Shortly afterwards Gregory's mother died, and his father soon remarried, this time to a noblewoman of the Alani who happened to be the first cousin of Isaac Komnenos’ wife.
When this became known in the capital, Gregory's engagement was quietly broken off as they were now considered close relatives and according to civil and the ecclesiastical laws, such marriages were forbidden.
On his return Alexios only ratified the marriage-contract by the usual legal formalities and placed Gregory in the care of one of the Empress’ attendants, the eunuch Michael.
He disliked his tutor, had a hard time following the rules, and was irritated at not being treated with the respect a future member of the imperial family deserved.
At that point, one of the men who had kept the emperor apprised of the conspiracy went to fetch some guards and returned shouting, "Look, here is Gabras, and the sacred nail is within his clothes next to his chest.