Chapter 22: Marriage and Alliance

Maximian received an emperor's welcome at the entrance
of the palace. The army greeted him in formation and the entire
display illustrated the strength and skill of the army under
Constantine's disposal.

Maximian entered the palace, confident that he had made
the right decision in seeking an alliance with Constantine.
Cassius and Constantine were the only two in the room, since the
advisors were in another room where they were to be notified of
the developments in private sometime during the meeting.

Constantine and Maximian were hesitant to pay each other
respect by kneeling. Maximian caved in first and then
Constantine followed. Maximian was pleased by the gesture.
Constantine introduced Cassius and the tension between the three
men subsided.

"Please, sir, have a seat," said Constantine.

The maidservant brought the guest a chalice filled with
wine and a tray of fruits from the region. He ignored both and
came directly to the subject at hand. In his blunt and

straightforward manner, he began, "I seek an alliance with you
Constantine."

"I understand this. Yet, with all due respect, I would put
myself in a peculiar position with the other members of the
imperial college if I were to honor your request."

"Very little persuasion is required in this matter.
Therefore, I need only point out the way in which Galerius is
running the empire."

"Ruining, you mean," Cassius said.

Maximian gave Cassius a scornful look, and then
continued. "Galerius, Maximinius, and Licinius were all deemed
August! at the recent congress. You were recognized, as well.
However, my son was classified with Domitius Alexander, the
usurper in Africa, and was completely ignored."

"With all due respect, Maximian," Constantine began, "if
this is about recognition of your son who is currently acting
illegally by refusing to surrender Italy, I cannot be of help."

"I myself agreed that he should step down at the
congress." Anger and frustration became evident in Maximian's
facial expressions.

Cassius and Constantine glanced at each other and bit their
tongues to hold in their laughter. "So then what is it that you are
here for?" Constantine asked. "You say you want an alliance, but
for what purpose?"

"Quite honestly, I have a personal vendetta against
Galerius, who is destroying everything I worked so hard to build
during my reign."

"A western alliance then," Cassius said aloud.

"Yes," said Maximian.

"What about spoils?" inquired Constantine.

"In the event of conflict, the spoils will go to the man who
can take them first."

"You are very confident for a man your age, Maximian."

"Is that a yes?"

"Maybe. I need some time to ponder this before making a
decision."

"Sir," Cassius interrupted. "Perhaps Emperor Constantine
is not fully satisfied with your offer. What I mean is that you
benefit from this alliance more so than he. Is there maybe
something else you can offer that will help convince him?"

Maximian clapped his hands and guards suddenly
emerged, escorting his daughter Fausta into the room. She knelt
out of respect, and then sat beside her father.

It was the first time Constantine had seen her as a woman.
He had been a boy when she was first betrothed to him. She was
by no means beautiful in comparison to Minervina. However,
she had a sexual quality that attracted Constantine and drew the
eyes of Cassius. Her manner was dignified and distant, and her
looks were purely sensual.

"Surely you remember my daughter, Fausta?"

"Congratulations," she said in a seductive tone, "on your
successes over the years. It has been a long time," she stared
briefly from head to toe, "Emperor Constantine."

He stared into her gleaming dark brown eyes. They
seemed to hypnotize him.

Maximian's voice interrupted his fantasy.

"Marriage to my daughter Fausta will strengthen the
alliance and strengthen your claim as Augustus. I give you my
daughter. What more can I offer?"

"And a beautiful woman she is."

Cassius signaled Constantine to wait before making any
rash decisions. "If you can excuse us for a few moments."

Maximian nodded and the two men walked out of the
room. Constantine turned back to see Fausta observing him with
a grin.

In the next room, Constantine's advisors awaited the news.
Cassius had been wise enough to include Crispus, whom
Constantine spotted sitting on Crocus' lap.

"Father," he called out, bringing the noisy room to
stillness. He ran to his father and hugged him where he could
reach—around his waist.

Cassius read Constantine's eyes and told the advisors
about Maximian's offer. In the meantime, Constantine took
Crispus aside and spoke with him in the hall.

"Son, I need to ask you something. It is difficult to

explain."

"It is about a woman, isn't it?"

"Yes. For the good of the empire, rulers have to make
sacrifices. I must remarry in order to strengthen an alliance that
will benefit the empire as a whole. Do you understand?"

"I think so." He stared at the ground.

"What is it?"

"Did you love mother?" A tear dripped down his face.

"Yes, of course I did. I always will." Constantine held
back the tears in his eyes. "It's funny. I asked my father that
same question." He took his son by the hand and led him back
into the room.

Crocus stood, and so did the rest of the room. They had
reached a unanimous decision.

"We concur. However, I personally do not trust Maximian,
so be cautious."

"He is harmless," Constantine reassured them before
leaving the room with Cassius.

"Did everything go smoothly with Crispus?" They
approached their guests.

"About as well as it could have gone," Constantine
whispered.

"Well?" Maximian asked blithely.

"You have yourself an alliance." He hugged Maximian
and they shook hands on the agreement. Fausta took her place
beside Constantine.

"I now pronounce you Emperor and Empress." They
kissed each other's cheeks and they were officially married.
Although the ceremony itself was as simple as having a legal
witness, the celebration would be elaborate. Maximian, Fausta,
and Constantine went to their quarters to prepare for what was to

follow. A noble show was required to appeal to the masses who
would attend the celebration.

The courtyard was decorated with flowers and organized
into special patterns for the guests. Inside, were divans arranged
at right angles for the men to recline in, and stools for the
women. Chalices for wine were cleaned as baskets of warm
bread were set aside for the guests. The maidservants and other
members of the imperial household worked day and night to
prepare for the celebration. The aroma of roasted pheasant and
nutmeg-spiced bread combined with the sweet scent of flowers.
Large torches were set up along the walls to ensure that every
attendant would be warm enough to enjoy the celebration, which
would go on through the night. Constantine, his wife, Maximian,
and the advisors sat indoors on the divans. The winery was
stocked and the food was cooked and ready to be served.

Those attending the celebration had mostly come only a
day's ride from the palace. Constantine would have liked the
company of aristocrats from around the empire, but to do so
would postpone the celebration, and thus postpone his public
accession to Augustus. Civilians and soldiers alike wore their
most luxurious attire and mingled. A curious crowd of common
people formed outside the palace. When the guests had occupied
the seats, the trumpets welcomed the new husband and wife,
accompanied by Maximian.

Crispus sat on a divan beside Cassius, still among
Constantine and the rest of the important imperial members.
Constantine glanced down the table and winked at his son, who
was a bit overwhelmed at the grandeur of the occasion. The
emperor stood from his seat and struck his chalice. The hungry
guests directed their attention to him.

"Bring forth the food," he commanded. The entire
imperial household staff came from the kitchen with trays of

delicately prepared dishes. Constantine and his advisors were
served first and then the rest of the guests. The meal was
satisfying to their palates.

As everyone ate, Constantine called a maidservant over to
him. She hastily came and he whispered to her. "Is there more?"

"Yes, twice as much."

"Take the remaining portions and serve them to my
subjects lined outside the palace."

She smiled and did as he asked. The imperial household
was notified of the change of plans.

Once Constantine had finished eating, he interrupted the
guests by striking his chalice again.

As Constantine adjusted himself on the couch, a Gallic
orator caught everyone's attention. He knelt before both
Constantine and Maximian. He held a chalice in one hand and
papyrus in the other. He turned and faced his audience. Sweat
glistened from his forehead as his body nervously shook. This
was to be more than just a usual speech. He was to be extremely
careful in what he mentioned, and also be sure to appeal to the
emperor as well as the audience. He entrusted his skill and began
his tactful speech, which mentioned Minervina, while praising
Constantine, Fausta, and the accomplishments of Maximian.

"Bring forth the musicians as well as more food and
drink," ordered Constantine after the speech had ended and the
orator had received ample applause.

The sound of a piper playing his instrument drew the
attention of the guests. The other musicians followed and joined
in the rhythmical verse. The piper walked along every aisle as he
continued to play his instrument. By their second song, guests
began to dance.

The joyous festivities lasted late into the night.
Constantine left and his wife and son soon did the same.
Maximian remained with the guests, eating and celebrating until
the full courtyard emptied. Graying Cassius went out of his way
to meet the eligible daughters of the guests, while Crocus drank
wine and laughed until he had had enough of both.

In the bedchamber, Constantine prepared for his night of
pleasure. He was uncomfortable and felt almost disloyal to the
memory of his loving wife Minervina. He also barely knew the
woman whom he had married and did not share the feelings he
had once shared with his wife. His love was absent and in its
place was lust.

Fausta lay seductively on the smooth silken sheets of the
bed. Constantine attempted to keep himself preoccupied by
looking at the room's furnishings, including a large chest that
contained some of her belongings. His efforts were to no avail as
her stare called to him. He sat beside her on the bed and as they
were about to kiss, a knock ruined the moment.

"I ordered that I was not to be disturbed!"

"Father."

Constantine's face became suddenly pale and guilt
stricken. He lunged to the door and opened it. "Come in. I
thought you were an advisor or a maidservant. What is it?"

"I wanted to kiss mother goodnight."

She was just as shocked as was Constantine. As Crispus
turned to leave, Fausta pulled him by the collar and swung him
around to face her.

"I am going to have the best and most famous tutor of all
of Rome come here for you. He is going to make you a wise
man."

"Thank you." He turned and began to walk off when
Fausta stopped him a second time.

"Constantius," she called. He turned curiously although he
hadn't heard that name since his grandfather's death .
"Goodnight."

He closed the door and Constantine locked it. He stared at
her with anger.

"His name is Crispus, not Constantius."

"I'm sony. It seemed only logical that he would be named
after his grandfather. Or did I make an error in assuming that you
named him?"

Constantine answered in a calm yet irritated tone.

"He is my son, isn't he?"

"Forgive me if I have caused any offense. I will never
make the mistake of referring to your son as Constantius again."

"It isn't your fault. You didn't know." He sat on the bed
and she massaged his shoulders.

Her seductive voice whispered in his ear. "You have
grown to be quite a man. Handsome, I mean. You know, I was
even attracted to you when I was just a child. It was fate that we
be together."

Her lips touched the back of his neck and sent chills down
his spine. His heart raced and his body relaxed with every peck.
He suddenly sprung from the bed. "So what is in this chest?"

She smiled at him and at that point, gave up her seductive
efforts. "Some personal items."

"I see."

"There are also paraphernalia from several expeditions my
father had undertaken over the years. Including an object that, if
memory serves me correct, was quite appealing to him and you
at the time."

"I do not know what you are referring to."

"He and you have forgotten about it. When the time is
right, I will give it to you. Until then it stays captive in my
chest."

"I have no qualms about that, although I am curious as to
what it is."

She signaled for him not to ask by waving her index
finger.

"I can order that you show me. I am the emperor, after
all."

"Yes, but you won't. You are a man of high moral
standing."

The tension between the two was broken and Constantine
felt comfortable enough to hold Fausta. He cuddled with her
under the covers and stroked her dark brown hair. Fatigue
engendered by the excitement of the days festivities set in and
the couple fell asleep.