Episode 214

The ancient Roman statesman Cato once said, “We Romans rule all men, yet we are ruled by our wives.” His fellow senators reportedly laughed heartily and nodded in agreement.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that women had more rights than their husbands. In ancient societies, men held more power, and those who could wage war naturally had the upper hand in a survival-of-the-fittest world. Still, every man finds himself treading carefully around his wife, especially if there’s even a hint of guilt, however small.

“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? My dear wife.”

“Oh? Father mentioned someone would be here to greet me, but I didn’t expect it to be you.”

“The servants were supposed to come, but I sent them away. I thought it only right that I be the first to welcome you back.”

“Hmm, something’s up, isn’t it?”

Anna looked at me with a curious gaze, then chuckled softly. Once known as the princess of the Eastern Roman Empire, her title has since faded, replaced by a new identity: Edward Marshall’s wife.

I recalled a letter she sent just before the Council of Jerusalem, expressing how odd it felt to be known by this new title. She also mentioned her efforts to avoid any actions or words that might inadvertently cause me trouble, which touched me deeply. Though there was no real need for such caution, her actions were understandable given her distance from the unfolding events.

Despite leaving her alone for years while I was off on my endeavors, she still put me first. It was endearing. Not that I felt guilty—I was striving to make the world a better place, after all. But now, I had another significant request to make, and it pricked my conscience a bit. Still, I took her hand and helped her into the carriage.

“I can’t promise I won’t be busy, but at least I won’t be away because of war. We’ll have more time together.”

“That’s a relief. I was starting to worry about having children. There are quite a few people eager for us to have a child.”

“Has anyone been pressuring you?”

“No one would dare be so bold, but there are hints. Like how wonderful it would be if we had a son or daughter. Father keeps reminding me not to leave your side once the war is over.”

Even Alexios III had pestered me about having an heir, so I could only imagine how he was with his daughter. I’ll have to choose my words carefully when making my request.

Anna gazed out at the cityscape, then remarked, “It’s only been a few years since I left, but the city has changed so much. It feels more vibrant and lively.”

“Right? Even the elders seem quite pleased.”

“France and England are developing, but compared to here, they still feel like the countryside. Not that I’d say that to their faces.”

“The scale of the city is incomparable.”

Even in modern times, Istanbul, the successor to Constantinople, ranks among Europe’s largest cities. Back then, comparing it to London or Paris was almost laughable. The city’s size, infrastructure, and economy were unmatched.

With the conversation naturally leading there, I cautiously asked, “Isn’t it nice to be back home?”

“It would be a lie to say otherwise. And seeing how much it’s improved makes it even more exciting.”

Good. This makes it easier to bring up what I need to discuss.

“How about we explore the city together today? I haven’t had the chance to see much myself.”

“Really? I’d love that. But won’t we draw too much attention?”

“You’ve been away long enough that as long as you keep a low profile, it should be fine. I can enjoy the view from the carriage.”

“Really? Thank you!”

Seeing her so happy, I thought spending the day exploring the city might not be a bad idea. What started as an effort to please Anna turned into a day of sightseeing for both of us, visiting the landmarks of Constantinople.

As dusk fell, we returned to the palace and finally had some time alone in our chambers.

“I didn’t even get to greet Father. Should I go now?”

“It’s fine. I’ve already told him we’ll visit together tomorrow.”

“Did he take it well? He might be upset I didn’t see him right away.”

“Well, I mentioned we had important matters to discuss, and he understood.”

“Important matters? I did sense you wanted to say something earlier. Go ahead, I’m all ears.”

Perhaps it was the joy of the day or the prospect of being helpful, but Anna seemed genuinely pleased as she moved closer to me.

I succinctly explained Alexios III’s proposal and added that the position of Eastern Roman Emperor didn’t hold much appeal for me.

“Still, leaving the succession undecided isn’t wise, especially as the nation is regaining its former glory. We need to ensure stability.”

“True. Having a child would solve everything, but… tonight, perhaps?”

“Well, that would be wonderful, but even if we had a child now, it would take time for them to grow up. We need someone to bridge the gap. Your father isn’t getting any younger, and you’d prefer staying in your homeland rather than far-off Western Europe.”

“So, you want me to be that bridge? But I’m a daughter. Is that okay?”

“You’re my wife, too. In some ways, that’s even better.”

Anna, quick to grasp my meaning, nodded slowly.

“A female ruler might face challenges, but with you behind me, that won’t be an issue. And your position will only strengthen.”

“Exactly.”

Traditionally, a queen’s husband might have limited power to avoid overshadowing her, but this situation is different. As Alexios III pointed out, the Roman Emperor also serves as a religious leader, akin to an Islamic caliph. However, with both Islam and Christianity uniting under my leadership, the role will be redefined.

The Roman Emperor’s position, especially as the nation regains its strength and influence, is undeniably important. But taking the throne myself would be a step down, so having Anna ascend as Empress fits perfectly.

This way, I can maintain control over secular power without tarnishing my image. The Byzantine nobility would likely welcome this with open arms. All that remains is Anna’s consent.

As for my father-in-law, Alexios III? His approval is a given, so I’m not concerned.

Anna studied me for a moment, then playfully tugged at my cheeks.

“So, my dear husband had a plan all along, didn’t he?”

“No, I mean, not entirely… well, maybe a little…”

“I know, I know. I’m not oblivious.”

“Then…?”

“Honestly, it’s not a bad deal for me, either. Your lands are nice, but compared to here, they’re still a bit rustic. As Empress, I could stay here. And with you supporting me, I could become the most powerful ruler in Roman history… or at least since Constantinople became the capital. The more I think about it, the more appealing it sounds.”

I had worried, albeit foolishly, that she might not like the idea. But Anna’s eyes sparkled with determination, showing her enthusiasm.

After all, who wouldn’t want to become the most powerful emperor in the history of a burgeoning empire, unless they were insecure about their position?

Everything had fallen into place so perfectly that I thought we might finally enjoy a quiet evening together as a couple…

“Well, since the discussion went well, I’ll just pop over to see Father for a bit.”

“Hmm? But I’ve already told your father that we’ll visit him together tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow will be more formal, so I should inform him today. Plus, it’ll be nice to have a more personal chat between father and daughter.”

Wow, I never realized my wife could be so proactive.

I suddenly found myself wondering how Alexios III must feel, waiting for his daughter to visit after such a long time.

Well… considering he was the one who kept pestering us to have children sooner, perhaps things turned out just as he wished.

It’s just that the heir he wanted wasn’t exactly a grandchild.

Still, with the Roman Empire set to become stronger than ever, I hope he’ll be satisfied with that.

As Anna prepared to leave, I waved her off, pondering a blessing fit for the future emperor of Rome.

How much more powerful could the emperor’s authority become with my full support?

Even I couldn’t predict that.