Chapter 293: The King's Gambit

(Chris's POV – The Crown Across the Ocean)

The drive to Windsor Castle was a quiet one, the city of London passing by in blurred streaks of rain-soaked streets. Chris sat back, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, mind spinning through the possibilities ahead.

The moment he stepped into that ancient castle—an icon of power, centuries of history, and tradition—he would be playing not just with politics, but with the future of his empire.

He had already secured America. The Blackwood name was now synonymous with absolute authority across the Atlantic. But England was a different game. There were no blood ties to bind him here. He'd have to earn this crown, just like he had done in the States. But with the right touch, the right alliances, he knew he could shape this land just as he had done with everything else in his life.

The convoy stopped in front of the grand Windsor Castle gates, the sight of its towering walls intimidating even from a distance. A symbol of the monarchy that once ruled empires. But now—it was his turn.

Chris exited the car, his coat swaying against the breeze as he made his way up the steps to the entrance. Cole flanked him, as always, with a discreet but watchful eye. The royal guards at the door barely acknowledged his presence—protocol, and nothing more.

Inside, the atmosphere was stiflingly regal. Candlelight flickered across the stone walls, the scent of old wood and polished marble filling the air. At the end of the grand hall, a pair of figures awaited him—the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the Queen herself.

The Queen, a figure of delicate power, stood tall, her crown resting like an ancient relic upon her head. The Prime Minister, nervous yet composed, stood beside her, eyes darting between Chris and the Queen, clearly aware of the stakes.

Chris didn't wait for formalities. He stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the Queen, who was now assessing him with a cool, almost inscrutable expression.

"Your Majesty," Chris said, bowing slightly. His voice was calm, calculated. "It's an honor."

The Queen didn't respond immediately, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly as if sizing him up. Then, in a voice that carried centuries of royal weight, she spoke.

"I hear you have… ambitions, Mr. Blackwood."

Chris's lips curled into a small, confident smile. "Ambition is the foundation of every empire."

She paused, her lips pressing into a tight line. "America has already yielded to you. Do you truly believe you can extend your reach to my throne?"

Chris stepped closer, his presence commanding the room. "I don't need to take your throne, Your Majesty. I simply need to ensure the future is aligned."

The room went still.

The Prime Minister fidgeted, unsure of where the conversation would lead. But Chris wasn't here to make small talk. He was here to define the future.

"The world has changed," Chris continued, voice firm, unwavering. "Empires no longer stand on the strength of crowns alone. They stand on control. And I offer a new path. For you, for your people, for our future."

The Queen's eyes met his, and for the first time since entering the room, there was a flicker of curiosity. Intrigue.

"You want my support," she said, her voice softer now.

Chris inclined his head slightly, but his next words were like steel. "Not just support. I offer you stability. In exchange for your cooperation, the crown will remain untouched. You will remain the figurehead of tradition and power. But the true control—the strength, the future—will be mine."

The silence was heavy.

The Queen considered him, her eyes narrowing in thought. After a long moment, she spoke again.

"And what of your own nation? You control the U.S. But the world isn't so simple, Mr. Blackwood."

Chris smiled. "It's a simple truth: with the right alliances, with the right vision, anything is possible. This is the future."

Cole, standing in the background, watched closely. Chris had a way of speaking that wasn't just about convincing; it was about commanding.

The Queen's expression softened, just a touch, and she gave a small nod.

"Perhaps... we should talk."

As Chris and the Queen walked deeper into Windsor Castle to discuss terms, the world outside shifted.

A new king, not of any single nation, but of a new era was quietly taking shape.Certainly!