The Palace of Constantine stood at the eastern edge of the city.
A vast marble road stretched before us.
It wasn't only the road.
Columns, statues, lion sculptures—
Everything was marble or gold.
"This road is normally reserved exclusively for His Imperial Majesty," Princess Maria said, her brow faintly creased.
The displeasure in her tone was unmistakable.
"But as a sign of exceptional honor and goodwill, the Emperor has permitted you its use."
"An honor indeed."
I inclined my head lightly.
Few places clung to ceremony like Byzantium.
If they were bending tradition, then my visit truly mattered.
Only I was permitted to walk the center of the road.
Careful not to step on my cloak, I moved forward slowly.
The staircase leading up to the palace was longer than I expected.
"Prince Baldwin of the Kingdom of Jerusalem!"
Trumpets blared from both sides.
Nobles. Warriors. Generals.
An entire court gathered to watch.
It felt like a scene from a film.
"Princess Theodora will escort you to the upper chamber where His Majesty awaits. We shall take our leave."
Maria and Renier nodded and departed.
Only Theodora remained.
"From here, I will guide you. The rest of your party will be shown to their designated chambers."
"I have been charged with the Prince's protection," Hugh said firmly. "Even within the palace, I will remain at his side."
Theodora turned to me.
"Do you trust this man?"
Her expression was no longer playful—only serious.
"Yes. I do."
"Then he may accompany us."
Aig and the others were led away.
Hugh and I followed Theodora deeper into the palace.
Corridors upon corridors.
Rooms beyond counting.
Varangian Guards stood watch at every turn.
"I heard you were attacked by the Imperial Navy on your way here."
"Yes. Though the precise reason remains unclear."
"The southern fleet is currently under the command of Admiral Kontostephanos," she said quietly.
"He answers not to the palace—but to Andronikos Komnenos."
I studied her.
Why tell me this?
Maria's sister.
Which made her the Emperor's half-sister as well.
A scheme?
I focused.
No hostility.
Curiosity.
Interest.
And something else—
Desperation.
"So Andronikos attempted to prevent my arrival?"
"Most likely. Or perhaps at my sister's urging."
She nodded.
"My sister fears you. More precisely—she fears her plans may unravel."
"Why tell me this?"
I stopped walking.
Hugh halted beside me.
"My father devoted his life to stabilizing the Empire," she said. "He spent more time on the battlefield than in these halls."
Her voice tightened.
"I will not allow a thousand-year empire to collapse over petty political struggles. Especially if Andronikos marches on the capital…"
"Constantinople—no, the entire Empire—would drown in blood."
I finished the thought.
That was precisely why I had come.
"If he seizes power," I continued, "rebellions will erupt across the Empire. In the end, he himself will be mutilated—blinded, dismembered—by the very forces he unleashes."
She stared at me.
"You speak as if you have seen the future."
"A prediction anyone could make."
I smiled faintly.
"But why not tell this to the Emperor?"
"They already know," she replied. "But there is no proof. Without proof, they cannot punish a princess."
"And if they tried?"
"The people would rise. My sister commands considerable support in the capital."
Silence lingered.
"His Majesty places great hope in your visit," she added softly. "Please understand that."
"I do."
So that was it.
Help the Emperor.
Which suited me perfectly.
A stable Byzantium meant survival for Jerusalem.
Saladin would be praying for this alliance to crumble.
"Come. I will show you the chamber of holy relics."
The palace overflowed with treasures.
Countless rooms.
Among them, a chamber filled with sacred relics.
The Lance of Longinus.
Fragments of the True Cross.
Nails. Crown of thorns. Sandals. Robes.
The Varangian Guard stood vigilant.
It looked like a collector's shrine.
I felt nothing divine.
But Hugh clearly did.
He fell to his knees in prayer.
"O Lord Jesus Christ…"
So naturally, I knelt too.
I really should have attended church more.
After the relic chamber, we proceeded to the upper court.
The hall was packed with nobles and officials.
At its center—elevated above all—stood the golden throne.
As I entered, drums and trumpets ceased.
"Welcome to the capital of the Roman Empire, Prince Baldwin of Jerusalem."
The boy seated upon the throne spoke.
He appeared roughly my age.
Alexios II.
Twelve years old.
Beside him sat a girl equally young.
Agnes of France.
Not yet ten.
Within a year, she would be forcibly married to Andronikos.
A man over sixty.
History was cruel.
"Your Majesty, I am honored."
I bowed.
Before the throne stood another woman—
Maria of Antioch.
The Emperor's mother. Regent of the Empire.
"We have heard of the unfortunate incident at sea," she said. "The Imperial Court will ensure those responsible are punished."
"I shall deliver the prisoners for interrogation."
Byzantine interrogation.
Blinding. Castration. Amputation.
Sometimes death was kinder.
"I, too, consider this a grave insult," young Alexios declared, rising from his throne.
The court murmured.
"The suffering of Prince Baldwin and his delegation will be properly compensated."
He sounded nervous—but determined.
"For today, let us exchange greetings only. Formal discussions shall begin tomorrow."
"As you wish."
I approached.
An embrace.
A kiss of peace.
I still wasn't used to that.
Agnes smiled shyly at her husband.
They looked like children playing royalty in a school play.
Maria spoke again.
"The atmosphere in the capital is tense. Protests have already occurred in response to your arrival."
"I understand."
"Please be cautious in word and deed. Treaty discussions will begin tomorrow."
"Of course. Though I would request one thing."
She smiled.
"Speak freely."
"I wish to sponsor a festival to celebrate the friendship between our kingdoms."
"A festival?" she asked carefully. "The Imperial treasury is… constrained."
"I intend to contribute several tens of thousands of dinars. The court need not spend a single coin."
The hall erupted in murmurs.
That little shocked them?
"His Majesty will, of course, receive full credit. We shall merely sponsor chariot races, food, wine, and necessary supplies."
The murmurs turned to open astonishment.
I smiled.
When the moment comes—
Spend boldly.
I had earned this money for precisely this purpose.
Compared to what I would gain—
It was nothing.
Back in our chambers, Aig and Hugh stared at me.
"You intend to spend that sum here? In Constantinople?"
"Yes."
"I understand supporting the Emperor," Hugh said, "but is such extravagance necessary?"
"It is necessary precisely because this is Rome," I replied.
"In Byzantium, public favor is everything."
Unlike Western kingdoms bound by bloodline alone, here a ruler needed the city.
And the city was Constantinople.
"When we hold a grand festival," I continued, "the people will remember who funded it."
"Including those who resent Latins," Hugh said slowly.
"Exactly."
The Greeks despised Latins for taking their wealth and positions.
But if Jerusalem funded celebration—
The mood would shift.
And that was only the first move.
"You don't intend for us to pay everything ourselves, do you?" Aig asked.
"Of course not."
I stood.
"Venice. Genoa. The merchants who profit most—they will contribute."
This was merely phase one.
My master plan had begun long before we left Eilat.
"Come," I said.
"We have much to do."