Chris's POV: Happy Birthday

The day had arrived. My birthday. Not just any birthday, but one that marked the culmination of years of planning, sacrifice, and the consolidation of power. As the morning sun broke over the horizon, I sat in my chamber, the weight of my thoughts heavy on my mind.

Every part of me was aware of the gravity of the night ahead—the grand ball, the global spotlight, the guests who would arrive to witness a celebration not just of my life, but of everything we had built in the Blackwood Union.

But as much as I wanted to enjoy this moment, I knew that there were still matters to address. Responsibilities awaited me, and they had no regard for the occasion.

I stood up and walked to the window, looking over the grand expanse of the Blackwood Palace grounds. Staff were already preparing, decorations being adjusted, security checked once more. Everything had to be perfect. It was my world, my empire. And today, it would be under the brightest of lights.

---

I glanced at the clock—it was almost time.

The day had begun as it always did. Quiet. Surrounded by the familiarity of my palace. My mind naturally wandered to my family. Skylar, with her quiet strength and unwavering loyalty, was already overseeing her wardrobe, preparing for her moment to shine. She had always stood by me, and I knew she would look stunning tonight, more radiant than ever.

And then there was Christiana. My daughter. She was preparing for a future I could not yet fully understand, but one that would undeniably be shaped by her leadership. As Dictator of the Blackwood Union, she held a position of immense power. I had given her that title, hoping she would rise to the challenge. And so far, she had proven herself.

---

But there was something deeper, something that lingered beneath the surface of this grand celebration.

"Happy birthday," I muttered to myself, a faint smile playing on my lips.

It wasn't just a celebration of my life. It was a reminder of all the sacrifices I had made, the people I had lost, and the empire I had forged from nothing. Tonight, everything would be on display. Not just my family, not just the wealth of the Union, but the power that had been wielded from behind the scenes. Tonight, the world would see the true might of the Blackwood Empire.

---

A knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts.

"Enter," I called.

Christiana stepped into the room, her presence commanding yet calm. She was already dressed in a sharp, tailored outfit—preparing herself for the duties that would come with the night.

"Father," she began, her voice steady. "The preparations are complete. Everyone is in position. The security measures are set to ensure nothing disrupts tonight."

I nodded, appreciating her attention to detail. "Good. I expect nothing less."

She paused, her eyes searching mine. "Are you ready for the night, Father?"

I gave her a long, contemplative look. "I've been ready for years. But it's not just about me, Christiana. Tonight, we show the world what the Blackwood Union has become. Our unity. Our strength. It will be a statement that no one can ignore."

She nodded, a glint of understanding in her eyes. "Understood."

As she turned to leave, I added one final note. "Christiana, make sure Skylar has everything she needs tonight. She is as much a part of this as anyone else."

Christiana paused, giving me a sharp nod. "I'll take care of it."

And just like that, she was gone.

---

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment press against my chest. Tonight, it would all come together. The empire. The celebration. The family.

And I couldn't help but think, as the final preparations were set in motion, that this was more than a birthday. It was the final step in solidifying our place at the top of the world. A new era, one where the Blackwood name would echo in the halls of power for generations to come.

And I was ready. Ready for what would come. Ready for whatever the world would throw at us.

"Happy birthday," I whispered again, this time with more certainty, more resolve.

Tonight, the world would see the true power of the Blackwood Empire. And nothing, no one, would ever take that from us.