Amara's POV
Chris's voice echoed through the grand chamber—sharp, commanding, full of the steel that made him who he was.
"But first of all," he said, eyes locked on mine with that unshakable fire, "get me all security team here—right now. Every Blackwood castle guard, every security personnel. Anything in this castle whose duty is to protect the castle... which means protect me. Even the gate men."
He paused, voice cold but heavy with disbelief.
"Because how can I have a bunch of men to guide me, yet I bleed... in my own castle? In my own chamber?"
I felt the weight of those words settle on me like a storm cloud.
This wasn't just about the physical wound on his forehead. This was deeper. A betrayal that cut beneath the armor of power and control.
Chris was no longer just a ruler giving orders—he was a man, raw and exposed, demanding respect and loyalty from every corner of his domain.
Without hesitation, I nodded and stepped forward, already reaching for the comm device at my wrist.
"I'll gather them immediately. No one will ignore this, Chris. I'll make sure the entire castle knows: your safety is non-negotiable."
His gaze softened for a fraction of a second—just enough for me to see the man beneath the emperor. Then it hardened again, the mask back in place.
"This castle is a fortress. And every stone, every shadow, every heartbeat inside it belongs to me."
I swallowed the fire rising in my chest. I was the shield now. And I would make sure no one would dare threaten the emperor again—especially not from inside his own walls.
The orders were clear.
The castle would bow to his will.
And I would make sure it obeyed.
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