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Chris Blackwood's POV
I sat in the grand council room, my fingers steepled as I looked over the reports. The air felt thick, heavy with unspoken thoughts. There were many who doubted Christiana's power, some of whom were my closest allies. They feared what she might become once restored, and perhaps even feared what I might do as well.
But that's what being a ruler is. Decisions that shake the very foundations of your kingdom.
It had been a turbulent time. Christiana's fall was inevitable—she had acted against the balance we once had. Yet, her time in the shadows gave her clarity. It allowed her to reconsider her place, and ultimately, her role in this empire.
It was time for her to return, but not as she was. Not as the leader who sought more power than she was ready to wield. She had to be remade—shaped into someone who understood that leadership was not about control, but about unity. Power wasn't simply about holding the crown; it was about knowing when to wield it and when to bow.
A soft knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
"Enter."
The door creaked open, and Christiana stepped in. Her posture had changed—more grounded now, her expression unreadable. She had shed the arrogance that once surrounded her like a second skin. Her eyes met mine, but she didn't speak at first.
I could sense her hesitation.
> "Father, I've been summoned?" she finally asked, voice soft, yet laced with authority.
I looked at her. There was so much to say, so much to decide.
> "I am restoring your title, Christiana," I said, my voice steady. "But you must prove yourself worthy of the power that comes with it."
She lifted her chin, a sign of her renewed resolve. "I've learned from my mistakes."
I could tell she meant it, but words were only part of the equation. This would be a test of her actions, not her promises.
I motioned for her to come closer, and she did, her steps measured, deliberate. There was no fear in her—only purpose.
> "You will serve in a new capacity," I continued, "a leader, but not one who rules without understanding the people."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of defiance that I had come to expect from her resurfacing for a moment, but it faded quickly as she understood the weight of my words.
> "You will lead the Blackwood Union's new diplomatic corps," I said. "You will work to unite the factions within and outside our empire. There is no room for fractured loyalties anymore. You will need to foster trust, restore alliances, and if necessary, break those who dare defy us."
Her gaze softened, and for the first time in a long while, I saw the Christiana I once knew—strong, determined, but ready to learn.
> "I won't fail you, Father," she said, her voice low but filled with conviction.
I nodded, satisfied with her response.
> "We will work together. The empire will be stronger, but it will only remain that way if we lead as one. There is no room for personal power struggles anymore. If you are to lead, you must do it with wisdom and respect for the people who follow us."
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Christiana's POV
I had fallen from grace once before, and now… I had been given a second chance. But this time, it was different. This time, I didn't just want to be powerful. I wanted to be the kind of ruler that earned the respect of both the people and my father.
I could see it in his eyes. There was no place for arrogance in the Blackwood Empire. No place for rulers who sought only power. If I was to rise again, I had to learn that lesson. This wasn't about revenge or domination; this was about restoring balance.
> "I will prove myself, Father," I said, taking a step back. "I'll begin right away. The empire needs diplomacy more than ever, and I'll handle it."
He nodded, looking at me with a sharpness that said everything: Do not fail me.
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Amara's POV
From my station at the council's edge, I watched Christiana leave the room. There was no longer the tension of the past between us. I had my own part to play in this—one that would test my abilities in ways I never imagined. But now, the focus was on Christiana. She had been given a second chance, and I wasn't sure if that was a gift or a dangerous gamble.
I would have to keep an eye on her, on everyone. The empire was changing, and no one was exempt from its winds of transformation.
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Skylar's POV
I couldn't help but feel a touch of pride for my daughter, despite the battles we had fought over the years. She wasn't the same reckless ruler she once was. Something had shifted in her—something deep and unspoken.
I hoped that this restoration wasn't just for appearances. I hoped she would truly learn from her mistakes and work towards a better future, for herself, for her father, and for all of us.
But deep down, I knew the stakes had never been higher. Every move she made would determine the fate of the empire.
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To Be Continued…