Under the setting sun, the afterglow of the setting sun shines on the sea, shining bright waves. On the seaside before nightfall, Thessaloniki enjoys the last rare silence. The citizens all know that after today, the war will come again.

But people seemed to have accepted it calmly. Several children on the street were chasing round pig urine bubbles and laughing and playing, while adults also ran to the square to entertain themselves or watch the performances of comedians and laugh.

In the garden of the palace in the upper city, little figures were happily walking back and forth under the palm trees, while the attendants and maids behind them were following carefully, for fear that the noble prince would fall.

"Helena, slow down!" the mother scolded her daughter.

But the cute little girl excitedly waved to her mother who was looking at her from a distance, "Come on, mom, come on!" It had been almost a month since the last time she took her out to play, and it was Helena who was starting to make a fuss.

Where can I have a moment of peace?

With doting eyes, Princess Odosia shook her head and continued to watch her daughter chasing and playing wantonly in the garden. However, if she still had the strength, she would never want to spend her beautiful childhood with her daughter.

absent in.

…

"Is this really good?" The Genoese girl next to her said quietly as she looked at the fleet leaving the port.

At the last moment, Princess Eudocia in front of her chose to refuse to hand over herself, which not only expelled the negotiating delegation of the Doria family, but also extinguished the only hope that Thessaloniki could rely on now. This means that they

You must face the powerful enemies coming from the sea and land alone.

On the other side, also looking at the sea in front of her, the princess shook her head and replied: "I don't know if my choice is right, but I feel that there are always some things in this world that are more important than simple pros and cons.

Important. Just like the martyred sages, it was impossible to predict the churches that would rise in the future before they died. My choice today only stems from the justice that I yearn for in my heart."

"But you should know the possible consequences of this - Justinian and I are just in a cooperative relationship, using each other." Although Eudosia's rescue was somewhat unexpected, it still touched her.

Antonia, who is not easy to trust others, also has a trace of doubt in her heart.

Faced with the Genoese girl's doubts, Princess Eudosia also frankly confided her feelings, "Of course I know, but even illiterate civilians understand that the soldiers guarding the court for the masses cannot allow hunger to happen, no matter how strong or stubborn they are.

A sharp person is for dozens

You are still greedy for profit. No matter what you think, little Antonia, you have a share of credit for the survival of the Romans in this land. It is for this reason that the crown of righteousness is in my hands.

The top of my head, I can’t sit back and watch it fall.”

"Hahahahaha, is that what you think?" After hearing the reply of the woman in front of her, the Genoese girl laughed loudly subconsciously. She bent down and gasped for breath, tears almost came out of her eyes, but when her laughter subsided, she

There was a complicated expression on his face.

"It's no wonder that Justinian said that this country is full of corruption, but in the end he was willing to believe you and asked me to come here to help you." Antonia looked at the woman in front of her seriously, "

I owe you a favor, Your Highness. Although I don't want to admit it, I do have the blood of the Doria family flowing through me. The debt I owe this time must be repaid to you in the future."

"Thank you for your kindness, Antonia. I hope we can survive this disaster and let me see the day you mentioned come." Odosia looked at the serious look of the girl in front of her, and her own bitter mood somehow disappeared.

It calmed down for the most part, and a rare relief appeared on his face.

At this time, the sound of joyful footsteps interrupted the conversation between the two women, and a little man suddenly threw himself into his mother's arms.

"Mother!"

Holding her mother in her arms, little Helena coquettishly begged her to play with her, but the attendants behind her were belatedly arriving - this young highness who was full of energy really exhausted them.

"Your Highness!" The attendants looked apologetic, and they wanted to stop her, but the little princess in front of them was obviously tired of them following her.

Before she finished speaking, Odosia waved her hand and asked the attendants to leave, "Forget it, you have worked hard too, go down and have some snacks first!" These servants have been busy for a while, so it's time for them.

Let them rest. Then the princess hugged her daughter and promised with a loving smile:

"Okay, Helena, be good. Mom will fly the kite with you right now, okay?"

Upon hearing her mother's promise, little Helena immediately nodded her head vigorously, and her two braids swayed happily. Her favorite thing was that her mother was with her, and Uncle Justinian

The paper kite she made for herself is also her favorite toy. The two happiest things overlap, and the joy gained is undoubtedly doubled.

While watching the harmonious interaction between mother and daughter, Antonia, who had looked serious just now, subconsciously watched in trance - the look of this scene reminded the girl of when she was a child, surrounded by her clumsy mother.

A playful scene.

"Big sister!"

Helena's childish voice brought the Genoese girl back to reality from her memories. The girl's chubby little hands held a braided flower crown and held it in front of Antonia.

"Give it to you." The little girl looked at Antonia with an expectant look, waiting for her reaction. "This is what I just did. Thank you for accompanying my mother. Helena has not seen her mother smile like she did just now for a long time.

"Lying next to Antonia's ear, little Helena whispered.

This scene made Antonia's eyes heat up. She had not felt such tenderness for a long time. She knelt down and pinched Helena's little face and said: "You're welcome, it's a beautiful corolla, ours."

Helena has such skillful hands." After saying that, she put the slightly crudely woven flower crown on her head.

"What are you whispering again? Little Antonia, what are you doing?" At this time, the princess who asked for the paper kite came over, picked up her daughter, and suddenly saw Antonia wearing the kite on her head.

Corolla laughed out loud unexpectedly.

The Genoese girl who was seen was also a little embarrassed, neither wearing the flower crown on her head nor taking it off, but Princess Eudocia's next words quickly resolved the girl's embarrassment.

"It seems that Helena likes little Antonia very much!"

Antonia nodded, patted the little princess's little head and said, "Well, I like the gift your Highness gave me very much. I think it's time for me to say goodbye. Your Highness, I wish you happiness."

"Wait a minute, Antonia!" Suddenly, Eudocia called out to the Genoese girl who was about to leave.

"What's the matter, Your Highness?" The princess' solemn look surprised Antonia.
Chapter completed!