Chris's POV
I sat at my desk, the weight of the empire bearing down on my shoulders. Every move I made had consequences, every decision a ripple that affected not just my life, but the lives of everyone around me. The empire was in turmoil, and yet, somehow, I felt a strange sense of calm as I picked up the cheque.
500 billion Blackwood Currency. It wasn't a small sum by any means. But it wasn't the money that mattered. What mattered was what this cheque represented: a new chapter. A declaration of power and loyalty.
I looked across the room, where Amara stood waiting, her eyes steady and unwavering. She had proven herself—time and time again. And now, I was going to give her a piece of what was mine, what she had helped build. But this wasn't just about power. No, this was about something deeper.
"Amara," I said, my voice low but firm. I extended the cheque towards her. "This is for you."
She stepped forward, her eyes briefly flickering to the cheque before meeting mine. There was no surprise, no hesitation. Just a steady resolve.
"500 billion BC," she said, her voice even, but the slight raising of her eyebrows told me she understood the weight of what I was offering her. "You trust me with this?"
I nodded, my gaze unwavering. "Give it to the person you find worthy," I said, my voice steady. But then, as I saw the question in her eyes, I added, "I mean it. It's for our wedding."
The words hung in the air between us, thick and charged. She didn't react immediately, but I could see the flicker of realization in her eyes.
"You're… offering me this for our wedding?" she asked carefully, almost as though testing the words.
I leaned back in my chair, watching her. The quiet strength she exuded always impressed me. She had fought for her place, earned her respect, and I wasn't going to let anyone diminish that—not even myself.
"Yes," I replied simply, meeting her gaze with a sharp edge of seriousness. "You can't just be my wife in private, Amara. I want everyone to know. I want our empire to see you as my equal, my partner. This is more than just a title; it's a statement. You will be my wife in public, just as you are in private."
Her gaze softened for a moment. There was something in her eyes I couldn't quite place—was it relief? Pride? Perhaps both.
She took the cheque from me slowly, her fingers brushing mine. "You want me to be more than your partner. You want me to stand beside you, as an equal." She paused, and I could see the contemplation in her eyes. "I accept."
I nodded, pleased that she understood. She didn't need to say more. She had already proven herself. And now, the empire would see what I had known all along: Amara wasn't just someone I could trust—she was my partner in every sense of the word.
Her eyes flickered to the cheque again, and I knew what she was thinking.
"But don't forget, this isn't just about power or wealth," I said, my voice low. "This is about loyalty. A loyalty that goes beyond titles and checks."
"I understand," she said softly. "And I'll make sure this trust is never broken."
I stood up, my gaze never leaving her. "Then let's make sure the empire knows exactly what they're dealing with."
She looked at me, a slight smile forming on her lips. There was a moment of quiet, then she spoke again, her voice steady and confident.
"You've made your move, Chris. Now, I'll make mine."
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