Laura Tithapia, also known as Laura of Constantinople, was a 9th-century Byzantine empress who left an indelible mark on the history of the Eastern Roman Empire. Born in the early 9th century, Laura's origins are shrouded in mystery, with some sources suggesting she was a noblewoman from a prominent Constantinopolitan family.

"Look at the roots," she says. "Deep. Immovable. That is your values—integrity, empathy, courage. But look at the branches." She gently bends a thin limb. "Flexible. Adaptable. If you are rigid, you break. If you are rootless, you fall. Laura Tithapia succeeds because she is both."

"Complacency," she finally says. "The moment you think you have figured it out, you have lost. The world is a moving target. Laura Tithapia is just trying to keep her aim true."