The Unforgivable Mistake

The grand hall of the Blackwood Empire was silent as Adrian was brought forward, his hands bound in thick chains. His face bore the marks of captivity—tired but still defiant. His sharp eyes scanned the room, landing on Chris, who sat upon the elevated throne, and then shifting to Ethan, who stood to the side, arms crossed.

Christiana stood tall, her expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of something—anticipation? Judgment?—in her gaze. Skylar was beside Chris, watching closely.

Adrian smirked as he met Chris's gaze. "So, this is it? My trial?"

Chris didn't answer immediately. He simply watched him, letting the silence stretch until Adrian's smirk faltered.

"You challenged me once, Adrian," Chris finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. "You lost. I gave you mercy."

"Mercy?" Adrian scoffed, stepping forward despite the chains weighing him down. "You threw me in a cage."

"You waged war," Christiana interjected coldly. "You deserved worse."

Adrian chuckled darkly. "Ah, the enforcer speaks. Tell me, little sister, do you think your father's mercy will last forever?"

Christiana's hand twitched toward her weapon, but Chris raised a hand, stopping her.

"I didn't bring you here to argue," Chris said. "I brought you here because I need to know—are you still my brother, or are you my enemy?"

Adrian's smirk returned, but there was something dangerous behind it. "What if I say both?"

Chris sighed, as if he had expected that answer. "Then you already know the consequences."

The air grew heavy. Everyone could feel the tension.

Adrian squared his shoulders. "You rule with power, Chris, but you've forgotten one thing."

Chris raised an eyebrow. "Enlighten me."

Adrian's voice dropped to a whisper, but it carried through the hall. "Power invites challenge."

And then, in a blur of movement, he lunged forward—despite the chains, despite the guards watching him.

That was when Ethan made his mistake.

The gunshot rang out before anyone could react.

A single bullet tore through Adrian's chest.

For a moment, silence.

Then Adrian staggered, his eyes wide in shock. Blood bloomed from the wound as he stumbled, barely managing to stay on his feet. His breathing grew ragged, his hands trembling.

Chris stood frozen, his gaze locked onto the dying man before him.

"No," Chris whispered.

He turned sharply to Ethan, who was still holding the smoking gun.

Ethan didn't flinch. "He was a threat."

Chris's jaw clenched. His voice was low, controlled, but lethal. "That was not your call to make."

Adrian coughed, blood dripping from his lips, yet he still smiled. "Looks like… you're not the only one with power issues, brother."

And then, with one last breath, he collapsed.

Chris stared at the body, his hands tightening into fists. He had wanted to make a choice, to decide Adrian's fate himself. But now, Ethan had taken that from him.

The room remained eerily silent.

Then, slowly, Chris turned to face Ethan.

And for the first time, the ruler of the blackwood Empire felt something he had never truly known.

Fear.