Following the death of the Roman Emperor Manuel I Komnenos in 1180, the throne was passed to his 11 year old son Alexios II, which meant a regency council headed by the unpopular empress Maria de Poitiers. Manuel's cousin, Andronikos Komnenos would, with Kontostephanos' help, launch a coup that removed Maria of Antioch, and become regent over Alexios II.
But Andronikos Komnenos' tyrranical nature alienated friend and foe alike, and Kontostephanos conspired with Andronikos Doukas Angelos to depose him. But it was found out by Komnenos, which led to the latter escaping and the former, upon being caught, having his, and his four sons blinded.
What if Kontostephanos and Angelos was able to avoid having their plot discovered, and thus carry it out. Would the two become the regents for Alexios II, or would one of these men ultimately try to outdo one another to ultimately become Emperor?
But Andronikos Komnenos' tyrranical nature alienated friend and foe alike, and Kontostephanos conspired with Andronikos Doukas Angelos to depose him. But it was found out by Komnenos, which led to the latter escaping and the former, upon being caught, having his, and his four sons blinded.
What if Kontostephanos and Angelos was able to avoid having their plot discovered, and thus carry it out. Would the two become the regents for Alexios II, or would one of these men ultimately try to outdo one another to ultimately become Emperor?