King Baldwin and Queen (Y/N) are still in their tenacious embrace when one maid warily inclines her head between the slightly opened door wings and gasps in wonderment before swiftly retreating with new gossips to spread. Even so, neither she nor anyone else dares to interrupt the royal couple's affectionate moment.
Clutching his weeping beloved to his chest like a hallowed treasure too vulnerable for this fickle world, the king after a while speaks up soulfully: ''I feared that my appearance was the cause of your miserableness.''
''Oh, my dearest love, I was just overwhelmed when I found out we had consummated our marriage.'' With that said, lady (Y/N)'s cheeks turn deep pink as she bits her lower lip in sheepishness.
Abashed Baldwin loosens his clasp on her to deliberately raise to his feet with the help of his wife. ''I will never forgive myself for letting that wicked potion take control over my mind as well my body to make me touch you against your will.''
''I don't hold any grudges against you, my dear. We both fell for that impious scheme.''
Despite being placated with a tender smile, Baldwin detects in her narrowed eyes rue. ''Then what is troubling you?''
Lady (Y/N) dully lowers her eyelids, averting his perspicacious stare. ''When I was being examined this morning, the midwife told me that I cannot get pregnant. Though I hadn't given it a thought before, it peculiarly saddened me.''
Baldwin moves a strand of his wife's hair behind her ear and leans in to ask meekly: ''Would you truly like to have a child?''
''Y-Yes. But remember you have a nephew, your heir. I'll treat him like my own. So there's nothing to worry about.''
''My beautiful (Y/N).'' He then cups the lady's face to leave a peck on her forehead. ''As a leper I couldn't hope for getting married or have any heir. So, long before meeting you, I chose to live a chaste life and thus devout it entirely to the kingdom. But I defied my own vow, I sinned.'' Lowering his voice, he closes the gap between them. ''...I fell in love with an angel.''
''Baldwin...'' In this ardent moment the queen can't help but seal the king's lips with her own in a momentary yet so blissful kiss.
''Don't. You might contract leprosy.'' Despondent Baldwin walks away to take a seat on the chaise lounge and in aggravation clenches his fists, digging the nails into his flesh to stem the arousing lust within him. ''...That's for your own sake...''
Nevertheless, lady (Y/N) doesn't defer to his unassailable belief, she crouches by the king's side and says fondly: ''My dear, your leprosy won't stop me from loving you.''
''I know you'd go through fire and water for me but I cannot allow my precious wife to suffer just like me. I've already caused you enough of tribulations and yet you're still with me, for what I'm eternally grateful.''
Though his gritty words have made her feel a stab of sorrow, the queen resolves to just grin and bear it. ''...I will finish cleaning your wounds.'' Desolately, lady (Y/N) proceeds with her tasks, now even more hellbent to ameliorate her husband's health. As a child she spent a good deal of time on cultivating her knowledge about herbs and medical treatment under the tutelage of her mother.
''Where did you learn it?'' - asks captivated by her proficiency Baldwin, finally breaking the glum silence.
''My mother is a scholar of medicine. When I was a child, she used to take me to hospitals and teach me how to take care of lepers.''
''So that's why you don't detest me.''
''Possibly. My mother believes that every illness has a cure, it's just mankind hasn't found one for leprosy yet. So let's not lose hope.'' Her mouth forms into a beam that instantly brings felicity to the king's heart.
Just as lady (Y/N) finishes swathing Baldwin's face, to the chamber arrives a courtier announcing that their dinner is being served.
''Bring it to my chamber. From now on I'll be having meals together with my wife, of course if she's willing to.'' Glancing with admiration at his wife, Baldwin holds her hand with their fingers entwined, not ashamed of showing a growing affection between them.
''How could I refuse my love?'' The giggling lovers keep cuddling each other despite gaping servants who are astounded to witness a great change in their monarch. Baldwin's life once secluded in the prodigious castle called home is now filled with love and elation as if his fate at long last has shown some mercy to his wearied soul.
All of a sudden, in the doorway Baldwin halts in his tracks to take off his cloak and next tuck the queen up with it. ''It's a bit cold outside.'' Before she could protest, he leans down to archly whisper into her ear: ''Even in this plain robe you look appealing. Such alluring views shall be restricted only for the king, don't you agree?''
''Then I will change into a daily gown since it's improper for a queen to make an appearance in public wearing just an undergarment.'' Lady (Y/N) smirks saucily after emphasizing the last word and in the company of a few maids takes a leave to soon come across countess Agnes, who is baffled to see her daughter-in-law in a familiar clothing. ''Oh, countess Courtenay.''
''Call me mother, my dear child. We're family now.''
''Yes, mother...'' The honor of obtaining a formidable ally like the queen mother doesn't, however, smother the perceptible in lady (Y/N)'s tone discomfort with being treated dubiously amicable.
''Isn't it my son's cloak?''
''Oh, yes. It's because my robes have been taken away. If you excuse me, I will return to my bedchamber.'' When the queen without hesitation passes by, rushing toward the royal chambers, lady Agnes with her eyebrows raised in incredulity, lets out a gloating snort that her so believed failed attempts to bring the newlyweds together are not de facto all washed up.
Now the entire royal court seems to be living and breathing the adventitious love story of king Baldwin and lady (Y/N). Henceforth it'll be a tale passed through generations of the local inhabitants as well prettified with arcs of fantasies by minstrels until history won't be inclined to put an end to their legendary legacy. For the present Baldwin and his wife aren't fretting what the future is hatching for them and they continue fulfilling their duties, especially when it's the second day of their wedding celebration.
''My court, I give you a queen!'' - exclaims loftily Baldwin, presenting the queen to the gathered nobles.
A stilted applause fills the hall as some of the guests sardonically observe Baldwin gently enfolding his beloved, who in response rests her head on his shoulder.
''Is she drunk or incredibly stupid to beguile a leper?'' - ironically comments in a muffled tone lord Guy, who is instantly hushed by princess Sybilla's prod in his arm.
''May God bless you two!'' - calls grinning lady Agnes, the most rhapsodic of them all. ''Now that you're married, some matters have to be discussed. Have you already chosen your heir?''
The king takes a glimpse at lady (Y/N), encouragingly rubbing her back. ''Let's ask my wife first.''
''As the Queen of Jerusalem I'll support my husband's primary declaration that his successor to the throne shall be his nephew, crown prince Baldwin V.''
''We have the answer then. I'll announce the news at the next session of the High Court.''
''Is she truly on our side?'' - mutters under her nose the princess who unlike others finds her sister-in-law's statement implausible.
''My dear.'' - says placidly Baldwin as he turns to his wife. ''I have some important matters to attend today, but I might return late.''
''Actually, I was about to take some rest. It's been a long day, after all. I'll be waiting for you in our bedchamber.'' Gracefully curtsying, the queen bids him farewell and heads out to change into a chemise, the same she wore on her wedding night. Instead of enjoying the banquet together with her new family, lady (Y/N) prefers to stargaze while resting on the porch swing outside the bedchamber. The translucent curtains shielding the arched entrance flutter as a gentle breeze sweeps across the chamber, blowing off some letters left on the desk. Enchanted by the full moon casting its silver light upon Jerusalem, she takes a lyre to play songs which brings back memories of her childhood and the familial palace in the Byzantine Empire. Her angelic voice, echoing throughout the hall and part of the courtyard, engages the attention of the already returning king. Enthralled by the queen's marvelous singing, Baldwin steps onto the terrace and freezes in his spot, speechlessly leering at the lady until she notes his serendipitous arrival. ''...Baldwin.''
''...(Y/N)...'' - he purrs, wrapping his arms around the queen's waist, and brushes the silver lips of his mask against her uncovered shoulder, making her shiver with thrill. ''My dear (Y/N), pray tell me it's not a daydream about to disperse like a mist at dawn.''
As a retort lady (Y/N) gingerly places his palm on her heart, not averting her full of passion gaze from him. ''Can you feel my heartbeat? It gets louder when a loved one is near. My love, I'm here and will always be for you. I'm yours.''
Baldwin, suddenly, picks her up, not minding his feeble muscles. ''God must've sent you to me. What else can I call it if not a blessing?'' Still in his hold, lady (Y/N) kisses him softly on the mouth. ''(Y/N), I love you.'' Being kissed repeatedly, the king carries her to the bed. The night is going to be long...