Drawing Cards in the Middle Ages to Rise in Ranks

Chapter 892: Chapter 116: Coronation

"Out of personal friendship, and considering the previously pleasant cooperation between both parties, assisting Her Majesty the Empress in stabilizing the situation is beneficial for both sides."

Although Ragaya faced many constraints, with Anna’s support, the two were highly intertwined, whether in credibility or capability; both were worthy of Losa’s investment. It wasn’t merely for a title and the territory of Cyprus Island.

The delegation landed at Golden Horn Bay and proceeded to Saint Sophia Cathedral.

Grand Treasurer Eusebius hurried over and said, "His Majesty Basileus, Her Majesty the Empress is waiting for your audience at Brahna Palace."

He said cautiously, "You have traveled far; would you like to freshen up a bit? Her Majesty has ordered new robes fitting your status to be prepared. There are also dedicated attendants for your soldiers, and following their baths, a grand banquet awaits."

Losa naturally had no objections. Freshwater is a perpetual scarcity at sea. They embarked from Cyprus Island and traveled without stopping for a day; a bath sounded delightful.

Accompanied by Prajna, Jeanne, and Furin, Losa followed Eusebius to the Zeuxippus Baths near the Grand Palace. The exterior is a traditional public bath open to all citizens, while the interior is designated for hosting foreign delegations.

After parting with Prajna and the others, Losa was ushered into the dressing room by a group of maids.

The decor here was quite exquisite; the walls adorned with intricate mosaics. Exiting the dressing room, splendid marble statues from the period of the Ancient Empire lined the path to the main bath.

Among them were figures familiar to Losa, like Caesar, Homer, Plato, and Aristotle.

However, since Emperor Hadrian, the Empire’s baths no longer encompassed the mixed-gender joviality of the ancient times. Losa leisurely indulged in a bath and then, with the assistance of the maids, donned an entirely new set of attire.

Though unaccustomed to being attended by others, this magnificent new attire was not something he could have worn properly alone.

The ensemble was primarily red, with Imperial Royal Purple at the collar, cuffs, and trims, a blue-backed red cloak bearing his Double-headed Eagle Badge draped over the back.

This new attire resembled the dress of an Imperial Emperor, albeit with more simplicity in design. For example, the gold belt, originally meant to be encrusted with gems, was replaced by an ordinary silver belt.

Wearing this new attire, Losa arrived at the bath’s entrance, instantly catching the eyes of those who had awaited him there for quite some time.

Jeanne couldn’t help but laugh, "I was wondering why it took so long; Nina thought you were cavorting with those shapely maids in the bath—turns out, it was just these elaborate new clothes."

Cherina blushed and quickly shook her head, "I didn’t say that!"

Viviana chuckled in admiration, "This ensemble certainly exudes grandeur, though it feels like something is still missing."

The Grand Treasurer, sensing a cue, smiled and said, "After His Majesty Basileus’s audience with the Empress, that missing piece will naturally be completed."

"Alright, take me to see Her Majesty the Empress then."

Losa urged, though the elaborate, splendid attire looked grand, it felt cumbersome to wear, even with the soft silk lining, he still felt uncomfortable.

Entering Brahna Palace.

The Empress was already seated high on the throne, dressed in a Dalmatian Purple Robe embellished with crosses and holy images, wearing a gem-studded Golden Crown with a central cross, draped in front with a gold piece called "Tabrion", and holding a Golden Scepter with a "xp" emblem at the top.

Her attire was extremely magnificent, making Losa feel somewhat inferior by comparison.

Jeanne, standing beside Losa, subconsciously whistled in her mind, admiring the Empress’s plump and sweet figure, like a warm milk with sugar frosting, sweet to the soul.

Especially seeing her noble, elegant, inviolable sacred demeanor, it evoked a desire for her own man to pull her off her pedestal and lash her.

Losa naturally couldn’t discern the evil thoughts in Jeanne’s gaze; he merely surveyed the magnificent hall with a calm expression, no longer feeling the shock of his first visit. After all, Saladin’s palace in Cairo was not much inferior to this.

On a smaller throne on the Empress’s left was a comely woman with healthy brown skin, wearing a blue robe with purple trim, similar to Losa’s attire, with a small Golden Crown—this was undoubtedly the nominal co-emperor of the Empire, Princess Ira of the Komnenos Family.

Her gaze at Losa was complex, with admiration, resistance, and resentment all intermingled.

It was unimaginable a person’s gaze could convey so many emotions, Losa merely met her gaze briefly before shifting focus, prompting the princess to bite her lip again, heart filled with bitterness and jealousy.

Losa and the Empress locked eyes for a moment, then he slowly began in Latin, "To the most devout Basileus, the Crusaders’ closest and most trustworthy ally, my esteemed Feudal Lord and dear friend."

Before he could finish, this esteemed Empress of the Empire descended the steps enthusiastically, extending her delicate hand to Losa, who gently took and kissed it, thus smoothly bypassing a potential diplomatic issue with the audience ceremony.

During the First Crusade, Godfrey of Bouillon once caused a stir by refusing to bow to Emperor Alexios.

Later, the legendary Norman leader, Robert Guiscard of the Outville Family, also worsened relations with the Empire over ceremonial disputes, although this was likely the cunning Norman Monarch exploiting the situation.

"Losa my friend, we owe the safety of Constantinople to your arrival against all odds, amidst the Crusaders’ siege instigated by traitors."

The Empress’s hand was soft, she held onto Losa’s hand for quite some time.

Jeanne and others looked on with amusement, while Princess Ira’s gaze brimmed with nearly overflowing resentment. If her mother intended to pass the throne to her, why did she deny her wish to marry this Crusader Monarch?

Doesn’t this validate the truth in family rumors? Is her mother truly planning to wed this foreign monarch and bear another child to replace her as Crown Prince?

Gazing upon this woman reputed as the world’s most noble, beautiful, Losa smiled and shook his head, "The Crusaders should never have targeted brethren of Christ. An ambitious individual is turning the holy mission into a mercantile venture with the Crusaders as their sword. I cannot tolerate this and hope Your Majesty does not view the Crusaders as adversaries over this matter."

"Of course!"

Ragaya nodded slightly as both defined the nature of this war.

"Since the late Emperor Alexius I, the Empire has always been the Crusaders’ steadfast ally, and it will remain so in the future."

Losa continued, "Tomorrow, I will proceed to Galata City to persuade the misguided Crusaders to redirect toward Asia Minor against the Turkic States or head to Tripoli to fight Saladin’s remaining forces. I will urge them to withdraw from Galata swiftly. At that time, I hope Your Majesty might sign a new treaty with the Crusaders, providing some food supplies to support the Christians’ just cause of reclaiming lost territories."

Ragaya, without hesitation, nodded in agreement, "You shall handle this matter, Lord Losa; your significant contributions deserve rich rewards."

With that said, two eunuchs carrying trays stepped forward.

The Empress took a Golden Crown from the tray and placed it solemnly on Losa’s head, then handed him a Scepter from another tray.

"I bestow upon you the Scepter, representing the highest military and administrative authority in the Eastern Region and Aegyptus Region, and the Vice Emperor, the Crown of Basileus. From this day forth, you are the indisputable top lord of these two places; all Crusader Kings and Heretic Kings should submit to you or be at your mercy. I hope you will guard the East for the Empire, and treat all those of Christian faith well."

The Crown was crafted from gold, adorned with rubies, emeralds, fringed with a single layer of pearl tassels, and had a diadem cross on the side, resembling the Empress’s crown but simpler.