r! I thought she was just a strumpet…” Before he could finish his sentence, King Baldwin thrust his sword into his stomach and disembowelled him.

“Death is the punishment for your crime,” Baldwin said coldly to Gustav. “May God have mercy on your soul,” King Baldwin said grimly as he chopped off Gustav’s head and told his knights, “display his head at the castle gates, let it be an example to anyone who will commit the same act.”

There was blood everywhere… His silver mask had become stained with fresh blood, and his once gentle eyes had become filled with hatred and rage… He approaches me slowly, covered in blood… as my tears fall… He reaches out and wipes my tears away with his blood-splattered hand.

My knees began to weaken, and I became nauseous from shock and disbelief. I heard Omar and Baldwin call my name and ask if I was alright, but my ears are ringing and my vision is about to blur. I never expected to see the gentle young king kill like it was nothing. It was so terrifying that I passed out…

I was in my room when I opened my eyes, so I sat up and looked around. I calm myself by recalling everything that has occurred, and then I recall Abu.

I was about to get out of bed when Abu and Emma entered the bed chamber. “Emma.. Lady Philippa.. I’m glad you’re awake,” she sobbed.

“Abu! are you okay?” I inquired as I examined him, noticing a broken nose and a black eye.

“Yes.. I am fine.. there is no need to worry, My Lady,” he replied.

“That’s wonderful to hear…” I exhale in relief.

“How about you? are you feeling alright, you scare us.. you been sleeping for two days?” Abu inquired.

“I’m feeling better..” I replied, and then I remembered Bella and Mary. “Where are the children?” I inquired.

Emma and Abu exchanged glances.

“Well, answer…” I inquire, concerned.

“You should be more concerned about your own well-being than the well-being of others,” said Omar, who happened to overhear our conversation as he entered my room.

“The children are fine… you don’t need to worry about them; you should be more concerned about yourself; you’ve been sleeping for two days due to fatigue and anaemia,” Omar explains.

“Thank you for keeping an eye out for me,” I said.

“No need to thank me… you should thank his majesty for saving you… God knows what would have happened to you if it hadn’t been for him,” he sighed. “I also want to scold you; I know you wanted to help those girls, but going without a knight in an unknown place and exposing yourself to danger is the stupidest thing you’ve ever done,” he added.

“I’m sorry,” I said as I looked down.

“But I am glad you are safe…just rest for now and make sure to visit his majesty later on, he was very concerned about you, and make sure to thank him,” he said gently as he patted my head.

“Yes, I will,” I say with a smile.

“come to think of it, his royal highness always comes by to visit you two days in a row… he usually watches you sleep and looks very worried to you,” Emma added.

“I really should see him and thank him properly,” I blushed after hearing this.

However, as soon as I awoke, word of my awakening spread like wildfire, and Bathilda and Emma became more picky about what I ate, as well as watching me like a hawk for the rest of the morning.

So I took Omar’s advice and rested. I went to see his majesty and prepared to thank him for saving me, his grim expression lingering in my mind…but I remembered what Omar said, it was not his intention, it was his rage and concern for me that drove him to do it.

“But I still want to see him,” I muttered.

I decided to see his Majesty after I ate; as soon as I opened my door, he was standing outside without his Silver mask, and we exchanged glances.

“My lady,” he said, “I immediately came here as soon as I heard you were awake,” he added.

“I-I was about to pay you a visit as well,” I explained.

“My Lady… I am truly sorry,” he said as he lowered his head, “I should have always kept you safe and yet I fail.”

“No… that is not true at all… it was my fault… I should’ve brought a knight with me…it happened because of my poor judgement…you actually saved my life and I am eternally grateful…I can’t thank you enough,” I explain as I hold his head, lift his face, and gaze into his eyes.

“so don’t be sad…kay,” I said, smiling at him.

“I am truly ashamed of myself, I never intended for you to see my hedious side…I was terrified that you might see me as a monster and hate me… and I am truly sorry,” he said, his eyes welling up with tears.

“I told you before, I don’t see you as a monster and never will…and there is no need to apologise for what happened… you are my saviour and that is what matters… ” I explained

“yes, I was terrified, but I know you needed to do what you needed to do and I will not pass judgement on you. I am actually happy that you were concerned about me.”

Baldwin’s expression softened and he smiled.

“OK, so cheer up!” I reassured him.

“Thank you, my lady,” he said.

“Now that you’re here, it’s been two days since I’ve seen your face… so let me take a good look at it,” I said.

“huh?” he said, baffled, as I drew his hands inside my bed room chamber.

Baldwin POV:

She let me sit on her bed, saying, “Now… let me go ahead and check if there is any improvement on your wounds.”

She’s getting too close… I can feel her breath as she checks on my wound; I can’t look her in the eyes straight, trying to hide my emotions. “Wow… your wounds are now completely dry… I can see improvements, you can actually stop wearing your mask, if this goes well.” she said

“It’s because of you,” I said.

“Well… I’m just doing the best I can… ” she says as she applies cream to my face. “By the way… I’d also like to thank you for saving those children.”

As I smiled at her, I gently held her wrist and said, “no.. thank you for helping me save my people.”

“Then you’re welcome,” she said with a smile.

“Now that I think about it… I’ve been sleeping for two days… what happened to the well construction and the water filter system?” she inquired.

“Well, it’s been a huge success; the villagers are overjoyed to have clean water to drink, and deaths are surprisingly decreasing.”

“that is wonderful news,” she says, “and how about Mary and Bella, how are they?” she asks, her face concerned.

“The children are already placed under the protection of the royal crown, there is no need to worry about them… I can assure you that they are safe and sound,” I said.

“Thank God, that’s a relief,” she says, blushed.

“Yes… but… there is still a problem that we need to address with the villagers, even though we have reduced the number of deaths in the village, more people are still contracting diseases,” I explained. “We are still looking for other ways to stop the plaque,” I added.

“How about giving them soap?” she suggested.

“soap? “

“Yes… proper handwashing with a good antibacterial soap can certainly eliminate bad disease,” she explained, “and not to brag, but I happen to be an expert in creating them,” she smirked.

“That’s a good plan,” I said, “but the people can’t afford soap.”

“There is no need to be concerned because we can actually create a cheaper one that is just as effective as the luxury one,” she explained. “I’ve been thinking about gathering ingredients and herbs that we can use and distributing it to the town people; I’ve been making my own soap so I can actually help in making it,” she added.

“Alright.. that sounds like a good plan.. I will also personally help you..” I replied.

“All right, then,” she said, “and I have a favour to ask… can I visit the villagers? I also wanted to see how Mary and Bella are doing.”

“yes, I’ll take you to them,” I said.

“Really!!! Thank you Baldwin,” she says brightly.

I was so taken aback when she called out my name that I just stared at her.

She had just realised she had blurted out my name and was so surprised that she appeared to be about to cry out in embarrassment.

“I am truly sorry, your highness! how impolite of me to call out your name! I deserve to die!” she says as she kneels, “please forgive me!”

“I was surprised, but I was also somewhat happy, my lady, that you called my name…” I said as I reached for her and held her flushed cheek as I looked into her eyes. “It feels like we’ve already become friends, and I like that… you can call my name whenever you want,” I said with a smile as I stroked her long soft curls and kissed them.

Bishop Henry and seven Royal Nobles from the House of Dukes have gathered for a secret meeting at the Church of Jerusalem.

“I can’t believe the Leper King is actually dealing with the peasant issue,” one of the nobles exclaimed. “On top of that, we can’t keep any funds because of those pesky peasants,” one of the nobles added.

“We must act… we cannot allow the King to use the funds that we have worked so hard for for those mongrels.”

Bishop Henry was deep in thought as the seven Nobles agreed to persuade the king. “It’s that vile woman’s fault…” scoffed Bishop Henry.

“Are you referring to Lady Philippa of Antioch?”

“Yes.. she has some sway over our King, and we need to stop her,” Henry said.

“Do you believe she is attempting to seduce that leper to her desire?”

“What else… for all we know, she wanted to be queen,” Henry explained. “The crown has always supported us, and I don’t want anyone to take that away from us,” he added.

“Given her family background… I believe it’s a plot so that when the leper king dies, her brother Prince Bohemond can ascend to the throne,” Henry explained.

“We cannot allow that… once it occurs, we will be out of court… you all know that we are the reason why his father was sent to die in the hands of Muslims; we will ensure that he does not wield any power,” he added.

“What are your plans, your Eminence?”

“Will put a stop to it,” Bishop Henry scowled.

Meanwhile….

On that afternoon, we visited the village, where we were warmly welcomed by the locals. According to Baldwin, everything went according to plan, and more people are already recovering from the plague.

I’d been helping with small tasks like providing porridge to the villagers while King Baldwin and Aimery were with the masons, when someone softly tugged my skirt from behind, and I was delighted to see it was Bella smiling at me with a basket of flowers.

“Bella…” I said with a smile.

“My ladyship…glad to hear you’re doing well,” she says as she bows to greet me.

“yes… thanks to you… ” I say as I kneel down to her level, “someone told me that you ran away to get help, and for that I owe you my life.”

“It’s all I can do.. you’ve been so nice to me and Mary,” she explained.

“Oh, how is Mary?” I inquired.

“She’s doing a lot better, my lady, she can sit and eat now,” she said with a smile.

“That’s great to hear,” I said.

“I don’t have any gold to offer,” she mumbles.

“No, sweetie, it’s fine… I don’t need gold, but I would like to see you smile,” I say.

She smiled brightly once again, and it was very heartwarming, then she pulled out a flower crown.

“Here… I made this for you,” she said as she put the red flower crown on my head.

“It’s lovely,” I exclaimed.

“It’s called an anemone… my mother used to love that flower, and it’s perfect for you,” she explained.

“Aww… thank you…. ” I said.

Baldwin POV:

I could only watch her from a distance, as children gathered around her. She was a truly lovely person, and the most beautiful woman I had ever seen… I love watching her smile; she is truly an angel sent by God.

I approached her and the children casually, and she smiled as she said “your grace.”

“It really suits you,” I say as I tuck her hair behind her ears.

“T-Thank you, your grace ” she reply, as her pale cheeks turn to red

“Your face… you’ve suddenly turned red… are you sick?” I inquired.

“n-no…I’m f-fine,” she exclaimed, flustered.

I can’t help but laugh because she is so adorable, and her expressions are so amusing.

“Your highness?” Bella asks, tugging King Baldwin’s cape.

“Yes, my lady?” I asked, looking at Bella.

“Are you going to marry Lady Philippa?” she inquires innocently.

” w-what are you saying? o-of course not… ” lady Philippa stuttered, turning bright red.

“Why not?” Bella inquired.

“w-well, he’s the King, and I’m… just me,” she stutters as she looks at me, flustered. “I think I need to go… it’s really hot in here,” she says as she sprints away from us.

“m-my lady wait… ” I call her, but I can’t help but smile as I say goodbye to Bella, “pardon me little lady, I will need to follow her.”

Philippa POV:

This is so embarrassing, I thought to myself as I walked as fast as I could, that I didn’t notice the pit hole in front of me until Baldwin stopped me from behind by wrapping his arm around my waist and stopping me from walking any further.

“Be careful… you almost fell,” he gently warned.

“Oh.. t-thank you… ” he gently let go of me as I looked at him.

“I’m sorry… if I walked away like that… I was just…” I tried to explain.

“It’s okay.. no need to explain.. I truly understand.. I’m sure it was uncomfortable for you,” he said.

“No, it wasn’t.. it’s just… well..” I was about to explain when Aimery approached us and informed us that the soap had just arrived.

There was an awkward silence for a brief moment, but he decided to break it: “would you like to see it?” he asked, extending his hand.

“Y-yes,” I replied as I looked at him and reached for his hand.

It was a fun and productive afternoon because we were able to assist more villagers in need while also teaching them proper handwashing technique. Everything went smoothly as I looked at King Baldwin, who nodded in my direction.