Chapter 500: The Game Begins

Ethan's POV

Chris raised his glass, and the room fell into absolute silence. A gathering of kings, queens, emperors, and rulers—each one a titan in their own right—waiting for him to speak.

I had seen Chris in many settings. As a hidden heir. As a ruler in the shadows. As a force of nature when he chose to be. But this… this was something else.

This was absolute power in motion.

"To those who have come from every corner of the world," Chris began, his voice smooth, unwavering, "I welcome you."

His words were simple, but the weight behind them wasn't lost on anyone.

I watched the rulers, studying their reactions. Some remained neutral, masking their thoughts behind years of political training. Others—like the Emir, the Queen of Spain, and the King of England—leaned in slightly. Curious.

Chris let the pause linger before continuing.

"You rule nations. You command economies. You decide the fate of millions with a single word. And yet, for all your power, each of you has come here tonight."

A flicker of tension passed through the crowd. Chris was reminding them that he was the one who had called this gathering. And they had answered.

"Some of you came for alliances. Others for opportunities. A few of you came simply to watch. To see what move I would make next."

His lips curved slightly, but his eyes remained sharp.

"So allow me to put an end to the guessing."

Silence.

"The world is shifting. Economies are unstable. Military conflicts simmer beneath the surface. Political landscapes change with the wind. And yet, despite all the chaos, one truth remains unchanged."

Chris lowered his glass slightly, his voice dropping just enough to force everyone to focus.

"Power belongs to those willing to take it."

A ripple of unease spread through the room. He wasn't just stating a fact—he was issuing a challenge.

I caught Classic's expression. Controlled, unreadable. But I knew him well enough to see what lay beneath.

This was a test.

And then Chris did something I hadn't expected.

He turned slightly—toward Classic.

"For twenty years, I have ruled. For twenty years, I have shaped this empire. And now, the time has come to see if the next generation is ready."

I felt the shift immediately. Every ruler in this room knew what this meant.

Chris was putting Classic on display.

Not just as a prince.

As a potential equal.

Christiana remained still, her fingers curled around her wine glass, unreadable. Skylar's gaze flickered between Chris and Classic, as if calculating the next move.

The Queen of Spain's lips twitched in interest. The King of England raised an eyebrow. The Emir of Saudi Arabia's expression didn't change, but there was something in his eyes—a test of his own.

Chris let the weight of his words settle before speaking again.

"The Blackwood Empire does not inherit power." His eyes locked onto Classic. "It earns it."

A challenge. A declaration.

And just like that, the ball was no longer just a gathering.

It was a battlefield.

And the whole world was watching.