“But they broke it and tried to capture us here at Treves.” The boy turned back to Constantine. “You did capture them, didn’t you by a quick march into their own country?”
“Yes.”
“Will you make them pay for their treachery?”
“They shall pay,” Constantine promised and turned to Theodora. “I must go now, Augusta.”
“We will move from the palace at once,” she told him. “After all, it is yours now.”
“There is no reason for you to leave your home. I require but little and I shall be away much of the time, visiting Spain and organizing other legions.”
“Then you expect trouble from Emperor Galerius?”
“Let us say I plan that there shall be no trouble. My father taught me one thing above others that the strong rule until they cease to be strong. I intend to be strong, Augusta, for a long time.”
Stepfather and Maxentius
She studied him for a moment, then nodded slowly. “You are a worthy son of your father and you will always have my loyalty. But beware of my stepfather and Maxentius. You are now one of the most powerful men in the Empire and I am sure they are already working to cut you down.”
“We must arrange a triumph to celebrate your victory over Ascaricus and Regaisus,” Eumenius said, as the four were eating dinner that evening in the suite of a half dozen rooms which Constantine had chosen for his own quarters in the palace.
And allow Crocus’ people to acclaim you Augustus before you hear from Galerius,” Dacius added.
Don’t forget that your father left another son with the same name as you,” Eumenius reminded Constantine. “Empress Theodora would not push his claim to become ruler of Gaul over yours. But Maximian and Maxentius would like nothing better than an excuse to name themselves regents, until he is of age and could be proclaimed Caesar.”
If he lived that long,” Crocus said with a shrug. “Heirs to thrones have a habit of dying early, especially if the regent is strong and ambitious.”
“I gave Empress Theodora my promise that she and her children will be protected as I would protect my own son,” Constantine said.
“When did you see her?” Crocus asked.
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