Diplomacy (5)
After the diplomacy concluded, Godefroy returned to the Holy Roman Empire. No sooner had he departed than I summoned Angelos.
"You called for me, Your Majesty?"
"Thank you for answering my call amid your busy schedule, Lord Angelos."
Angelos bowed in proper form. I met his gaze and explained the reason for summoning him.
"The reason I called you here is none other than Catepan Humphrey and Lord Geoffrey."
"Has something happened to Your Majesty's brothers?"
"No, it's not that. However..."
The Holy Roman Empire was closely watching southern Italy. We could not ignore this situation indefinitely. It was the primary silk production hub of the East Roman Empire and accounted for most of our current budget. For that reason alone, we could not let the Holy Roman Empire's interest in southern Italy continue unchecked.
"I see... It appears to be a rather delicate situation."
"Why do you say that?"
"As Your Majesty knows, deploying troops could provoke a sensitive reaction from the Holy Roman Empire."
Mass troop movements could be seen as clear military provocation. Of course, since my brothers' territories did not directly border the Holy Roman Empire's frontiers, it was unlikely to escalate into a major issue. Still, with the possibility existing, there was no need to provoke the enemy by acting on it.
Above all, large-scale military actions could arouse the enemy's suspicions. Sending soldiers to defend southern Italy might only heighten their interest in the region—even if we were bound by alliance. It would draw more attention, not less.
"So, what do you think would be the best approach, Exarch?"
Angelos, the governor-general of the Italian province. Though nominal, it was only natural to seek his opinion as the vice-king of the Italian peninsula.
Angelos pondered my question for a moment before voicing his thoughts.
"How about appointing Lords Geoffrey and Humphrey as kings, each in their own right?"
"My brothers, you mean?"
"Yes. The Archbishop of Rome has already granted them the ducal titles of Sicily, Apulia, and Calabria—providing ample legitimacy."
The Papal States held empty ducal titles that were little more than names without real power. Yet in noble society, legitimacy mattered greatly, so granting these titles to my brothers carried significant weight. It was a diplomatic gesture signaling the Papal States' intent to maintain friendly relations going forward. In other words, the newly ascended Pope Alexander II intended to uphold the same diplomatic stance as his predecessor.
In any case, with my brothers backed by the Papal States—and as East Roman vassals who were effectively allies—bestowing kingship upon them posed no major issue. On the contrary, it was advantageous. On the surface, it would make them appear as independent forces outside East Roman influence.
Of course, the Holy Roman Empire was unlikely to buy such a smokescreen outright. Even so, it was an effective way to protect southern Italy diplomatically without provoking the enemy.
In short, there was no reason not to do it—a sound proposal.
"However..."
Angelos glanced at me cautiously. His demeanor puzzled me.
"Is there something concerning you?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Speak freely; I won't take it to heart."
After hesitating and gauging my reaction, Angelos nodded and shared his thoughts.
"I ask that you consider my proposal as predicated entirely on the assumption that Lords Geoffrey and Humphrey will not betray us."
The reason for Angelos's concern: the possibility of betrayal.
I had never even imagined my brothers turning against me. Yet Angelos's words made me realize I might have been judging the situation too emotionally.
"We cannot entirely dismiss the possibility of betrayal from my brothers."
It was wrong to suspect blood brothers. But blindly trusting them with fragile bonds of faith would only invite the serpent of treachery to slither closer. Minimal safeguards were necessary—without creating an atmosphere of suspicion.
Then a solution dawned on me. I shared it with the exarch.
"Lords Geoffrey and Humphrey have served East Rome loyally for years and continue to prove that loyalty. We must honor both of their contributions fully."
"You mean...?"
"I will grant Lord Geoffrey the title of King of Sicily. And bestow upon Lord Humphrey the title of King of Naples."
This was to crown each brother as king in his own domain. It was a profound acknowledgment of their merits.
The reason the Hauteville family had left their homeland in Normandy to raid southern Italy: Norman Vikings had come seeking land to settle. In that process, both brothers had risked their lives on the front lines. Recognizing their achievements was tantamount to respecting the paths they had walked.
Some might see it as pitting them against each other. But for brothers whose goal was to rule the conquered lands as their own fiefs, such interference would fall flat. The title of king officially sanctioned their governance of those territories—allowing them to establish royal houses. For men who had left home to claim land to settle, no greater reward existed.
"A truly ingenious and wise choice, Your Majesty."
Angelos's praise elicited a slight bow of thanks from me.
"Sicily may be small, but it boasts a large population and lies at the heart of relay trade. Lord Geoffrey will surely be pleased with such a domain."
A region teeming with Muslims brought from North Africa, most now enslaved, providing abundant cheap labor. While currently funneled into the silk industry, once that sector stabilized, surplus labor could pivot to relay trade—as Messina had done—yielding massive profits.
"In contrast, the Kingdom of Naples in southern Italy has scant labor but advanced technology."
It was southern Italy that had adopted sericulture. This decision stemmed from the abundance of skilled artisans there. Craftsmen from Milan had fled the wars to the southern metropolis of Bari, filling Apulia with high-skilled workers. Leveraging them could develop industry, making it a high-potential region despite limited manpower.
Territories tailored to their strengths, with built-in precautions against betrayal.
"Divided this way, their realms will be interdependent, preventing independent actions."
If one could manage everything alone, the temptation to defy oversight grew. But fragmented, self-sufficiency became impossible—forcing reliance on each other. This alone provided basic protection against betrayal.
"Additionally, under the pretext of defending Christian lands from infidel pirates, we will build a harbor on Malta and station the imperial navy there."
Malta lay south of Sicily—closer to Tunisia, in fact. A hotbed of Muslim pirates. During the Messina conquest, they had swarmed like hornets, inflicting heavy casualties. A harbor was needed to prevent repeats.
Of course, that was the surface reason. The true purpose: a contingency if my brothers made poor choices. A naval base on Malta would monitor Sicily and Naples closely—and, if needed, deploy to isolate them.
"An excellent approach. Framing it as eliminating infidel pirates and protecting Sicily and Naples will dispel any suspicions they might harbor."
"We'll need to coordinate the details with Lord Himerios."
Himerios, the Megas Doux. Discussions on harbor construction and the garrisoned fleet were essential with him.
"More meticulous than expected."
The young man sat in his chair, listening to the report. The man delivering it: Godefroy, Duke of Lower Lorraine, fresh from Constantinople days earlier.
"Indeed, Your Majesty."
"You've done well, Margrave. You must be tired today; we'll hear the rest of the report later."
The margrave rose from his seat in the audience chamber. After a formal bow, he exited the office.
Once he was gone, the young man stood. Holy Roman Emperor Heinrich IV began mulling over Godefroy's report.
"Not just a skilled warrior, but one with diplomatic acumen as well."
The widespread reputation of Rogerius. Born to the obscure noble Hauteville family, he and his brothers had raided their way to fame in southern Italy. Caught the eye of East Roman Emperor Basil II, rising to command the Varangian Guard. From there, monumental feats in the Bulgarian and Georgian wars earned him the moniker "War Terminator."
A title forged in battle, leading most to view him as a mere warlord strong in arms. But according to Godefroy, who had seen him firsthand, Rogerius was no ordinary man.
"We can't overlook the report that he grasped silk's uses at a glance."
The Holy Roman Empire's eastward push consumed vast silk in wooing Wendish chieftains. Rogerius had seen through it instantly. Though Godefroy's inference, the emperor knew better than anyone that a seasoned diplomat's insight rarely erred.