Chapter Title: Eyes of the Empire

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Staff POV – A Moment They'll Never Forget

The courtyard was still buzzing—no, shaking—from the thunder of the Supreme's voice. Every staff member, from the highest-ranking strategist to the gardener who trimmed the hedges near the west gate, felt it in their bones:

They served not a man, but a god-king.

Marta, a senior chef in the Royal Kitchen, clutched the velvet envelope to her chest, her fingers trembling. "I've worked in this palace for fourteen years," she whispered to the pastry assistant beside her. "But never... never have I been seen like this."

Not far from her, Jax—the head of internal tech security—stared down at his VIP invitation with wide eyes. One hundred million just to enter, he thought. And now we're walking in as guests?

The guards who once stood tall at the palace gates now looked at each other like strangers. One of them, Efe, whispered under his breath, "He made us leave our post. That's never happened. Not even during the 7-Nation Infiltration."

The floor sweepers didn't speak. They just held their invitations like sacred scrolls, staring at the golden ink as if it might vanish if they blinked too hard.

But beneath the awe… was a nervous current.

Everyone knew: this wasn't a celebration like any other. This wasn't just about cakes and gowns.

The Supreme would be watching.

And his daughter—the Dictator—had made it clear: you do not show up empty-handed.

Across the courtyard, whispers began swirling.

"What kind of gift can a janitor bring to a man who controls the world?"

"Do we bring physical gifts or…?"

"Maybe I can commission a sculpture—sell my savings—"

"Don't be stupid, he sees through pretenders. The gift better come from the soul."

And yet, as nervous as they all were…

There was something else.

Pride.

Despite the fear, the weight, the godlike presence of Chris Blackwood—there was a collective feeling in their chests:

We are part of this empire. We were chosen. And we will show our worth.

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