Emperor Jean poured himself another glass of Thracian wine and sat down on his chayer to watch the children. Night had already fallen and his apartments were lit only by the fireplace. In front of the hearth, a reading desk had been set up where the patriarch had just placed a large book.
Patriarch Gilbert, Crown Princer Jean, Prince Henri, Matthieu and Roubaud of Eu
"What is this?" stammered young Prince Henri. The emperor's youngest grandson was only three years old, but he was already able to speak. The manuscript seemed to intrigue him, so much so that he abandoned his playmate, Roubaud of Eu.
"It is the History of the Kingdom of Jerusalem", replied Roubaud's brother, Matthieu of Eu. The nine-year-old bastard was proud to display his knowledge. "It was written by His Holiness Gilbert."
The patriarch smiled at the young man. Jean saw a hint of pride in his eyes. Oh, he was very proud of his work, and perhaps that was why he had insisted on lecturing the little princes. But the emperor suspected that his pride had something to do with the young man himself.
The birth of Matthieu and Roubaud and their sisters caused a great scandal. His mother, Beatrice of Eu, was a nun and the daughter of Princess Isabelle, herself known for her infidelity. Fortunately, no one had ever learned the identity of the father.Yet even a blind man could have seen the resemblance between the boys and the patriarch. Jean had done everything to cover up the scandal and, out of friendship for Gilbert, had taken charge of the education of the two little bastards.
Beatrice of Eu's bastards
"Is this the story of my ancestors?" Jean Porphyrogenitus was only five years old, but already showed great intelligence and had the manners of a Prince of the Blood. The emperor was proud of this young boy who was destined to succeed him one day.
"Yes, Your Highness," replied the patriarch. “This work traces the history of the Montoires since the First Crusade. It required a colossal amount of work on my part." And cost me an equally colossal sum of money, thought Jean as he refilled his glass.
"Would you please come and read this passage that I have just written?"
Prince Jean nodded and went behind the desk. He had to climb a small stool to reach the book. He leaned over it and began to read aloud.
The emperor felt a certain pride. Prince Jean's voice was a little hesitant and he sometimes stumbled over a word, but he had obviously received an excellent education at his father's court.
“It is Saint Aymard's Day!" cried the young man.
“Yes," said the patriarch. “The Battle of Constantinople took place exactly 28 years ago to the day."
Prince Jean resumed his reading.
Prince Henri applauded. His brother Jean turned to the emperor, his eyes full of lights.
"Did you take part in this great battle, Grandfather?”
“Yes," said Jean, taking another drink. “But read on." Perhaps it was not a good idea to tell his grandsons that he had fought on the side of the "schismatics".
“Patera!" shouted young Henry.
“What happened to the Usurper?" asked Prince Jean.
“I know! I know!" Matthieu of Eu raised his hand, ready to answer. Gilbert beckoned the little bastard to answer and he did so: "At the Judgment of Maab he was condemned to spend the rest of his life iin the dungeons of His Majesty. He died the year I was born. “
“And who is his heir?" asked the patriarch.
“His son Baudoin the Dwarf," replied the young Jean. "Duke of the Desert."
“Duke of the Desert and of Oultrejordan," said Matthieu.
Impressive, thought Jean, taking a long sip. Baudoin the Dwarf had indeed not hesitated to overthrow his cousin Adelaide in order to seize her duchy.
Baudoin the Dwarf, Duke of the Desert and Oultrejordan
“And Etienne?" asked Prince Jean.
“That traitor is still rotting in my jails," the emperor intervened. It was very, he would have to ask his servants to turn off the fireplace.
"Will you ever release him?”
“No, Jean," replied the emperor, massaging his temples. “Etienne is dangerous, and his son Arnoul makes an excellent Duke of Dyiar Rabia."
The patriarch seemed to notice Jean's fatigue. "It is time for you to leave His Majesty and return to your rooms," he said, clapping his hands to call the governesses.
Roubaud and Henri rebelled, but their elders obeyed. Before leaving, Jean led his little brother before the emperor to greet him. "Good night, Grandfather," said the prince, bowing respectfully.
"Good night, princes," replied Jean.
When they were out, the emperor could not help but sigh: "I must confess, I am relieved.”
“By Prince Jean?" asked the patriarch.
“Yes, knowing his father, I expected to discover a wild little brute.”
“You are very hard on your son…”
“Stop it Gilbert. We're friends, do not lie to me. My son is a monster and a failure.”
“He will settle down.”
“At 28 years old? I doubt it.” The emperor wiped his sweaty forehead. “Jean II the Tyrant! This is how the Greeks call him. When the lords overthrew him the first time, they called on me. I didn't abandon my son though, I went all the way to Constantinople to restore him. And how did he thank me? By continuing his exactions and provoking a revolt that brought Helena I Komnenos to power! Thanks to my son, the Montoires have lost Constantinople!”
Basillissa Helena I Komnenos
“You should have intervened, he was seriously injured.”
“Is it my fault that he was disfigured? He has to accept the consequences of his actions. At least his face is now a reflection of his soul. Let him be content with the despotat of Bulgaria.”
“He will not be satisfied with Bulgaria.”
“Oh, I know he's ambitious. I'm not a fool, I know why he sent me my grandsons. But I'll need more than the princes and a case of Thracian wine to start a war against the empress. My troops are busy enough with the crusade.”
The Crusade for Mésopotamia
“According to Grandmaster Hugues, your cousin Hugues the White has made good progress and is on the verge of being recognised as the sole master of Mesopotamia.”
“Why is he not my heir ?" sighed Jean. “But I must convince Pope Lucius II to deny him such an honour. He may have these lands, but I refuse to let him take his independence."
The headaches increased and Jean rubbed his temples.
"Are you all right, Your Majesty?”
“Yes... yes. I must have had too much wine. You can go, Gilbert, we'll meet again tomorrow at the council.”
“As you wish, Sire.” The patriarch bowed and left.
Jean found himself alone. His headache was getting worse and he sat still, watching the flames dance in the fireplace. They moved faster and faster, flying, jumping, swirling to the point of nausea. He wanted to get up, but his body would not move. He began to panic, his body no longer responded.
And that's when he saw him. There, standing behind the desk looking at Gilbert's work. His grandfather Hugues the Glorious.
Emperor Hugues III the Glorious
“An exciting story," he said.
“What is the meaning of this?" Jean managed to say, although his face could hardly move.
“That you are about to leave this world."
The voice was quiet and unreal. Jean's breathing quickened.
"Nonsense, I'm in great shape, I'm…”
“Paralysed," finished Hugues.
“What devilry is this?"
In response, the Glorious pointed to Jean's right hand. The emperor moved his head with difficulty to discover the empty cup he still held in his hand.
"The Thracian wine," he sighed. “My own son. What a magnificent emperor he will be.”
Prince Jean's plot to murder his father (the gift)
“The worst," smiled Hugues. “But if it makes you feel any better, his reign will be short and unhappy. Not even worthy of a chapter in this book.”
“So the curse of Etienne has borne fruit. We are doomed to tear each other apart.”
“I'm not sure my son is responsible for this curse," smiled Hugues. “It is older than he is and will outlive him. Your two grandsons will know better.”
“What do you mean?”
“The day will come when Jean the Porphyrogenitus will ascend the throne under the name Jean III. John the One-eyed, as he will be nicknamed after losing his eye in a battle against Emperor Valerios III, the grandson of Helena. After the conquest of Constantinople, he will give it to his best friend, his brother Henri. Twenty years will gradually drive them apart. Love will turn to distrust and distrust to hatred. They will come to confront each other during the War of the Two Brothers. At the Second Battle of Jerusalem, Emperor Henri will be killed by his brother. After the abdication of his nephew Jacques, Jean III will combine the crowns of Jerusalem and Constantinople forever. He will have exchanged his brother and best friend for the Union.“
The two brother emperors and the Second Battle of Constantinople in which Henry perished
“The Union of the Two Montoires Crowns.”
“Two of the three Montoires Crowns.”
“What do you mean? “
“With your death, nothing will prevent my grandson Hugues III from proclaiming himself independent of Jerusalem. His line, the Huguesides, will reign until the death of Queen Tiburge. The throne will then pass to the Montoire-Tathliths. Queen Isabelle will in turn be murdered by her husband and cousin, passing the crown to the Bissys, the descendants of my third son Henri.”
The Kingdom of Mesopotamia
“Thus the branches will have outgrown the trunk. My heritage is nothing.”
“You are wrong. Why do you think our successors will be named after you? Jean IV the Fat who will bring peace and prosperity, Jean V the Strong who will be as short as his reign, Jean VI the Limper who will marry Queen Amélie of Mesopotamia allowing his son Jean VII to unify the Montoires Lands..."
Jean's eyelids were getting heavier and heavier.
"But you are still the great emperor," he murmured, closing his eyes.
“Maybe. But you will also be honoured and respected. Respected as the great Frankish ruler you once were."
Jean's breathing gradually slows down.
"Thank you…”
“Go in peace," replied the Glorious. “Emperor of the Levant."
