Tyranny of Steel

After Honoria ’s disappearance, the Imperial family of the Byzantine Empire was in a state of panic. Especially the Emperor, with his daughter missing, it meant that his alliance to France was in shambles. The French King held Emperor Vetranis responsible for his daughter ’s disappearance. He stated that if she were not found within a specific time, the de Valois dynasty would consider the betrothal broken.

Emperor Vetranis was currently sitting on his throne nibbling at his fingernails, a bad habit he had picked up during his youth that he commonly resorted to when he was anxious. His daughter was missing, without the slightest clue as to her whereabouts. The French Prince Aubry had returned home bringing news of the reason for her disappearance, thus causing the French Monarchy to make excessive demands of the Emperor as compensation.

If the Emperor could not find his daughter soon, the betrothal would be broken, and so too would the military and economic alliance between the two countries. As such, he was in a complete and total state of panic. Vetranis let out his frustration by cursing his daughter in the middle of his throne room.

”You fucking bitch! You better be alive and unspoiled, or I swear to God I will march through the gates of hell to discipline you! ”

It was at that moment Honoria ’s older brother Decentius entered the room. He held onto a prostitute from the same brothel that Melissa had previously worked at. The investigation into Honoria ’s disappearance had led to the brothel, and this woman had seen Melissa leaving with the girl.

From the looks of it, she had been roughed up by Decentius and his soldiers; there were many bruises on her face and across her body. Decentius tossed the woman to the floor as he began to yell at her.

”Tell the Emperor what you told me! ”

Hearing the screaming voice of Decenitus, the woman instinctively flinched before stumbling over her words.