62 Going to Places

The discussion among John, Pavlos, and Manuel II concluded on a positive note later that evening.

Above all else, John acknowledged that he played a significant role in the ongoing changes resulting from his recent actions. He had to admit that none of it was due to his exceptional competence; rather, luck had elevated the empire back onto the pedestal.

The Ottoman defeat in the Balkans wasn't a consequence of his battlefield brilliance; instead, it stemmed from Sultan Mehmed I's misjudgments, leading to his downfall. The infamous edict, in particular, only served to worsen the wounds in the aftermath of the Bulgarian-Ottoman Rebellion War.

Moreover, Sultan Mehmed I's reign in Rumelia wasn't entirely stable. Fresh from the aftermath of the Ottoman Interregnum, the Ottomans struggled to maintain supremacy in the region despite still being the overlord.

The defeat against the Romans and the rebel Bulgarians wasn't the nail in the coffin for the Sultan. It was more about his weakened rule, reaching a point of no return for the unforeseeable future. In such a case, the Ottomans would once again attempt to vie for the campaign in Europe, especially now that the Romans were back in the fold.

Eliminating one formidable enemy seemed to have little impact in the grand scheme of things. While the co-emperor might have anticipated these changes doing little to elevate the empire, it was considered a good start.

The Despotate of Serbia, Thessaly, Despotate of Epirus, and Principality of Achaea, just to name a few, posed a headache for the empire as of now. Still, it wasn't enough to cause significant concern for plausible conflict, at least, not at the moment.

Unexpectedly, Venice became the new addition to this list of plausible impending conflict, which John did not anticipate.

Their interest in him was somewhat questionable since there were no prior conflicts between them, except, for the time he rejected the offer of the previous Doge to wrest the port of Nikos from him.

Movements on the chessboard had become increasingly dangerous each day, prompting the need for John to quickly prepare for the worst that might come.

Now that another player enters the board and begins to interrupt the entire set of moves he had planned, he need to modified his preset moves once again.

After the trio left the Sacred Palace, Pavlos excused himself first, excited with the prospect that the empire had now return to the path of dominance, while Manuel II and John sought return to their main residence on the Sixth Hill by carriage.

John contemplated on what he should do when he depart to Adrianople tomorrow.

It was regrettable that he had to cut his vacation short; but there was nothing he could do or say when the situation before his first term as governor of said city turned into a complicated affairs of rioting and indiscriminate massacre.

Not only he had to make amend somehow with Anna before his abrupt departure; being a monarch is a tiresome endeavor, and John began to wonder of what might come to pass when the throne pass unto him in the near future.

"What are you thinking so hard that you look like a man who lost his entire fortune due to gambling?"

Within the carriage where both John and Manuel II currently reside, the emperor looked at John who remained silent while frowning at something.

He tried to strike up conversation which John didn't immediately answer, his expression hid a thousand meaning and he had to choose one to show for.

"What was it like - being the emperor, I mean?"

It was a weird question to say the least, but Manuel II immediately understood the underlying meaning of it; something that the emperor seem to dealt with very often when he and John met in private.

"Hmmm... If I do say so myself; it felt like I'm constantly standing on the edge of the cliff with only one feet above ground while carrying huge boulder on my back...something like that, I guess..."

An answer befitting Manuel II's present situation. It was as he said; everyday is not easy for him being the emperor of a dying empire which suddenly rose from the dead?

Not many fortune such as these happen with any emperor, much less him who not too long ago wrought with unfortunate circumstances due to his decisions that led to Bayezid I besieging the capital for eight years.

It was all thanks to his son's brilliance that he made it thus far without growing his hair anymore greyer than it should.

How many emperors rose into the position and saw through their era being prosperous and awed? Probably a few, if one knows how to count.

Many had failed to live up to their visions and was eventually either deposed of, or worse met their end as soon as they took the throne for themselves. 

Alexios IV Doukas, for instance, damned the empire merely for his desire to be emperor, overestimating himself and failing to comprehend the repercussions of his decision to enlist crusaders to help him achieve his pointless aspiration.

Not even a year into his reign, he lost the throne, his life, and eventually shattered the empire. Since then, the empire was never the same.

He achieved what he wanted in the end, but at what cost? Becoming the infamous emperor in the history of Rome? Well, he achieved that with precision.

"Being an emperor is never easy, despite what others might say. While the world covets it for themselves—being one myself, I dare wager that none can live up to the task that comes with it."

Manuel II lamented.

If he could choose an easy way out, he would abdicate the throne and become a monk in his later years; living on the Mount of Athos doesn't sound so bad after all, considering that it offers him solace and isolation from the chaos that roams the world at the moment.

"There is no easy way out. Holding the power that decides the fate of a nation is like a curse; power can easily corrupt. It turns the incorruptible into the most detestable beings they can ever be. They think they can do everything with the power they have, but no, that was the poison that consumes them whole."

"That is what it is like to be an Emperor."

A lengthy silence enveloped them during their ride as Manuel II revelation struck, accompanied only by the rhythmic hooves of the moving horses.

In essence, an emperor is not the demigod many people believe it to be.

They can't alter the course of history merely at their whim, and even if they do, it hinges on whether God wills it or simply remains indifferent.

Rome exemplified this.

Centuries of corruption, usurpation, indulgences, weak governance, and interference by external forces led to its eventual fall in the West.

The ones who suffered the most weren't the high and mighty aristocrats or the patricians, but the citizens who lost their identity and pride, eventually becoming slaves to indignity brought upon them by foreign masters.

Post-Rome, humanity plummeted to its nadir.

Peasants were treated as less than animals, religion twisted to serve as a cause for persecution and indiscriminate crusades that couldn't distinguish the faithful from the heathens, dereliction of duty by those sworn to protect, yet becoming the very sword that spread injustice.

Money, wealth, power - these became the new religion for the monstrosity known as humankind. It wasn't about whose religion was truer but whose pockets and bellies benefited from the consequences.

Were his ancestors any different? Of course not, and John didn't deny that.

He understood this fact more than anyone else, even more so than his father.

Being an emperor was like paying penance for the sins of the previous ones, accumulating until, at some point, forgiveness could no longer be achieved.

'It turns people mad.'

That was the conclusion John had finally come to terms with regarding the reality of the world he lived in. It didn't come with the finesse and glamor that many thought it would if they were born into the position they craved.

At that moment, John once again emerged from the cocoon of naivety that had shaped his worldview.

"Power without consequences is folly because only by the fist of iron can power thrive and people prosper."

-----

[Gate of Adrianople, Sixth Hill]

Morning arrived, and John readied himself early for the forthcoming journey.

For the expedition to Adrianople, John was accompanied by the remainder of his personal army, totaling around 600 men, as most had already joined Demetrius.

The preparations were straightforward, with packhorses designated for carrying necessary supplies and John's personal retinue of 20 servants. In total, 620 individuals were set for the journey.

Before departure, John addressed his men and followers, briefing them on what to anticipate during their journey. The situation in Adrianople remained uncertain, and potential dangers might lurk along the way.

"As we head to Adrianople, given the riots and chaos, I expect everyone to be prepared to face any bandits or thugs that might obstruct us on this journey. Clear?"

"Understood!"

The men responded in unison.

Regarding the palace residents, John had already conveyed his thoughts, particularly to Anna the night before. His mother, Helena, offered her blessings, while Manuel II simply patted him on the back without many words.

For John's companions, they were instructed to remain in Constantinople for a while, continuing their respective tasks before he could bring them to Adrianople.

Pavlos was temporarily assigned a task by Manuel II, preventing him from accompanying John immediately.

Meanwhile, Nikos still had his official duties as the Demarchos of Constantinople, responsible for maintaining order in the city.

Fatah and his fellow alchemists were engaged in the production of the cure, making it impossible for them to relocate for a while.

All in all, this marked his final day in Constantinople before commencing his new duties.

It wouldn't necessarily be his last visit, but he anticipated spending most of his co-emperorship elsewhere, unless expressly instructed otherwise, fulfilling his duties from Adrianople rather than Constantinople.

With everything said and done, John commanded his men to depart through the Gate of Adrianople, embarking on their 150-mile journey to their destination.

As he and his men exited the gate, he heard his name being called out from behind. Turning toward the source, he saw Anna sprinting towards them at full speed.

John pulled his horse back towards the entrance gate as Anna slowly approached.

As they caught up to each other, John dismounted from his horse while Anna caught her breath.

"Before you leave... let me give you something to remember me by when you're there."

She swiftly removed something from her neck, a golden locket necklace shaped like a heart, and handed it to John.

"This..."

John was about to say something, but Anna did something unexpected; she pulled John by the collar so that his face was at the same height as hers and kissed his cheek. It happened suddenly, and before John could react, it was over.

"That is all I can offer for your journey ahead... go on now, or you'll miss the road."

"...Okay?"

He was still bewildered by what had just transpired but nevertheless mounted his horse and chased after his men, all the while looking back at Anna's silhouette that began to recede, her hand waving towards him.

Finally catching up to his men, he replayed the whole scene in his head, trying to make sense of everything. John was still clueless about his own feelings despite Anna's numerous advances until now; he still couldn't understand what it meant to him.

It's not that John couldn't feel love, but for a man who knew nothing of it, he couldn't come to understand its meaning.

Only then did he realize the locket necklace that he held in his hand. It was the same locket necklace he had bought for Anna—or, to be more precise, part of a set of gifts he had given her when he guided her around the city.

'But this is what I gifted her..."

Why did she give him the gift he had given her back again? He wondered. But the moment he opened the locket, he finally understood, albeit in subtlety.

"Virum quem amo, tibi cor meum dedi."

It was a Latin phrase for, 'The man I love, I gave you my heart.'

Next to the phrase was Anna's miniature portrait, drawn by a painter found in the bustling streets of Constantinople; as per John's request. Despite being smaller than a regular portrait, the sketch still somewhat resembled Anna to some extent.

Warmth filled John's heart. It was a beautiful gift.

Soon, his heart, which had remained dull, began to show some reaction, but his eyes still hadn't fully opened to his feelings. Only time could tell if it would ever happen.

He then wore the locket necklace around his neck. Still, he didn't forget his purpose.

His eyes returned to the path ahead, praying that whatever lay ahead was not as dire as he imagined. Though he implied otherwise, he couldn't help but be optimistic.