Abu raced towards me, almost out of breath. “My lady…” he began.

“What exactly is it?” I inquired.

“There is a tawt ‘aswad in bloom..” he explained.

“Where?” I inquired.

Abu stated, “near the horses stable…”

“really? we have to hurry… let’s go! before someone picks it,” I say as I sprint.

“Wait for me!” Abu exclaims.

When I arrived at the Black Mulberry’s location, I was astounded to see that it was not a small tree but a massive oak-like structure.

“Are you sure this is the right tree?” I inquired.

“yes… ” Abu replied as he delved into his pockets, “here… it’s the berry from that tree, I picked it up from the ground earlier.”

Positive, that is the mulberry, I reasoned. 

“Why are you so obsessed with that?” Abu inquired.

“The tawt ‘aswad, or Black mulberry, is a herbal berry that can only be found in the Middle East and I’ve been looking for it for months… Black mulberry fruit contains pectin, which may act as a laxative Chemicals and the black mulberry twigs may have blood sugar lowering effects,” I explained.

People use black mulberry for constipation, menopause symptoms, runny nose, and a variety of other ailments, but there is no clear scientific evidence to support these claims… “So I’ve been looking for it to study,” I explained.

“And here I am… thinking it was just a simple berry,” Abu remarked.

“climb it and gather as many berries as you can,” I instructed.

“I can’t climb it because my ribs haven’t healed from being butchered by that Gustav… remember?” he explained.

“Well, we need someone to climb that tree,” I say, placing my hands on my hips.

“Why don’t you do it?” suggested Abu.

“What?” I asked, looking at the tree and realising that I had before climbed trees. “Yeah, why not?” I replied.

At the same time, King Baldwin and his knight had just arrived at the castle gate.

The king dismounted his horse and was greeted by William of Tyre.

“Your Majesty, welcome back,” William said.

Baldwin POV:

I looked around as I nodded at “Your eminence.” I asked, “Have you seen my queen?”

“I think she’s with your mother, Lady Agnes, and your sister, Princess Sibylla,” William replied.

“Oh… I’ll go and look for her,” I answered as I turned to leave.

Wait, Your Majesty, said William.

I turn to face him and he says, “May I have a word with you… “

At the same time…

Philippa POV:

Abu watched me climb a tree and stated, “I will not put my hand on that branch, or on that.”

I grunted as I climbed, “s-stop bothering me… if you want to help, then stay guard.”

“I never thought climbing would be difficult; as a child, I could climb trees like nothing,” I struggled.

“You climb trees? What kind of noble lady climbs trees?” Abu inquires.

“One of a kind!” I exclaimed. “So, how far am I?” I asked Abu.

“almost there,” Abu responded, “you know… we could ask a knight to climb for us.”

“You think?” I sarcastically stated, “well, it’s too late now…” I added. 

I was surprised to see a robust full-grown mulberry when I securely climbed to the top of the tree… I took as many as I could.

Abu inquires, “How was it?! Did you see any?”

“Yes! I have gathered enough… I’ll go down now…” I say.

“Be careful!” Abu cautioned.

As I placed one foot on a branch, it snapped and I nearly fell; however, I was able to cling fast in a tree branch “t-that was too close!” I exclaimed.

“I just told you to be careful! ” Abu exclaimed

“I know! but it’s impossible for me to go down now…” I remarked, looking down and seeing how high I was.

At the same moment, King Baldwin and Prince William are on their way.

“Your Majesty, it’s not that I don’t trust your judgement…but I am worried that your mother is in charge of her grace education until she is fully crowned as Queen ” William said

“I know that you dislike my mother, but she is the best person to teach Philippa on how to become a good Queen ” 

“well.. it’s not that I dislike her … I just don’t trust her ” William respond

“William… old friend… trust me… Mother can teach her well “

“I truly trust your judgement, your grace; I have never doubted you… It’s just that I know Henry and the other nobles dislike my Godchild… and I know why… she is stubborn and very smart for her own cause…I am concerned about her.”

“I promised you… didn’t I?” Baldwin asked softly, as William glanced at him.

“I promised to do anything to keep her safe, and those words I shall make… I will promise you that I would do anything for her,” Baldwin said William.

” Thank you, your grace… I will root for you both… my godchild chose well…” William smiled.

As the two made their way to the Castle, they came upon Abu and Philippa, who was entangled in a tree.

“What in Jesus name…” murmured William as he look at Philippa on top of a tree, As King Baldwin chuckles

King Baldwin and William rushed over to Abu and Philippa… “What in good lord happened?” William inquires.

“My King!” Abu bowed his head.

“I was just… picking up… berry’s and I got stuck,” Philippa explained.

“Lass… why on earth did you climb a tree? a-and you are no longer a child! you are a married woman, and for Pete’s sake, you are a queen! so act like one!” shouted William.

“I told her, but she wouldn’t listen” Abu responds swiftly.

“It’s best for my wife to come down safely first,” Baldwin explained.

“Of course, Your Majesty,” William replied. “I will have a word with you after this, Your Highness,” William said to Philippa, “Lad, let’s get a ladder,” he added to Abu.

“You should know…William will scold you,” Baldwin added after Abu and William had left.

“I know… it’s obvious…” Philippa responded

“But don’t take it personally… he cares for you…”

“I know,” Philippa said.

“I can help you get down… if you trust me,” Baldwin answered, smiling.

“I trust you… what is it?” Philippa inquired.

“Jump…” he said.

“jump?” Philippa asked, perplexed.

“Yes… I will catch you…” he said gently opening his arms.

“But… it’s too high, and I don’t want to trouble you,” Philippa explained.

“You’re my trouble… and you said you trusted me… if you do… Jump…”

“A-alright,” I said while holding my breath and tightly closing my eyes as I leaped forward. but shockingly, he had caught me flawlessly.

He replied softly, “I told you… I’ll catch you.”

“Y-yes,” I say as he gently sets me down.

Philippa’s POV

“Thank you for catching me…” I replied, looking at him, and blush

“And I have something for you, my queen…” Baldwin added, reaching into his robe for a piece of fabric.

“What is it?” I inquired as he opened it to see an absolutely gorgeous hair barrette with an elegant white stone… It was really stunning. “Oh, it’s lovely,” I added.

“May I?” he inquired. I nodded as I turned around.

“They called it moonstone.. it symbolised beauty and love, as well as the moon, My Queen you are my moon in my dark night… ” he added with a calm serene voice.”It suits you… ” he remarked as he gently placed the hair barrettes on my hair.

I gently turned to face him, and for the first time, I realised I wanted him more than I could imagine. I reached for his face and slowly removed his mask.

Standing in front of me, he is breathtaking…as he stared at me with his beautiful eyes that smiled like a crescent moon…there I felt a force pulling me closer to him till I couldn’t hold on any longer as I reached for his face and slowly kissed him on the lips.

As I paused and gazed at him…He slyly smiled, and I could feel his warmth as he drew me closer to him, devouring my lips with his. He was demanding…hungry…It was thrilling as I stroked his nape, we paused to regain our breath, and he kissed the tip of my nose…

We smiled as his forehead moved closer to mine, and he kissed me again, gently nibbling my lips, gently squeezing my lips with his “Should I stop?” he murmured quietly, “no…” I answer.

He then takes my lips and we passionately kiss, as he sucks my lower lips and tastes every area of my mouth, I can only whimpered as he slowly caresses my back and reaches my behind …I have butterflies in my stomach; I am afraid and eager at the same time, but I know I don’t want this moment to end.