Allow me to propose a situation...
The Normans in Southern Italy were originally put into service under the Byzantines as they attempted to reassert control over Naples and Sicily. Unfortunately, court intrigue turned against the general leading the army and the Court stopped funding the mercenaries which led to the Normans to turn on the Byzantines.
So, what if (i) the Normans had continued to be paid what they were due, allowing the Byzantines to consolidate their control on Southern Italy, (ii) Robert Guiscard ends up continuing to serve the Byzantines, getting a Byzantine wife instead of a Western European one and having half-Greek kids, and (iii) his Γυισκάρδος / Gyiskárdos (Hellenized Guiscard nickname) children make a bid for the imperial throne and succeed in doing so?
The Normans in Southern Italy were originally put into service under the Byzantines as they attempted to reassert control over Naples and Sicily. Unfortunately, court intrigue turned against the general leading the army and the Court stopped funding the mercenaries which led to the Normans to turn on the Byzantines.
So, what if (i) the Normans had continued to be paid what they were due, allowing the Byzantines to consolidate their control on Southern Italy, (ii) Robert Guiscard ends up continuing to serve the Byzantines, getting a Byzantine wife instead of a Western European one and having half-Greek kids, and (iii) his Γυισκάρδος / Gyiskárdos (Hellenized Guiscard nickname) children make a bid for the imperial throne and succeed in doing so?