In the grand hall, Baldwin’s grand knights exchanged knowing glances as they watched their king, who wore an amused smile. As Philippa hurriedly left, the atmosphere in the grand hall remained charged with a mixture of emotions. Baldwin, still wearing a bemused smile, glanced at his esteemed grand knights. He could sense their curiosity and the unspoken question in their eyes. They had witnessed a moment of unprecedented candor between their king and queen, and it had left its mark on all of them.

One of the senior knights, Sir Richard, cleared his throat, breaking the silence that had settled in the room. “Well, it seems we’ve been witness to quite the event today,” he remarked with a knowing grin, earning a few chuckles from his comrades.

Baldwin, despite his own surprise, couldn’t help but appreciate the camaraderie among his knights. He nodded, his gaze briefly following Philippa’s retreating figure. “Indeed,” he replied, his tone reflecting a mix of emotions.

Meanwhile, Philippa hurriedly left the grand hall, her heart racing with embarrassment after her bold confession to Baldwin. William, the king’s advisor, briefly considered following her but decided against it, respecting her need for privacy.

She had retreated to her work chamber, her cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. She couldn’t believe she had confessed her feelings in front of Baldwin’s grand knights. Her heart raced as she wondered what the consequences of her bold move might be.

In the serene chambers of House of Hastings, Lady Helena, the firstborn daughter of Duke Hastings and one of the Queen’s ladies in waiting found herself afflicted by a peculiar ailment: boredom. The routine of noble life, while comfortable, had a way of dulling one’s spirit. On this particular day, the halls of the grand palace seemed especially suffocating, and the walls lined with opulent tapestries felt as if they were closing in on her.

With a restlessness she could no longer suppress, Lady Helena decided to break free from the monotonous rhythm of her noble existence. She yearned for a taste of the vibrant world beyond the palace gates. Dressed in a plain gown that concealed her noble birth, she ventured to the bustling marketplace in the heart of the town. Unbeknownst to her, this seemingly innocuous decision would lead to an unexpected twist of fate.

Lady Helena had always been enamored by the color and fragrance of flowers. She couldn’t resist the charm of the marketplace when it was in full bloom. As she strolled through the alley, she paused by a flourishing flower stall. The vividness of the petals captured her attention, and she couldn’t resist but draw closer.

The vendor greeted her, flashing a toothless smile, and gestured towards a basket filled with a vibrant array of flowers. Lady Helena couldn’t help but lean in, her nose inhaling the fragrant aroma of the vibrant blooms.

She examined each one carefully, admiring the detailed patterns and hues. The vendor watched her with amusement, taking in the wonder and joy on her face

Lady Helena had lost her necklace during a moment of distraction. She had been examining a basket of colorful flowers at a flower vendor’s stall when the necklace’s clasp had given way. Unbeknownst to her, the precious emerald pendant had slipped from her neck, falling unnoticed among the petals and leaves.

Roger de Moulin, the King’s personal knight, being in the marketplace for a separate matter, had noticed the glistening emerald pendant as it fell. Its bright green hue stood out among the vibrant flowers. Curiosity got the better of him, as Lady Helena, now oblivious to her loss, moved away from the stall.

Stepping forward, he quickly retrieved the necklace, his training as a knight ensuring that his actions were discreet. He intended to return the necklace to its rightful owner, but something stopped him.

Helena’s POV:

My fingers grazed the velvety petals, and soon I found myself lost in the intricate patterns and detailed nuances of each flower until a sudden jolt interrupted my reverie.

I found myself in a predicament when I accidentally dropped my precious emerald necklace while looking around in the busy market place. It was only then that I realized my emerald necklace was missing. A moment of panic welled inside me, frantic to reclaim my mother’s memento, I searched the ground intently until I noticed a knight, scooping it up in his grasp.

As Lady Helena approached Roger, she saw the emerald pendant of her necklace shining in his hand. Her heart skipped a beat. “Thank the heavens,” she breathed, reaching out with a shaking hand to take the necklace from Roger. “I thought I had lost it for good.”

Roger’s POV:

As I first laid eyes on this mysterious Lady amidst the bustling marketplace, I couldn’t help but be struck by her appearance. She stood out, not because of her fine clothing or noble demeanor, but precisely because of the stark contrast she presented against the backdrop of the common folk.

I would describe her as a vision of contradiction. She wore a simple, unadorned dress that hinted at humility, yet her poise and graceful movements spoke like of noble upbringing. Her hair, a cascade of Ginger waves, was partially concealed beneath a plain veil, adding to the sense that she was attempting to blend in with the commoners.

Her eyes, however, were the most captivating feature. They were a brilliant shade of ash, a striking contrast to the earthy tones of the market. They held a mixture of determination and vulnerability, as if she were navigating unfamiliar territory with unwavering resolve.

The lady looked different from the common folk, and I wondered about her presence in the marketplace. In my mind, she appeared as an enigmatic figure, a noblewoman in disguise, a paradoxical blend of nobility and modesty that piqued his curiosity and stirred a sense of intrigue. A faint smile crept onto my face as I gazed at her.

This led me to suspect her, raising the possibility of her being a thief to test her reaction. In reality, I was trying to understand why a lady of her stature was in such an unlikely place, a mystery I was eager to uncover.

“You dropped this, my lady,” I said, observing her closely.

Helena’s POV :

I approached him, as soon as I saw the emerald pendant of my necklace shining in his hand. My heart skipped a beat. I felt relieved that the necklace had been found, but at the same time, I was confused about this knight’s intentions.

My thoughts were interrupted as he spoke, his rigid voice sending shudders down my spine. “but I am curious as to why such a valuable and delicate necklace is being worn to the marketplace, where it could easily be lost or a stolen necklace, perhaps?”

My eyes widened in shock and disbelief as he accused me of theft. I couldn’t believe my ears. “I didn’t steal anything,” I protested, my voice trembling with a mixture of anger and hurt. “That necklace is mine. It’s a family heirloom. Please, give it back.”

Roger, holding the necklace tightly in his hand, raised an eyebrow skeptically. “A family heirloom, you say? You certainly don’t look like someone who could afford such a valuable piece. How do I know you’re not lying?”

I was growing increasingly frustrated. “Because it’s the truth! I dropped it by accident, and I need it back. You have no right to accuse me of theft.”

The commotion drew the attention of nearby market goers, and a small crowd began to form, curious about the unfolding drama. Roger, undeterred, continued to scrutinize Helena.

“It’s easy to claim something is yours,” he said, his tone condescending. “Prove it. Describe the necklace. If it matches, I’ll consider returning it.”

Helena’s face flushed with anger, but she knew she had to remain composed. “Fine. It’s an emerald necklace with a gold chain, and there’s a small engraving on the pendant—a rose.”

Roger examined the necklace closely, and upon finding the engraving, his expression shifted from skepticism to surprise. He reluctantly handed the necklace back to Helena. “Very well, it seems you were telling the truth. My apologies for the misunderstanding.”

As the crowd dispersed, Helena couldn’t help but feel a mix of relief and frustration. She clutched her necklace tightly, grateful that she had managed to prove her innocence, but annoyed by the arrogance of the king’s knight.

Roger chuckled, pleased with himself, and handed her the necklace. Lady Helena put it back on, grateful to have it around her neck once more.

As she walked away, Lady Helena couldn’t help but wonder what Roger’s intentions were. She knew he was no ordinary knight, and there was something mysterious about him.

Philippa made her way straight to her workroom, where Abu was diligently working with herbs and antibiotics. She entered, her face flushed with a mixture of emotions, and quietly shared with him the surprising confession she had just made to Baldwin. Abu’s eyes widened in astonishment as he processed this unexpected turn of events.

Abu looked at Queen Philippa with wide eyes and a dropped jaw. “You did what, my lady?” he asked incredulously.

Philippa sighed “I know, it was foolish of me,” she admitted. “But I couldn’t help it. I love him so much.”

Abu shook his head. “You can’t just go around confessing your love to the king like that,” he scolded gently.

Philippa sighed, sinking into a nearby chair. “I know, Abu, I know. It just… it came out, and I couldn’t stop myself. And you said it’s alright if I will face him head on “

“I didn’t expect you to take my words so literally. I was just trying to offer some comfort. But now that it’s out, we can only hope for the best.” Abu scratch his head

Philippa rolled her eyes and gave Abu a playful shove. “You’re a terrible advisor, Abu. What am I going to do with you?”

Abu grinned. “Keep me around to provide you with terrible advice, of course.”

Abu placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “confessing your feelings, That’s quite bold.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “But it’s also a courageous step. Love should never be hidden. What did King Baldwin say?”

Queen Philippa sighed, “He didn’t say anything. He just looked at me, and then at the knights who were present. I think he was probably embarrassed too. I wanted him to say something, anything but he just stood there looking at me with an expression I couldn’t quite place.”

Abu nodded sympathetically. “It can be difficult to know how to respond when someone confesses their love to you. Especially if they are not quite used to confessing. But perhaps it’s a good sign that he didn’t reject you outright. Maybe he just needs some time to sort out his own feelings.”

Queen Philippa nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps. But it’s still going to be difficult knowing that I’ve put him in a difficult position. And William, my godfather, I shudder to think what he’ll say or do.”

“Well, what’s done is done. We’ll have to wait and see how the king responds.” Abu said, Abu placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, my queen. The king just needs time to process his feelings. I’m sure he cares for you deeply and will come to understand your confession soon enough.” The queen smiled weakly at him. “I hope you’re right, Abu. “