At the break of dawn lady (Y/N) is awaken by the racket outside her bedchamber. With sleepy steps she moves toward the window to cast an amazed look at the stunning panorama surrounding the castle and lost in her reverie she thinks aloud: ''Jerusalem...'' Behind the large bailey can be seen plenty of roofs, flat and dome-shaped, covering the beige buildings enshrouded in spurts of grey smoke. Further away on the horizon are hills soaring high above Jerusalem like some mystical guardians of the townsfolk. The teeming roads of the kingdom are bustling just like the courtyard where servants are rushing in all ways, carrying baskets with food and fabrics. That means the preparations for the royal wedding have just begun. The moment the door opens with a creak, lady (Y/N) looks over her shoulder to spot a tall woman with frizzy hair clumsily pinned up, now crouching in the doorway as she's trying to perform the deepest curtsy. ''Don't kneel.'' Lady (Y/N) cues her to stand up and come in.
''M'lady, I'm Elvira, your new chief lady-in-waiting. Though I come from a noble house, you might not have seen me before. I've come to inform you that princess Sibylla desires to invite you to breakfast.''
''So early? It's dawning yet.''
''Princess Sibylla is aware of your tight schedule for today, that's why she asked for a meeting to be earlier.''
In response lady (Y/N), visibly lost in her thoughts, faintly nods and with the help of her other ladies-in-waiting she quickly changes into a new dress before she heads out to the princess's boudoir.
''Princess Sibylla...'' Lady (Y/N) gracefully curtsies in the entrance to a small but bright chamber full of tall candlesticks and furniture with golden ornaments. ''Thank you for inviting me to breakfast.''
''Please call me Sibylla.'' Though her lips form into a thin smile, her tone of voice remains cold as well as her glance. ''Come and take a seat.'' Sibylla invites her inside the chamber, pointing at the free spot in front of her armchair. Lady (Y/N) takes a seat opposite her future sister-in-law and politely smiles despite the feeling of discomfort under her judging stare.
However, the tensed silence is shortly interrupted by a sudden arrival of a young boy in a ritzy attire. Sibylla follows her guest's curious look and with angst in her eyes immediately rushes to the child's side. ''My dear, I've told you not to come here when I have guests.''
''But the ship...''
Lady (Y/N) then notices that the wooden toy he's clutching is broken so she kindly offers her help: ''I know how to fix it. I used to have a similar one when I was your age. May I?'' The boy, awaiting a permission from his mother, looks questionably at troubled Sibylla, who after long thought lets him go. ''Baldwin? Is it your name?'' - asks surprised lady (Y/N) when she spots the letters engraved on the hull of the tiny ship. Little Baldwin proudly gives a bob as he intently watches the miniature of a warship being deftly repaired. ''You were named after the king, weren't you?''
''Yes. The king is my uncle and one day I'll inherit the throne.'' His words casually spoken make lady (Y/N) bemusedly glance over flustered Sibylla, who promptly grabs her son's hand to lead him outside. No one has told (Y/N) before that the king has his heir already chosen. ''It's time to go, my dear. Your lesson with William of Tyre will begin soon.''
''I wasn't aware that you have a son.'' - says ruminatively lady (Y/N) with her eyes focused on a round table when Sibylla comes back. ''I have to say he resembles you more than lord Guy of Lusignan.''
''Baldwin is not his son. His father died in a battle before he was even born.'' To change this sensitive subject, Sibylla nervously clears her throat and swiftly reaches out for a cup with drink before she gets to the point of their meeting: ''Tell me, lady (Y/N), why are you marrying my brother?''
''I believe I gave enough explanation to the High Court-''
''I mean your true intention.'' With a contempt smile Sibylla leans back in her seat and cocks her head, hoping to provoke her guest but to her surprise lady (Y/N) remains her calm posture. ''For what I know, you are in alliance with Tiberias. How would I know if you don't scheme something with him?''
''How can you accuse him of such a terrible thing? My uncle is loyal to the kingdom and its king. He's one of his most trusted advisors.''
''Then what about the coup he staged with prince Bohemond of Antioch on Easter?''
Her probing question takes lady (Y/N) aback. ''What coup? What are you talking about?''
''You didn't know?'' - asks in a hushed tone puzzled Sibylla, who expected a different reaction from lady (Y/N) but got a proof of lady (Y/N)'s innocence instead.
''No, this can't be true...'' Lady (Y/N) for a moment closes her eyes and gingerly touches her forehead, trying to pull herself together. ''Ah, I'm unwell at the moment. If you excuse me, I'll take some rest.'' Sibylla doesn't say a word when she watches lady (Y/N) with a stagger in her steps leave the chamber.
''M'lady!'' Elvira is first to come to her side. ''Shall I call a physician?
''There's no need. I just need to take some fresh air.''
''My lady!'' - calls Tiberias, rushing in her way. ''I'd like to discuss some matters with you.''
''Actually, me too.'' Tiberias frowns at the sudden change of her attitude toward him. ''Tell me, is it true that you recently led a coup against the king?''
''Who told you that?''
''So it's true?'' Crestfallen lady (Y/N) bits her lower lip, trying to stifle her sobbing, and in a strangled voice she asks: ''Don't tell me that all your stories about the kingdom and the king were just to lure me into your scheme?''
''It wasn't against the king! Please listen to me!'' Tiberias rapidly grasps her arm to prevent her from leaving but stands frozen to the spot when lady (Y/N) faces him with her jaw wobbling and a single tear strolling down her cheek.
''Let go of her!'' The king's menacing shout from afar startles lady (Y/N), who immediately lowers her head so he wouldn't catch sight of her teary eyes. Enraged Baldwin grabs Tiberias's wrist, squeezing it, to release his betrothed from her uncle's firm grip. ''I won't pry into your family matters but your actions have obviously made her cry. If someone hurts lady (Y/N), hurts me as well.''
''Forgive me, my lord.'' Abashed Tiberias deeply bends his head and takes a peek at lady (Y/N) before bidding them goodbye.
Baldwin then turns to lady (Y/N) and with utmost delicacy wipes off her tears with his thumb, making her slowly look up at his masked face. Despite that all (Y/N) can see is his blue eyes which seem to be piercing her soul, she finds solace in his presence. When his fingers vaguely trails down her face until they almost reach her jaw, he says softly: ''Whatever is troubling you, my lady, you can always confide in me, I'm not only a king but your future husband too.'' As a token of gratitude, lady (Y/N) warmly smiles at Baldwin.
''Lady (Y/N)?'' - asks timidly lady Stephanie, waiting along with Elvira.
''Oh, I must be going now.'' Lady (Y/N), now that she remembers she has so much to do yet, swiftly curtsies and in a rush takes a leave. When the king is about to return to his duties, he catches a glimpse of a suspicious knight in a hood leaning against a pillar and observing lady (Y/N) from a long distance, so he turns to one of his vassals to give him an order: ''Arrange more guards for lady (Y/N).'' As if the enemy gaining strength faster than ever is not enough for the young king to worry about, now his kingdom is on the brink of being torn apart by domestic conflicts. Yet, Baldwin is bravely facing all challenges his malicious fate has to offer.