Chapter 406: Meeting in the Council Room

Julius looked at Octavius and, noticing the small ring on his finger, smiled. "When is the marriage happening?" Although it was his father who orchestrated the marriage between Octavius and his sister, Julius happily let it happen under his rule. As much as he wanted to trust Octavius, he couldn’t.

"After we have dealt with Magnus. I don’t believe that we should refocus our priorities." Julius nodded in satisfaction.

"The banquet?" Raising his eyebrow, he looked into Octavius’ eyes.

"The Midlands will support us as well as the East. As for the military, I managed to convince a few fellows to support me." Octavius smiled and leaned forward, "You hold more power now."

"Good." Julius happily smiled and tapped his mask, "Prepare to march. We must act quickly to corner Magnus." Julius closed his eyes and thought, "How has your mission in the south gone?"

"The lords are annoyed but can’t do anything. My men have found those who can be considered loyal to the new regime, but a few others still are waiting for Theodsius to arrive. I fear that if things are left the way they are, they may break out into civil war if Duke Colchis doesn’t make his move."

"Do not worry about the Duke, let me deal with him. In the meantime, prepare your forces." Octavius stood up and saluted, walking off. Closing his eyes, Julius smiled that everything was going to plan, but quickly wiped it, not wishing to get overconfident.

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A few days passed, and Julius sat in his council room alone. The loud knocking on the door followed the entrance of Duke Colchis. Julius stood up and walked over to him, extending a soft smile and reaching out his hand.

"Lord Colchis. Thank you for meeting me." The Duke bowed before taking Julius’ hand, "Please sit."

"It is a surprise for you to summon me after the mess you have caused in my lands, Prince Regent." Colchis spoke with a bitter tone, making Julius stiffly smile.

"You have my utmost apologies. The crown will reimburse you for any losses, but with my father on the run, you must understand why such actions were taken." Colshis sour mood eased up a little at being reimbursed.

"As you have said. It is understandable." The Duke looked around and leaned back in his chair. "So why have you called me?"

"If you don’t mind, can you wait a few minutes before we begin?" Colchis squinted but nodded, wishing to see where Julius was going. The silence was tense as Colchis watched the prince, who casually leaned back with his eyes closed. If he’d just spoken to him, he’d have believed he’d fallen asleep.

Second turned to minutes, and once again the door opened, this time without someone knocking. Colshis wondered who would be so rude, but seeing Constance walk in flanked by his Templars, he was stunned.

Julius lazily opened one eye and chuckled, pointing to the seat next to him. Constacne walked over with a cold gaze and gracefully sat down. "You seem well, brother." With an angelic voice, Constance spoke. With the two next to each other, it was obvious that they were full brothers. But Colchis felt a little overwhelmed by them. Julius’ masked appearance created a sense of mystery around him, whilst Constance looked like a pure angel who hid sinister thoughts.

"After being baptised in flames, I have a new sense of clarity." It was strange for Colchis. Despite Julius’ words, he heard a slight hatred in his voice directed at Constance.’Something happened between them. Something to do with Julius’ supposed death.’It didn’t take long for him to realise, and his bouncing leg froze as he quickly pieced it together,’It was all fake. Julius has the complete support of the Holy Seat.’He suppressed his smile after realising the truth and blankly stared at the two.

"Yes, well, the Lord does test his most devout." Constance mocked, expecting Julius to jump at him like he had done many times before. To his surprise, Julius didn’t show any overt reaction; only his eyes went empty with a hint of madness.’He’s finally grown up.’Constance smiled to himself and sighed, "It’s a shame father escaped, but I doubt he will get far. He lacks allies inside and outside the Empire."

Constance looked over to Colchis after emphasising inside. "Yes, I doubt he will get far." Colchis knew there was no point in fighting the crown any more. With the Holy Seat to his east, the Lisaponic Empire to his south, and Julius north, he was surrounded on all fronts. All he could do was bite his tongue and accept his new Emperor.

"Good." Julius smiled, seeing Colchis realise the futility of going against him, "Now then, gentleman. I have called you for one reason. Magnus." Julius said the name with a deep, hateful voice, "I have confirmed he has been receiving support from the Ammary’s. I fear that his rebellion was not just a matter of his own ambition, but also the plots of our enemies abroad. Brother, I’m sure you understand the threat this poses."

Julius didn’t know if the information was true, but his father was the perfect motivator to get Constance to mobilise his own forces. "I have already got the Templars ready to move. I am waiting for your go-ahead." Constance said coldly, thinking about Alfred. Even if Magnus wasn’t a real ally for Alfred, the fact that he was willing to work with him showed that he couldn’t be trusted with the Empire and role as Guardian of the Holy Seat.

"Good. Begin the march. Octavius has already begun. Soon, the Midlands and East will join us." Constance nodded in response and took out a letter from his inner pocket. Handing it to a guard behind him, the Templar ran off. He had already expected the order to march.

Colchis watched with great interest and smiled, "Your Majesty." The way he addressed Julius changed: "I know the location of someone I believe you will be interested in." Seeing Julius’s puzzled look, he smiled, "Of course, I need something in return."

"The name first."

"Cato," Colchis said with a deep smile. Before, he had been ready to support Theodosisus against Julius, but seeing the shift in power, he knew there was no point in supporting his old liege. It made him bitterly chuckle at how easily allegiances shifted.

Julius paused for a second before widely smiling. To everyone who saw it, it was a horrifying smile that showed a deep madness he was ready to unleash. Julius quickly wiped his mouth and got rid of it. "What do you want?"

’I can get more than expected.’Colchis smiled, "I’ll give you a choice. First, let me marry into your esteemed family. I have a son who needs a wife. Second, when you remove those unloyal elements from my land, allow me to have free rein to replace them. Or give me a tax leniency for the next four years."

Julius frowned at all the options. He quickly ruled out the first choice, not wishing for Colchis or his family to gain any more power in his court. Hearing the third option, he also couldn’t agree to it. The war with Magnus would drain his coffers, and he knew he would need to up tax collection for a year afterwards.’This snake.’

"You can choose your own vassals without my input." Colshis smiled and lowered his head.

"Cato is currently in hiding within my lands. He is under the protection of Count Felice." Julius nodded deeply.

"I thank you for your Loyalty, Duke." Julius sighed and leaned back, "That will be all. You may leave." Colchis stood up and bowed. Seeing him leave the room, Consatance finally looked into Julius’ eyes.

"Where is father?" He knew better than to believe the man had gotten away, especially when his brother was so adamant about destroying him.

"Do you really want to see him, brother?" Julius said with a happy voice as if waiting for a chance to show off his prized possession.

"What have you done, Julius?" It horrified the man slightly, hearing his brother’s voice. Julius stood up and slowly walked to the exit. Consatcne watched him for a second before following behind.

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After getting into numerous unmarked carriages, switching every few minutes, Constance followed Julius into a small building on the outskirts of the city. Through a set of iron doors, Constance smelled a horrid smell as the last one opened into a room of pure darkness.

"julius..." A weak but recognisable voice called out. Grabbing a torch by the wall, Julius threw it into the cell, hitting Theodosisus, who moaned in pain.

"Hello, Father. I brought a guest." Julius spoke with delight as he forced Constance to stand before him. All he could do was stare at the man. Although he knew his father, he lacked the old arrogance or dignity he had once carried, being covered in filth with dim eyes.

"Constance..." Theodosius said weakly, but quickly felt hopeful. "Help me. Kill this monster. The throne will be yours." Theodosius begged, and before Constancine could say anything, he heard Julius chuckle from behind.

"Go on, brother. Free him." Feeling Julius’ cold hand on his shoulder, he scoffed and turned around.

"Just kill and be over with this. He’s a bastard, but this is inhumane." Consatcne didn’t have any intention of helping, and hearing the chuckle behind him, he knew his brother had no intention of listening. Behind him, he heard Theodoisu plead, but the heavy metal door slammed shut, being locked once again.