Meanwhile at Baldwin room

“Mind telling me, sire, did you really sleep with Lady Philippa?” asks Aimery.

“Pardon?” I inquired.

“Well, you were in the same bed… and we saw you in a very intimate position…should I start calling her Princess?” Aimery inquired.

“Aimery… ” Baldwin put down his pen and looked at him.

“Yes, sire,” he replied.

“What do you think happened?” I inquired.

“Well… I’m not sure…” he replied.

“Would you like to know?” I inquired.

Aimery blushed, “n-no.. of course not your highness… ” He knelt, “I am sorry for asking such a rude question, I shouldn’t have asked such a private matter with you and the lady,” he apologised.

“You may rise and it is okay,” I said calmly, “let us just say nothing happened but it was such a wonderful night,” as I continued to write.

Then William came in and said, “Aimery, please leave us,” and aimery followed.

“your highness… the vassals are getting restless… I heard that while I was away the plague struck, but the house of dukes needs their answers… prince Bohemond will be visiting soon… and I am not sure myself if it is going to go well this time… ” he sighs ” Saladin is already making their move, and I don’t know if this kingdom will be able to survive… our man is still recovering from war “

“I know you are worried, that I will not be able to make it.. I am already making plans to meet my cousin Philip Of Flanders, he will be arriving in east on September, He will bring financial aid from another cousin, King Henry II of England. What I know that King Henry is invested because he and I both belonged to the Angevin family.” Baldwin stood up and looked out the window.

“Then, once all of the preparations are finished, we will invade Egypt,” he added. as William stood silently watching King Baldwin with confidence

Philippa’s POV

Days have passed, and on this fateful day, I will meet him for the first time… well not the first time for Philippa…Philippa’s memory and body, however, remain terrified of him… As I looked out the window, I saw the knight from Antioch march in from the castle gates, carrying the insignia of our family.

“My lady, let us get you ready,” Emma said.

I’m thinking about how I’ll handle this… First and foremost, I am not Phillippa…as I fiddle with my hair. But, as I looked in the mirror, I realised I was starting to resemble and be her. It all starts when I meet Gustav; in my previous life, I was able to take down guys like him because I am in the military; at the very least, I am trained in hand-to-hand combat because it is required that we learn to defend ourselves. But it was as if my body had become weak and fragile that day…

“Should I learn to fight again?” I muffle.

What’s the matter, my lady? ” Emma inquired as she worked on my hair.

“Emma… I want to learn self-defense… where should I go?” I inquired, turning to face her.

“s-self defence?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Yes, like hand-to-hand combat, fist fight… I just wanted to learn how to defend myself,” I explained.

Emma exclaimed, “Oh… you mean fight?”

“Y-yes?” I answered.

“absolutely not, my lady… even if I know, I’m not going to tell you…” she laughs.

“Why not?” I reasoned as I stood up. “I need to learn how to fight…so that I can defend myself.”

Emma sighed, “my lady… first and foremost, you are a Noble lady… that means you are meant to be protected, and secondly, fighting is only for men, and it is obnoxious and unfit for a lady of your status to learn it.”

“OK.. how about sword fighting? you know I am an expert in archery… swords are no different, I can handle it,” I explained to her as he drew me back and let me sit so she could finish brushing my hair.

“Swords are for men, my lady, leave the fighting to the knight… that’s their duty,” she says as she continues to fix my hair.

“Emma… I really need to learn… ” I explained. “I know that’s the knight duty, but what if I don’t have a knight with me and I’m in a tight situation like the last time… I don’t want to go through that horrible experience again.”

“aww… my lady… I know you really wanted to learn so you wouldn’t have to rely on anyone… but knowing you, once you learn how to fight, you’ll get into fights every chance you get,” she explained. “I just wanted you to keep you safe, and relying on our king’s knight is a noble thing that the lady can do.”

“I suppose… ” I mumble.

“Oh my lady…we’re done…you’re simply too gorgeous,” Emma said as I looked in the mirror. “Your brother must be very proud of the lady that you’ve become,” she added.

“I’m curious… if that’s the case,” I say.

The courtroom was packed with King Baldwin supporters and my brother Prince Bohemond; his visit had a significant impact on the kingdom; he was feared by King Baldwin supporters because he has a strong claim to the throne, while Baldwin is young, inexperienced, and was diagnosed with Leprosy. His claim was halted when Baldwin claimed his elder sister, Princess Sybilla, as her heir.

I can sense tension from both parties; as a member of Baldwin’s royal court, I am well aware that no one in Baldwin’s court trusted me because I am his sister. They only see me as an opportunist to gain the King’s favour on behalf of my brother.

“Your Majesty… King Baldwin… thank you for such a warm welcome,” he said as he entered the royal court, proudly standing tall and charmingly smiling to everyone.

“You’re very welcome here in Jerusalem, Prince Bohemond,” Baldwin said coolly.

“Very well, your Majesty, I’ve come for two reasons. The first is that I will personally send my troops to your aid for the next crusade, I heard you are preparing to invade Egypt, and I understand that the last crusade I wasn’t able to lend a helping hand, because I was afraid that a young king like you, was so ambitious to face Saladin with little knowledge of war,” he said, pausing and smiling.

“But I was wrong, and to my surprise, you came out victorious, and as a token of apology, My king, for belittling your capabilities, let me send you my 40,000 knights to assist you in your next crusade,” he explained, as nobles murmured about his generous offer.

“I understand that you were hesitant to put your trust in me… yes… your words are true, I am still inexperienced in a lot of things, and I am still young and still learning… I am really grateful to those people who lay down their lives for this kingdom and put their trust in such a man as me… the Battle of Montgisard was my very first battle, and I was expected to die in honour, I never expected to win with only three thousand knights versus saladin hundreds of thousands.” As he looked at Bohemond, Baldwin said, “I realise loyal people never abandon their master.”

Prince Bohemond’s smile faded after hearing King Baldwin’s statement, “true…. My King… I should have helped you when you called…” he said as he looked at King Baldwin, I can sense tension from both of them.

“But I will gladly accept your assistance in our next crusade, Prince Bohemond,” Baldwin stated

” now let me hear your second reason for your visit, I heard from William you wanted to visit your sister… Lady Philippa is now part of my royal court, as you can see she is very well,” Baldwin said.

“I am grateful to your mercy, My King, that you care for my sister, even though she is ill… I also heard you allow her to join your court?” he inquired.

“Yes… Lady Philippa is very intelligent when it comes to creating medicine, and she is also very compassionate; with her aid, I was able to stop the plague that is killing my people,” Baldwin says.

“I heard that our stepfather and Lady De Milly committed a crime against our family, and I trusted them wholeheartedly that I entrusted my sister’s welfare, it really saddened me…” he added as he looked at me, yet he doesn’t look sad.

“And I was devastated to learn that she had previously been ill and had lost her memory as a result…” he continued. “That’s why I decided to bring her back to Antioch.”

“No!” I exclaimed as the nobles turned to face me.

“Philippa, as your elder brother and guardian, I will make the best decision for you,” Bohemond said.

“My lord, I’m sorry to intervined in your family affair, but as I told you earlier, Lady Philippa is now one of my people and she is a great help to my people, I just can’t send her away like that,” Baldwin explained.

“Really… I had no idea my little sister had medical abilities… that is a surprise,” he mocked.

“You obviously don’t know your sister,” I replied coldly.

“ahh… why are you being so harsh, Philippa?… of course I know everything about you… you’re my beloved sister, but it was really surprising how you changed… you don’t seem to know how to behave,” he said coldly.

I silently roll my eyes as his smile and gaze make me sick to my stomach. “I will not return with you,” I said.

“I know what is best for you… ” he said sternly. “Enough with your shenanigans, and we will return to Antioch whether you like it or not,” Bohemond said authoritatively.

“What is best for me? What is best for me is to stay away from you,” I explained. “I am no longer a child; I can make my own decisions, and I say I will not return to Antioch; King Baldwin has already made me a member of his royal court.”

He laughed sinisterly, “royal court? Philippa, you don’t understand anything, don’t you? ” he said, “you are not qualified to become one, because you are a woman, and you know that woman are not allowed to own any possession, land, power, and freedom ” he explained “it means to say you will be still under my power, rule, and care until you get married, and by the way I already decided to wed you off to a lord in Byzantine “

I was stunned to hear what he had said, but King Baldwin Intervine.

“But prince Bohemond lady Philippa is a great asset in my Kingdom, I know she is a woman and no woman was ever made to be a member of a royal court, but I bealive she can make a difference and I beg you please let her stay,” Baldwin pleaded.

“Your Majesty, Prince Bohemond is absolutely correct,” Bishop Henry said. “Lady Philippa must return to Antioch, she doesn’t belong here… she is still a woman… just recently I heard that she caused a commotion that led you to kill an innocent villager.”

“Innocent?! He attacked me!” I yelled.

“He attacked you because you are a woman!” Henry exclaimed. “You know that is no place for you, but you keep insisting! For all we know, you might have seduced that poor man!”

Before I could say anything, Baldwin stepped forward and said, “She did not do such!, the lady was clearly attacked because of her vulnerability and good will, she did not seduce that vile man.”

“Your Majesty, are you hearing yourself? you’re clearly defending her… are you possibly growing fond of her?” Henry asked.

“Oh! Henry… please stop it,” William intervined, “his majesty is only protecting her like any of his man… and your majesty, Prince Bohemond is right we don’t have a hold on her until she gets married any decision will be made by her male family member, or her future husband… but I still stand to defend Lady Philippa, she is no longer a child and can decide who she can wed” He added

“Your Eminence, Philippa does not have any kind of relationship with a man,” Bohemond smirked, “then Philippa, please prepare your things because we are leaving.”

Philippa stood motionless, unable to move because all hope had been lost, but Baldwin stood in front of her, indicating that he would protect her. “No!” he demanded.

The crowd gasped as the king approached Bohemond slowly and calmly. “I can’t allow you to take her away,” he said.

“And why is that?” Bohemond inquired, frowning.

He looked at me, saying, “because I would like to ask Lady Philippa’s hand in marriage.” William almost fell out of his chair when he heard the King’s declaration. My eyes widened in confusion as I looked at Baldwin.

“What?! ” exclaimed Bohemond, as Henry stood up from his chair, stunned. “My king, please think about it.. it’s a foolish mistake!” he yelled.

“It is not a foolish mistake… I will marry her one way or another because we have already consummated, and as a man, I must honour thy lady Chasity,” he explains.

“Your highness,” I said softly, puzzled, to King Baldwin.

“You scoundrel!!!” Bohemond attacks the King as he pulls on the King’s robe, glaring viscously at Baldwin. “What did you say? leper?… even if you are the King, I will not allow the likes of you to touch my sister,” he raged.

The nobles gasped in horror and began to panic, with Jerusalem’s knight immediately drawing their sword as soon as Bohemond assailed their King, and the Antioch knight doing the same to protect their prince.

Baldwin calmly gripped Bohemond’s hands in his robe, “let me go,” he said calmly. As the knights prepared to attack, I grabbed Bohemond’s arms, “let him go,” I demanded.

“stay away from this! if you what is good for you ” he warned me as he  pushes baldwin and grab my arm ” I will not let you sully our name any longer! you come with me whether you like it or not! and I will make sure you will no longer defy me! ” Bohemond said as he lost his temper

Baldwin firmly grabbed Bohemond’s arm and said, “Bohemond, let her go! I will take responsibility for Lady Philippa… I know that you’re not in favour but I will no longer allow you to threaten her.”

“This is preposterous!” Bohemond exclaims with a vengeful glare, “do you think I’ll allow it?”

“Then you leave me no choice,” Baldwin said as the Knights began attacking each other and the Hall became more chaotic as other nobles attempted to flee the scene. “Please! put away your swords,” William ordered.

“Enough!!! ” I screamed as the knights stood motionless ” I don’t want to be the cause of any bloodshed! ” I turned to Bohemond

” I want you Prince Bohemond to understand that I can’t marry another man… as you all know I already share bed with his highness and if you won’t allow it… I will be ruined… who would dare to touch a woman who spend a night with a leper that everyone is afraid of? I explained as everyone looked at me, surprised.

“I still can’t believe it! the king will not do such!” exclaimed Bishop Henry. “This must be a conspiracy!” he exclaimed.

“I saw it in my two eyes, I went to see her ladyship yesterday morning to bear news that her brother will come and visit and there I saw them in bed,” William stated. “As a matter of fact, Lord Aimery and the handmaid Emma, saw it too,” he added.

“This is scandal!!” Henry exclaims as the nobles gasp in surprise. “Y-your Majesty, you promised not to marry and to protect your integrity for God’s will, and now you did this heinous act… what will people say?” Henry asks, trying to reason with King Baldwin.

“There is nothing left to say or do but marry,” William said, “and marriage there shall be.”

“We can’t do that! Lady Philippa is unsuitable for his highness,” Henry objected.

“suitable or not, there is nothing we can do… do you have any plans to appease Prince Bohemond, after his sister has been defiled by our king, do you really want a war to break out in Antioch and Jerusalem? ” he asked. “listen, if we do not allow it, Saladin will use this opportunity to strike, and we cannot allow that.”

“his Eminence is right, it is a great move,” I said as I looked at King Vassals. “Because of what happened between us, as Antioch’s daughter, our kingdom will help strengthen Jerusalem because I will marry its king, and Jerusalem and Antioch will once again unite.”

“Then we will announce the engagement on the 76th anniversary of the crusaders,” William suggested. Henry sat down again in his chair, silently staring at us.

I could hear the crowd whispering in disbelief, and Bohemond remained silent as he looked at me with dissatisfaction and exited the courtroom; the meeting was then completed early that day. Henry was so enraged that he stormed out without saying anything.

As I looked at Baldwin, who was so silent as we walked to his bedroom chamber and aimery followed us quietly, I was perplexed by King’s sudden proposal; it is unlikely that he will decide on impulse or even lie.

When we arrived, he asked Aimery, “Aimery… please leave us,” as he quickly followed us and left us alone.

“My lady, you must be very confused now because of my sudden proposal, I am very deeply sorry my lady… it was not my intention to lie, and I also put you in a very difficult situation,” he said as he held my hands.

“My king… I am not angry… I was just shocked and confused…” I explained. “I know you just wanted to help me, but I wasn’t expecting you to ask for my hand in marriage.”

“I have no choice but to lie, because your brother wants you to return to Antioch, and I don’t have the power to protect you,” he said as he looked down.

“I know you are in a difficult situation, my lady, exposing what we did not do to thy court, my unabashed decision will ruin the both of us. both of our families are not in a good relationship to begin with…. it will be difficult for the both of us,” he said calmly as he let out a sigh, as I looked at him.

“Are you willing to accept a leper like me as your husband? you must not hasten and think carefully, your decision will affect your future to find a chance for a good marriage, I don’t want you to make a hasty decision that you will come to regret someday,” he said, “and if you decline the proposal, we can still come up with another possible answer.”

“No.. that is true… you been really kind to me and help me in the greatest way that you can… and that alone makes me happy and I am very glad,” I said with a smile when I noticed him struggle to look at me in the eyes.

” I know you see me as a shameless woman,” I said, but his highness remained silent as he looked at me. ” I- I don’t want to return to Antioch, I have reasons that I can’t tell you yet… I know it’s selfish that I am using you for my selfish desire… but please continue to trust me,” I explained as I clasped my hand and looked at him.

“your majesty, I know I am not fit to become your queen nor to stand beside you as equal, I never dreamed of it… but I will not regret my decision, marrying you might be the greatest decision that I ever made… I know that there is nothing special between us but my undying loyalty to you is unmatched your grace, I don’t care if your a leper… “

“I just wanted to stay by your side, even if it means marrying you for the sole purpose of being at your service.” I said

“My king…, I know I am aggressive and very unladylike…I am not perfect… I also have a lot of things that I need to learn before I can stand beside you… I only wanted to be at your service..Baldwin will you…” as I gently moved closer to him “will you marry me? will you take an unperfect lady like me as your wife?” I said looking straight to his wonderful blue eyes..

a brief silence crept in as we looked at each other, but to my surprise, he removed his masked and gently held my right hand ” I hope you will not regret it ” he softly said as he pressed his lips to my hands and looked at me ” I told you before that I might can’t get hold of myself and I might devour you… so don’t blame me…” he said as I can feel his warm breath on my hands that makes me blush.

“I will gladly accept thy proposal,” he said softly.