Months
Chris' POV:
The lockdown had persisted for ten months, and I had seen its effects ripple across the empire. It wasn't just about enforcing control—it was about asserting dominance. The world beyond the Blackwood Union had been watching, but they had no idea how far my reach truly extended.
During these ten months, the Empire had been forced to grind to a halt. Schools, businesses, markets, everything, locked down. The entire world within Blackwood borders had become a silent, controlled machine. But the lockdown wasn't just a physical barrier—it was a mental one too. It had forced the people of the Empire to understand their place, their position beneath the power of Blackwood.
From the outside, the empire appeared like a barren wasteland. No trade, no education, no innovation—just an iron-fisted rule that crushed everything in its path. But I was using this time to strengthen the empire from within. I had called for a total lockdown, and I made sure it remained in place, pulling every resource into my own control.
The military, of course, had become my eyes and ears, watching every movement. Every single border was secured, and not one non-Blackwood citizen would be allowed access to my lands. This lockdown wasn't just a physical barrier—it was a way to tighten the web around the empire and ensure that no one could get in or out without my say-so.
But this was only part of my plan. The lockdown had created a sense of claustrophobia, of control. It was time to shift from survival to expansion. The Blackwood Union needed to grow, and I wasn't about to let a little thing like a global shutdown stop me.
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Christiana's POV:
The lockdown continued to strain the empire's citizens, but I knew my father had his reasons. He was a man of power, a man who never acted without thought. Every moment of this extended lockdown had been calculated. It was about asserting dominance—testing the resolve of the people.
It was also a time of personal growth for me. I had been placed at the head of the Blackwood forces, overseeing the military's operations and ensuring the security of the empire's borders. The Blackwood military had transformed into something far more dangerous during these months. We had become more than just an army—we were an unstoppable force, built to crush anything that even remotely threatened Blackwood's future.
The isolation that the lockdown had created was unsettling for some, but it was working. The people were falling in line, and more importantly, our enemies were silenced. My father's grip on the empire was absolute. I had learned a lot from him during these ten months—how to think several steps ahead, how to deal with internal strife, and how to stay in control.
But I could feel the pressure of expectations. My father had made it clear: the empire's future, including the Blackwood legacy, depended on me as much as anyone else. The next steps were crucial, and I wasn't about to disappoint him.
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Elena's POV:
The lockdown had changed everything. My son, Drex, had grown strong in this time, and though we were isolated from the world, there was something strangely comforting about it. Chris had placed me in a position of protection, and while I had once feared his unpredictability, now I understood the extent of his control. I had to admit—I had underestimated him.
Drex's role in the empire was not yet defined, but I knew it was coming. Sarah had her son, and Skylar had given birth to Chris's heir. But Drex... Drex was special. He wasn't just a child; he was a tool, a piece of the empire's grand design. His birth had further solidified my place beside Chris, and now I was focused on raising him to be every bit as dangerous as his father.
But the isolation had begun to weigh on me. The empire was tight, and even though we were secure within the walls of the palace, I could feel the uncertainty lingering in the air. The other nobles, the families who had once been a part of the empire's elite, were starting to whisper. Would they remain loyal once the lockdown ended, or would they see it as a moment of opportunity?
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Skylar's POV:
The lockdown hadn't just changed the empire—it had changed me. My son had become everything to me. Chris's heir was growing stronger every day, and I could see the intensity in his eyes that mirrored his father's. In a way, I had become just as ruthless as Chris. The lockdown had forced me to face what it truly meant to be a mother in the Blackwood family.
I had no illusions about my role. I was more than just a mother—I was a weapon. Every action I took, every decision I made, was calculated to secure the future of the Blackwood name. My son was the future, and I would ensure he was ready to carry that mantle.
Still, there were moments when the pressure felt overwhelming. The empire, locked away in its fortress of isolation, was an unsettling reminder of how far we were willing to go to maintain control. I had grown used to the silence of the palace, but the looming uncertainty of the outside world still hung over me.
Would the empire accept us, or would it eventually crack under the pressure of too much control?
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Sarah's POV:
The ten-month lockdown had left me with plenty of time to think, and one thing had become increasingly clear: there was no going back. My place beside Chris was secure, but it wasn't just about me anymore. Drex's future was everything. The Blackwood name had to continue, and I would make sure he was prepared for what was coming.
But with the lockdown came isolation. There was no interaction with the outside world, no trade, no communication. It felt as though we were in a bubble, cut off from everything that made the empire real. The question I kept asking myself was whether or not the empire would survive once the lockdown was lifted. Would the Blackwood Empire stand strong, or would we see cracks that we couldn't repair?
I couldn't afford to show weakness, but I could feel it creeping in, a subtle doubt. Would Drex be ready for the challenges ahead?
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The ten-month lockdown had tested the empire's resolve, but it had also reinforced the Blackwood family's power. Now, as we prepared for the next stage, the questions on everyone's mind were simple: Could the empire withstand the external pressure once the walls came down, or would the very control we had built begin to crumble?