"Good. That's it… good."
The stables of the Palace of Constantine were quiet beneath the night sky.
I held an apple out in front of Vult's nose.
His favorite treat.
He turned his head away.
"You're sulking because I didn't visit for a few days?"
He snorted sharply, as if answering.
Horses were impossible creatures.
"All right, I'm sorry. Aig took good care of you, didn't he? Here — have another."
I stroked his mane gently.
After a few minutes, he finally bit into the apple.
The last few days had been relentless.
Banquets with nobles and clergy.
Touring hospitals.
Caring for the sick.
Though in truth, I was only repeating what we had already done in Jerusalem.
Even Eilat hadn't been this exhausting.
"At this rate, I should've left you in Jerusalem."
A sound carried from beyond the stable.
The sharp whistle of steel cutting air.
I moved toward it carefully.
No hostility.
Only calm.
A lone figure was practicing sword forms under the moonlight.
As I approached, I recognized the movements.
Hugh.
He wasn't wearing his mask.
In the pale light, his face came into view.
Scars covered nearly all of it.
And his left eye—
Clouded.
Unfocused.
Blind.
"Leprosy often takes the eyes in time," he said lightly, noticing my gaze.
"Fortunately, only the left. The right still serves me well."
"When did you lose your sight?"
"Long before Eilat. I was already half-blind when I began guarding you."
Half-blind.
And still fighting like that.
What must he have been before the disease?
"In Jerusalem," he continued, "I once trained without my mask. A child saw me through a window and screamed."
He smiled faintly.
"After that, I practiced only at night."
Silence lingered.
Most people recoiled from lepers.
Even in the 20th century, they were isolated.
Banished.
Sterilized.
All for a disease antibiotics could cure.
"Have you ever resented anyone?" I asked quietly.
"For the disease?"
He laughed — genuine and unforced.
"I lived by chivalry and the Lord's word. Pilgrimage after pilgrimage."
He paused.
"At first, I resented God. Why grant me suffering after a life of devotion?"
"…."
"I even sought Saracen witches for remedies."
He smiled again.
"But one day I realized something."
"If everything in this world is God's will… then I must reach Heaven and ask Him myself."
"Ask what?"
"Why He gave me this trial. Why innocent children starve. Why knights and priests commit evil in His name."
He tilted his head.
"If I fall to Hell, I'll never have the chance to ask. Eternal curiosity — unanswered. That would be the cruelest torment."
He studied my reaction.
"May I ask you something, Your Highness?"
"Of course."
"You visited the hospitals yourself. Why? Donations alone would've sufficed."
"Because I'm desperate."
I smiled faintly.
Changing the heart of Constantinople in weeks was no small feat.
Festival.
Clergy.
Elixir.
And myself.
"You truly believe this city will burn," he said quietly. "Like Eilat."
"If I didn't, I wouldn't be here."
He turned his gaze toward the vast city beyond the palace.
"If Constantinople falls… countless innocents will die."
He looked back at me.
"If protecting them is our duty… then we will do it."
Footsteps approached.
A Varangian guard, axe resting on his shoulder.
"Prince Baldwin. The Empress Dowager Maria requests your presence."
"At this hour?"
"Her Majesty wishes to speak privately."
I exchanged a glance with Hugh.
He replaced his silver mask.
"I'll accompany you."
Maria's chamber was separated from the rest.
Silk.
Gold.
Murals.
Byzantine wealth distilled into architecture.
"I will be direct," she said.
We were alone.
Her pale features and sharp eyes left no doubt — Western blood ran in her veins.
"Why sponsor such a massive festival?"
Silence.
"Do not fear eavesdropping. This room is secure."
Her gaze was piercing.
"You donated to clergy. Gifted elixir to nobles. It seems as though you came here for this purpose alone."
"I was given one order by King Baldwin IV."
That wasn't a lie.
"To solidify the alliance between Jerusalem and the Roman Empire."
"And this requires such expense?"
"Yes."
I met her eyes.
She was no fool.
Nor some power-mad beast clutching her son's throne.
"I've heard Princess Maria undermines the regency," I continued.
"And that Admiral Kontostephanos and Andronikos have joined hands. The fleet that attacked us was theirs."
She exhaled.
"It was."
She did not deny it.
"But if we punish them openly… the populace will erupt."
"I understand. That is why I am here."
Byzantium was always about public favor.
Like reeds in the wind.
"Since your arrival, the city has calmed," she admitted.
"Before, it felt ready to explode."
"What I seek is the Emperor's goodwill. And perhaps, in time, a joint campaign."
I did not hide my aim.
Our interests aligned.
"I will use every means available. If necessary, I will draw my sword myself."
Thirty knights had come with me.
Veterans all.
It had taken only a handful of Frankish knights to breach these walls once before.
Courage was a force multiplier.
"Not all citizens support us yet," she said.
"We must pacify them before moving against Maria and Andronikos."
"Until then, I will assist."
She smiled faintly.
"Then let us speak openly."
The lamps burned low as the night deepened.
"This is all falling apart."
Princess Maria paced furiously.
She glared at her husband.
"I told you to sway the nobles!"
"I tried!" Renier protested.
"But Baldwin scattered gifts everywhere. Even those favorable to us have shifted."
"So you watched?"
Her voice was ice.
Public sentiment was slipping.
The festival consumed the city.
"Andronikos has sent no word?"
"He claims he is gathering forces. Likely assessing the capital first."
She clenched her hands.
"Then we act ourselves."
"Act? How?"
Renier wiped sweat from his brow.
"Now is the time to wait."
"We'll be dead of old age before 'the time' comes."
Her eyes burned.
"In a few days, the Emperor will host a formal dinner with the delegation."
He froze.
"And?"
"When Baldwin is inside the palace — we strike."
She grabbed his arm.
"All blame will fall on the delegation."
"You mean… kill the Emperor?"
His face drained of color.
"If we kill him, the people will riot! Our plan was to remove corruption and 'save' him!"
"If he dies," she hissed, "Maria loses legitimacy. Power falls to us."
She leaned closer.
"With the right arrangement, Baldwin takes the blame."
Renier swallowed hard.
"You're not thinking of backing out now… are you"