1444, Byzantium Resurrects

A gentle rain fell as spring 1449 quietly descended upon the earth.

The heavy rains at the end of the previous year had washed a year of violence and bloodshed away from the city.

Following repeated rebellions, suppression, exile and migration, the city was now largely under Isaac's control.

Even under Yusuf's rough style of governance, the city had previously had a population of over 30,000, most of whom were Muslim, with a small Christian minority living in separate communities.

During Isaac's siege of the city, around 8,000 people fled via the seaport. After Yergubai surrendered, the entire city population 'voluntarily' converted to Orthodox Christianity.

Around 8,000 residents were recruited by Count Yergubai and Baron 'Regicide' Marzia to follow the Balsebe family to the Baidi region.

"These troublemakers are not particularly loyal to the Balsebe family. They just don't want to live under Christian rule,"

Isult, who had just been promoted to chief minister of the Kingdom of Cyrene, said.

Military control had just been lifted in Bilinchi, and the newly appointed administrative officials were registering the remaining residents.

With many local residents leaving and Orthodox Christians planning to move in, the city was now half empty.

Meanwhile, outside Bilinchi in the Black Castle, Isaac was receiving envoys from Genoa.

Built during the ancient Greek colonial period, this castle was one of the fortresses protecting the city.

Following the rise of Islam, it became the administrative center of Bilinchi, with successive governors living there and repeatedly reinforcing the castle.

Yusuf was an exception. Hating the castle's gloomy atmosphere and dark colors, he moved to the luxurious city and allowed the castle to fall into disrepair.

Following the establishment of the Kingdom of Cyrene, Isaac renovated the castle, making it his family home. He set up estates and hunting grounds nearby, naming the area 'Black Castle'.

"Your Highness, the governor was delighted to hear of your great victory and has sent me to congratulate you."

The envoy, Niccolo, a merchant from the Skopia family and an old acquaintance of Isaac's, had been sent by the Genoese governor Adorno.

"It's good to see you again, dear Niccolo."

"I thought you didn't want to deal with me anymore."

Isaac said lightly.

Niccolò was a little embarrassed.

On the eve of the Milanese War of Succession, Isaac had sent Captain Fidel to Corsica to negotiate with Niccolò regarding the continued purchase of large ships, but he had been turned away.

"Last time, I was wrong to reject your proposal. Here... we have brought a new agreement..."

Niccolò handed Isaac a document bearing the Genoese lion and the cross of St George.

"This document represents the Genoese Doge's Palace and all the people of Genoa. Please read it carefully."

Niccolò's expression became serious.

Isaac picked up the document and read it carefully.

It was written in both Latin and Greek, but it was not difficult to read.

Halfway through, he understood.

It was a commercial treaty with military implications.

In short, the Republic of Genoa was jealous of Isaac's share of the trade in North Africa and was wary of Montferrat's quiet rise nearby, so it wanted to use the agreement to regulate the relationship between the three parties.

From the document, Isaac could also discern some concerns about Venice and the Ottoman Empire.

At the end of the document was the coat of arms of John IV, Duke of Montferrat, indicating that he had reviewed and signed it.

Niccolò then handed over John IV's letter.

"The Duke of Parma has written to you and asked me to deliver it."

Isaac opened the letter, glanced through it, and formed an idea in his mind.

'Things must be going badly in Genoa lately.'

He put down the letter, poured Niccolò some wine and motioned for him to sit down.

Many people in later generations confused Genoa and Venice, which was incorrect.

Venice was a typical oligarchic state, with power concentrated in a Grand Council composed of nobles, who also elected the Doge.

Nevertheless, the entire citizenry was united in foreign affairs, and every Venetian was proud of his identity, with nationalism running high.

'I am a Venetian first, a Christian second.'

This statement by Enrico Dandolo is regarded as a guiding principle by many Venetians.

Genoa, on the other hand, was the exact opposite. Although the doge was nominally elected by the people, they had little loyalty to the state.

The Genoese admired individual heroism and were keen on adventure and war. They would rather make a name for themselves like Saint George than fight for their country.

Many famous adventurers later came from Genoa.

Disaster after disaster befell Genoa: the Black Death, defeat at Chioggia, the rise of the Ottomans, deflation and a shortage of precious metals. One disaster after another befell Genoa, the 'western lion of the sea', knocking it into a state of irreparable decline.

Genoa's days as a Mediterranean power were now numbered — it would only outlive the Eastern Roman Empire by five years.

After 1458, Genoa swayed between the Kingdom of France and the Holy Roman Empire, never regaining its former glory.

"Your Highness, I won't hide it from you: the situation in the country is dire. The people are rioting, the governor is overwhelmed and the nobles are standing by and watching."

"This is no secret; you can find out for yourself."

"Does this have anything to do with our agreement?"

Isaac drank his wine and spoke slowly.

"North Africa is an important part of our trade, and we hope that you can grant us trade privileges, just as Yusuf and Abdullah did in the past."

Niccolo pointed to a clause in the trade agreement.

Isaac nodded. This was something they could discuss.

"In addition, we hope to use your fleet and merchant ports to bypass the Venetian blockade and deal with the threat they pose together."

"This does not seem to be in the agreement."

"I'm sure you've realized that the Venetians don't take you seriously at all. They are our common enemy."

"Even if we join forces, we are no match for the Venetians."

"It will make them hesitate."

"What's in it for me?"

Seeing that Isaac had relented, Niccolò finally relaxed his furrowed brow.

"That's something we'll have to discuss in detail."

...

On 4 February 1449, envoys from Copenhagen and Berlin arrived in Berlin one after another.

At the request of Pope Nicholas V, almost all of the Christian countries of Europe sent envoys to witness the coronation.

Venice and Milan did not send anyone, but this did not concern Isaac.

Isaac's diplomats and nobles bustled about, serving the envoys who had travelled from afar.

Anderson and Isult had not had a good night's sleep for several days. With dark circles under their eyes, they looked at Isaac resentfully.

There was no alternative; there was no lady of the house, so they were forced to do the work themselves.

The envoys brought gifts of all sizes, mostly small trinkets that were not particularly valuable.

The Portuguese royal family, who had the best relationship with Isaac, sent a gem-inlaid sword, estimated to be worth five hundred ducats.

Skanderbeg sent a beautiful bearskin that could be made into a soft carpet.

Isolde had also prepared gifts in return, mostly handicrafts from West Africa and local specialties from Cyrene.

The nobles gathered together, talking loudly, eating and drinking to their hearts' content and fighting with swords to win the favor of a female guest, which turned the entire domain into chaos.

Overall, they were quite satisfied with Isaac's hospitality.

On 5 February, Isaac held a banquet for the envoys and all the nobles gathered in the banquet hall of the Black Castle. Wearing magnificent formal attire adorned with precious jewels and decorative daggers at their waists, the nobles entered the banquet hall with their heads held high.

Isaac and his vassals stood in the banquet hall and greeted the guests.

Among them were the son of Count Caire, the brother of Count Hesse and the nephew of the Elector of the Palatinate.

Isaac repeated his words of welcome and praise, his face frozen in a smile.

He didn't know any of them, but he had to pretend they were old friends.

"The Portuguese envoy, Duke Enrique of Viseu, from the House of Avis!"

Isaac finally saw a familiar face, and a genuine smile appeared on his lips.

"Enrique, long time no see!"

Isaac and Enrique hugged each other, Enrique looking on with a gloating expression.

"Enjoy it while you can. I went through the same thing back in the day."

Enrique preferred the company of sailors to the formalities of nobility, enjoying their tales of the sea and drinking wine with them.

Isaac smiled wryly.

Enrique turned around and pulled his little niece out from behind him where she had been hiding.

"This is Joana, King Alfonso's sister. She... er..."

"He's looking at me!"

Joana cried indignantly.

"Greetings, Your Highness, Prince of Sultana, King of Cyrenaica, Prince of Constantinople, Isaac the Martyr."

A beautiful young girl dressed in elegant clothes curtsied to Isaac.

She wore a Portuguese-style fustian skirt, and the whalebone petticoat accentuated her youthful elegance.

The skirt was embroidered with the Portuguese national flower, the lavender, which was simple yet elegant.

Her hair was styled into the shape of a rose and covered with a white veil.

Her deep, bright eyes were half hidden by the veil and her long, curved eyelashes fluttered. Beneath her straight nose, her rosy lips were pursed, forming a beautiful curve at the corners.

Her slender neck curved slightly, revealing a hint of white skin.

Isaac was momentarily mesmerized.

"My name is Leonor Avis. It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

Seeing that Isaac did not respond, Leonor continued.

"Welcome, honored guest. May you feel at home here."

Isaac came to his senses and felt embarrassed by his rudeness.

Leonor Avis, Princess of Portugal, was renowned for her beauty and noble birth. After coming of age, she became famous far and wide and was the object of desire for European nobles.

Her brother was King of Portugal and her uncle King of Aragon; nobles from England and Burgundy fought over her. The Crown Prince of France and the Holy Roman Emperor also competed for her affection.

Ultimately, she married the Holy Roman Emperor, Frederick III, a decision that would haunt her for the rest of her life.

She had a very famous son: the Holy Roman Emperor and Duke of Burgundy, Maximilian I, founder of the Habsburg strategy to conquer the world.

Of course, all that was in the future. For now, she was just a fourteen-year-old princess.

Legend has it that when Frederick III first saw his future wife, he stood speechless for several minutes.

Looking back now, it was no exaggeration.

The more beautiful a woman is, the more dangerous she is.

Isaac reminded himself.

As the guests arrived, Isaac took his seat at the head of the table, under the gaze of everyone present, and declared the banquet open.

The dishes were abundant, and the selection of wines was extensive. The nobles from smaller regions had their eyes gleaming with desire.

Burgundy red wine, Saint William's sugarcane, Wallachian roses, Swiss black truffles and Iberian beef were all on offer.

Watching these nobles gorge themselves, Isaac's heart bled.

He believed that things should have been simple, but Isult had insisted on this in order to make a good impression on the European countries.

Initially, they were polite and did not use Isaac's territory to flaunt their masculinity.

But as the wine flowed and the dishes were cleared away, the alcohol began to take effect and many began to let loose.

These nobles drank and ate meat, shedding their usual pretensions and revealing their crude nature.

Having finished discussing matters of state, the men began to cast lewd glances at the women's bare breasts and arms.

They boasted, flirted, winked at the women they desired and exchanged glances with married women.

Isaac saw a bishop take the opportunity to embrace the countess beside him while changing the candles. The countess giggled, seemingly resisting yet welcoming his advances.

Meanwhile, her husband was telling a joke and the duke's daughter was giggling beside him.

If nothing was done, something that the people would enjoy might happen.

Isaac sighed and stood up.

"Gentlemen, there is a good hunting ground behind Black Castle. How about we ask Count Mikhail to take everyone there for a hunt?"

Hunting after dinner was one of the favorite pastimes of European aristocrats.

The bishop took the countess by the arm and the count picked up the duke's daughter. They mounted their hunting horses and took their hunting dogs and falcons with them as they entered the forest in search of game.

Isaac was sure that many of them would find a secluded spot in the woods in which to indulge in carnal pleasures.

Go ahead, just don't bother me here.

The last hoofbeats faded away, accompanied by giggles. Isaac finally breathed a sigh of relief. He went to his garden, picked up a cup of milk wine and sipped it slowly.

"At a typical noble banquet, the women sit together and chat about family matters, clothing, their children, and love affairs."

Isaac turned his head and saw Leonor walking towards him, her voice as clear and pleasant as a silver bell.

"The men gather to drink and talk about war and politics, boasting about their achievements."

"In your castle, however, they are all in disarray."

"As a nobleman, you are unqualified."

"So what?"

Isaac said impatiently.

"Your castle is missing a lady of the house."

"Are you volunteering?"

Isaac was calculating how many soldiers this meal would feed, and he couldn't be bothered with her.

A blush flashed across Leonor's face, but she immediately adopted a cold expression.

"I had thought that the renowned holy warrior, Isaac the Executioner, would be an elegant and courteous nobleman."

Isaac sneered.

"Most of the conflicts in this world are caused by nobles, and they are also extinguished by nobles."

"Don't underestimate the importance of noble interactions. At times, they can be more powerful than a million soldiers."

"That's why, in any country, the foreign minister always holds a higher position than the military minister."

Isaac knew she was right, but he was still annoyed.

"How about this? I'll lend you a horse and you can go hunting."

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