Mind of Monarch

"Leave this city, immediately, leave this place, it is not your place." George said firmly behind Antonius.

Antonius took a deep breathe, scratched his moustache and tried to maintain a calm tone. "That is one purpose of my visit for today, may I know when will I and Giovanni be getting our reward for this mercenary contract?"

"Oh yes! Yes! The reward!" George Sphrantzes thought hard for a while trying to recall but failed. "Ahem, I am not really familiar with the contract you made with the emperor… May I know what kind of reward did the emperor grant you?"

Antonius could not believe it, a vital state official in the court of the Romans right next to the emperor could forget what did the emperor himself promise. "It is the isles of Prince, the emperor promised that he will grant us here after we successfully deter the attack on his city."

"Oh… I see…." George Sphrantzes frowned thinking how many people has the emperor promised to grant them the islands. "I will ask the emperor about it soon, don't worry."

Antonius might be lack of knowledge but at least he is not stupid, after seeing this kind of reaction from George Sphrantzes he knows approximately what has happened. The rage of him being played like a damn fiddle filled his mind, his face beaming red from the rage as he rushed out of the pavilion storming down the pavement along the tar burnt floras, plains and bricks, scaring the steward and stewardess passing by in the process. He want to ask the emperor Constantine what does he mean in his actions? Did he really forget the deal made between them? Did he forget the blood shed and lose of lives of brothers to defend his capital?

Antonius stormed down the mese he used to command his calvaries rolling across the Ottomans back in the battle just a few weeks ago. What is remaining of the battle can still be seen on the streets and building, from burnt marks to collapsed walls, from scars of blade slashing to penetration of arrow heads on wooden structures, this all bring back the memory of the battle in Antonius' head. Finally, as Antonius rushes down the messe against the blazing cold Constantinople early march wind against his face, he is now beginning to feel more and more desperate as the palace becomes closer and closer.

What can he do even if the emperor turns a blind eye on his request?

Perhaps the only thing he can use is his army right now.

But is he willing to put his sailors into a revolt attacking a city which he just protected from the outsiders?

Probably not, something deep inside him tells him that is the last resort.

He found himself having nothing to say with Constantine, at least not at this moment, if Constantine turned ignorant towards his demands. But if he

Thus, Antonius marched into the palace, right into Constantine's office with the guidance of an usher, went inside without knocking the door straight through the guards. Then, he never said a thing as he finally met the emperor Constantine, who is leaning behind on a couch enjoying some family time with his brother's children, Zoe Palaiologina, teaching her some Roman court rituals.

The emperor is surely not expecting Antonius' visit judging from his startled facial expressions, but Antonius did not bother uttering a single word. He drew a cross in the center of his chest, kneeled down on one knee towards the emperor and then immediately turned and went out of the room.

Seeing this, Constantine got up and stopped Antonius. "Wait! Lord De'Ricci! What is with the hast?"

Antonius heaved a sigh of hopelessness. "Came here out of a sudden surge of rage, but found myself powerless when I reach the palace, and since then, but would you expect me to do? Throw over a tantrum at your door steps?"

"I think that you need to neither rage nor feel hopeless, my dear friend." Constantine pursued Antonius to the door and sighed. "The reason I am still calling you a friend, means that I still trust the bond between you and me… I know what you are here for, I am deeply sorry for neglecting you and your band of brothers for the time being, but trust me, you are going to get what all of you deserves."

"It is not only about negligence, emperor." Antonius shook his head. "I don't see any sincerity in your words."

"There will be." Constantine reassured Antonius. "You did your job well enough, thus you shall deserve what you have accomplished. I will not demolish my very own foundation of trust with you people, mark my words."

Antonius nodded slightly in agreement knowing that there is nothing better he can do. "I thank you for your condolences, emperor, I trust that you will not let me down, and I am a man of princeps, I hope you are too."

Constantine further comforted Antonius for a while before watching him leave the palace through the windows. A moment later, George Sphrantzes came back through the back door connecting to the gardens.

"Antonius was here just now?" George guessed standing behind his liege.

Constantine nodded staring outside the windows.

"Your majesty." George Sphrantzes called his liege in a fast paced tone. "We cannot neglect the lawful requests of these mercenaries any longer, furthermore, we need them out of the city, their presence here is no longer aiding us but doing the opposite effect!"

"I know…. But I am waiting for one more thing, I might have use for them in the near future."

"For what purpose?" George Sphrantzes found it hard to understand. "You mean that you have intel the Ottomans will come again?"

"No… I don't, but I will probably need them to do something dirty for me, that's why I am keeping them here." Constantine replied in a monotonous way without any emotions in his voice.

George Sphrantzes wanted to say something in protest, but his words are suddenly stuck in his throat. Because he now remembers that no matter how familiar he is with Constantine, the man before him, is a monarch, an emperor.

No one can guess what a monarch is really thinking in his mind.