to be," I concluded. "Watching. Listening. And preparing."
I stepped back from the podium.
The message was delivered.
The question had been answered.
The power shift was felt.
And whether they liked it or not…
The empire saw who stood in the light—when their King chose the shadows.