Ioannis Komenos, clearly sick of the silence rises to his feet and begins to address the senators.

In the absence of my father, I shall raise some important concerns.

Senators, I call upon every one of you to publicly swear your allegience to my father, Aleksios Komnenos, Basileus of Rome! Should you not do so, I need not tell you what my father's actions will be.

You have seen how mistrust and intrigue have brought our empire to the verge of destruction. Therefore, lay aside your scheming ambitions, and serve my father faithfully. In turn, you shall have your reward.

The Caesar sits down, with silence greeting his words.