Chapter 105. Intrigue (1)
After much deliberation, I decided to cover up the incident. Loyalty to the emperor was important, but what mattered more to me was the empire we'd defended with the legion's blood and sweat, and everyone's tomorrow. I closed my eyes and offered a silent apology to Marius.
'Forgive my incompetence in failing to avenge Your Majesty's grievance.'
I let out a deep sigh, and that's when Rikius approached, sword at his side.
"Excellency."
I opened my eyes, which I'd briefly closed. Trying to feign composure made my voice come out stiff.
"How did the vote go?"
"Unanimous."
Rikius replied.
The pressure I'd put on the chairman had paid off. Even if someone had nominated another candidate during the vote, no one in the Senate was foolish enough to argue now that it wasn't unanimous.
No one that stupid would survive in the Senate anyway.
"Leave the Praetorian Guard in place until they exit the Curia, to ensure no whispers spread among the senators."
"Yes, sir."
I gripped Rikius's shoulder firmly, then descended the steps of the Curia.
The next day, Alexius, who had been staying at a villa outside the capital, arrived at the Praetorian barracks under the Guard's protection. To put the young emperor at ease, I went out to meet him at the entrance and knelt, bowing my head.
"To the merciful, just, and dignified sovereign representing the free citizens of the empire and the Senate, Praetorian Prefect Ain offers his respects."
The boy, seeing me observe the utmost protocol, dismounted with a slight sigh of relief.
"Thank you."
"Not at all, Your Majesty. Please, treat me casually."
I spoke softly to keep the emperor from tensing up.
"Okay."
But young Alexius still treated me awkwardly.
It was only natural.
A boy raised delicately in a greenhouse couldn't easily relate to me or the legionaries, who had clawed our way here through every hardship. I signaled those around us, and they draped a purple cloak over the emperor's shoulders.
The boy fiddled with the cloak now wrapped around him. Even the mantle symbolizing imperial authority looked utterly devoid of dignity on him. A few Praetorian soldiers even snickered at the sight.
I hardened my expression and rose.
"Your Majesty, allow me to escort you inside."
"Alright."
I bowed at the waist and positioned myself in front of the emperor. As I scowled with my sword at my side, the soldiers who'd been laughing moments ago quickly wiped the grins from their faces.
'Show no disrespect to His Majesty.'
I shot the soldiers a warning glare.
Only when the soldiers looked tense did the emperor finally seem to grasp his position.
He followed carefully behind me, mindful not to step on the cloak.
I led him to the command office. The boy curiously looked around the Praetorian Prefect's quarters.
I cleared my throat and guided him to my seat.
"Please sit there, Your Majesty."
Alexius nodded and took my chair. Once the emperor was seated, I gestured, summoning the Praetorian officers. As they entered, I introduced them one by one.
"These men will now be responsible for Your Majesty's personal security."
"Really?"
The boy, somewhat reassured by my promise, began eyeing us one by one.
"Pay your respects to His Majesty."
I whispered the order, and the officers hurriedly knelt.
The emperor scanned them carefully before asking me,
"But are these all the Praetorian officers?"
"No, Your Majesty. The bulk of the Praetorian Guard was dispatched east with Emperor Marius and has yet to return."
A flicker of anxiety crossed the boy's face at my answer.
With his uncle dead and himself thrust onto the throne, it was understandable. Dragged into power without proper explanation, his plight evoked pity.
But I wasn't soft enough to let compassion make me neglect my duties. The empire's defense and our future rested on my shoulders.
Suppressing my sympathy for the boy, I briefed him on what he needed to know and watch out for before entering the capital. The emperor nodded, looking somewhat cowed.
He stayed at the Praetorian barracks for a week. The news of senior Emperor Marius's death had spread prematurely, before succession preparations were ready.
I planned to enter the capital at the head of standard-bearers from each legion, once the Northern Army's loyalty oaths were prepared.
That way, at least on the surface, it would look like the new emperor had the legions' firm backing. With the Senate's support confirmed, tying this up neatly would suffice.
During our stay at the barracks, I summoned several senators, the consuls, and the city prefect to discuss mobilizing crowds for the emperor's entry and funding needs before and after the coronation.
Most issues weren't difficult, but when money was involved, the power brokers balked.
"As you know, Excellency, we've already contributed heavily to war funds. We're also planning to help with reparations.
In this situation, demanding more for games in the emperor's honor will spark massive backlash."
Senator Crusio said.
"But gladiatorial games are essential to boost His Majesty's popularity. If the Senate won't step up, how else can we hold them? The imperial treasury is nearly bankrupt from this war. I beseech your aid."
Consul Cladius, who had been listening, interjected.
"If the Praetorian Prefect wants Senate expenditures, provide a justification. Even for the empire and emperor, senators need a reason to open their purses."
"Justification?"
"How about returning some prerogatives the first emperor took from the Senate?"
I clenched my fist at their words. Babysitting a boy emperor had made me seem weak, emboldening these Senate fossils.
"You seem to be mistaken. This is both a request and an order. Do you want me to investigate those who backed Velius and seize their assets?"
"Hmm."
The senators swallowed dryly.
"I don't want things handled coercively. Wouldn't it be better for all if we show loyalty to His Majesty without bruising anyone's pride?"
"That sounds like a threat."
I leaned back in my chair.
"Take it as one if you like."
"It's dishonorable conduct."
I slapped the armrest at that. The senators flinched.
"What do I care if you call me dishonorable? As long as His Majesty ascends safely and the empire has a focal point, that's enough.
Don't try chaining me with talk of honor. I'm prepared to take the abuse anytime if needed."
As I took a hard line, Cladius stepped in.
"Understood. With your firm resolve, Excellency, we can't just hold our ground. Senator Crusio, let's yield a bit."
"Very well. Excellency Ain, we'll yield this time. Five thousand solidi for the games, and bread too. But grant one condition. We need something to tell our colleagues."
As Crusio backed down, I softened my expression.
"Name it."
"Approve provincial governor appointments for senators whose terms are ending."
I considered Crusio's compromise briefly.
The senators in line for governorships were mostly Senate heavyweights eager for the experience.
They had the credentials and skill, no doubt. The problem was that many the Senate pushed were rotten.
Marius had refused their nominations for good reason.
After weighing it, I accepted.
"Agreed."
Stabilizing the emperor's position took priority, even if problems arose later. Without a firm center, the regime itself would collapse.
I'd paid a steep price, but compromised with the Senate.
With negotiations done, the emperor's entry proceeded smoothly. Once standard-bearers from the Northern legions arrived with loyalty oath scrolls, I hurried the emperor into the capital.
A monarch unanimously acclaimed by the Senate lingering outside the capital made no sense. Entering swiftly to solidify his position was best.
I stayed vigilant amid the crowds flocking to see the new emperor.
Toot-toot!
Soldiers blew trumpets for the emperor's entry. Selected girls scattered flowers along his path. I stuck close behind him and murmured,
"Stay calm, Your Majesty. I've got your back."
"Thank you."
The emperor replied in a small voice.
Alexius seemed overwhelmed by the barrage of stares.
Before he panicked and erred under the pressure, I acted.
"Praetorian Guard! To positions!"
At my command, Rikius brought twenty Guardsmen who swiftly encircled the emperor in a wall of men. Prepared for assassination, but useful here too—fortunate.
Only then, feeling the gazes lessen, did the emperor exhale in relief.
To lend some dignity to the emperor hiding amid the cloaks, I called for Rikius.
"Rikius!"
"Yes, Excellency."
"Move the golden eagle standard in front of His Majesty. Position the legion standard-bearers behind me."
"Yes, sir."
Rikius moved to relay my orders.
It was a makeshift solution, but at least the citizens could glimpse where the emperor was.
Alexius focused solely on avoiding stares, but I wished he'd show more imperial bearing.
Of course, that was greedy.
Expecting a pre-teen to play emperor was hardship enough.
For the next decade or so, governing the empire would fall squarely on my shoulders. The laurel crown might sit on Alexius's head, but I'd handle the actual rule.
Lost in thought, I realized the procession had reached the palace. As we neared, awaiting senators and consuls knelt in welcome.
"May the dignified and merciful new emperor bestow a glorious reign upon the empire. Long live Emperor Alexius!"
As they cheered, the Praetorians echoed it. On cue, Senate-provided slaves tossed bread, and the citizens joined the cries.
Startled by the roar, Alexius stepped back and grabbed my arm. I stood by him reassuringly, leading him into the palace.
A lavish carpet of silk lined the stairs to the throne.
As Alexius hesitated to step on it, I said,
"It's prepared for Your Majesty. Just ascend."
The emperor paused, then stepped onto the silk and climbed.
I walked beside him, scanning the senators' faces.
'A greenhorn emperor and his nanny Praetorian Prefect.'
Their expressions laid bare their thoughts on the new reign.
Thankfully, none sneered openly.
We reached the throne without incident. As the emperor sat, I took a seat humbly below the dais.
Normally, the Praetorian Prefect and Guards would sit closer for protection, but I planned to scrap that custom for now.
To establish even a child's authority, I had to humble myself first and uphold him.
Fortunately, the first day's entry passed without issue.
I presented the Northern legions' loyalty oaths to the emperor and assured him all legions' pledges would follow soon.
Not fully grasping it, he just nodded.
"Rest well, Your Majesty."
I bowed respectfully and prepared to withdraw.
Then the emperor hesitantly asked,
"Um, what about my family?"
"Of course, we'll bring them all to the palace."
The young emperor looked relieved.
But I wasn't thrilled about fetching his family. Alexius had no parents, but several older sisters—imperial princesses residing in the palace.
Adults might be manageable, but the emperor was still too young to discern right from wrong. The princesses could stir trouble.
Still.
'If he wants it, I'll grant that much.'
Thrust onto the throne against his will, the boy deserved some concessions. Marius had groomed him as a likely successor, but now he sat there by my decree alone. If issues arose, I'd handle the fallout.
I handed the emperor to the Guards and left the palace.
(To be continued in the next chapter)