1453: Revival of Byzantium - Chapter 501

There is a saying that goes ‘the culprit usually likes to go back to the scene of crime’. It is the same for Apostolos, for he is casually seating there drinking his wine and enjoying the nervousness coming over from his victim before him.

Finally, the first phase of torture for Adrianos is now over, as the Caesar he is dreaming about for days, and nights suddenly appeared from behind the curtains. Upon seeing the man seating on the couch with his entire body shivering and the inner dress covered in dark patches of sweat, Antonius made a loud laughter and went forward in big steps, dragging the man up from his seat and gripped his hands tight like a eagle claw shaking it hard.

Adrianos bit his lips hard in pain as his hands are already turning white from the sheer force exerted onto it. Though of course he dared not to say a word in complaint or draw his hands away, he even squeezed a smile on his face and bowed down towards this tall man before him again, knowing that this man got to be the man he is waiting for.

“O Your majesty, the light shining from your glory is more vibrant than the sun, the smile you show me is more soothing than the moon, the might you command is more powerful than the stars, I have always seen you as my sky, my heaven, and yet I have such terrible guilt and sins of working for the wicked and treacherous Ottomans raising my blade against your troops. I am a sinner that ought to be persecuted by you, but yet thanks to you, your majesty, pardoned me with your graciousness and modest that matches that of a saint, and even allow me to stand, no, kneel here in front of you to accept your aura of blessings…”

Antonius made a brief conversation with Apostolos with eyesight as Adrianos attempted to kneel.

“What have you done to him? Have you overdone your tricks and scared him way too much?”

Apostolos replied by shaking his head and shrugging his shoulders, he has no idea that the plots and tricks he has arranged can bring such a big impact to this man.

“Stand up Adrianos, stand up.” Antonius still kept that iconic smile on his face as he pulled Adrianos up from the ground, gave him a pat on the shoulder and wiped the tears clean from his already uncuffed face. But just as Adrianos finally dared to look up at the Caesar’s face, Antonius suddenly changed from a bright smile to a stern face in a blink of an eye. “Yes, Adrianos you are right, you are guilty and sinful for what you have done in the past, I admire your honesty.”

These words almost gave Adrianos a direct strike in the softest portion of his head making him dazzle from the impact with his vision filled with nothing but simply darkness, his feet grew soft again as he leaned back lifelessly thinking that today is the end of his life. But the Caesar still held his hands tightly and before Adrianos could even respond, the Caesar changed back to his smiling face again and laughed. “But! That is in the past! Adrianos! Now you have nothing more to worry about, as you have already proven your loyalty and remorse by deciding to turn away from the dark side into the bright side during the battle two days ago! I admire your courage, and you are truly one of the greatest contributors of that battle. Without you and your men, our victory shall come with a much heavier price.”

Adrianos heaved a sigh of relief in his heart, now filled with the thought that the Caesar has already pardoned him. But just as he is about to calm himself down, Apostolos who have always been quiet behind them suddenly jumped into the conversation, saying something that again sent a thunder bolt down to his heart.

“Your majesty! According to what my men have found out, Adrianos decided to turn to us only because the Ottomans are failing at that point of time! According to the report he was in fact telling his commanders and men to hold it still until one side shows signs of defeat which shall allow him to have the maximum amount of interest!”

Adrianos almost fainted.

“Oh?” Antonius’ face turned gloomy again. ‘Is this real? Adrianos?”

Adrianos’ lips started shivering, he has been totally stripped of his tongue not knowing what to say.

But the Caesar, again, showed his superior skill of controlling every bit of muscle on his face, he turned to a bright grinning face again and gave Adrianos another heavy pat on his left shoulder. “Well, I believe that it must be a rumor am I right? The Adrianos I know about definitely would not say such things, I know from your letter that you have devoted yourself into serving me, no, the Roman Empire since years ago, am I right Adrianos?”

“Ye…Yes… your majesty.” It felt so hard for Adrianos to squeeze these words out of his mouth.

“Splendid!”

Antonius turned to Apostolos and asked. “Do you have any more reports on my dear Adrianos’ misdoings and misuse of words before?”

“Yes, your majesty.”

“Who gave you the right of secretly watching over my faithful subjects?” Antonius looks like he is a bit angry. “Have we become a state that is running with spies and espionages? Go Apostolos, trash those reports and files immediately, at once!”

Apostolos bowed down slightly and left the premise, leaving Antonius and Adrianos alone by themselves.

After these scares and threats that he has went through for the day, Adrianos’ mind has already been double penetrated from both sides with his mental defense crippled. He now dares not to say a single extra word going against the Caesar standing in front of him still holding his hands and grinning at him, for he knows that if he dared to speak up against the Sanjek last time, he shall most likely get some caning as punishment only. But if he defies the will of the Caesar here as a defected Ottoman leader, his head might be seen rolling on the ground in no time.

“Come, have a seat my friend, why do you look so nervous? Relax my friend!”

Adrianos again sat down in an uncomfortable posture with his entire body leaning forward still bowing towards the Caesar and upon hearing the words of his new sovereign, Adrianos immediately sprung back up from his seat again replying yes and bowing repeatedly with his entire body stern as a wooden trunk. Seeing this Antonius sighed, stood up and pinned Adrianos hard onto the mat.

“You are in my place, you are my guest, it shall be my irresponsibility if you feel that you are mistreated, do you get it? People will laugh at me if they see you in this state.”

“No, no, your majesty.” Adrianos hurriedly waved his hands and disagreed. “I feel absolutely welcomed here, I feel that I have been cleansed entirely, I am enjoying every single moment of my life here, I feel totally at home.”

“Good, good.” Antonius nodded and poured his guest another cup of drink. “I am sorry, I really wanted to have some mead with you, but due to some special reasons someone has placed a strict restriction on my alcohol intake, you see…”

“Anyways, my friend Adrianos, do you have a plan for your future?”

Adriano’s heart skipped a beat, knowing that the real deal of this meeting starts from this point. He cleared his throat, bowed slightly again towards the Caesar and expressed his serene loyalty. “I have nothing in mind except to serve you, your majesty.”

“Don’t you have any request? Don’t you want any reward from me? You know that one quarter of the contributions of the battle belongs to you right?”

“I do have one humble request though, your majesty.” Adrianos swiftly rolled up his eyes to observe the facial expression of the Caesar, after finding out that the Caesar is still smiling, he boosted his wits and continued. “Although I still want to devote my entire body and mind into serving you, your majesty. But I have suffered several cuts resulting in me sustaining both a physical and psychological injury, my men too have suffered a great loss. And you see, your majesty, the spring season is coming up soon, so may you please allow us to return to our hometowns and work in our fields as humble farmers? We would be sure to provide you with sufficient taxation on time, and never cause any instability in the region, I sincerely promise.”

After making the request, Adrianos maintained his stare at his cup on the table, while his heart could not stop beating wildly within his chest.. The Caesar Antonius did not make any response, instead he is just there casually sipping his drink, with no one knows what him is thinking.