And Celestia, daughter of an ailing emperor and architect of a new order, stepped forward—not as a symbol—
—but as the undeniable center of the empire's gravity.
Lyra joined her in silence.
"This was only the beginning," Lyra said.
Celestia nodded, gaze fixed on the stars.
"Yes," she replied softly. "Now they know what happens when they move against the crown."
And somewhere in the dark, the empire shifted—
not toward chaos,
but toward a ruler who had proven she did not need the throne to wield power.
She already had it.
but toward a ruler who had proven she did not need the throne to wield power.
She already had it.
