Eudosia had carefully groomed and dressed before reaching the antechamber of the room, where she had already learned from her husband and brother about the defeat of the imperial brother Isaac in Asia Minor - most of the six thousand elite soldiers had been killed and wounded, and important cities such as Nicaea and Prusa were once again in ink, and Gilligi held the crimson eagle banner and swept the empire's already shaky and dismal territory.

However, Alexios in the Brachna Palace may be the latest to get bad news, he has just won a great victory in the north, whether it is a court official, a court official, or a noble lady who can walk freely in the palace, they all invariably choose to be silent, "This kind of news, the ups and downs are too great, it is better to wait for His Excellency Sebastocrates to send a messenger to tell His Majesty in person." ”

In this way, the situation was ridiculously ossified again: Isaac was in the lonely city of Nicomedia, pondering the wording of the paper, but the clever Emperor Alexios had already understood all this, but what could he say?

A few days ago, Yudohia, who had been summoned by the emperor to a banquet in the court, could see more clearly that the emperor's gray hair had increased again.

And now, Gawain is here again, she has joy and sorrow in her heart, happy that Gawain survived this terrible defeat, sad that Gawain came here as a private person, he won't be extremely desolate and depressed, right? Thinking so, a motherly warmth welled up in Yudohia's heart, and she wanted to comfort the warrior who had returned from the distant front with beauty, elegance, and enthusiasm.

But when she stepped out of the front hall, she saw a completely different Gawain from what she had imagined - the straight body of the great shore was still the same, the beard was shaved clean, only the stubble of the male charm remained, and it was still looming, and the face was particularly sharp and cold, with short brown hair, neatly combed behind, and the outside of the body was draped in a gray and luxurious coat, and the inside was a pure white silk shirt, on which hung a pure gold charm.

Yudohya shrugged her shoulders and laughed, tiptoeing softly and obediently, as if she had returned to the age of thirteen, holding the fresh grass and flowers she had gathered on the banks of the river in her hometown, and looking at the endless birch forest.

"You don't look like an Imperial Guard warrior, don't tell me you came back from desertion." After saying that, Yudoxia's bright eyes saw the guard with a tense face behind Gawain, and her heart was a little more steady-it seems that Gawain is not from being fooled.

"He did desert." But then, Diognis unceremoniously commented.

"Yes, Eudohya, Gawain is now an adventurer, and is ready to try his luck in Italy." With an immovable smile, Gawain politely gave an expensive ring and put it on the woman's slender fingers, saying that it was for his most beloved noble lady, Eudoxia. Gift of Nestas.

Yudohia raised an eyebrow in confusion, "Could it be that you are going to be a mercenary?" ”

"Isn't it normal things in this world? Anyway, there are city-states willing to pay a lot of money. Gawain's reply confirmed her suspicions.

Hearing this, Eudosia was stunned, and before her eyes again appeared the endless birch grove, and at the mouth of the white waves, the men boarded the boats without looking back, and the creatures were always like this, and they always went away, always with their hearts, "We go to the capital of the Greek emperor", "To the trade routes of the Khazar Khanate", "To Meisembria", and with these inaccurate words, they disappeared from the sight of the women of the village, leaving behind often eternal waiting, And that black sea.

"Then why are you still coming to me?" Eudohya was a little confused and a little resentful, and her eyes no longer looked at Gawain's pale blue pupils.

"I'm here to ask for your help, and that's what you promised."

"That's right."

"I want to see His Majesty the Emperor!"

"You are crazy - now you are absolutely clear about the situation in Xiaoya, and the Lord of the Guards is also here, don't you know, and now to see Your Majesty is a literal shipwreck, which will provoke the flames of thunder, just beg you not to involve me and Mikhail." Eudahia vehemently opposed.

But this attitude seems to have been expected by Gawain, "I'm sorry, I don't mean to embarrass you, I just want to show the last words and commissions of the dead farov to the emperor, but in this current situation, I don't have such an opportunity." ”

"Farov died in battle?" Yudoshia said sadly, holding on to the pillars of the antechamber, and she couldn't believe that even the bravest and luckiest old bones of the Inner Palace Shield Guard had been reduced to dust in the wilderness of Asia Minor.

After a while, she turned her head, looked at Gao Wen's sincere eyes again, and said slowly, "I understand your feelings, let's talk about it in detail, even if it can't play a decisive role, I will work with Mikhail to match the bridge." ”

Anna. Komnenos woke up from the bed in a little excitement, and she got out of bed with sleepy eyes, and walked out of bed with bare feet in a milky silk robe, and then the maids extinguished the bronze lamp at the head of the bed, and brought the washing utensils, "I want a watch." Anna grunted with the water in her little mouth.

The maid next to her took out the watch book that the eldest princess pointed to from the bookcase under the chandelier, leaned down and raised it, and unfolded it in front of Anna's eyes.

Then the rest of the handmaidens opened their two mirrors and made long parting braids for Anna's black hair, like spiders toiling it. Another eunuch who guarded the household came in small steps and presented Anna with a delicate star chart.

"Good, today is the best day." Anna's expression was satisfied.

The small door of the palace of Brachna opened, and the eldest princess, who sat in the light gauze shoulder, passed through the door, guarded by eight sword-wielding attendants, and there sat a one-eyed eunuch with a hairless dog tied in his hand, and Anna's eyes were fixed on the old fellow, and then she took out ten newly minted silver coins from the hanging bag on her shoulder, and asked the maid to give them to the eunuch, "that he should buy a decent garment, and not to insult the majesty of the royal family." ”

"Eldest Princess!" Outside the door, Mikhail, the young chief of the emperor's guard, with a big smile, soon flashed to the side of his shoulders - it was obvious that Alexios would not restrain his daughter, but he would take care of her safety.

"Very well Mikhail, you have to keep up below." Seeing the commander of the Bow and Arrow Guard following behind, Anna was also relieved and could follow the path of the arrow and drive straight to the destination.

Next to the unfinished Church of the Holy Apostles is the guild quarter, and in the middle of it is a new royal almshouse, an orphanage built by seven monasteries under the supervision of Nicodemia the bird.

Anna stepped down and went in with Mikhail, and she was satisfied, because her father had agreed to make her the chief patron and archdeacon of the new orphanage at the age of twelve, so that the little girl had been able to read the books, books, and files all day and night, and to do it very diligently—of course, it was necessary for the young Byzantine royal family to exercise their administrative skills.

"Let me meet the first great benevolent man who has given him five gold pounds, and I would like to personally thank him for his contribution to this monastery. Komnenos could also grant him any of his requests. Anna wore a cloak and a childish voice, and the courtyard of the monastery was filled with poor children eating their meals, and then, under the guidance of several monks, she passed through the crowd and came behind the "great good man."

Anna saw him at a glance, and only saw the high head from the other party's heels, "Hey, turn around in the face of the eldest princess, don't turn your back!" Before Anna could speak, Mikhail pretended to drink harshly.

The other party turned around, with a warm smile, and quickly knelt down in front of Anna, even so, he was half a shoulder taller than the little Anna, and the broad palm stretched out, with a gentle and bewitching voice, "Your Excellency the Honorable Eldest Princess"

"It's you, Stephen. Gawain, right? Anna's heart suddenly increased a little, and then, according to the etiquette, she rested her little hand in Gawain's palm.

(End of volume)

――――――――――――――

Next week, "Eagle Yang Byzantium" will go to Sanjiang, I hope everyone will continue to support Sula, and Sura will try to do more.