Knives in Marble

I didn't storm the gates at night
I walked in calm, dressed in white
Shook their hands, drank their wine
Learned their fears, memorized the lines
I spoke of order, law and pride
While counting who stood where I'd strike
Empires don't collapse with noise–
They fall when they trust the voice

I didn't lie, I didn't scream
I let them finish my dreams
They gave me power piece by piece
Until the crown was underneath

You won't see the blade come down
It shines too clean, it makes no sound
I don't burn cities, I rearrange–
Call it progress, call it change
By the time you scream betrayal
I've already won the crowd
The deadliest knife in history
Is the one they allow

They called me brother, called me friend
Asked me where this road would end
I said: Rome, I said: Forever
Knowing nothing lasts together
I crossed the line they drew in sand
Smiled and said: You'd do the same
When rules bend once, they never heal–
They just learn who's really real

They thought the senate held the reins
But power hates committees and chains
I didn't break the law outright–
I stood beside it, just out of sight

You won't see the blade come down
It shines too clean, it makes no sound
I don't burn cities, I rearrange–
Call it progress, call it change
By the time you scream betrayal
I've already won the crowd
The deadliest knife in history
Is the one they allow

They voted
They debated
They hesitated
I moved
Power doesn't ask permission–
It waits for hesitation

You won't see the blade come down
It's dressed as law, it wears a crown
I don't destroy, I don't erase
I just replace the hand in place
History calls this destiny
The people call it peace
But every empire dies the same–
From friends who never leave

Et tu–
Was never a question