Rebellion

Ethan POV

The Blackwood Palace was eerily silent as I walked through its grand hallways, my footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. The entire empire was at a standstill, waiting for the outcome of a meeting that had the potential to alter the future of Blackwood forever.

Inside the throne room, Chris sat on his elevated chair—no longer a throne, because he had renounced the title of ruler. Yet, even without a crown, his mere presence was overpowering. He was the God of the Empire, above all but unseen, watching, guiding, and interfering only when necessary.

And now, Adrian was here.

I stood by Chris's right side, the official ruler of the Blackwood Empire, but it was clear that this meeting wasn't about me. It was about the man standing before us—Adrian Blackwood, the rebel leader, the one who had dared to challenge the empire.

His blue eyes burned with defiance as he stood before Chris, hands clenched into fists. He was strong, intelligent, and dangerous. And yet, despite all his rebellion, Chris had allowed him to walk into the palace unharmed.

Adrian took a deep breath before speaking. "I didn't come here to kneel."

Chris didn't react immediately. He remained still, his eyes locked onto Adrian like a predator assessing its prey. The room was thick with tension.

"Then why are you here?" Chris finally asked, his voice calm yet carrying an unspoken authority that made the air feel heavy.

Adrian's jaw tightened. "Because the people deserve a choice. You can rule with power, with force, with fear—but sooner or later, they will rise against you. I came here to demand that you let the people vote. Give them their freedom."

I scoffed at the foolishness of his words. "Freedom?" I echoed, stepping forward. "You don't understand, do you? Blackwood isn't just a nation anymore—it's an empire. Democracy is dead. It doesn't work."

Adrian turned to me sharply. "And who decided that? You? Him?" He gestured toward Chris. "You hold all the power, and you justify it by saying the world needs order. But what about the people who suffer because of that order?"

Chris finally moved. He leaned forward slightly, placing his hands on the arms of his chair. His voice was quiet but absolute. "You speak of suffering as if you understand what true suffering is. The world outside Blackwood is chaos. The weak are devoured, the strong dominate without rules. Here, we built something indestructible. The people do not live in fear of war, famine, or destruction. They live knowing they are safe."

Adrian took a step closer. "Safe? Or controlled?"

Chris exhaled slowly, almost as if he was disappointed. Then he spoke the words that sent a chill through the room.

"Do you know why you're still alive, Adrian?"

Adrian hesitated.

"Because I chose to let you live," Chris continued, his tone still unreadable. "Because despite your rebellion, I see value in you. But make no mistake—if I decide you are a threat to my empire, there will be no trial. No negotiation. No mercy."

Adrian didn't back down, but I saw the flicker of doubt in his eyes.

Chris leaned back. "You wanted a choice? I'll give you one. Kneel, swear your loyalty to Blackwood, and I will grant you a position where you can make real change. Or—" He paused, letting the weight of his next words sink in. "—you will leave this room knowing that the next time we meet, you will not walk away."

The air was suffocating.

Adrian's fingers curled into a fist. His entire life had led him to this moment. The rebellion, the sacrifices, the deaths—all for the dream of freedom. And now, he was being asked to surrender everything.

Silence stretched.

I glanced at Chris, wondering if he would truly follow through with his warning.

But then Adrian did something none of us expected.

He dropped to one knee.

Not fully, not in submission, but as if testing the waters. His head remained high, his eyes burning with rebellion, but his knee touched the ground before Chris.

"I don't agree with you," Adrian said slowly. "But I will not let my people suffer in a war we cannot win. I will serve—on my terms."

Chris studied him for a long moment before nodding once. "Then rise, Adrian Blackwood. From this day forward, you serve under me."

I didn't know whether to feel relief or unease.

Because one thing was clear—this wasn't the end.

It was just the beginning.