3 A Dream of Renewed Bonds
[18th December 1408AD, Palace of Blachernae, Constantinople.]
Finally sixteen years old, John found himself still in the realm of dreams as he slept peacefully in his opulent bedroom.
In his slumber, memories from his past life resurfaced; he dreamt of his parents, who had been absent for most of his life, having divorced when he was just sixteen.
Alternating between living with his father and mother, John's relationship with them had been far from memorable, leading him to live a solitary life until he reached adulthood.
His despair and the lack of meaningful connection with his prior parents had been a source of profound disillusionment, which ultimately contributed to his untimely death.
In his dream, the faces of his parents were hazy, as if obscured by something, symbolizing the lack of clarity in their relationship. However, as the memories faded, John was gently awoken by the palace maid.
He couldn't shake off the lingering feeling that this dream carried a deeper meaning for his new life. Now fully awoken from his dream, the maid who had awoken him slightly bowed with one leg and helped undressed and dressed him.
As the maid helped him dress, a gentle knock on his bedroom door broke the stillness of the morning which came the announcement from beyond the door.
"Young Despot, it is I, Demetrius, your loyal knight,"
Demetrius was never always been a knight. He was an orphan when fate suddenly met him with Gavriel Mavripoulos, the Megas Domestikos of the empire.
Due to his gifted disposition as fighter when he was but a lad, Gavriel took him under his wing as his squire-in-training.
From there forth, he diligently trained as if his life depended on it, and dreamt of one day serve the empire as a soldier despite its saddening reality.
His meeting with John was nothing sort of fate itself. When he accompanied Gavriel to train the young prince in martial arts, he and the Domestikos was awed by the genius shown by the boy prince.
How could they not?
A ten year old boy, who had never learned how to wield a sword, much less how to fight could defeat a squire who has been trained in the arts for years.
Despite being 3 years younger than him, Demetrius was effortlessly defeated, which cause great commotion in the training ground of the palace where the imperial family resides.
No one could believe that it happened, nor was the Emperor at the time who thought that it was exaggerated. No one can blame him for failing to recognize the monstrous talent his son has.
In the end, due to his admiration for John's talent, Demetrius requested Gavriel to allow him to serve the young prince as his personal knight, which the Domestikos happily agreed to, who deemed it to be a great decision made by his young squire.
"Follow his footsteps, and you shall see that our empire are not yet dead. As long as the beacon's lit, our empire might endure for much longer."
Fast forward to today, the young knight has never once regret his decision. He truly admire John.
"What is it, Demetrius? Any important news that required my attention this morning?"
John inquired the young knight who looked at him with utter reverence gleaming through his eyes.
"His Majesty had asked me to fetch you, Your Highness. The event is about to start and he expect you to immediately come."
With respect and reverence poised in his voice, he answered John.
"The time for your introduction throughout the realm has finally come."
Of course John didn't forget what this meaningful day symbolize. The day when he is finally recognized not as a young prince, but a full fledged Despot of Rome. It took him sixteen years till today that he finally gotten this recognition.
"The time has finally come, at long last,"
A short sigh of both relief and excitement escaped his mouth.
Right when the maid completed her meticulous work in adorning the young despot in his royal garment, John couldn't help but steal glances at his reflection in the mirror.
The transformation before his eyes left him awestruck and speechless.
Gone was the uncouth and the unfit persona of his past life of John Rickett Marlone; now, he donned a regal attire befitting a prince of an empire.
The intricate embroidery on his garments spoke of a lineage steeped in history. It all seemed surreal to him, a dream he never dared to envision.
In the mirror's reflection, John caught the flicker of uncertainty in his own eyes. His fingers traced the delicate patterns on his clothing, memories of his former life tugged at his mind, threatening to distract him from the present.
"Unnecessary thoughts again," he chided himself.
"I should stop thinking about useless things."
John steeled his mind, he was no longer the person he was in the past, he is now John XIII Palaiologos, the future emperor of the Byzantine Empire.
The weight of the name he now carried is heavier than his previous ones.
It represented a lineage of rulers, a family that held the fate of an empire in their hands.
'I am now John Palaiologos, not John Rickett Marlone,' he declared with newfound conviction.
His heart swelled with a mix of trepidation and excitement, realizing that the chapters of his life were now written in the annals of history.
After done dressing himself for the occasion that lay ahead, John stepped out of his bedroom then made his way towards the main hall where the activities were at.
He beckoned Demetrius, his trusted knight, to guide his path towards the destination.
Along the way, they encountered Pavlos, John's tutor, and another important figure in his life.
"You look like a fine emperor already with that outfit," Pavlos commented with warmth.
"Good morning teacher. I thought you were already at the hall, why was it that you still loitering around here at the hallway, if I may ask?"
John greeted his teacher affectionately, inquiring why he was lingering in the hallway instead of being at the banquet.
"Why, do you ask? This old man has no desire to mingle with those stinking hypocrite snakes whose only honor exist solely on their ancestor's name rather than their own."
Pavlos expressed his disdain for the nobles,
"Besides, it was not to my nature to be in a crowd of people- you see. I prefer isolation than wasting time with worthless etiquettes."
Amused by the old man's quirky nature, John smiled and shook his head.
Even after 11 years had passed since, Pavlos still displayed remarkable vigor for a man whose age hit mid 60s, earning John's admiration.
-------------------------------------------------
[Great Hall, Palace of Blachernae, Constantinople.]
Pavlos excused himself; but before he did so, he offered a few pieces of advice to John. Let's just say - his last teaching that he would impart to the young prince before he begin his new journey into the tumultuous world of politics and intrigue.
"Remember, young despot, confidence without arrogance, and grace without submission,"
"Earn their respect, but never let them underestimate you. Now, if you would excuse me - I leave you into the jaws of lions in the unknown wilderness, shall I say?"
John understood the underlying meaning of this advice because he knew that Pavlos had played a significant role in shaping him into the young leader he had become.
With a final pat on back, Pavlos retreated back into the shadows of the palace, leaving his pupil behind to face the guests on his own.
John and Demetrius then slowly step into the hall, a hushed silence swooped over greeted them; every eye trained towards the young despot.
The court chamberlain's voice rang out; loud and commanding, announcing the arrival of Emperor Manuel II's heir, John Palaiologos.
The attention and anticipation weighed heavily on John, and amidst the grandeur of the hall, he felt a surge of emotions that he had never felt even once in his life.
He couldn't help but recall moments from his past life, a time when he was John Rickett Marlone - a name that held no significance in the world's history now that he was reborn into the person he currently embodied.
Pavlos' words keep playing in the back of his mind, John took a deep breath, calming his nerves as much as he could.
He knew he had to embody not just the impression but also the grit of being the future head of the empire.
It was a daunting but John resolved to follow it through till the end.
As he made his way through the hall towards his father and mother, countless eyes began to scrutinized him as if trying to swallow him whole.
John noticed many kinds of glares ranging from envy, respect, concern, and dismissive. It was overwhelming at first but eventually it grew in him. His birthright was not without its challenges, countless of emperors would have also felt the same pressure as he did if not much worse.
"My son!"
Manuel II was the first to greet him as John approaches. Of course looking at his young lad now a man in the making finally rose into his destined moment, he was proud as a father and an emperor.
"Alas, the day has come that we finally introduce you as the despot of our empire."
The emperor felt somewhat gratified. Despite his misgiving concerning the empire, he hoped that John's would differ his own. After all, John inherit something beyond what he imagined, as if God had answered the prayers he repeated countless of times over.
Likewise, John recalled the countless conversation he had with his father everyday up till this day, it was a subtle moment between father and child but for him, it was a precious moment that instilled in him the meaning of family.
The moment comes when John finally began to mingle with the guests, engaging in conversations with various important people he had never seen before - the giants of the empire.
As it goes on, he impresses them with his knowledge and refined manners. Usually a boy in his age would be afraid to rise to occasion especially when meeting influential people, but John? He is an outlier of that stereotypical norm.
The young despot goes in rounds meeting ancient families, aristocrats, patricians and even foreign dignitaries.
On one particular conversation, John found himself face to face with Theodore Kantakouzenos; his distant granduncle who belonged to a dynasty that once held significant influence in the Byzantine Empire.
The intricate ties between the Palaiologans and the Kantakouzenos family were woven through a complex web of political unrest, unions and shared bloodlines, leading to a fascinating history that John find intriguing.
As John met Theodore's eyes, he was reminded of the scarring connections that bound their families together.
Through John V Palaiologos, John's grandfather, the two dynasties were united amidst the chaotic period of the once glorious empire that brought it to its current predicament.
John V in turn wedded Helena Kantakouzenos, forging a political alliance that sought to strengthen the waning power of the Palaiologans and elevate the rising Kantakouzenos.
Though they had lost much of their influence over the centuries, and only their prestige remained. Theodore was one of the remaining oxen of the decaying Kantakouzenos that still treated the Palaiologans as their most trusted ally in times of despair despite their strange relationship in the past.
"Your Highness,"
Theodore Kantakouzenos bowed respectfully towards John who finally came towards his family circle after some time.
"It is truly impressive to witness the remarkable growth in your dignity at such a young age. Your intellect and charisma are truly noteworthy."
Genuine praise.
"Thank you for the generous praise, granduncle,"
John responded with a warm smile.
"I had always respected the Kantakouzenos who are like family to me."
He truly admired the Kantakouzenos family despite being the usurper of the throne during his grandfather's reign, there was no doubt that the family is one of the most prestigious family in the Empire who had served its interest for countless of years.
While engaging in conversation with the other members after changing warm pleasantries with its patriarch, John couldn't help but notice the façade of fake respect and arrogance in their gestures and speech.
Despite the blatant disrespect, he remained composed, treating them amicably and refusing to let their behavior affect his emotions.
During the time that John acquainted himself with the Kantakouzenos family, Pavlos's advice echoed in his mind, reminding him of his own worthiness, ones that doesn't really comes from his birthright, but from his merit as an individual.
Theodore's brief interaction with John left him marveling.
The Palaiologans had once again given birth to a brilliant star. Theodore felt a mix of admiration and a tinge of envy, for his own house had not been as fortunate in recent times as he would have liked.
His gaze briefly shifted to the other members of his own family, and he couldn't suppress a deep sigh. The once formidable Kantakouzenos blood, a force to be reckoned with in the Byzantine Empire, had now fallen from its glorious legacy.
He observed in his own descendants a reverence for the family's name, yet a lack of the honor and values that had defined them.
"Even on the brink of the empire's downfall, these individuals still exude useless, unfounded confidence simply because they are Kantakouzenos family members."
"*Sigh* I wonder why the Palaiologans still maintain such a strong destiny while mine..."
Theodore's weary eyes returned to John, he noticed a peculiar shadow cast upon the young prince. It was as though an mysterious presence surrounded him, overshadowing him with an unidentifiable aura.
His eyes widened as he couldn't help but wonder if the legendary Purple Phoenix had chosen John as its incarnation—a symbol of rebirth and hope to lead the crumbling Byzantine Empire once more from the ashes.
His envy wavered, and his gaze lingered on John's surprisingly broad shoulders.
Could this young prince be the one destined to usher in a new era for the empire? Was he chosen by some divine force to guide them through these troubled times?
As the conversation with John concluded, Theodore found himself caught in a whirlwind of emotions—admiration for the prince's intellect and grace, disappointment and frustration with his own family's decline, and a newfound wonder at the potential future that lay ahead for John.
The veteran statesman hoped that the young Palaiologos prince would indeed be the beacon of light that the empire desperately needed.
He couldn't help but hold on to that glimmer of hope, wishing that somehow, the fate of the Kantakouzenos might also find its revival in the presence of this extraordinary young ruler.
At a secluded corner of the grand hall where the rest of the Palaiologans family members stood by, John approaches them, trying to spark a conversation with his fellow siblings that he hadn't seen in a while.
Like how the history were unfurled, Theodore II Palaiologos, John's third younger brother was recently appointed as Despot of Morea, replacing their departed uncle who bore the same name.
Astonishingly, Theodore II held the title just when he was a mere lad of 11 years old, though it is not rare for such occurrence to happen in this day and age.
Surrounded by his loyal vassals and courtiers from his Despotate, the young boy did not shy away from socializing with others especially his other siblings and kin.
John's shifted his attention to another sibling, who was also a Despot, his second younger brother, Andronikos Palaiologos. Inheriting the title Despotes of Thessaloniki, John VII Palaiologos, due to similar reason as their uncle in Morea.
Andronikos seemed deeply engaged in dialogue with his tutor, Demetrios Laskaris Leontares. Like Theodore, he also shown his vestige as a proper leader despite his age, and with Leontares by his side, maybe, just maybe, he will become the despot that Thessaloniki desperately needed during this time.
John's focus then turned to another younger brother, Constantine Palaiologos, destined to become the last emperor of the Byzantine Empire, as foretold by John's previous world history knowledge.
"Constantine, my dear brother,"
A sense of melancholy lingered within John as he looked into his younger brother's eye. The young boy doesn't know what fate he might encounter in the near future, and if possible, John would like it so that it remain as such.
If it was fate that Constantine ended the empire that their predecessor, Constantine the Great had shaped, John would rather that such fate be changed by him. It would be such a cruel fate for not only the empire, but the boy who at the moment knows nothing of the world around him.
"I hope that as you grow, the empire prosper that it will not end in your time like it did in mine."
John's words carried a mix of solemnity and hope.
"Brother?"
Constantine appeared puzzled by his brother's ominous words, though a smile still graced his innocent face which caused his heart ached.
He wished to alter the course of history that was destined to be in the future and spare his brother from such cruel fate, he wished that his brother witness not the end but the rebirth of the Empire longer.
The meeting entered its final leg as John continued interacting with his siblings and close cousins, and not to mention, Helena Palaiologina and Zoe Palaiologina, the only female siblings he had in a family filled with males.
-----
In the quiet solitude of his chamber, he shed the regal attire worn for the occasion and donned more comfortable clothing, taking a moment to reflect on the significant events that had transpired throughout the day.
Amidst the grandeur and the weight of expectations, a profound sense of purpose resonated within John.
His journey from the desolation of his past life had brought him to this pivotal juncture. Now, the history and destiny of an empire rested squarely upon his shoulders. A vow echoed in his mind – to honor his heritage by becoming the leader his people needed.
A gentle knock on the door announced the entrance of Pavlos.
"I've heard that you've handled yourself admirably today, young despot," praised the old man.
"Thank you, Pavlos. Your guidance has been invaluable," John replied with gratitude.
Pavlos smiled warmly, he has been with the young despot for more than a decade now as his personal tutor. He had taught him everything he had with him, the wisdom of the past that might inspire John for the future ahead, and avoid the same mistakes his predecessors made that caused the empire into ruin.
"I am honored to be of service, young despot. May the Lord bless you, and good night."
That was the end of their conversation as both Pavlos leave the young despot for the night.
John recognized that the bond forged with people around him would be the foundation for his future reign which loomed ahead. With their guidance, he was determined to steer the Byzantine Empire toward a brighter future.
Standing by the window, bathed in the moon's gentle glow, John gazed at Constantinople, the capital that held the echoes of history. Despite the memories of his past life still lingered stubbornly in his head; but he understood the importance of drawing strength from those experiences to shape a better future and at the very least, change who he is as a person.
The support of his loyal companions, family and friends that he had yet to find would be his pillars holding on against the weight of the harsh reality in this similar yet alien world.
In the horizon, John took a deep breath, gazing at the dipping of the sun which then slowly revealing the countless stars in the once blue sky.
Each light represented a future yet to be written, and he was adamant in making his mark on the rich tapestry of history.
With a heart filled with anticipation, he began to close his eyes, ready to dream of the world he would shape, knowing that the journey had only just begun.
