Classic's POV
She was waiting for me.
At the edge of the rose garden behind the palace—where only the royals walked. Where her mother once stood proudly beside the empire.
Now, Skylar stood alone.
Regal as ever. But the distance in her eyes told me she already knew what I'd come to say.
"Classic," she began, her voice too calm. "I didn't expect you to come."
"I didn't come to make peace," I said bluntly.
The wind carried silence between us.
"You're choosing him," she said flatly. "Even now."
"I was born into this family," I replied. "I didn't ask for the blood that runs in my veins, but I know what it demands."
"And you think I don't?" She stepped forward, eyes fierce now. "You think I don't bleed Blackwood too? I was with him before the world bowed. I carried this empire with him."
"And now you're trying to tear it down."
"I'm trying to save the people he's forgotten."
Her words didn't shake me. Not because they weren't true—but because I'd already made peace with the weight of my choice.
"I didn't come here to debate," I said. "I came to tell you... stay out of the inner chamber. You're still 02 of the empire, but if you step out of line again, you won't just be facing Chris."
I let the silence sting.
"You'll be facing me."
Her eyes didn't flinch—but something flickered.
Pain. Regret. Maybe even a hint of fear.
"I raised you like my own," she whispered. "You were supposed to be the bridge between us."
"I'm done being a bridge," I said coldly. "Now, I'm a wall."
Then I turned and walked away, knowing the next time we stood face to face… one of us would fall.