Long Live the Emperor

The funeral for Vetranis was held not long after his death. As for Alexandros, he immediately became entrenched in managing the nation's affairs and seldom escaped from his study. Even his young fiancee Zenobia was unable to get the man out of his office who was stubbornly preparing for something rather serious. 

It was only after the funeral was over, did Alexandros approach his father and mother, who were front and center for the entire ceremony. The moment Berengar laid eyes on his son, and the stern expression he was making, he knew that the boy wanted something from him, and thus waited patiently for the new Byzantine Emperor to make his request. 

Alexandros sequestered his father away from his mother who was in tears for a private conversation before he spoke with the dignity of an Emperor. By the tone in his voice, and his choice of words, it became abundantly clear that Alexandros was speaking not as a son, but as the Emperor of Byzantium.