In an old stone house in the Callistra neighborhood, far from the eyes of the guards and the council, Alexios sat in front of the fireplace, contemplating its flickering flames. He was a young man in his twenties, with features that bore some resemblance to King Silius, but his eyes were sharper, as if they were more accustomed to shadow than light.
Mados, the advisor, entered slowly, carrying a scroll of old papers. He sat down in front of him and said in a low voice:
"Do you know what these papers contain, Alexios?"
"Lineage papers? Proof?"
"More than that. They are a declaration of your existence… a declaration that Athens has not yet lost its heir."
Alexios looked at him coldly:
"Why now? Why after all these years?"
"Because Athens is collapsing. Melos is hesitating, Peridos is investigating, and De Mauret is cultivating his influence. If you don't appear now… you won't find a throne to sit on."
Alexios stood up and began to pace around the room:
"Do you want me to come out as a savior? To tell the people: I am the king's son, follow me?"
"Not now. Now you must be seen, not heard."
"And when will I speak?"
"When the conflict intensifies, when people begin to look for a symbol… not a temporary leader."
Orestes, one of Peridos's secret agents, entered, his face strained:
"Sir Madus, someone is beginning to suspect your movements. Peridos is approaching."
"Let him come closer. The closer he gets, the more he thinks he has control… and the more convenient the time will be for Alexios."
Alexios looked at Orestes:
"Does Peridos know who I am?"
"He suspects… but he doesn't have conclusive proof."
"Then he's dangerous."
"No, he's a tool. When the time comes, we'll have him announce you himself."
At that moment, an old man entered the old palace, carrying an old book:
"Sir Madus, I found the document bearing the seal of King Silius. It is in his own handwriting, in which he recognizes Alexius as his legitimate son, but he asked for it to be kept secret to protect the kingdom."
Madus took the document, read it silently, and then said:
"This is the sword we will unleash when the time comes."
Alexius approached, looked at the document, and then said:
"Will they believe?"
"Silus was beloved. If you say you are his son… they will believe because they want to believe."
That evening, the three sat around the table, discussing the next step.
Madus said:
"Alexius, you must begin to appear in public. Not as a king, but as a new face. In the markets, in the ports, among the people."
"And what should I tell them?"
"Nothing. Let them see you, wonder, speak. Doubt is stronger than declaration."
Orestes said:
"But Peridos is watching everything. If he sees you, he'll start investigating."
"Let him investigate. When he finds the document, he'll be the one to prove your legitimacy… not us."
Alexios looked at Madaus and said:
"Do you love me? Or do you see me as just a trump card?"
"I love Athens. And you're her last chance."
"Then I'm not a son… but a tool."
"Everyone who sits on the throne was initially a tool. But whoever knows how to use themselves… becomes the master of the game."
That night, Alexios left the house, wearing a simple cloak, and walked around the marketplace. People didn't recognize him, but some stopped, looked at him, and then whispered:
"Have you seen this young man? He looks like King Silius."
"Yes… but who is he?"
"I don't know… but he's not ordinary."
In the palace, Peridos was reviewing new reports. One of his men wrote:
"An unknown young man was seen in the market, resembling the late king. He spoke quietly, didn't buy anything, just watched."
Perdus said, staring at the paper:
"Mados began to move… and the heir emerged from the shadows."