In the opulent halls of the Great Palace of Constantinople, twelve-year-old Leo, the son of Emperor Antonius, represented a new hope for the Roman Empire. Born during his father's reign, Leo bore a striking resemblance to Antonius, yet his visage was unmarred by the scars of battle that marked the emperor's face—a testament to a life shaped not by the sword but by the pen and the peaceful corridors of power.
Leo's countenance, untouched by the harsh realities his father faced, suggested a gentler version of the emperor—one that might have existed had Antonius not been compelled by destiny to the path of conquest. Observers noted that the boy lacked the fierce aura of his father; however, Antonius viewed this not as a deficiency but as the fulfilment of his deepest aspirations. He often said, "I have weathered storms and waged wars so that Leo might thrive in the tranquillity of study halls, absorbing the wisdom of ancient texts and the strategic teachings of bygone saints."
