Chapter 403: The Weight of a Throne

Classic Blackwood

A king does not break.

A king does not falter.

A king does not grieve.

That was what my father had drilled into me all my life. And now, standing in the middle of my chamber, Ethan's words echoing in my skull, I realized this was the moment he had always prepared me for.

My father was gone.

Dead.

The world would wake up in mourning, but I had no time for that.

I clenched my fists, pushing back the emotion clawing at my throat. There would be time for grief later—if I was allowed any.

For now, I had to move.

My father had ruled with absolute control. His enemies feared him, his allies respected him, and his family… obeyed him.

And now, the Blackwood throne was mine.

I turned to Ethan. "Who knows?"

His expression was unreadable. "Only those who need to."

"Does the council suspect anything?"

"They will, eventually."

I nodded. "And the palace?"

"Locked down. No one in, no one out without my clearance."

Good. At least for now, there wouldn't be an immediate coup attempt. But I knew how this worked. The moment news of my father's death spread, vultures would descend. Some to grieve, others to claim power.

I had to be ready for all of them.

I straightened. "Prepare my statement. The kingdom needs to hear from me first before the world starts spinning its own version of events."

Ethan inclined his head slightly. "You'll address them at sunrise."

I nodded, turning toward the window. The sky was still dark, but the faintest hint of dawn loomed on the horizon.

A kingdom without my father.

A kingdom that was now mine to command.

The Announcement

By the time the sun rose, the palace was silent. Not with peace, but with anticipation.

The grand hall was filled with high-ranking officials, noble families, and key military leaders. Outside the palace gates, the entire city had gathered, waiting. The news had spread faster than fire—King Chris Blackwood was dead.

And now, they were looking at me.

I stepped onto the elevated platform, my face emotionless as my eyes scanned the sea of people. The weight of their expectations, their fears, their hopes—it pressed down on me like a force of nature.

Ethan stood just behind me, watching. Somewhere in the crowd, Skylar was there too, her expression unreadable. Christiana stood beside her, her usual confidence masked by something else—calculation.

The world was waiting.

I exhaled slowly, then spoke.

"My father, His Majesty King Chris Blackwood, was more than a ruler. He was a force. A man who built an empire from nothing, who shaped the world with his vision, his strength, and his unwavering resolve."

The crowd remained eerily silent.

"I stand before you today not as a grieving son, but as the man who will continue his legacy."

A murmur rippled through the audience. Some approving, some doubting. I ignored it.

"The Blackwood Empire does not fall. It does not bow. And it does not weaken in the face of loss. My father ruled with iron and fire, and I will do the same. To those who stand with us—loyalty will be rewarded. To those who seek to exploit this moment—consider this your first and final warning."

I let the words settle. Then, I looked straight into the cameras broadcasting this to the entire world.

"The throne is mine."

Silence.

Then, a roar of applause. Some genuine, some hesitant. Some unsure of where their loyalties should lie.

It didn't matter.

I had drawn the line.

Now, we would see who dared to cross it.

The Wolves Gather

I barely stepped off the platform before Ethan was at my side.

"They'll test you," he murmured. "The council, the nobles, even your own family."

"I know."

"Some will want to control you. Others will try to remove you."

I glanced at him. "And you? What will you do?"

Ethan's gaze was steady. "I'll do what I've always done—protect the throne."

I nodded slightly, accepting that answer for now.

But the real battle was about to begin.

Because somewhere, hidden in the shadows, I knew the truth.

Chris Blackwood wasn't dead.

And when he returned, the real test would begin.