Over the years, many difficulties have arisen.
Each time, I somehow managed to overcome them, and most of the trials were indeed surmountable with great effort. However, the current ordeal was immense. It was a desperate crisis that couldn’t be overcome alone. Is this the end? Will it all collapse here…?
The weight of despair pressed down on my shoulders. My trembling eyes couldn’t focus on anything, just wavering aimlessly. No, this can’t be. Why, why…!
“I have to get married as soon as I turn sixteen!”
I flung the piled-up marriage proposals off the desk, releasing the pent-up anger in my chest. I hadn’t even had a proper romance, and now marriage already? As a prince of the empire, I knew a political marriage would come someday, but still. Regardless of status or the medieval era, there should be limits.
While it’s acceptable for women to marry at sixteen, it’s different for men. Even in the Middle Ages, it was unusually early for a man to marry at sixteen. As I raged, a calm voice tried to soothe me.
“Your Highness, please reconsider. Your marriage is crucial for the stability of the empire.”
It was Nikephoros, the Bishop of Mistra. He was trying to calm me down, almost like soothing a wild animal, and then he started listing reasons one by one.
“The empire needs alliances both internally and externally to stand against the Ottomans. We need a monarch who can lead the army and stand with us. A political marriage is necessary for this.”
“There are other brothers, other brothers!”
Theodoros, who had a pact with me, and John VIII, who had ascended as co-emperor, were present. Even if John was married, couldn’t he be divorced for political reasons and remarry? But it seemed Nikephoros had a different idea.
“Co-Emperor John VIII is a significant figure who needs to seek a political marriage with a Western European country for future plans. Unfortunately, he is of much higher status than the brides we are considering.”
“What about Theodoros?”
“A marriage is already being arranged. If he marries a Serbian princess, we can build a new alliance with Serbia to stand against the Ottomans.”
Damn it. My options were blocked. With my two brothers already paired, it was naturally my turn for a political marriage as a prince of the empire. After a few deep sighs, I resigned myself to the dismal reality.
“…Who are the candidates?”
“I expected you would say that.”
A mix of relief and a sigh of lament crossed Nikephoros’s face. With a brightened expression, he carefully laid out sheets of paper densely filled with names on the desk. But as the number grew, someone else was visibly fading away.
“First, I want to mention the daughter of the Doge of Venice. If we form an alliance with the Doge, he would likely support the empire to ensure his descendants ascend the throne…”
“No. I can’t do it. Tell them to leave.”
Summoning a formidable adversary to deal with after defeating the Ottomans was sheer madness. With Venice, we should collaborate just enough to defeat the Ottomans and then immediately cut ties and punch them in the face. Allowing Venice’s influence to infiltrate the empire was something to be avoided at all costs.
“Then what about the daughter of the Mayor of Constantinople? She has noble blood and significant influence in the court as the ruler of the capital…”
“I don’t need her.”
I shook my head again.
Could Constantinople even sustain itself without Morea? It might sound arrogant, but most of the empire’s resources had long been shifted to Morea. Its symbolic value as the heart of the thousand-year empire was undeniable, but would anyone blinded by the title of emperor bother with it?
As I waited for the next person, a sudden silence fell. What’s going on? Why isn’t he speaking? When I turned my gaze to Nikephoros, I understood. After two consecutive rejections, the brightness on Nikephoros’s face had dimmed, replaced with a somber look.
“In that case, there’s only one suitable bride I can suggest.”
Nikephoros took back the papers before I could even refuse. Before long, there was only a single document left on the desk. So, there is someone. In front of the now desolate desk, enough to make me feel nostalgic, Nikephoros carefully spoke.
“Joannina Kantakouzenos.”
…!
“A descendant of John Kantakouzenos, who once ascended to the imperial throne, and the esteemed lady of the prominent Kantakouzenos family, which once ruled Morea. She has a somewhat headstrong nature but possesses remarkable capabilities, making her a prominent figure even in the capital…”
“Enough. That’s sufficient.”
Despite cutting off previous marriage proposals without hesitation, I couldn’t do the same with the name Kantakouzenos. It was because the Kantakouzenos family held enough prestige to unify the remaining nobles of the empire. To solidify the case, Nikephoros drove the point further.
“Marrying her would sufficiently calm the Kantakouzenos family, who may hold resentment over losing Morea.”
“I know, I know…”
She was the ideal bride, chosen to appease the empire’s nobles while quelling any potential threats Morea might harbor. She was, indeed, an indispensable masterpiece for ensuring domestic stability.
In the end, I relented.
“…I’ll go to the capital.”
“You’ve made a wise decision. An excellent judgment.”
As I let Nikephoros’s praise pass through one ear, I couldn’t help but worry about the future. Who knew what kind of woman she would be?
//
The news that Prince Constantine would soon come to the capital spread quickly throughout Constantinople. The city, deprived by the growing strength of the Turks, had long been subdued. It had been a while since the gloomy atmosphere had transformed into a festive one.
In addition, there was an attendant who rushed to deliver the joyous news.
“Lady Joannina, have you heard? Prince Constantine has agreed to the marriage!”
However, it was the other young ladies nearby who shrieked at the attendant’s news. Naturally, they tried to lower their voices, but their slender fingers covering their mouths were of little use.
“The prince, known for being so impenetrable!”
“How on earth did you do it?! What kind of magic did you use?”
Amid the cries of excitement from all around, only one woman turned her back and steadfastly gazed out the window. It was Joannina Kantakouzenos, the protagonist of this marriage. Without showing her face to anyone, she spoke calmly to the ladies around her.
“It’s not magic. I’m merely claiming what was always mine.”
However, instead of praising, the mischievous young ladies opted for subdued laughter. And for a good reason…
“Joannina, your ears are so red!”
At that remark, Joannina bowed her head deeply to hide her ears. The laughter around her showed no signs of dying down.
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