Today is the day King Baldwin and I will marry. He rescued me from Bohemond by proposing marriage, a marriage bound by my loyalty and mutual trust in each other.

This marriage was not recorded in history books because King Baldwin IV never married in the first place, he died at the young age of 24; now the course of history has changed and I am not sure how it will affect the future; I am nervous about the outcome because I am aware that I did change some events during this time, but it is the only way I know to survive.

Earlier, Bohemond paid us a visit and gave us his blessing, but he chose not to attend the celebration because he had other obligations, but I still don’t trust him. I know he has evil plans against King Baldwin, just like in the history book, and I will uncover them, and yet he congratulates us and promises King Baldwin support for the next crusade.

I peered out my glass window. The entire castle was covered in white roses and jasmine, the scent of flowers could be detected throughout the castle, and music could be heard. For this occasion, people of all ages dress in their finest attire, and everyone is in a festive mood and is very happy. “My lady?” Emma asked as I turned to face her. “It is time,” she added.

I was surprised to see a group of servants with the head maid Bathilda, came in carrying various things, such as fragrant oil, make-up, jewellery, and the wedding dress that I designed myself, much to Bathilda’s dismay that I won’t wear the traditional Blue cotehardie with a shade of gold trailed all the way to my ankles and featured fitted sleeves with buttons down the length, no offence but since I dislike its design,

They help me take a warm bath with rose petal and scented oil, they wash my hair and body. Then get me ready to dress. I asked Emma to do my make-up and hair while Bathilda assisted me in wearing my white laces wedding gown with a long lace white vail.

As soon as I finish, the servant gasps in amazement because it turned out to be perfect. “My lady… you truly resemble a goddess,” Emma exclaimed.

“Why are you crying?” I inquired, a smile on my face.

“Well… I’m just so happy,” she said, her tear streaming down her cheek as I smiled at her.

“I’m disappointed you didn’t wear the traditional bridal gown I prepared for you, but you look stunning in that white gown,” Bathilda said.

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

Baldwin was preparing for this special day at the same time, and he was assisted by his chamberlain Aimery, who dressed him in his finest white velvet robe embroided with gold. He decided not to wear his silver masked for this occasion, but as he looked in the mirror, he noticed that his wounds were all drying up and his facial deformities were diminishing. “Sire, are you going to wear your mask?” Aimery inquired.

“No… not on this occasion,” he replied.

“It’s healing… your wounds,” Aimery said.

“Y-yes,” he replied, touching his facial wounds, before William entered and reminded him that the wedding was about to begin.

The wedding begins at precisely noon…. As the knights slowly open the door, I hear wedding trumpets. I entered and began marching to the altar; many people stared at me as I marched towards Baldwin, who stood in front of William Archbishop of Tyre, who would officiate our wedding.

I used to fantasise about wearing a wedding gown and marrying a prince charming when I was a little girl, and now it is coming true: I am marrying a King, a very powerful and influential King in world history.

With his blonde hair and deep ocean blue eyes, he was stunning as he extended his hand and guided me to the altar. “You looked very beautiful,” he said softly. As I looked at him, I blushed, and our wedding began with William’s opening speech.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God to join together this Man and this Woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable land, instituted of God in Paradise, and into which holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined,” William exclaimed, smiling at both of us.

“Therefore, if any man can shew any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter for ever hold his peace,” he said, looking at the group of Bishop Henry sitting in front of him with scowls on their faces.

William continues as he turns to Baldwin, breaking the silence.

“Wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love, comfort, honour, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and forsaking all else, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?” William asked Baldwin.

“I Will,” Baldwin stated.

“Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God’s ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, and serve him, love, honour, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all else, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?” William asked, looking at me.

“I do,” I said.

“In the joining of hands and the fashioning of a knot, your lives are now bound, one to another. By this cord you are thus now and forevermore bound to your vow. May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last. May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger,” Baldwin and I exchanged glances as William remarked.

“Now for your vow, your highness?” William inquired.

“This is my solemn vow,” he said as he gently took my hand in his. 

” I, Baldwin IV, take thee Philipa of Antioch to be my wedded wife, Behold my oath that I will take no one as my wife except you, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, richer or poorer, fairer or fouler, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish, till death us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth.”

“My lady,” William said, looking at me.

“I, Philippa of Antioch, take thee Baldwin IV of Jerusalem to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, bonny and buxom at bed and at board, to love and cherish, till death us part, according to God’s holy ordinance; and thereunto I plight thee my troth.”

As we let go of each other’s hands, William took out a couple of Ruby rings and blessed them, saying, “Bless these Rings, O Merciful Lord, that those who wear them, that give and receive them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love, under their own vine and fig tree, and seeing their children’s children. Amen.” As he handed the Ring to Baldwin, William said

Baldwin gently took my left hand in his and said, “With this Ring I thee wed, with my body I thee honour, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow,” as he placed the ring on my ring finger, “In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.”

I say the same vow to him as I affix the ring to his left ring finger. as I looked at him with a smile

“Thou must kiss three times on cue before I proclaim you joined,” William explained.

“Once for luck,” William said, as Baldwin kissed my forehead “Twice for Long Life,” William continued, as Baldwin kissed my left cheek “and Thrice for Love,” William added, as Baldwin looked at me in the eye as he lean closer as I can feel his warmth breath, he held my waist closer to him, I close my eyes as our nose tips touches each other, he held my face gently and stop and instead he kissed me on my right cheek, ” I slowly opened my eyes and we looked at each other.

“Let no man put asunder what God has joined together.” Then William turns to address the crowd. “Forasmuch as Baldwin and Philippa have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and have thereto given and pledged their troth each to the other, and have declared the same by giving and receiving of a Ring, and by joining of hands; I pronounce therefore that they are Man and Wife together, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

“Now I present to you all… the King and Queen of Jerusalem! Long live the King! Long live the Queen!” exclaimed William.

Baldwin held my hand as the crowds applauded and chanted, “Long live the King! Long live the Queen!” I can see the group of bishop Henry sneers as we passed by at their station.

We were congratulated by both the nobles and the common people, and we were led to the ballroom, where each member of the noble house presented their gift. Baldwin and I were seated next to each other.