Bohemmond

In Antioch, a kingdom north of Jerusalem

William of Tyre dismounted his horse and was greeted by Antioch Knight "welcome your Eminence," said the captain of the Knight as he kissed Williams' hands.

"I'd like to speak with your master," William stated.

"Of course, your Eminence, his highness is waiting for you in the throne room."

William followed the knight to the throne room, where he was met by a young prince in his late twenties. Prince Bohemond III, the eldest son of my closest friend Raymond of Poitiers and his wife Constance of Antioch, inherited his father's good looks; he is a pale, tall man with well-built muscle, dark hair like midnight, and charming green deep eyes; but, like his mother, he has a bad temper and a very twisted personality. William thought to himself as he gulped and approached Bohemond, who was grinning to see him.

"Greetings, Your Eminence Archbishop of Tyre..." he said.

"Yes, my prince... thank you for having me," I replied.

"So, what is the reason for your unexpected visit, and how is the Leper King holding on in Jerusalem?" he asked, his cruel and cold eyes staring at me.

"Everything is fine in Jerusalem, your grace, and the young king, King Baldwin, is doing fine and perfectly healthy," William replied.

"Oh.. that's good news... maybe God didn't forget him after all," he remarked sarcastically.

He is a troublesome man; no one knows how his mind works...however, he is a tyrant to his men but a good leader to his country... I should be more cautious about what I tell him. As he looked at Bohemond, William reflected.

"But the reason for my visit is because of your younger sister Lady Philippa," William explained.

His smile faded to a frown as he stared coldly at William, "what now? did my idiot sister do something?" he asked.

William froze as Bohemond approached him,with his vicious gaze, but he was able to control his emotion as he continued to explain "n-no your grace... please hear me out "

William explains everything that happened with Lady Philippa to Prince Bohemond, including how the lady discovered that his stepparents had embezzled her inheritance and forced her to marry a man who is already like her father, but the Prince shows no sympathy for her sister and simply listens to what William is saying. He also mentions Lady Philippa's refusal to marry and enter the convent, and her request to King Baldwin to have her as a member of his royal court, which the King approved because she saw great talent in her.

But when Prince Bohemond heard what had happened, he sarcastically laughed instead, his evil laugh echoing through the empty hall." great talent you say?.. I never knew that my dumb sister could actually be smart enough to persuade the genius King but I am really disappointed.... " Bohemond said as he stopped and looked at William who was staring at him dumbfounded I am, really disappointed willie.... " he said softly, slowly approaching William and whisper.

"Tell Baldwin... I'll take care of it," he said.

"What do you mean, my prince?" William inquired.

"As her legal guardian, I will get my sister back so she doesn't cause any more trouble for your little king," he said.

"Y-your grace... it's not it," William explained.

"huh..." he says as he turns to face William.

"Lady Philippa... wishes to be independent of you...and I wished to be her legal guardian until she marries," William explained.

Prince Bohemond lost his composure and punched the coloured glass window with a single blow, causing a loud shattered glass and a drip of blood on the white floor of the hall. "What...did you just say?" he exclaimed. following the hearing of William's statement

"My prince... please...," William says calmly. As he was about to finish his sentence, Bohemond yelled angrily, "How dare she ask for independence! Who told her she could be free?" he exclaimed, "would you think I'll let anyone become her guardian?! "

"Prince Bohemond... please calm down and listen," William said. "Lady Philippa is no longer a child... she can make her own decisions... it is best to talk to her, but she is now under the King's protection," he added.

After a minute, Prince Bohemond exhaled a heavy sigh and smiled at William, "Of course you are right...willie... my little sister is no longer a child... yes it is best to visit her," he said.

William still can't figure out Prince Bohemond; it's as if he's dealing with a rabid wolf and needs to be careful what he says; he decided to end the conversation before Prince Bohemond lost his sanity.

"Then that's all.. I'll leave my prince," William said.

"Wait... Tell my sister, I will be coming for her... I will decide whether or not to give her independence... please relay this message to the leper king as well," he said with a smile.

William timidly bowed his head and left.

He exhaled a sigh of relief and hurriedly walked out of the hall, saying to himself, "I need to inform Philippa and Baldwin about this... I have a feeling his visit won't end well."

In Jerusalem,

It was such a cold day, indicating that winter was just around the corner, that I woke up and ate my breakfast as usual, going about my daily routine, until I was summoned by King Baldwin and told to meet him at the horse stable and wear warm clothing. I did as instructed and went to the stable to meet him.

As I approached him, I noticed him standing and tending to his horse. "Your highness?" I asked.

"My lady," he said, "I heard you wanted to see me... but why are we in the horse stable?"

"It appears that you forgot that I promised to teach you horseback riding," he gently said.

"Oh... yes, I completely forgot about it... I apologise."

"It's alright.. it's late, but I really wanted to keep my promise to you," he explained.

He prepared a horse for me to ride, a magnificent dark brown horse with a gleaming coat. "I'd like you to meet Judas," he said.

"Judas? that's an interesting name," I remarked.

"I named him after Judas, one of Jesus' disciples," he explained. "I'd say he's my favourite disciple," he added.

"Why? All I know is that he betrayed him," I inquired.

"True...but in order to save humanity, he must betray him...that is why I would say his betrayal leads to Jesus saving us," he explains as he gently caresses the horse's head.

"I never thought of it that way," I said. I looked at him as he happily tended to his horse, "you really like horses, don't you?" I inquired.

"I do... when I was little, horseback riding was one of my favourite lessons, and it simply made me feel like I could do anything, and they are surprisingly a good friend you can have," he said, smiling.

"Oh.. that's nice.. hey Judas," I say as I stroke the horse's head, "did you know that a horse can tell if you're a bad or good person just by smelling you?"

"Really?... that's interesting..." he exclaimed.

"Yes.. maybe horses like you because they know you're a good person," I said as I smiled at him.

He looked at me and gently reached for my hands, intertwining them with his as he brought them closer to his mask lips. "Your too good to be true... my lady..." he said gently.

I looked at him, blushing profusely. "I wish I could still stop myself or I might completely devour you," he said as he gently placed my fingertips into his silver mask lips, but Aimery came in bringing King Baldwin's horse "Y-your Highness, I brought Felipe," and I automatically removed my hands from his, Aimery was quick to notice "is everything alright?" he asked.

"Yes.. we should get going now," King Baldwin said calmly as he looked at me.

Aimery prepares the horses for our departure, and King Baldwin gently guides me through my first, nerve-racking horseback riding lesson. When I was mounted on Judas, it was too high... I feel dizzy and lightheaded, possibly because I am afraid of heights, and my hands tremble as I tightly grip the horse's lead rope. Baldwin was quick to notice as he rode beside me, "are you cold?" he asked.

"No, just nervous," I explained.

"You don't have to be nervous, I know it's your first time... but you're doing great," he said comfortingly.

"I think so too.. I think I'm going to get the hang of it," I said.

We rode slowly with our horses to our destination, which was a very beautiful field with lush green meadows and lavender growing everywhere. I can feel the cold breeze on my face.

"Do you like it? " Baldwin ask

"Yes, it's lovely," I said.

"This is one of the places in Jerusalem where I find peace, and it is also one of my favourite places," he said.

"It's certainly breath-taking," I said as I looked out at the horizon. "Yes... it is," he said as he stared at me.

He got off his horse and helped me down, holding my waist as he carried me down, our gazes met again, and I felt a thousand butterflies in my stomach as I looked at him. He set me down gently.

We took a walk through the fields, picking fresh lavender and other herbs I could find. It had been a long afternoon stroll. He decided to rest with Aimery under an oak tree, and I continued to look for fresh herbs, but I am still confused about what happened earlier; the thing that was bothering me the most was the growing crush that I might have for him. I'm afraid I'm the only one who has these nascent feelings, I think to myself as I stand back and watch him wave his hand, to which I respond with a smile.

We arrived home just before dinner, ate together, and talked a little; he is a lot of fun to be around. I also taught him some slang words that he was eager to learn; he was a quick learner. After that, I regularly checked on his wound and was amazed to see how much better it was getting each day. He escorted me to my bedroom chamber and kissed my hand good night.

But even so... I wished I could spend more time with him... I always wonder what crosses his mind when his eyes meet mine... Should I just tell him to stay? I wondered as I watched him walk away.

"y-your majesty " I call him

"Yes, my lady?" he asks, turning around.

"I-I just wanted to say thank you for teaching me how to ride a horse," I explained.

"your welcome"

"Gosh... you must be very popular with the other ladies?... you know being gentle and cool..." I asked. I thought to myself, I'm such a dummy.

"I am not popular with other ladies...you were the first that I personally taught to ride a horse, usually noble ladies would avoid me because I am a leper, that is why I decided to be a good king for my people... they are my priority," he explained.

"I see... " I said, smiling, "you don't have to worry my king, I will make sure you go down in history as the most kindest king ever."

"Thank you, my lady," he chuckled.

For the time being, I've decided to bury those newfound feelings within myself... I need to be more focused on helping him in any way I can.