In the meantime, in the King’s courtroom

Baldwin POV:

“Aren’t you going to say anything? you’re awfully quiet,” I questioned William.

“nothing at all,” the old man continued to work, but then groaned. “alright… your majesty, I am not in the position to pry into your private matters, but you need to be more discreet… I can’t believe you two would do it in broad daylight… what are you even thinking?” William exclaimed.

“You are a King, and people will expect you to act like it…” he added.

I try not to laugh as I say, “I am sorry… I was…”

William prickled his forehead and replied, “Don’t explain anything. I was just surprised, that’s all.

“Yet… I wanted to apologise that you saw us that way…and If I was unable to contain myself…” I said.

“Oh, it doesn’t matter,” William added, “but I’m glad you’re not denying yourself happiness.”

I kept quiet as I watched him gently smile at me, wondering if I was allowed to be happy. It’s the first time I’ve felt this way… I’m afraid that someone will take away these feelings from me…

“Greetings, your Majesty, may I have an audience with you?” Roger requested, plainly upset, as he strode in, surprising William and me.

“If you have anything to say to His Majesty, say it right now,” William remarked.

“It’s quite personal, your Eminence… I need to talk to his Majesty alone,” Roger responds.

“But – ” William said, but before he could complete, I interrupted, “William, please leave us… it appears that Ser Roger needs to speak with me about a serious matter,” I added.

“As you wished, your Majesty,” William said as he walked out of the courtroom, leaving us alone.

The atmosphere became strained as Roger inquired, “Why… why didn’t you tell me that you married?”

“I apologised for not being able to send you a letter announcing my marriage… it happened too quickly,” I says.

“I am your childhood friend… we practically grow up together like brothers… and yet I was completely unaware that my very close friend had married and he didn’t even send a single bloody letter,” Roger lamented.

“I know… and I apologise for not informing you…Philippa needs me and I…” I explained.

“Why her?” Roger asks.

“What do you mean? Why her?” I inquired as I rose to my feet.

“I just wanted to know… why her? There are so many ways you could help her… why marry her?” Roger questioned.

“My decision to marry her is based on mutual trust in each other,” I explained.

“Trust? you trust her… . you’ve only known her for a few months, you barely knew her and yet you decided to marry her… you do know her family is a threat to your throne, don’t you? what if this is a conspiracy? you know that Bohemond is waiting for every opportunity to over throw you “

” she isn’t like that… and you know that…” I murmured. “You don’t know her…”

“Alright.. Then let me ask you…what do you know about her?” Roger inquires.

I stayed silent as I locked my gaze on Roger. “Nothing… am I right?… you know nothing about her and yet you trusted her just like that,” Roger said. “You’re blinded by your judgement to people who aren’t repulsed by your illness,” Roger exclaimed. “

“Ser Roger, the choice of people in whom I will place my trust is not your concern, I am still your King… you should know your place, remember that,” I added.

“I apologised, my King, I was just concerned about you, you’re always like this… you’re too kind, and in the end, people will hurt and take advantage of you,” he went on.

“I know you only care about my well-being, but she isn’t like her family,” I explained.

“my King, I’ve been with many women, and they’re all the same… ” Roger replied, “a woman with noble blood and no title, not to mention she’s the younger sister of the very man who wants to dethrone you, so how can you expect me to trust her?”

“Your absolutely right… I don’t know anything about her, she came into my life without my asking and I never questioned her motive and loyalty but should I start questioning your motive and loyalty as well? since you are not repulsive in my illness” Baldwin remarked coldly

“My loyalty to you and the crown is unwavering, My king… I’ll even give my life for you, if you ask me,” Roger remarked. “I will leave now, my King, and I apologise if I was impolite, you should know that you cannot always protect her your majesty, Your Illness if she caught it… she will suffer greatly, the nobility and the royal court will destroy her… would you like that?” He adds as he prepares to leave, gently lowering his head.

I keep my mouth shut since he’s stating the truth, which breaks my heart… Everything he said was true; I can’t protect her in this state, and I’m terrified that she’ll catch the hideous illness I have… I tell myself this.

I was left alone, sitting on my throne with a sorrowful heart… I was selfish and did not consider this… My Lady… my wife will suffer as a result of my selfish decision. How could I possibly ask for something I don’t deserve…

On that day, Omar had a meeting with Archbishop Henry and the King’s mother, Lady Agnes.

“Omar! Please come in and have a seat,” Henry responded, offering Omar a seat in front of him.

“I received a summoning letter informing me that you wish to speak with me, so what pleasure do I owe you, your eminence?” Omar inquired.

“oh… nothing special lad… so tell me how the King’s health is? will he be all right?” Henry inquired.

“Yes… your Eminence the King’s responses to the Queen medicine are well. They actually worked like a miracle… if this continues, the King’s will be cured in no time,” Omar said.

“So you’re telling me that the queen is a more effective physician than you are?” Henry mocked.

“What do you mean? your eminence?” Omar inquired, his brow furrowed.

“She basically found cure to our kings in a short period of time than all of our royal physicians who basically spent their entire life trying to find cure but nothing came to fruition,” Lady Agnes Intervene said.

Omar remained mute, his attention fixed on the archbishop and Lady Agnes. “Well, I hate to admit that she is very intelligent, but she is still a woman,” Henry chuckled.

” I’m sorry, but I was wondering why you called me here?” Omar remarked seriously.

“Well… Ser Omar, let me be honest with you, the reason why we called you is that we decided to remove the queen from her post so that she could solely focus on her Queenly duties,” Agnes explained. “She already contributed far enough for my son,” she continued.

“But my lady, her majesty loves the work she does, and she is getting close to finding a cure for his majesty,” Omar protested.

“Finding something impossible is another thing,” Agnes remarked. “She’s done her part, and now you should do yours.” Agnes said “She is your Queen, and as a queen, there are a lot of things that she needs to consider, and that is her country,” Agnes continued.

“Has his Majesty given his approval on this matter?” Omar inquired.

“I don’t need my son’s permission,” Agnes says firmly.

An Ayyubid empire located approximately 300 miles from Jerusalem, Damascus, a place where the valiant Sultan-General Saladin of Egypt and Syria resides.

He has a slim build, a short, clean beard, and a chiselled face with piercing, intelligent eyes. His muscles are barely visible beneath his exquisite black suit. He speaks with a contemplative and slightly mournful expression that will suddenly brighten up with a soothing smile that will put anyone speaking to him at ease. He was always pleasant to visitors, insisting on their staying to eat and treating them with respect, even if they were infidels.

Sultan Saladin is planning his next attack with his generals. “My Sultan, Raynald of Chatillon, harassed Muslim trading and pilgrimage routes with a fleet on the Red Sea,” one of his men stated.

“Yes, and we heard that he planned to attack the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, and I believe it’s their King’s doing,” they continued.

“I can assure you it’s not their king’s doing, but an individual treacherous action,” says the sultan.

“Their King, My Sultan, just killed one of our messengers… they are challenging us! we should counter an all-out attack!” one of his generals exclaimed.

“We already suffered a shameful defeat at the hands of a 16-year-old King… not to mention he is a leper,” Saladin calmly told his enraged men.

“So, your Majesty, what are your plans?”

“We wait for our vengeance… tell your men to prepare the army… we will divide the army, we will camp at Banias, and the others will attack Sudon until we Invade Ford of Jacob,” Saladin stated as he stood erect facing the sunset. “I’ll make sure I win this time,” he says.