Chris Blackwood’s Command
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The grand ballroom had finally quieted after the commotion with Empress Kai. Guests were once again milling about, though the atmosphere was still thick with tension. Chris Blackwood stood in the center, his piercing gaze sweeping across the room, his mind sharp as ever.
His thoughts were interrupted by the presence of Christiana, who approached him cautiously. She had seen the exchange between Chris and Empress Kai, and she knew exactly what was expected of her. But her father's next words sent a ripple through her confidence.
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Chris Blackwood: "Christiana, handle this. Don't disappoint me."
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Christiana's jaw clenched, her fingers curling into a fist at her side. She had always prided herself on her ability to manage the Empire's affairs, but now her father was giving her a task she had not anticipated. Empress Kai, one of the most powerful figures in the Union, had just slapped a member of their staff in front of everyone. This was no small matter.
However, Christiana wasn't one to back down from a challenge. She had been trained to maintain control over all matters within the Empire—no matter how high the stakes. Yet, this was different. Empress Kai was an Empress in her own right, a ruler with vast influence and strength. Handling her would be delicate.
But her father's gaze, cold and unyielding, reminded her of the importance of this moment.
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Christiana: "But Father, she's an Empress. You know what that means—she—"
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Chris Blackwood: "I don't care who she is, Christiana. This is about respect. The law is the law, and no one—no one—is above it. Handle this situation now, and don't disappoint me."
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His voice was firm, final. Chris didn't just expect results—he demanded them. Christiana felt a weight settle on her chest. This wasn't just about the staff member who had been slapped, it was about the balance of power. If Empress Kai wasn't brought into line, it would signal that even the most powerful guests at this ball could defy the rules of the Blackwood Empire.
Christiana nodded, the weight of her responsibility clear in her eyes. She turned to leave, but not before her father's voice echoed through her thoughts.
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Chris Blackwood: "Don't make me regret this."
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Christiana's Dilemma
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As Christiana made her way across the room, she felt the eyes of the guests upon her, the pressure mounting with each step. Empress Kai was a guest at this ball, yes, but she had crossed a line by striking one of the staff members—something that could not be overlooked.
Christiana reached Empress Kai, who stood by the wall, her back turned, clearly trying to regain her composure. The guards around her stood stiffly, ready to move at a moment's notice. Christiana's posture was commanding as she approached, her eyes narrowing slightly as she came face-to-face with the Empress.
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Christiana: "Empress Kai, we need to speak."
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Empress Kai didn't turn immediately, as though she was still processing the words Christiana had spoken. She glanced over her shoulder, a cold glint in her eyes. Her beauty was undeniable, but in this moment, it was her power that radiated the strongest.
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Empress Kai: "Do you have something to say to me, Princess?"
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Christiana stood tall, her voice calm but edged with authority.
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Christiana: "You slapped one of our staff members, Empress. I understand your position, but that behavior is unacceptable. There are rules in this Empire, and you will respect them—just like everyone else."
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The room seemed to still. Christiana had dared to speak so boldly to an Empress, and though the guests were silent, there was a palpable shift in the atmosphere. Empress Kai, however, did not flinch. She had been the ruler of her own territory for years. She was used to being untouchable, and Christiana's reprimand was not something she had expected.
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Empress Kai: "I do not take orders from you, Princess. I am an Empress, and I will not be told how to behave by anyone in your court."
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Christiana's face hardened, her eyes narrowing in resolve. She had expected as much. But her father's words still echoed in her mind: "Don't disappoint me." The stakes were high, and Christiana knew that if she didn't handle this situation firmly, it would come back to haunt her. There was too much at risk.
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Christiana: "You may be an Empress, but in this Empire, there are no exceptions. You slapped one of my staff, and that demands a consequence. I'm not here to argue your title; I'm here to uphold the laws of the Blackwood Union. If you can't respect that, then perhaps it's time you leave."
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There was a tense silence as the words hung in the air. The guests had gathered around, drawn by the tension, their whispers growing louder by the second. Christiana's voice had carried an undeniable strength, but so too had Empress Kai's. It was a battle of wills.
Empress Kai's gaze was cold as ice, but there was something in her eyes that suggested she wasn't ready to escalate this further. She was, after all, a guest in Chris Blackwood's home—an uninvited reminder that even the most powerful could be brought down.
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Empress Kai: "You have no idea what you're dealing with, Princess. But fine, do what you must. I will handle the consequences... for now."
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Christiana nodded, a faint sense of satisfaction washing over her. She had done it—she had stood her ground.
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Christiana: "Good. Let this be a lesson to everyone present. We are all equals under the law."
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The tension in the room finally began to dissipate, but the impact of Christiana's words lingered. The message was clear: even the Empress had to follow the rules.
As Empress Kai turned and walked away, Christiana couldn't help but feel a small sense of pride. She had handled the situation with the strength her father expected from her, and though it hadn't been easy, it was a reminder of the power that ran through the veins of the Blackwood family.
She glanced back at her father across the room, meeting his gaze for a moment. There was no smile on his face, but there didn't need to be. He had seen what she was capable of. And for now, that was enough.