Roger dashed across the castle hall, completely unaware that he was passing Philippa, who was on her way to greet her Ladies in Waiting. When the young Queen called him “Ser Roger!” he was surprised to see her standing in front of him. She had gotten even more beautiful since the last time he had seen her.

He was so enthralled that he didn’t say anything while he stared at her. But then he remembered she was married. She now belongs to someone else, to the King, to a close friend, to the man he regards as his own brother. He reflected to himself. As he gazed into her enticing hazel eyes and envy seeped into his heart.

“Ser, Roger it’s been awhile…” Philippa greeted him

“Yes.. it’s been a while,” he said immediately, “how was it?” she inquired.

“How was what?” Roger inquired.

“Your adventure? Silly… ” Philippa smiled. “I’ve heard you saved a caravan of merchants.”

“It was nothing special,” he said coldly, his eyes averted.

“Is there a problem, my lord?” Philippa inquired, but Roger remained mute. “I was hoping you would come in and visit my workroom, you promised to provide results on the filtered water that I gave you before your journey, but you seem to have forgotten,” she said.

“No.. I didn’t, my lady, or should I say your majesty,” he said sharply.

She stood in front of him, surprised, but composed, smiling, “so… you heard…”

“Actually, no… I just found out today that you are now our new queen,” he replied coldly as Philippa took a step back as he steadily approached her.

“I – Iam… but I am still the lady, you know, nothing has changed,” Philippa stated uncomfortably.

“Really… how sly of you…” he mumbled.

Philippa asked, “w-what?” as he cornered her in the wall.

“You might have fooled the king with your sweet lie, but you can’t fool me… ” Roger stated as he moved his face closer to her.

“How dare you,” Philippa exclaimed going to slap him, but he effortlessly grabbed her petite arms, pinning her to the wall.

“save your story, I know you are sent by your brother, Bohemond, to harm the King, and I will not allow it.”

“Your wrong, I will never deceive him, I care for him, and you know nothing about me,” Philippa responded.

” Tell me what you and your family have planned,” Roger urged, clutching Philippa’s arm tightly.

“I am not with Bohemond, and I assure you that I will do nothing to harm his majesty, and I don’t care if you don’t believe me… ” Philippa snarled.

“Your lying! and I warn you, don’t you dare hurt him, or else I won’t sit by,” Roger murmured quietly into Philippa’s ear.

Philippa glared at him angrily, “Let go of me…”

“Why… are you afraid?” Roger chuckles devilishly.

“No… your wrong… you should be afraid of me,” Philippa stated emphatically as she released her hands from Roger’s grip.

Before Roger could say anything, his eminence William appeared. ” Roger?” he asked. As the two of them stare at him.

“What exactly is going on here?” William inquired.

“nothing,” Roger replied quickly as Philippa dashed behind William.

“I just stopped by to congratulate Her Majesty,” Roger explained.

“I see… your highness, we have to leave now, your ladies-in-waiting, awaits,” William explained.

Philippa simply nodded and said, “yes…”

“Then I should go now…” Roger remarked, “I’ll see you later, your highness.”

After Roger had left, William noticed Philippa was uneasy. “Is everything all right, my dear?” he inquired.

“Y-yes,” she replied quickly.

Meanwhile, Baldwin summoned Omar to his Chamber.

“Your highness, do you wish to see me?” Omar asked, bowing his head before Baldwin.

Baldwin said melancholy, “yes…”

His devoted attendant was quick to see that the young King was depressed and appeared ill.

“Are you okay, my lord? Do you have any ailment?” he inquired, concerned.

“I am fine…” he said hastily.

“What can I do for you, my lord?”

Baldwin inquired, “I’ve heard you’ve been summoned by the Bishop of Toulouse and my mother.”

“Yes, My Lord,” Omar responded.

“What did you talk about?” Baldwin inquired.

“Well, my lord, I don’t know how to explain it, but his eminence… and her grace wanted to remove her highness from your royal court as one of your physicians, because they wanted her majesty to be focused on her royal duty,” Omar explained.

Baldwin remained silent as he sighed… “Mother is right; the queen must concentrate on her royal duties.”

“but, your highness… her majesty is a great help to you… she is almost close to curing you…” Omar objected.

“No! I don’t want her to be more involved in my condition than she is right now… I can’t no longer put her in danger whenever she is near me…” Baldwin explained as Omar was taken aback.

“Believe me, Omar, this is the right thing to do… I care for her, and putting her in danger is the last thing I want,” Baldwin concluded.

Omar makes a mournful expression at Baldwin.

“Omar… please inform my wife that I will be unable to see her tonight… and inform her that you will be in charge of my nightly medical routine from now on…” Baldwin remarked.

“yes, your majesty… I know your intentions for her are good and you care for her more than anyone in this castle, but this will break her heart… she really cares for you too… and she really loves what she is doing,” Omar stated to Baldwin as he bowed his head and walked away from the King…

Baldwin sat on his throne, his heart sad, and called out to Aimery, “Aimery… “

“Yes, your Majesty?”

“Prepare my horse,” he says.

The young Queen, on the other hand, remained mute as she was led by William of Tyre to see her Ladies in waiting.

“Philippa, my dear… you seem to be a little down… is there something bothering you?” William inquired.

“n-no… I am fine.”

“Did Roger do something inappropriate?” William inquired, “just tell me and I’ll make sure he doesn’t approach you again… I don’t care even if he is the King’s favourite Knight and close friend.”

Philippa’s POV

“n-no… I’m fine… he didn’t do anything wrong…” I answered, trying to smile a little.

“Then what is bothering you?” William inquired.

“Well… he appears to be concerned that I might hurt Baldwin, and while I know I won’t hurt him, my family will… and I don’t want to hurt him… and…” I tried to explain.

“I know… ” William interjected, “I know you wouldn’t hurt him, and he won’t either.”

I smiled at him, as if my burden had been lightened.

“Now… whatever other people say… trust yourself and trust each other,” William replied, smiling.

“Thank you..” I whispered softly as we both entered the chamber where my ladies-in-waiting were waiting.

“Your Majesty… I would like you to meet your ladies in waiting,” William stated as I stared at the three young girls in front of me gracefully curtsying.

“It’s an honour to meet you and serve your grace,” they both said at the same time.

“Ladies, please introduce yourselves to Her Highness…”

“your Highness, my name is Olivia from House Cornwall… and it’s a real honour to serve you,” a gorgeous blonde girl with charming green eyes.

“Greeting… my Queen… ” said an elegant full-figured tall brunette as she slowly raised her head “my name is Catherine from House Thoron and it’s my great honour to serve you.”

last but not least of the three ladies… a thin, pale, intelligent lady with ginger hair and stunning ash grey eyes. “Greetings, my queen… My name is Helena from House Hastings… ” she replied as she carefully bowed her head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you… ” she said.

“They are best picked by his grace from a well-known family to accompany you,” William explained.

It’s nice to meet you ladies. I’m still getting used to being your new queen, so I hope we can cooperate and get along well, I remarked with a smile.