Rage

Dictator's POV

The door creaked open, and one of my trusted aides stepped inside, his expression neutral but his eyes betraying a hint of urgency.

"Your Excellency," he began, bowing slightly, "I bring news. There's a matter regarding the birth announcements that need your immediate attention."

I nodded, gesturing for him to continue. This was the moment I had been dreading and anticipating all at once. The implications of both my mother's and my father's actions were far-reaching, and I needed to stay ahead of the game. A sudden birth in the palace could shift allegiances, stir unrest among the courtiers, and even spark rivalries within the family itself.

"The courtiers are already discussing the significance of both pregnancies, Excellency," the aide continued. "There's talk of another heir, and rumors are circulating that your father's concubine's child could be favored over you. Some believe this might even undermine your position as the sole successor."

I clenched my fists tightly, feeling the familiar, simmering anger rise within me. "Let them talk," I said, my voice a quiet growl. "The Blackwood bloodline is unshakable. No child, no matter whose womb it emerges from, will threaten my place in this empire. I will not be moved."

The aide hesitated, clearly sensing the intensity of my words. "And your reaction to your father's decision… to acknowledge the child of the concubine?" he asked, carefully watching my face.

I stood up from my chair, pacing across the room. My mind was working quickly, analyzing every angle. My father had always been a complicated figure—ruthless in his ambition, yet deeply loyal to his vision. But I had never expected him to allow his concubine to bear a child, one that could have the same potential for power as my own siblings.

"I will not let my father's decisions overshadow mine," I replied coldly, turning back toward the aide. "Prepare the palace. It is time we show the empire the strength of the Blackwood line. No one will dare question my legitimacy or my right to rule."

The aide bowed again, clearly understanding the gravity of my words. "Understood, Excellency. Shall I prepare the announcement?"

"Not yet," I said, pausing for a moment. "We need to ensure our support is unwavering. I want every loyalist, every general, every senator who is loyal to our cause to be informed. Their allegiance will be key when the time comes."

The aide nodded and left quickly, and I turned back to face the grand window overlooking the palace grounds. The weight of my lineage—the expectations, the responsibilities, the never-ending game of power—felt heavier now than it ever had before.

As much as I wanted to hold on to the power I had inherited, I knew the true game had only just begun. My siblings, whether born of my mother or my father's concubine, were a new threat I couldn't ignore. They would be trained, watched, and prepared for a battle that would come whether I liked it or not.

I had been my father's chosen successor for a reason. I had the discipline, the vision, and the ruthlessness needed to ensure the Blackwood Empire would remain strong. But I also knew that power was never truly secure. Every step I took needed to be calculated, every move measured. I couldn't afford mistakes—not now, not when there were new bloodlines in play.

As I stood there, the weight of the future pressing against my chest, I realized one thing: the empire would be mine to rule, but it wouldn't come without sacrifice. And now, the question was no longer if my father's decisions would affect me—but how I would use those decisions to solidify my rule.

A knock at the door again interrupted my thoughts.

"Enter," I said, already preparing myself for what was to come.

It was time for action. Time for decisions that would shape the future of the Blackwood Empire.

The door opened, and another aide stepped in. This one was carrying a sealed letter, marked with my father's insignia.

"Excellency," the aide said, presenting the letter. "Your father's directive."

I took the letter, breaking the seal and reading it quickly. My father's words were sharp, concise, and unmistakable. He acknowledged the pregnancies, both my mother's and the concubine's, and offered a subtle challenge. "Let the empire see the strength of the Blackwood bloodline," it said. "Only the strongest shall reign."

I crumpled the letter in my hand, the fire in my chest flaring hotter. "He wants a show, then," I muttered to myself.

I looked back at the aide. "Prepare the court. It's time we remind the empire who holds the true power."

The aide nodded, understanding what was about to unfold.

As I gazed out the window again, I knew that the coming days would shape my destiny. The empire was teetering on the edge of a new era—one where the Blackwood Empire would either remain united or fall to the rising tides of ambition. And I would ensure it was the former, no matter the cost.

The game had just begun.