Theodore forbade his father's widow, Anna-Constanza, from returning to her Sicilian homeland. This act outraged her brother, Manfred (), who had recently assumed power in the Kingdom of Sicily. Theodore had a meeting with the Seljuk Sultan of Rum, Kaykaus II (), in Philadelphia. They concluded a defensive alliance against the Mongols. Kaykaus had acknowledged the Mongols' suzerainty, but had not visited the court of Great Khan Möngke to pay homage to him.
Theodore forbade his father's widow, Anna-Constanza, from retur,ning to her Sicilian homeland. This act outraged her brother, Manfred () who had recently assumed power in the Kingdom of Sicily. Theodore had a meeting with the Seljuk Sultan of Rum Kaykaus II (), in Philadelphia. They concluded a defensive alliance against the Mongols. Kaykaus had acknowledged the Mo,ngols' suzerainty, but had not visited the court of Great Khan Möngke to pay homage to him.