[Theodoros]
The man most displeased by the recent uproar, which shook the empire and the Balkans, was none other than Theodoros.
As the second imperial prince, next in line for the throne after John, he should have been outraged by Serbia’s diplomatic offense in abruptly canceling the marriage arrangement.
However, Theodoros’ heart was calmer than ever.
In fact, it was closer to joy. No one was more pleased with Konstantinos’ decision than Theodoros himself.
“Everything is going smoothly, very smoothly.”
Had the marriage with the Kantakouzenos family been successful, none would have been closer to the throne than Konstantinos.
But now the circumstances had changed. The prideful subjects and nobles of the empire would not tolerate Serbia’s impudent demands and Konstantinos’ agreement. What if the most noble victims of Serbia’s sudden whimsy were to unite?
With legitimacy and cause, he could gain strong support and rapidly expand his modest power.
He never entertained the thought of rejection. The Kantakouzenos family had long sought to strengthen their ties with the imperial family. The wishes of the young lady in question were insignificant in the face of such grand historical movements.
“Come to think of it, they say the Kantakouzenos lady is quite beautiful.”
If they were to be united, it would certainly be preferable if she were lovely. Theodoros, with a light laugh, began to indulge in pleasant imaginings.
[John]
The reign of Manuel, who had once upheld the empire, was coming to an end.
Now, the aged and weary emperor looked up at his successor, who would lead a new era. He was astonished by the change in his son, who had once known only how to smile brightly.
“Did you have to drive him so hard?”
Few could welcome the discord between their children. Manuel, a father before he was an emperor, found it difficult to accept. Yet, who could blame John, who stood as a brother?
It was Konstantinos, aiming for the throne, who had made the first move. John, defending the throne, retorted sharply to his father’s defense of Konstantinos.
“Father, I am the one who must protect the throne. It was precisely because we are brothers that this was necessary.”
“How can you doubt his dedication to the empire? You, more than anyone, have seen and supported Konstantinos’ loyalty.”
His words seemed to shield Konstantinos to the end.
Why would his father say such things? How could he maintain a facade of innocence after orchestrating these events?
Eventually, John unleashed the anger he had been harboring toward his father.
“Did you not push him to the point where I had to test whether it was loyalty or ambition…?”
For years, they had not spoken, yet never doubted each other’s hearts. Who could have predicted that trust would crumble upon meeting, particularly over the rightful inheritance?
“You trusted him because you had watched over him for so long, but I am different. To protect my rights and duties, I have no choice but to suspect those close to me. And thanks to you granting Konstantinos immense power, I had to be even more cautious.”
“It was because I had confidence, John.”
“Indeed! Because you had that confidence, you granted Konstantinos that power. It was a sound judgment. Everyone praises that choice. But just as you had confidence and empowered him, I needed to believe that Konstantinos would not betray me.”
John clutched his chest as if trying to rip it apart. How ideal it would be to trust someone without any price.
However, to gain the right to possess everything, one must bear the duty to doubt everything.
“I merely needed the confidence you spoke of, Father.”
John’s piercing blue eyes met his father’s.
Manuel responded with silence.
Are you speechless? Disappointed, John turned away from Manuel and approached the window.
The awkward silence between father and son stretched on. After a while, Manuel, swimming in anguish, lowered his head.
“…What will you do now? The alliance between Kantakouzenos and Konstantinos you desired will not come to pass. Instead, Konstantinos has secured Serbia.”
“Konstantinos will never seek the throne until he has driven out the Turks. His choices were made with that in mind, as was the severing of ties.”
“And the poor Kantakouzenos lady?”
Even John, who had begun to display his qualities as a ruler, hesitated for a moment. A poor woman, her life ensnared by a man wholly devoted to the salvation of the empire, had ultimately become wretched. Yet, the fate of a noblewoman seldom flowed according to her own desires. With time, it would resolve itself. John slowly parted his lips.
“I will give her to Theodoros. Along with the title of designated regent, I will make her his, showing that I am a better partner than Konstantinos.”
“You once asked how cruel you could be to Konstantinos.”
“Yes, I did. And I saw Konstantinos become astoundingly cruel in pursuit of his goals.”
Manuel’s passive attempts to restrain him were no match for John’s firm resolve. As soon as he finished speaking, John slowly turned to his father, his expression no longer that of a son but of an emperor.
“I will protect this throne. From the Turks and from my ambitious brothers.”
Under the crescent banner, there are those who wielded their swords to fulfill the prophecy of the Prophet Muhammad.
Since the time of the first Osman, the Turks, with their outstanding leadership, had established a vast empire encompassing the Balkans and Asia Minor. Though they suffered a dreadful division due to the unforeseen onslaught of Timur, even that was put to rest under the name of the current Sultan, Mehmed I. Now, the Turks desired but one thing: to inherit the legacy of the thousand-year empire.
To fulfill the prophecy spoken by the Prophet was the duty and hope of all Muslims.
“Yet, Father, it seems you have forsaken your rightful duties as a Muslim.”
The Sultan gazed down at the imposing prince before him and sighed. How could a son resemble his father so closely? Bayezid, the conqueror, fierce and merciless to infidels. His son’s name was Murad, and he had inherited that very temperament.
“Murad, you urge me to break an oath I swore before my foster father. Do not speak foolishly. You know that an oath taken in the name of God cannot be broken.”
“How can you claim to follow God when you disregard the words of the Prophet? How could you revere such a man as your father? If that oath truly hinders you from fulfilling the prophecy, then the name of Sultan exists for one purpose alone.”
Mehmed could not find words to counter his son’s forceful spirit.
He did not feel ashamed or humiliated. Even Mehmed, mild in nature, was a conqueror by blood and knew he could not overcome a son armed with faith.
“It is time to fulfill that mission. Pass the title of Sultan to me.”
…Even so, Mehmed was also a son of Osman and the offspring of the great ruler Bayezid. To step aside without resistance would be disgraceful.
“I am also a son of Osman and have wielded the sword. Do not think I will relinquish it easily. Never forget where you came from.”
Unfortunately, it was a warning that had no effect on Murad. Turning away coldly, Murad addressed his father in a detached tone.
“The life of a slave can be ended with a few coins. So too can the life of a noble Sultan.”
They were no longer father and son. As rivals vying for the same position, Murad had already made his decision.
TL : I don’t know why Mehmed I considers Manuel II his foster father, as it is historically inaccurate. Maybe I am leaning more towards real-world history than realizing it’s alternate history, even though most of the characters are real people.
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