Eagle Flag of Epirus

The Genoese embassy set off from Durazzo, avoiding the eyes and ears of the Venetians at sea, choosing a relatively safe route, crossing the Smolika Mountains and secretly entering the northern border of Epirus and finally reaching their goal. Rusnina. Fastest update

In Rusnina, the Genoese nobles on mission were warmly welcomed by Epirus. In addition to the heavily armed Roman soldiers, both the nobles and civilians are looking forward to the arrival of their allies in and outside the tall royal city. I saw a crowded scene. If it weren't for the soldiers to press down, this kind of scene would be very chaotic if it wasn't for the slightest carelessness.

The bronze gate of Rusnina slowly opened, and I saw a convoy of Genoese cars driving into the city from it. Each car had two flags on the front of the car, one of which was from the Roman Empire. The emblem of the double-headed eagle, and on the other side is the red cross pattern of the Republic of Genoa on a white background. On both sides of the convoy, armored knights wearing cotton armor and chain armor ran on both sides of the ceremonial car to serve as guards. This is the most elite unit of Epirus. It can be said that the Empire’s few heavy cavalry troops , They led the Genoa delegation to the imperial city of Rusnina.

I saw people on both sides of the road waving flowers or fireworks sticks in salute, and at the same time whispered to guess who the big people sitting in those salute cars were. Although the Greeks and Genoese have had unpleasant experiences, most people are very optimistic about the alliance between the two countries.

At the head is a white carriage, and behind are black carriages. Obviously, there must be a big man sitting in the carriage first. It's a pity that these carriages are specially customized, and you can't see the inside from the outside.

However, the Genoese aristocrats in the carriage were very clear about the lively scene outside, but compared to the enthusiasm of the Romans, they had been cold-eyed about it, and there was a faint ridicule on their faces.

On the white carriage, a gray-haired old man calmly looked at the young man in front of him and suddenly asked, "Andrea, what do you think of these Greeks' clever ways?" The old man crossed his fingers. Waiting for the answer from Andrea Doria, who was sitting across from him.

And Andrea, who looked out of the window, shrugged slightly and replied: "Since you have said that you are clever, uncle, do you still need the opinion of your nephew? The reason why the Greeks are so active is just to ensure peace. The alliance between us is nothing more."

"Yes, they are always so naive, thinking that they can achieve their goals with a little cleverness. However, most of the time they are self-defeating." The old man's voice was full of disdain, in fact, the experience of Constantinople at the beginning He has always been worried about the matter, but this time they did come here to form an alliance with the Greeks, and the other party's bluff at this moment will only make the old man see through the so-called weakness of the Roman Empire.

However, suddenly, the old man seemed to think of something. He cast his gaze on Andrea Doria in front of him with some significant meaning, and smiled slightly, "That said, but remembering the news I got yesterday, the Greek This reaction is excusable. Have you heard of what happened in Corfu, Andrea?"

Obviously, the old man's words meant something, and the sharp, knife-like gaze seemed to cover his nephew, and Andrea couldn't escape his yellow eyes with the slightest change.

But he was disappointed that the young youth was calm and calm without showing any panic or nervousness.

I saw Andrea nodded and replied faintly: "I heard, it seems that our people have taken revenge on the Venetians who seized Corfu before, so they are playing the banner of Roman mercenaries. You are Say that the Greeks are dissatisfied with us because of this, uncle?"

"Do you think it's your own opinion..." The old man who seemed to be just mumbling a deep glance at his nephew immediately retracted his gaze, "It's just my guess. I hope it's like what you said, but it's certain. Our allies must be very upset about our actions. By the way, is there any news from your sister?"

The sudden question made Andrea Doria, who had always been calm, tremble in his heart subconsciously. How could the other party think of this inexplicably? Could it be that he knew something!

Inadvertent astonishment flashed across the face of the Italian teenager, and Andrea shook his head and said: "I don't know, since Antonia sneaked out of the house alone, I sent someone out to look for it for a long time. What news? Only every month I receive a letter from the child, I think it should be fine. Maybe she will come back when she gets tired of playing outside."

"Oh, right? I hope so! But if you want to come to Antonia, even if you are alone, there will be no big problem. After all, you are the ones I grew up watching. It is best to ask for more when you meet her who dare to plot bad things. Fu is more reliable. Hey, if she is also a boy, maybe we will have two Andreas in the Doria family now. But after all this is over, I think as the elder brother, you should let the child understand yourself. What is your identity! You must know that the family really likes your excellence, but this is not a reason to tolerate your willfulness. You know best what the family will do in order to eliminate the instability factor! You are the one I brought up, so treat you I have nothing to worry about, but the only thing that worries me is Antonia. If you are really good for her, let her understand that she never belongs to her alone!" The old man said in a low voice. Watching his nephew quietly, waiting for his answer.

And Andrea, who had been silent before lowering his head, finally broke the silence and nodded: "I understand, Uncle Constance, I will take care of Antonia when she comes back."

"I hope you do what you say, Andrea, as her closest person, you must know that spoiling is not the best for that child. I hope that this time next year will be able to join her in Milan Pavia. The church wedding.” said coldly, Constance Doria no longer looked at his nephew, and by this time the horse convoy had reached the Mars square in the center of Rusnina.

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The crowded people craned their necks and wanted to see the arrival of the Genoa mission with their own eyes, which made the huge Mars square become crowded. At this moment, a childish voice suddenly sounded from the crowd.

"Wow, it's so lively here, Uncle Justinian! It's almost like a celebration." Helena, who was riding on Justinian's shoulders, was obviously happy, and kept chatting. She has never seen such a lively scene since she can remember.

And Justinian nodded and said, "Well, because there is a very important thing today, a mass is being held here."

"Mass? But my mother took me there. It's not like that! The mass should obviously be held in the church!" Helena asked curiously, which was not the same as the one she had been to before.

"Because there is not such a big church, so the ceremony is held in the open square." Justinian shrugged and said, in accordance with the tradition of the Roman Empire, every important event must be celebrated with a grand mass. Therefore, in order for more people to participate in this mass, the Epirus people chose the place to be held in the open air on the Mars Square, which was converted from the racetrack. Not only was the parish chief personally presided over, but also Epirus. The heads of nobles from all over the royal city also came to attend. I have seen it once in Agrinon, but compared to the scale of this place, it is obviously elusive. I can imagine how shocking it would be if it were in Constantinople.

At the beginning of the Mass, everyone was very religious, but as the ceremony came to an end, the Genoa mission's convoy finally disappeared from people’s sight. The square became a gala event, and the atmosphere suddenly relaxed. Be kind, with fireworks, music, and coins distributed to the civilians, which pushed the emotions of everyone present.

And in the crowd silently, Justinian did not want to attract attention as much as possible, but the pink jade-like child on his shoulders made it very difficult. Not long ago, he took Oudosia's mother and daughter and his subordinates into Rusnina. He didn't want to be too public, let alone participate in such a grand Mass, but he really couldn't hold back Helena. After all, as long as this child remembered, she had no impression of her birthplace, Constantinople, and there was no such celebration in the remote Moriah, no wonder she was so eager.

So the soft-hearted Justinian agreed to the child and successfully persuaded Princess Odosia to bring Helena here.

In order to go out this time, Justinian made full preparations and chose to take Helena to the northwest corner of Mars Square, because the view here is very good and relatively speaking, it deviates from the view of the nobles’ viewing platform. It's not easy to be spotted. And secretly, he also sent Arslan and the others to patrol the vicinity, plus he personally protected Helena, and deliberately dressed up, the danger has been reduced to a minimum. But I don't know why, Justinian always feels a little uncomfortable, as if someone is observing him in secret.

Almost ready to leave! Justinian watched that the mass ceremony had come to an end, and the Genoese mission should have arrived at the palace at this moment, there was no need to stay here anymore. But at this moment, the crowd suddenly became agitated again, making Justinian also subconsciously tense.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has come down!" I don't know who was the first to scream, causing a frenetic cheer.

Through the crowd, Justinian, who was relatively tall, finally saw that surrounded by the royal guard of honor, the man slowly walked up to the high platform and appeared in everyone’s sight as the emperor. .

Immediately aroused a enthusiastic cheers. Since the fall of Constantinople, a large number of Thracian refugees have flowed into Epirus and obtained the asylum of Mikhail Dukas, which has won a huge reputation.

"Uncle Justinian, Uncle Justinian, hold me higher!" Suddenly Helena urged on her shoulders.

Justinian had no choice but to lift Helena as high as possible over the crowd to see what happened before. Only then did he realize that his back was not so good, so lifting it up felt that the girl was heavier again, and she was really growing up quickly. His Majesty Muzfius should also be relieved to see such a daughter who can thrive!

In order to be safer, Justinian moved another place to squeeze away the crowd in front of him, and finally found a huge marble sculpture next to it, letting the little Helena stand on the stone platform, while holding her two hands. Hold her, lest she fall,

And at this moment, Helena’s purple dress was flying and fluttering like a purple flower blooming above people’s heads, which instantly attracted the attention of people around them. No one noticed Justinian, and more of it fell on that amazing like Jeweled little girl. This is obviously not a child of a commoner family. Even a slightly wealthy middle-class family can't cultivate such a temperament. Even the ladies from ordinary noble families are quite inferior. Watching this scene, a group of people can't help but I feel a little curious.

This time went beyond Justinian’s expectation. He frowned slightly, trying to avoid the sight of outsiders to change a place, but he heard little Helena’s voice suddenly in his ear, "Is that... my father? ?"

Although her mother has always avoided talking about it~www.ltnovel.com~ Early-witted Helena has already guessed that her father is not Duke Leosgros, but an emperor, a true king. emperor.

This is why she, who has always been well-behaved, insists on asking to come here, and that may be a chance for her to see her father with her own eyes. However, this poor child did not know that his true father was the emperor of the empire, but he could not appear on this glamorous occasion to accept the admiration of his people. He could only stand alone in the dark monastery, and it was dark. .

But now looking at the unreachable emperor in the distance, Helena's face has a trace of confusion and a faint disappointment, as if her intuition made her feel that that person should not be her father.

While watching this scene, my heart suddenly hurt, as if a needle was pierced, and he hugged Helena from the stone platform and left the crowd. Justinian whispered in a firm tone: "It's not this person, your father's name His name is Alexei Muzfius, he is the real emperor of this country. The guy in front of him is just a fake."

"Really? Isn't my father much better-looking than the fake..." With wide open eyes, looking at Justinian excitedly, the girl who looked like a milk cat was full when she said this. The innocence and romance of his, make people look pity.

And Justinian nodded vigorously at this time and told the somewhat lost child in his arms: "Of course, he is the greatest emperor in the world now, and one day, Uncle Justinian will bring Helena saw her father."

"Then you promise!"

"I promise you, my lord!"