Tyranny of Steel

The night was dead quiet in the Royal Palace of Byzantium. A horrific scene of gruesome murder had played itself out merely a few hours before, and all except for a certain couple had difficulty gaining any peaceful rest on this wretched night.

As for Berengar and Honoria, the two of them were so used to taking lives that the death of Decentius did not affect their beauty sleep in the slightest. If anything, there was a sense of relief knowing that they completed a goal that had been on their bucket lists for several years.

When morning came, it was no surprise to see the Royal Family, and all who bore witness to the brutal death of the Second Prince, all having heavy bags underneath their eyes. As if the sight of Decentius ’ cruel fate had permanently etched itself into their memory and haunted them throughout the night.

When the dynamic duo responsible for this event entered the dining area, where the Byzantine Royal family ate in silence, they immediately noticed that none of the royal family members would meet their gaze.

To Honoria, this was a bit depressing, but to Berengar it was a sign of his power. To kill a member of the Byzantine Royal Family in the middle of their home for all to witness, and walk away as if nothing happened, was the ultimate representation of earthly authority.

Regardless as to Decentius ’ crimes, the man should have been tried and convicted, and yet the Emperor simply deferred judgement to his daughter. Resulting in a ruthless execution via poisoning. Eventually, when Berengar sat down at the table, he broached the subject of their meeting, and in doing so ending the awkward silence that prevailed in the room.

”For the sake of our Alliance, I am willing to move an artillery brigade to your borders with the Timurid Empire. Though powerful in its own right, it will be completely moot if overwhelmed by superior numbers.