Amara's POV
Five days.
That's all I had to prepare for the most public event of the century—no, of the empire's history. I wasn't just becoming a wife. I was becoming his wife. Chris Blackwood. The man who ruled the world. And now, the world would know I stood at his side not just in shadows and war rooms, but in front of every throne, every screen, every citizen.
I stood on the palace balcony as the morning sun bathed the city of Blackwall in golden light. Below, preparations were already underway—workers setting up ceremonial grounds, Blackwood soldiers stationed on rooftops, news drones flying past with livestream banners that read:
> BREAKING: Blackwood Wedding Confirmed — Five Days Until The Crown Becomes Two.
Every flower planted. Every guest list reviewed. Every stitch on the ceremonial dress. It all carried the weight of something far greater than a royal celebration. This was a message. One written in gold and thunder: We are unshakable.
Yet I felt the eyes.
Eyes of loyalty. Eyes of envy. Eyes of rebellion.
Not everyone would accept me as 02. Not everyone believed I deserved it. Skylar's name was still whispered. Christiana was quiet—too quiet. And Darius, since confessing his guilt, had retreated into shadows again.
But I wasn't stepping down. Not now. I was chosen by the God of the Empire. Chris had trusted me, given me authority, and soon… his name. His future.
I turned to Amelia, who walked behind me holding a tablet.
"Status?"
"Security is tightening around the southern districts. Intelligence suspects Skylar still has loyalists in Sector 7."
I sighed. "Let them try. No one will interrupt that wedding."
"Yes, ma'am," she said. "Also… there's the cheque."
Ah, yes. The 500 billion Blackwood Currency cheque Chris had given me—to offer someone worthy. Someone whose life would change as part of our new empire. I hadn't decided who it would go to. Not yet.
But the day would come.
For now, I had to wear perfection. Command it. Own it.
I glanced at my reflection in the palace's black-glass doors. The woman looking back? She wasn't the same fighter from the underground halls of B.A.M. She wasn't the enforcer feared by rebels.
She was Empress-in-Waiting.
Soon, just Empress.
To be continued…