Chapter 389: Discovering Bardas’ Betrayal

Julius sat in the dark room provided for him by Constance. Late into the night, he could still hear hymns being sung deep within the Holy Seat. Covering his ears, he tried to drown out the noise, unable to stand it any longer, but it seemingly pierced through his fingers and assaulted his mind. Gritting his teeth, he threw on a coat and walked out. He needed to clear his head before he was made insane.

Stepping outside and closing the door, the singing finally stopped. Julius smiled and peacefully walked, looking around. If Sol had a home on Gaia, Juluis didn’t doubt it was the Holy Seat. The towering buildings all featured extravagant statues of notable figures from Church history. The walls were pure white and regularly being cleaned. It was strange. Unlike the Empire, everything was clean. The walls, paths, and people. Nothing, a speck of dirt could be spotted out of place.

A fountain sat in the middle of the large courtyard, on top of it a large statue of a man lowering his head in respect towards where the sun rose. Julius sat before it and watched the water dance, taking in the sight. It was peaceful, a stark contrast to the chaos he had experienced in the past weeks.

"You should be in your room." A cold voice called out from behind, surprising him. Gabriel walked over with cold eyes.

"How did you know I left?" Julius said bitterly as Gabriel took a seat next to him.

"I have men watching you. They informed me as soon as you left. We need a decision before you go." Julius chuckled and shook his head.

"I’m still thinking about it." The two sat in silence for a while. Juluis peeke dat Gabreil and hears him muttering a small prayer under his breath. He had so many questions. He knew what happened in the Holy Seat, the schisms and everything. He knew Gabreil played a massive role in what transpired and had become his brother’s biggest supporter.

"May I ask a question?" Julius asked softly, making Gabreil open his eyes and nod, "How are you still loyal to my brother. You’re a man who swore himself to Sol. Yet my brother lied and betrayed the faith of millions. More importantly, he is a cruel man who, despite his wishes, became the person he hated most. How do you stand by his side so proudly despite all he has done?"

Gabriel wanted to tell Julius to be respectful about Constance, but didn’t. Instead of sighing deeply, his eyes hardened. "Not everyone deserves to know the truth, nor needs to know it. Rameil, Elijah and I are not happier now that we know the role of Grand Templar was created to be the personal hitmen of the Pope. In fact, Elijah is worse because of it. Why is the truth so important if you have faith in the same God as the lies?"

Gabriel clicked his tongue and shook his head. Julius could tell that Gabriel was incredibly bitter that Michael forced everyone to know the truth. He was happy to be ignorant. He didn’t need to know anything; his faith in God was real. Gabriel clicked his tongue again and chuckled.

"And you ask me how I can be loyal." Gabriel smiled with pride, "Because he is good and bad. His cruelty is never without reason. All of it is to keep the people faithful to Sol safe, to guide their souls to Sol’s Kingdom. If he were naively good, then he would have told all the Chruch’s secrets openly because it was right. If he were cruel, he would have done the same because it would delight him. A Pope cannot be one or the other; he must be both. Raising a child requires a firm hand and a soft embrace."

"So you agree that I must disfigure myself."

"To keep the Church safe, yes." Gabriel lowered his head. "If there is another way, give an argument."

"Support me unconditionally. He’s my brother. I would do the same."

"No, you wouldn’t." Gabriel dryly chuckled, "When your mother died, did you help him. No, you left him alone to suffer under your father’s care until he finally could run away on his own. Maybe it would be kinder to trust you, but he can’t."

Julius wanted to say something, but couldn’t and lowered his head in shame. "I was wrong. But no man will follow an Emperor who is disabled."

"They will if he rose from the dead." Gabriel slyly smiled and stood up, "Do not worry, Prince. If you choose to side with us, I will do my best to preserve as much of your look as possible. Now come and sleep. We need a decision in the next few days. Time is running out."

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Cato stepped into a cold room deep within the Palace. White mist escaped his lips with each breath as he pulled his clothing on tighter. Looking at the corpse that had been wrapped in a protective blanket to fend off decomposition, he frowned.

Slowly pulling the layer around the face off, the burnt face of a man looked down at him. Cato frowned deeper and grabbed the eyelid. Opening it up, he clicked his tongue. The body was burned too strongly, and the eyes had melted. Despite that, he didn’t stop. Carefully forcing the body’s mouth open, he looked around inside and scoffed.

It was easy to miss, but Cato knew everything he needed to know about the Imperial children. He was the one who relayed every piece of information about them to Theodosius, and it included their health. Julius had lost a tooth in the back of his mouth. It was something so small but easy to miss. Yet the body in front of him had all of them.

"Bardas." Shaking his head, he thought of the bastard who pretended to be a meek child in front of his father. Wrapping the body back up, Cato left the room and quickly strode down the Palace halls. The servants all stepped to the side in fear of the Eunuch. Ignoring everything, he walked deeper into the palace until he stood outside the room Bardas stayed in.

Throwing the door open, the man jumped up in surprise before seeing Cato before him. "What is it?" Meekly speaking to him, Cato frowned and dangerously squinted.

"Stop the act, Bardas," Cato said coldly and closed the door behind him. Bardas’s soft eyes hardened, becoming emotionless, his innocent face transforming.

"What do you want, Eunuch? I’m busy." His tone went hard as he looked back down at the papers before him.

"Where is Julius?" Cato watched as Bardas looked up. The two locked eyes, staring deeply at one another.

"He should be rotting in one of the rooms of the Palace right now. I’m sure you know this, however, so once again. What. Do. You. Want?"

Cato chuckled and stiffly smiled, "You know, I put up with the little act you play for His Majesty because you were a good dog, but it seems you have forgotten the hand that feeds you." Cato strolled forward and smiled, "That isn’t Julius’s body. Considering how smart you think you are, you’ve overlooked one crucial yet simple thing. Teeth remain behind when a body burns. All of them. And the body we have has all of them."

Bardas stared at him with a blank expression. "So the body has all its teeth. What does it matter?" Cato chuckled and shook his head. Pacing back and forth, he smugly smiled.

"Julius lost a tooth a few years ago. He tried to replace it with gold, but it was too uncomfortable for him to wear, and he gave it up. You see, I remember because I was the one who commissioned his gold tooth to be made."

Bardas’s face sank as he realised that the eunuch had realised his betrayal. Cato leaned on the table and frowned, "We need Juluis dead, Bardas. Where is he?"

Bardas’ mind spun, but he composed himself and smiled, "Does it matter. Father has already..."

"His Majesty." Cato cut in, "You are not his son, you’re a dog. Be respectful."

Rolling his eyes, he carried on, "His Majesty has already sent word to many people of his son’s death at the hands of Magnus. All the high-ranking nobility will know before you get the chance to recall the messages." Looking at Cato, it was Bardas’ time to be smug, "I wonder how likely it is for a brother to visit a brother. What do you think? Will Juluis see Constance first or the letter you sent?"

Cato’s eyes widened in shock. "Oh, you stupid boy." Cato clicked his tongue, "What’s even your plan. Wheel him out after the funeral. He’s will be a dead man to everyone; anyone who claims to be his Highness afterwards will be treated like a madman."

"You’re right." Bardas said casually, "But luckily for us, the Imperial family has one trait that cannot be faked." Tapping under his eyes, he smugly smiled, "Even if they don’t believe it’s Julius from the dead, he will still have his features." Bardas sighed and leaned on his hand. "Sometimes people just like to believe miracles happen, Cato. Especially when it’s their Emperor causing it."

"You think this is enough." Cato turned and tried to leave, but Bardas quickly got up and raced behind him. Wrapping his arms around his neck, he put the eunuch in a chokehold.

"The Emperor in the west did it. Why can’t Juluis? But don’t worry, old man, he won’t sit on the throne for too long even if he comes back." Bardas loosened his grip around Cato. "I won’t kill you here. It would arouse too much attention, but don’t think about telling Father, or I will kill you." Cato broke through and turned around with angry eyes. Staring down at him, Bardas looked smug and spread his arms, "Make a choice, but just know if you do, I will tell everyone the truth. It wasn’t Magnus who killed Julius. It was His Majesty."

Bardas pushed past Cato. Stopping, he looked at the Eunuch who still held his throat in pain, "Even if you do manage to kill me, I have made preparations in case of my death. His Majesty will burn alongside me. So take the risk if you want." Casually leaving, Cato rubbed his throat in hate and stared at the door.