Classicprincecj

At university, Chris is just another student—quiet, reserved, and seemingly ordinary. But behind the scenes, he’s the heir to a hidden fortune, a secret he guards fiercely.

Then there’s Skylar—a girl born into wealth, now watching her privileged world crumble as her family faces financial ruin. When she crosses paths with Chris, an unexpected connection sparks between them.

Skylar falls for him, believing he’s just a regular guy. But when her family pressures her to seek a richer suitor, Chris finds himself at a crossroads—should he reveal his true identity to fight for their love, or let her go to protect his secret?

In a world where love and wealth collide, can their relationship survive the truth?

Masked Affluence

The air in the grand assembly hall was heavy with tension. The leaders of the Blackwood Union stood in eerie silence, awaiting the verdict on the first nation to face consequences under the new world order.

Chris sat at the head of the table, his fingers lightly tapping against the polished blackwood surface. Christiana stood beside him, her expression unreadable, but there was an unmistakable glint of authority in her gaze. The first breach of Union laws had occurred, and now, justice would be served.

I cleared my throat and stepped forward, holding a thick dossier of reports. My voice was sharp and unwavering as I began.

"The nation in question is the Republic of Velmora."

Gasps and whispers erupted across the hall, but Chris raised a hand, instantly silencing the murmurs.

I continued, flipping through the documents. "Velmora, a country granted full Blackwood Union membership three months ago, has violated three core mandates."

I turned to the assembled leaders, eyes scanning them as I detailed the offenses.

1. Economic Treason: Velmora attempted to conduct trade with non-Union nations using its old currency instead of the Blackwood Currency (B.C.), directly undermining our economic sovereignty. Reports show that over $750 million worth of illegal transactions were made before discovery.

2. Humanitarian Breach: Despite the exclusivity of the Blackwood Cure, Velmora secretly distributed a portion of its allocated doses to non-Union nations, disregarding the strict protocol enforced by Christiana herself. This act of defiance not only weakened our leverage over independent states but also set a dangerous precedent.

3. Political Subversion: Intelligence confirms that Velmora's government secretly communicated with remnants of the dissolved United Nations, discussing a potential coalition to "counterbalance" the Blackwood Union's growing dominance. A blatant act of betrayal."**

I paused, letting the weight of their crimes sink in. The room remained silent, leaders visibly disturbed by Velmora's foolishness.

Chris leaned back in his seat, his expression unreadable, then turned his gaze toward Christiana. "Dictator, what punishment do you recommend?"

Christiana stepped forward, eyes cold, voice sharp. "Velmora's actions are a threat to our unity. Their government no longer deserves the privilege of autonomy. I recommend complete annexation."

A stunned silence followed, but Christiana continued unfazed. "Effective immediately, Velmora will cease to exist as an independent nation. The country will be absorbed into the Blackwood Empire as a province. Their government will be dissolved, and its officials detained and prosecuted. Military control will be established under the direct command of Blackwood Union Forces."

Chris nodded approvingly. "And their people?"

"They will be given a choice," Christiana stated. "Pledge full allegiance to the Blackwood Empire and integrate as citizens—or be exiled with nothing."

I watched as the gathered leaders processed the severity of the punishment. The message was clear: betrayal would not be tolerated.

Chris stood, his presence commanding as he delivered the final decree. "Let Velmora serve as an example. The Blackwood Union is absolute. Defy us, and you will cease to exist."

With that, the fate of an entire nation was sealed.

The First Punishment of the Blackwood Union