Chapter 643: Family Bonding
As Ivan departed, likely returning to the forge that had captivated him, Antonius was left pondering his next move.
"Are we venturing into Crimea so soon, Your Majesty?" inquired a concerned voice.
Antonius, his gaze fixed on a mosaic map of the region adorning the wall, responded thoughtfully. "Not immediately, my brother. It’s crucial, however, to strategize and lay the groundwork for future endeavours, just in case if no changes in the situation emerges."
"Understood," came the reply, laced with a hint of apprehension.
"Abdullah, please ensure I’m not disturbed for the remainder of the day," Antonius requested, his tone carrying a weight of solitude.
"Certainly, Your Majesty," Abdullah answered, bowing slightly. He watched the emperor disappear behind the palace gate, the doors closing with a resounding finality. Brushing dust from his robes, Abdullah cast a lingering glance at the grandeur of the rebuilt palace hall before turning to leave.
In the emperor’s address, ’my brother,’ Abdullah sensed a subtle shift, a change in the undercurrents of their relationship, reflective of the changing tides in the empire. Something has changed, after so many years.
Inside the ornate palace room, Emperor Antonius finally relished a long-awaited moment of joy with his family, a stark contrast to the day’s earlier courtly burdens. Deep within, he wrestled with a growing sense of guilt, the weight of his absences heavy on his heart. The emperor can say that he is tired, worn out, after two decades of roaming on the seas and lands with all those tireless conquests away from his family.
He was not here when his wife gave birth to their first daughter Agatha.
He was not here when his wife was sick.
He was not here when their daughter first went to school.
And now he is not here when their son Leo is born.
Anna’s words since his return from Bulgaria had washed away his triumph’s pride, constantly reminding him of his neglected duties as a husband and father, washing away the joy and pride he had for the coronation, simply because Anna, finally, could no longer control her inner thoughts wanting to keep her husband by her side longer, instead going out there rolling in the mud.
Antonius craved a respite from the relentless demands of statecraft, instructing his courtiers not to disturb these precious family gatherings. The state’s affairs, now a towering pile of responsibilities, loomed large, but as emperor, he seized the right to dictate his day. While despite the fact that the government desperately needs to be restructured, as the population as almost doubled, but the burdens yet relies on the small government carried here from Thessaloniki.
"Yooo~~~Fly~~~Fly my lil boy~~~"
In the emperor’s bedroom, a scene of familial bliss unfolded. Antonius gleefully played with his newborn son, lifting Leo in his arms and racing around the room, their daughter happily engrossed in her dolls and building blocks. Anna, still recovering, lay on the bed, her eyes filled with a mix of worry and love, occasionally admonishing her husband to be cautious, though her words were lost in the joyous laughter that echoed through the chamber.
This moment, amidst the laughter and love, was a rare and cherished escape for Antonius from the overwhelming pressures of his imperial role.
But, a baby, being a baby, has his own moments.
Antonius was cherishing a tender moment with his newborn son, Leo. Their playtime, filled with laughter and joy, was a rare escape for the emperor from the burdens of his crown. But suddenly, the baby’s laughter turned into a piercing cry, a volume that tested the emperor’s endurance.
Before Antonius could react, he felt a warm sensation trickling down his arm, something that looked like liquor, or maybe smelled like liquor in its original form as well. A quick glance revealed the all-too-familiar dilemma of parenthood: Leo had an accident that is still, beyond his self control at this stage of his life. In seconds, the emperor’s arm was drenched in a yellowish liquid, its strong odour emanating from the cloth under his hand.
In that moment, Antonius, the mighty emperor who conquered numerous kingdom and lands, ruler of a million population, leader of the most capable fighting force in the region, became simply a father, learning the unpredictable joys and challenges of parenting, while enduring all those stuff that comes with it, such as this accident. With a mix of surprise and a newfound sense of responsibility, he cradled Leo gently, trying to soothe the crying child while calling for assistance with a smile. It was a humble, humanising experience for the emperor, a reminder of life’s simple, yet profound, moments.
"Lay down our child! Untie that knot by his stomach." Anna, who is still weak, stayed on the bed as she instructed her husband on what to do. While their daughter Agatha have already fled the scene pinching her nose.
Antonius untied the knot, and despite knowing what to expect, a series of sensation can still be felt in his abdomen, as he gazed at the spread of wonderful and vibrant colours that he is unable to describe – you know what that is. But still, the emperor, had to do what a father have to do, as he briefly undressed his child, and cleaned him up, before smile returned back to the child’s face.
"Congratulations honey! You have finally made your first step towards parenting!"
"..."
Antonius, with a sudden shift in his demeanour, turned to his wife with a serious expression. He sat beside her, his voice carrying a weight of importance. "Honey, there’s something I need to discuss with you."
Anna, weariness evident in her eyes, responded with a hint of concern. "What is it?"
"Do you remember Giovanni Giustiniani’s child?" Antonius asked, his tone gentle yet earnest.
Anna’s sleepiness vanished, replaced by alertness as she held their baby son closer. "Yes, what about him?"
"I’d like to become Giovanni Junior’s Padrino, his godfather," Antonius revealed, watching her reaction closely.
Anna’s eyebrows softened as understanding dawned. "Oh. But why come to me with this? You can just go ahead."
Antonius smiled, his eyes warm. "I was hoping you would be his Madrina, his godmother, if you agree."
"..."
Anna nodded after a moment of hesitation, with her expression remaining unchanged. "Sure. A godfather is usually paired with a godmother, isn’t that so?"
"That’s my love!" Antonius chuckled, his heart lightening. He leaned in to give Anna a gentle kiss on her forehead, their shared decision bringing them closer in this moment of family unity.
"The ceremony shall happen tomorrow my honey." Antonius stood up, as he carried away his son in his arms and started taking him up and down, making the baby again giggle in joy. "It will be held in Hagia Irene, you know, as it is a royal business."
"Oh, so you have already prepared it way before this?"
Before Antonius could reply, a soft knock interrupted the silence. It was Cerberus, the guard commander. Antonius, slightly annoyed by the disturbance, stepped outside the room bringing the door behind him to a close gently and inquired, "What’s the matter?"
"Your Majesty, Lord Julian initiated the siege of Sofia three days ago. Abbas Pasha remains elusive, as if he has vanished into the thin air, and there’s movement from Serbian border lords moving their troops into Bulgaria, seemingly eyeing a share of the land."
"Inform Julian that Sofia must remain intact; we need it as an administrative centre, and we need to gain the support of the massive local population while making a demonstration that our army are not morale vacuums. As for the Serbs, they forfeited any claim when they declined to join us against the Ottomans last year not daring to confront the Ottomans. Should they encroach on our land, our cavalry will deal with them." Antonius responded decisively.
"And another thing, your Majesty."
"You are strange today, Cerberus." Antonius took a glance at the Nord before him. "If you have anything to say, just say it."
"Those senators, you know, were here again."
"..."
Outside the palace gates, a congregation of distinguished elders in robes gathered – some standing, others seated on makeshift benches brought by themselves or carriages, all engrossed in animated discussions among one another, casting occasional glances at the palace as if waiting for something. The guards, uncertain of how to proceed, stood watch, hoping for guidance.
Among the crowd, an elder senator can be heard bragging to his subordinates. "Back in the old days, when I arrived at the Palace of Blachnarea, the deceased emperor Constantine XI would have to come out of his palace and welcome me by himself, to show his love for the talented scholars and capable governors!"
His followers echoed in agreement. "Yes, indeed, your Excellency..."
"of course, your Excellency..."
"But now," the elder lamented, shaking his head, "it seems our empire has lost its way, governed by those who prize martial prowess above all."
"Yes, indeed your excellency."
"of course, your Excellency..."
As the senators murmured in agreement, a sudden shout arose, "The emperor is here!"
