Scene: Amara's Inner Circle – Silent Observation
Amara sat in her private chamber, not as the 02 of the Empire, but as a woman holding the weight of two empires in her hands—one ruled by Chris, and the other silently building around her influence.
The two cheques lay open on the obsidian tray before her.
One for 500 billion Blackwood Credits — to be given to someone Chris deemed worthy of their shared future.
The other — identical in value — for someone she would crown with trust.
She'd spent the last 48 hours watching people. Not giving commands. Not making speeches. Just watching.
Classic? Loyal to his father, yes… but still veiled in secrets. His support was silent, dangerous, and calculating.
Darius? Brave… but his betrayal still lingered in the air like old perfume.
Amal? Smart and loyal, but her allegiance seemed more to the name Blackwood than to Amara.
She turned to her AI assistant.
"Show me footage from the south wing," she ordered.
Dozens of screens blinked on, each showing guards, staff, and officials moving about the palace. One by one, she dismissed them—too eager, too afraid, too selfish.
Until… her eyes paused.
A young woman — not more than 27 — stood in the archive chamber. Alone. She wasn't from the royal family, nor from the core military. A mere strategist. Quiet. Kept her head down. But for the past three weeks, she had voluntarily stayed overtime in the intelligence division, helping cross-reference traitor logs.
No pay raise. No recognition.
Just service.
Amara leaned forward.
"Name?"
"Rheina Stone," the AI responded.
"Family?"
"None. Orphaned during the Numbering Wars. Adopted by a school in Sector 4."
Amara's fingers tapped the tray slowly. "Has she ever applied for a promotion?"
"Twice. Rejected both times because she didn't use a sponsor name."
"Background?"
"Clean. No red marks. No affiliations. No debts."
Amara stood.
"She doesn't want to be seen," she whispered to herself, "but she keeps showing up."
That night, she summoned Rheina. No guards. No threats.
Just a simple command: "Meet me at the rooftop."
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Scene: Rooftop, Midnight Breeze
Rheina arrived, unsure of what to expect. She bowed low, respectful but unafraid.
"Do you know who I am?" Amara asked, her hair whipping in the cold wind.
"You are Lady Amara," Rheina said. "02 of the Empire. The storm behind the crown."
Amara smirked. "And yet you never once tried to speak to me, even when you saw me walk past in the data halls."
"It wasn't my place," Rheina said calmly. "I serve the system, not the throne."
Amara stepped closer. "Would you die for me?"
Rheina didn't blink. "Only if living would mean betraying your trust."
Silence.
Then Amara extended the cheque, sealed in a black envelope.
"Take this," she said. "And when the time comes — not now — spend it in a way that strengthens me, not just the Empire."
Rheina looked confused. "Why me?"
Amara smiled faintly. "Because you remind me of who I was before power corrupted everything I touched."
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Scene Ends with:
Rheina, holding the cheque tight to her chest, unsure whether to cry or fear what she'd just accepted.
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