Your humble servant greets His Holiness the Holy and Noble Pope.
May God's protection be upon Rome and all monks, priests, nobles, and the faithful.
As commanded, I send this account of the events in Constantinople.
The turmoil that unfolded here in Constantinople has subsided.
What is heard in the streets now are only the voices of children at play and merchants selling their goods.
As stated in my previous letter, the disorder began within the imperial palace.
Had Prince Baldwin not thrown himself forward to block the assassins' blades, only the Lord would know what might have occurred.
Those who instigated the assassination—
Maria Komnene and her husband fled to Hagia Sophia, but were soon driven out by the cries of the faithful.
The folly committed by Maria Komnene and her husband must surely have been the work of Satan's wicked temptation.
Lord, punish their evil deeds.
The Emperor's misfortune did not end there.
Andronikos.
That devilish man brought a fleet here to Constantinople in an attempt to seize power.
I trust that His Holiness is aware of the sort of man Andronikos is.
From his youth, he committed countless atrocities—violating women and driving the innocent into death and poverty.
Even after excommunication, he showed not the slightest shame or remorse.
He besieged the capital with his army, and the walls were placed in peril by his followers.
It was then that a miracle occurred.
The Archangel Michael descended upon Prince Baldwin and personally revealed the followers of Andronikos.
Subsequent letters and evidence discovered in their estates confirmed this to be true.
Though further investigation by a commission on miracles may be required, I do not believe they will reach a different conclusion from mine.
Thereafter, under the Lord's protection, the Emperor and Prince Baldwin's forces drove back the rebels.
Andronikos was captured while attempting to flee disguised as a farmer, and his fate now lies before the Lord's mercy.
A thanksgiving service is already being prepared at Hagia Sophia.
The courage and faith displayed by Prince Baldwin and the knights of Jerusalem in this affair deserve praise.
Moreover, having been called by the Archangel, Prince Baldwin eased the hostility of the Greeks toward the Western Church and the Latins.
That Prince Baldwin arrived here at the most desperate hour must have been the Lord's will.
Even a single sparrow caught in a snare is by divine providence; where His will resides, there can be no ill ending.
May blessings rest upon those who dwell now, and those who shall dwell in the future, in the Holy City of Jerusalem, and upon all who pray.
I have heard that Your Holiness has taken refuge in northern Italy due to persecution and oppression by the Roman nobility.
I pray that the day of Your Holiness's return to Rome may come swiftly.
May you enjoy peaceful glory and joy within the embrace of the Almighty Lord.
In the year of Our Lord 1181
Papal Legate, Gerard
Written in Constantinople.
Kingdom of Jerusalem.
The royal palace.
"So this is where you are."
Sibylla said as she entered the room.
She looked at her husband.
"I hear you no longer attend the council of nobles these days."
"I thought you were still angry with me, Sibylla?"
Guy replied, swinging his sword.
The tip pointed toward her.
"So you've finally decided to forgive me?"
"It will take a very long time for me to forget the foolish thing you did, Guy."
Sibylla replied, crossing her arms.
Only the two of them were in the room.
"Then why seek me out?"
"It seems you have not yet heard the news from Constantinople."
"Constantinople. I heard various things occurred. That the capital was besieged by rebels."
He swung his sword again.
"Has the young Baldwin been taken prisoner?"
"Quite the opposite. Baldwin, together with the Emperor, defeated Andronikos's rebels. He even fought on the front lines himself."
"…What?"
Guy frowned.
He let out a disbelieving laugh.
"The rumors grow excessive. That little child—"
"If Hagia Sophia is holding a ceremony in his honor, it can hardly be a rumor."
Sibylla smiled faintly.
"If you doubt it so much, why not confirm it yourself?"
"…"
"You thought that child would gain nothing in Constantinople. That is why you readily agreed to His Majesty's proposal."
"That is an excessive leap. I made that proposal solely for the interests of Jerusalem."
Guy lowered his sword.
He looked at his wife.
"And now it seems my choice was the correct one."
"…"
Sibylla looked at her husband.
When had she first been drawn to him?
At first sight, he was unlike the other tedious nobles.
A wild horse, unconstrained by convention.
But she learned his true nature only after marriage.
An unbridled colt.
Combined with ambition for power, her husband had become like the other nobles—worse than them.
"And touching the royal treasury was also the correct choice?"
"Yes. It was the right choice not only for me, but for you as well. No matter how much money lies piled in the treasury—"
He swung his sword again.
"What use is it if it cannot be spent?"
"You spent it only on your own men."
Sibylla clicked her tongue.
"I have already informed the clerks. No one will provide you with money anymore."
"Do not worry. That much can be covered from Ascalon. And the King still needs me."
He scoffed.
"If not me, how will he check great nobles like Raymond, who are skilled only with words?"
He continued,
"The same applies to you. Even if young Baldwin exists, is it not better to have two strings than one?"
"That depends if one of those strings is rotten."
Sibylla scoffed and turned away.
As she left the room, she added,
"I am not foolish enough to cling to a rotten string."
"We shall see about that."
Guy said, frowning.
He looked toward the door she had left through and muttered,
"Which string is rotten."
His sword cut through the air with a sharp sound.
***
That night.
The imperial palace.
"You must practice with the spear more. I have long said—"
Hugh shouted.
He continued in a heavily drunken voice.
A grand celebration had been held in honor of victory.
Aig, Hugh, I, and the other knights all feasted on meat and celebrated.
Unlike the other knights, who showed remarkable restraint, Hugh drank like a whale.
"King Baldwin IV wielded the sword just as well. If only that cursed leprosy had not—"
"Yes, yes. Let us have you lie down for now."
Aig and I threw Hugh onto the bed.
Already drunk beyond measure, he immediately fell asleep.
"I thought members of the order were to refrain from excessive drinking."
Aig sighed.
He too seemed exhausted and collapsed onto the bed.
"Rules exist to be broken."
I said with a smile.
Aig shook his head.
"I still cannot believe it. Stopping assassins who sought to kill the Emperor, then fighting a siege against rebels."
He continued,
"And Your Highness led a charge on horseback yourself."
"It truly has been a mad few weeks."
"So from the beginning, have you been following the Archangel Michael's words? From Eilat to the elixir, and now Constantinople…"
"What if I have?"
"Th-then…"
Aig swallowed nervously.
Seeing his reaction, I could not help but laugh.
"You should rest as well."
Perhaps this is the best method.
The abilities I possess and the knowledge of the future.
There is nothing more suitable than religion to frame them.
I lay on the bed and looked at the ceiling.
In a sense, I had achieved my purpose in coming here.
'If I had not come…'
By now, Andronikos would have seized power.
Then the connection between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Kingdom of Jerusalem would have broken.
At that moment, someone knocked.
"I will see."
Aig opened the door, then turned back.
"It is said to be a messenger sent by His Majesty."
"A messenger?"
I rose.
At this hour?
When I stepped outside, a figure in a black robe greeted me.
An unusual aura.
Familiar…
Only belatedly did I recognize the figure.
"Princess Theodora, is it not?"
"You are perceptive. Or did the Archangel Michael inform you of that as well?"
She removed her robe, revealing a familiar face.
Princess Theodora.
She smiled faintly.
"I came this far without anyone noticing. You are the first to recognize me."
From inside, Hugh's snoring echoed.
Theodora laughed softly.
"Have I disturbed you?"
"Not at all. But is it proper for Your Highness to come alone like this?"
I whispered, glancing around.
Fortunately, no guards were nearby.
I would rather avoid misunderstandings.
"It would not normally be allowed. But you need not worry this time."
She said,
"It was by the Emperor's command."
"If it is by His Majesty's command…"
Then there should be no issue.
But what business could require a princess?
"I came to bring you good news. His Majesty has decided to complete the festival in time for the thanksgiving service."
She smiled.
There was mischief in her tone.
"Though it is closer to a celebration in your honor."
"I see."
The festival had ended awkwardly after the assassination attempt.
If the imperial family resumed it, I had no reason to object.
The thanksgiving service was to be held at Hagia Sophia.
The Emperor seemed to be preparing a great gift.
"But surely that is not the only reason you came here."
"Of course not. There is something more important. Shall we call it an important proposal?"
She said.
"I am well aware of Jerusalem's situation. A Saracen leader named Saladin encircles and tightens from all sides."
"Yes, that is true, but what does that—"
"I am not yet married. Though I am a few years your senior, that should not prevent marriage…"
She paused when I coughed.
"Are you unwell?"
"I am fine."
I said.
I had nearly choked.
Marriage? With me?
"What better way is there to secure an alliance between two kingdoms than marriage?"
She stepped closer.
I could feel her breath.
"There is nothing left for me to do here. My sister, Princess Maria, led such a rebellion…"
She continued,
"At best, I would marry some middling noble and live confined for life, or grow old in a convent like a sinner."
"…."
"We can be of benefit to one another."
"It seems His Majesty thinks the same."
I looked at her.
Such matters do not proceed merely because a princess desires them.
"His Majesty shares the same thought. The choice, however, rests with the Kingdom of Jerusalem."
"I do not believe this is something I can decide alone."
"Of course not. I only came to inform you in advance."
She turned her head and smiled.
"What do you think, Prince?"
"..."
I stared at her blankly.
Marriage was indeed the most common form of alliance in this era…
But to be the one involved.
Seeing my reaction, she laughed softly.
"Good night, Prince. We shall postpone hearing the Archangel Michael's voice for another time."
She drew her robe over herself again and departed.
Left alone, I shook my head and sighed.
The Eastern Romans are formidable—even their women.
Hugh's snoring echoed from the room once more.