"But Your Highness, the emperor is the emperor who enthroned that Varyag barbarian, and you have no reason to dismiss it instead of Gawain?"

Anna frowned, "I have announced the return of the surname Ducasse, and at this moment, Gawain has unified Seleucia through the conquest of the rebellion, I want to complete the marriage contract with Gawain, establish a state here, and exercise power with the seal independently, instead of letting him inherit the title of grand duke from the emperor, so that he will be tied and not free." ”

"So eager to marry this rude barbarian" Agnes couldn't help but sigh, but she had already sworn allegiance to the princess, so she had to stand in the other party's position and give up her selfish desires for the time being, "Your Highness, you might as well seek allies within the military government who can speak, and guide the barbarian to agree to your thoughts." ”

The only allies Anna could think of were Branas, Wright, and Doruth. Lambert, and now that Dolus was assigned to defend the newly conquered castle, and Wright, who was also in Sicilicia to assist the Brotherhood in inventory, could not make it away.

Only Andronicus remains. Branas, the commander of the Guardian Brigade, is now known as a "man of few people, but a man of few words" and a "traitor who escaped for a woman", and although the soldiers are not aware of it, the high-ranking generals know that he cannot be expected to play the role of spokesman.

"The camping steward, Vesart. What about Merlot? Agnes suggested the candidate, "He was a standard Roman, and he had a lot of voice in the barracks. ”

After a while, the chief steward who was boarding the corridor to prepare for the meeting was suddenly invited by Agnes on the grounds that "I heard that your wife is coming on board the ship in the autumn, and Her Royal Highness the Princess in Purple wants to know her hobbies and temperaments in advance so as to deepen the friendship." Merlot naturally didn't dare to slack off, and unsheathed his sword as a sign of respect. Walking into the curtain of the chapel, Anna sat on the chair behind her, and after saluting each other, "Your lady must be from a famous Italian lady, right?" ”

"I'm ashamed, but in fact, Chiser was originally someone else's wife, and later under the protection of General Stratigos. That's with me. Merlot confessed that, to tell the truth, this answer was a little embarrassing for both Anna and Agnes - after all, the princess herself had eloped with Gawain.

Originally, Anna wanted to use praise and flatter the other party's husband and wife to play a few words, but now that this road has been blocked, she simply went straight to the point, "Lord Merlot, you have always been the most relied on assistant for me and General Stratigos, and in the future, I will have the heir after my marriage to His Excellency General." You are also the best candidate for the Outer Palace. ”

This honor and commitment is really great, so that Mellot suddenly felt grateful, and her attitude couldn't help but walk on thin ice, behind the curtain Anna was very satisfied with the other party's demeanor, and then sighed and stood up, "But now, my father wants to use the official title of the Grand Duke to envelop Gawain, and it is inconvenient for me to directly intervene in this kind of matter." After all, this is the glory Gawain deserves. But I heard that after the brilliant victory of the counterinsurgency war. The soldiers had wanted Gawain to be on the sacred shield? ”

"Yes, it does." Merlot knew it all.

Gawain refused. Anna spoke in a tone of disappointment.

"General Stratigues, I think I still have awe and support for the empire and the emperor."

"Therefore, it is not convenient for me to persuade him directly, after all, I have a father-daughter relationship with the Emperor, and I hope that you will be in control of the whole meeting in this meeting on whether or not to accept the title. Let Seleucia and Western Cilicia become independent from the territory of the empire, without pretending to others, unify Cilicia and Antioch, and then counterattack Anatolia. I remember a long time ago. Gawain once said to me that the glory of Rome did not belong to some glorious family, but to a truly powerful man, but now he has forgotten what he once said, and he is unaware that the real strength is me and him. ”

Merlot thought for a moment, then bowed down, "Yes, the soldiers will also support Her Royal Highness the princess in this way." ”

With such a promise, Anna let out a gratifying smile behind the curtain.

The reason why she did this was not that she didn't care if Gawain would accept the title! Accepting or not accepting the "Grand Duke" now has no fundamental impact on the entire situation, anyway, Gawain will be independent sooner or later, and she will not even be unable to see through this. Anna's move was to exert influence on military councils, just as many Roman empresses would buy hearts and minds in the senate, the people, or the courts.

About half an hour later, Anna, accompanied by the fat eunuch and Agnes, walked to the seat behind the curtain of the hall, while Gawain sat on the high chair in front of her, representing the equal power of the two, with only one before the other.

Gottschalke, Melo, Walter, Birrell, Giovanni, Bramson, and Ander Odart, the official of the heraldic officer, who had just returned, were all seated in separate positions.

"The issue this time is very simple, but it is also very crucial, that is, whether to continue to accept the emperor's title." When Gawain saw that the men had arrived, he sat down on the steps and said aloud, "Everyone understands that now I have formed an alliance with Baldwin and divided almost all of Cilicia, but there is no agreement among the lords and the people, some want to continue their allegiance to the emperor of Constantinople, while others think that they can establish their own country and organize an army to recover the holy city with pilgrims. His Excellency Maupulos, the Imperial Jurist in the post house now, has come for this matter, so he has gathered all the people together and expressed their opinions. ”

Bramson was the first to stand up, this man who has always been fierce and frank when he expressed his position, shouting that he would set up his own country, be crowned by the Holy See, and make Gawain the "Caesar of Seleucia" and the princess "Queen of Seleucia", don't hesitate, this thing will be done.

Looking at this money-greedy fellow, Anna also laughed, and whispered to Agnes, "Immediately reward the swordsmanship instructor with thirty Byzantit gold coins, and take them from my own money." ”

But Giovanni then stood up and fiercely refuted the advice of the swordsmanship instructor, the two were really incompatible, but Giovanni's statement was also the first to say, "Now the population and land controlled by His Excellency Stratigues are still too small, and it is not impossible to fight against Constantinople, but it is really unnecessary, and we should be careful between the Roman Empire and the pilgrim community, and slowly accumulate strength." ”

Giovanni's statement was also endorsed by Walter and Birel.

Then the heraldic officer also expressed his opinion: although the territory has now been inventoried and registered, and a folded account book has been made, it can be seen that the attitude of the gentines towards us is still very subtle, and if they break with the emperor at this time, they will be given the cause of the trouble.

"Very good, Andero Dart said it well." Gawain, who was on the high chair, expressed his satisfaction and admiration for the growth of heraldic officials' ability to govern and strategize.

Anna was in a hurry, coughing lightly twice, and motioned for Merlot to speak. (To be continued.) )