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@baldwin2001
✿ General Masterlist ✿
My list of one shots with Edward Norton's characters, and more!
English
✧ Baldwin IV
› The queen of his heart
› The blind woman and the leper
› The femenine knight
› Famous singer
☆ Dream of the Endless
› Farewell to the king of dreams
Español
✧ Baldwin IV
› La reina de su corazón
› Ciega y leproso
› La caballero femenina
› La famosa cantante
☆ Dream de los Eternos
› La despedida del rey de los sueños
La despedida del rey de los sueños ☆ Dream de los Eternos
— Entonces esto es el adiós.— menciona Lucienne con melancolía ante su lord.
Morfeo se levanta, sin dejar de ver a su bibliotecaria se para enfrente de ella.
— No— dice el rey del sueño casi como un susurro—. Esta es una oportunidad para mí de decir... Gracias.
Los ojos de Lucienne comienzan a cristalizarse, está era la despedida definitiva.
— Para todos, siempre— miro sus demás creaciones, incluso al Corintio. Volvió a mirar a la bibliotecaria —. No te olvidaré. Pero perdóname, porque debo de enviarte ahora mismo a un lugar seguro.
Lucienne no podía más, pronto rompería en llanto, y Morfeo tenía que admitir que él tampoco, durante muchos eones, Lucienne fue más que una bibliotecaria para él, fue lo más cercano que tuvo a una madre. Alguien que siempre estaba ahí para aconsejarlo y apoyarlo en momentos difíciles.
Cómo ahora siempre, pero era la última vez. Y por eso los ojos de Morfeo comenzaron a cristalizarse, así que antes de comenzar a derramar lágrimas, la arena comenzó a envolverlos y llevarlos a un lugar seguro.
— No podrá deshacerse fácilmente de mí— comento Matthew levantando el pecho, sacándole una pequeña sonrisa a su amo—. No importa a dónde vaya, yo lo acompañaré.
— Bien... Pero antes de ir con las Benevolas, necesito despedirme de una última persona.
-
Vio a su reina sentada a la orilla de la cama, dirigiendo su vista hacia el balcón mientras acariciaba su largo cabello de manera nerviosa. Soltó una pequeña sonrisa, siempre ha tenido ese hábito desde que la conoce. Ella se levanta de la cama al notar su presencia.
— Morfeo.
El rey de la ensoñación se acerca a ella, toma sus hombros y la vuelve a sentir en la cama. Él se arrodilla y recuesta su rostro en sus piernas. Puede notar lo afligida que está, los ojos rojos de tanto llorar, su cabello lleno de frizz y esponjado y las mejillas rosas. Para él, ella se veía como el ser más bello que haya existido.
Durante el tiempo que estuvieron juntos, el siempre le decía lo bella que era, pero su amada solo se reía nerviosa y mostraba un leve rubor en las mejillas. Para Morfeo, ver así era como ver una obra de arte. Nunca se cansada de repetirle lo bella que era, pero quizá está sería la última vez.
— Mi amada... No sabes lo bella que te ves ante mis ojos.— menciono casi en un murmullo.
Ella no pudo más, sus lágrimas comentaron a caer. Acaricio la mejilla de su esposo, lentamente como si tuviera todo el tiempo del mundo. Morfeo solo disfrutaba de ese momento, cerrando los ojos.
— Morfeo, por favor — dijo su reina mientras caían las lágrimas de sus ojos—. Llévame contigo.
— Jamás.— abrió los ojos y exclamó decidido—. Nunca te pondría en peligro a ti ni a nuestra hija.
Acaricio suavemente el vientre de su esposa, faltaba tan poco para su nacimiento. Esperaba que algún día lo perdone por no estar en el nacimiento de su pequeña hija.
Él se levanta de su regazo y se sienta junta a ella sin dejar de abrazarla.
— Solo espero que algún día me perdones por no cumplir nuestra promesa... De estar juntos hacia el fin de la existencia misma.
Acaricia suavemente la mejilla de su esposa mientras la mira con cariño. La reina de la ensoñación se rompe por dentro ante sus palabras.
— Oh, Morfeo. No se que haré sin ti.
— Vivir. — dijo casi como un susurro —. Vive con nuestra hija en la ensoñación y dale la vida que siempre soñamos para ella.
Se acercan y se besan. Lento, suave, como el primero que se dieron hace milenios. Dándose quizá el último beso que compartirían juntos.
— Te amo, mi amada.
Estaban tan cerca, mirándose a ojos con tanto amor como el primer día.
— Yo también te amo, Dream. — dijo mirando esos ojos azules que tanto amaba —. Cómo nunca he amado a nadie, y nuestra hija es la prueba de ese amor que perdurará por siempre.
Acaricio su abultada barriga con una sonrisa. Morfeo mostró una pequeña sonrisa y acaricio por última vez la barriga de su esposa.
— No lo olvides, tú siempre has sido la luz que iluminó mis más grandes pesadillas— le dedico una última mirada con cariño—. Hasta siempre, mi reina.
La arena comenzó a envolverlo, y poco a poco fue desapareciendo ante su esposa.
-
La reina de la ensoñación lo sabía, muy pronto moriría Dream. Lo sentía.
La lluvia caía a mares y las contracciones no pararon. La gran cama negra llena de sangre, Lucienne había llegado corriendo para ayudar a su Lady, nunca había estado en un parto, está era la primera y la más importante. Su reina estaba a punto de dar a luz a la hija de Dream de los Eternos.
Y había comenzado en el peor de los momentos, cuando su esposo iba directo a su muerte.
Los gritos no pararon y la lluvia tampoco, y así estuvo hasta que la lluvia comenzó a bajar y de repente hubo paz.
Un pequeño grito se escuchó en la habitación y el cielo se empezó a despejar.
Lucienne envolvió al pequeño bebé en una manta y lo acerco a su madre, quien al verla, no pudo evitar sonreír.
— Ojalá estuvieras aquí para conocer a tu hija, Morfeo. Nuestra pequeña Hope.— murmuró con lágrimas en los ojos, antes de darle un pequeño beso en la frente a su bebé.
Lucienne no pudo evitar soltar una lágrima ante tal escena, ella estaba segura que su rey hubiera amado a su hija, se hubiera vuelto su nueva adoración al igual de como lo es su reina.
Pero ahora ya no estaba.
Eso era lo que más le partía el corazón.
—
— ¡Es idéntica a Dream!
Esas fueron las palabras de Delirio al ver a Hope, la hija del antiguo rey de la ensoñación. Ese cabello rebelde y oscuro como la noche es inconfundible para la pelirroja.
— ¡Delirio!— exclamó Muerte con la pequeña bebé en brazos.
— Ay, que imprudente.— comenta Deseo.
— ¿Por qué? Pero si es igualita.
— No se preocupen. — la antigua reina mostro una sonrisa a sus cuñados —. Delirio solo está diciendo la verdad.
— Ven.— le saca la lengua a Deseo y él rodea los ojos molesto.
Después de la muerte de Morfeo, aún podía seguir viviendo en la ensoñación junto a su hija, jamás la dejaría. Pero ahora sería llamada la reina viuda, junto a Hope, quien sería llamada princesa de los sueños.
Ahora todos se habían reunido para despedir el cuerpo físico de Morfeo antes de que se convirtiera en una estrella.
Su esposa, su hija, su familia, todas las personas que lo conocieron estuvieron ahí para su despedida. Su cuerpo sobre la balsa lentamente navega sobre el río, mientras ellos lo observan sobre el puente.
La reina viuda veía partir la balsa con tristeza, solo eso. Ya no le quedaban lágrimas. Solo veía como el cuerpo del amor de su vida se iba para siempre.
Pero aún tenía al mayor regalo que pudo darle, su pequeña hija; Hope. Ella sonrió mientras miraba a la estrella dirigirse al cielo. Recostó la cabeza sobre el hombro de Muerte y ella la miro.
— Morfeo siempre decía que yo era la luz que iluminaba sus más grandes pesadillas— menciono con melancolía—. Pero ahora, él se convirtió en una estrella más en el firmamento. A partir de ahora será él quien ilumine nuestros días de oscuridad para mí y Hope.
Observó a Muerte y ella le sonrió.
— Hasta el fin de la existencia misma.
Farewell to the king of dreams ☆ Dream of the Endless x fem!reader
I just finished watching The Sandman, and I was devastated, so I made this one shot so you guys can end up heartbroken too. I got a little inspiration from a post I saw from @savedenji . So I dedicate it to her.
Warning: English is not my first language, so there may be some mistakes. Sorry.
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~
“Then this is goodbye” said Lucienne with melancholy before her lord.
Morpheus gets up, without taking his eyes off his librarian and stands in front of her.
“No” says the king of sleep almost as a whisper. “This is an opportunity for me to say.... Thank you.”
Lucienne's eyes begin to glaze over, this was the final farewell.
“To everyone, always” she looked at her other creations, even the Corinthian. She looked back at the librarian. “I will not forget you. But forgive me, for I must send you now to a safe place.”
Lucienne could not stand it any longer, she would soon burst into tears, and Morpheus had to admit that neither could he, for many eons, Lucienne was more than a librarian to him, she was the closest thing he had to a mother. Someone who was always there to advise him and support him in difficult times.
Like always now, but it was the last time. And so Morpheus' eyes began to crystallize, so before he started to shed tears, the sand began to wrap around them and carry them to safety.
“You won't be able to get rid of me easily” Matthew commented, lifting his chest, drawing a small smile from his master “No matter where you go, I will accompany you.”
“Good... But before I go to the Kindly Ones, I need to say goodbye to one last person.”
~•~
He saw his queen sitting on the edge of the bed, directing her gaze towards the balcony as she stroked her long hair nervously. He let out a small smile, he's always had that habit since he's known her. She rises from the bed as she notices his presence.
“Morpheus.”
The king of the Dreaming approaches her, takes her shoulders and feels her on the bed again. He kneels down and lays his face on her legs. He can see how distraught she is, her eyes red from crying, her hair frizzy and fluffy and her cheeks pink. To him, she looked like the most beautiful being who ever lived.
During their time together, he always told her how beautiful she was, but his beloved only laughed nervously and showed a slight blush on her cheeks. For Morpheus, looking like that was like looking at a work of art. He never tired of telling her how beautiful she was, but maybe this would be the last time.
“My beloved... You don't know how beautiful you look before my eyes” he mentioned almost in a whisper.
She could not stand it any longer, her tears began to fall. She caressed her husband's cheek, slowly as if she had all the time in the world. Morpheus just enjoyed that moment, closing his eyes.
“Morpheus, please” said his queen as tears fell from her eyes. “Take me with you.”
“Never” he opened his eyes and exclaimed determinedly “I would never put you or our daughter in danger.”
He gently caressed his wife's belly, it was so close to her birth. He hoped that someday she would forgive him for not being at the birth of their little daughter.
He gets up from her lap and sits down next to her, still holding her close.
“I only hope that someday you will forgive me for not keeping our promise.... To be together towards the end of existence itself.”
He gently caresses his wife's cheek as he gazes lovingly at her. The queen of reverie breaks inside at his words.
“Oh, Morpheus. I don't know what I'll do without you.”
“Live.” she said almost as a whisper. “Live with our daughter in reverie and give her the life we always dreamed of for her.”
They come closer and kiss. Slow, soft, like the first one they gave each other millennia ago. Giving each other perhaps the last kiss they would share together.
“I love you, my beloved.”
They were so close, looking into each other's eyes with as much love as the first day.
“I love you too, Dream.” he said looking into those blue eyes he loved so much. “As I have never loved anyone, and our daughter is the proof of that love that will last forever.”
He caressed her bulging belly with a smile. Morpheus showed a small smile and caressed his wife's belly one last time.
“Don't forget, you have always been the light that illuminated my biggest nightmares” he gave her a last loving look. “See you always, my queen.”
The sand began to envelop him, and little by little he disappeared in front of his wife.
~•~
The queen of the Dreaming knew, very soon Dream would die. She felt it.
The rain was pouring down and the contractions did not stop. The big black bed filled with blood, Lucienne had come running to help her Lady, she had never been in labor before, this was the first and the most important. Her queen was about to give birth to the daughter of Dream of the Endless
And it had started at the worst of times, when her husband was going straight to his death.
The screams didn't stop and neither did the rain, and so it went on until the rain began to subside and suddenly there was peace.
A small scream was heard in the room and the sky began to clear.
Lucienne wrapped the little baby in a blanket and brought him close to his mother, who, seeing him, could not help but smile.
“I wish you were here to meet your daughter, Morpheus. Our little Hope” she murmured with tears in her eyes, before giving her baby a little kiss on the forehead.
Lucienne couldn't help but shed a tear at such a scene, she was sure that her king would have loved her daughter, she would have become his new adoration just as she is his queen.
But now he was gone.
That was what broke her heart the most.
~•~
“She's just like Dream!”
Those were Delirium's words when he saw Hope, the daughter of the former king of the Dreaming. That unruly hair as dark as night is unmistakable to the redhead.
“Delirium!” exclaimed Death with the little baby in her arms.
“Oh, how imprudent” commented Desire.
“Why? But she's the same”
“Don't worry.” the former queen smiled at her brothers-in-law. “Delirium is just telling the truth.”
She sticks her tongue out at Desire and he rolls his eyes in annoyance.
After Morpheus' death, she could still live in the Dreaming with her daughter, she would never leave her. But now she would be called the queen dowager, along with Hope, who would be called the princess of dreams.
Now they had all gathered to bid farewell to Morpheus' physical body before he became a star.
His wife, his daughter, his family, all the people who knew him were there for his farewell. His body on the raft slowly sails over the river, while they watch him on the bridge.
The widowed queen watched the raft depart with sadness, just that. She had no tears left. She could only watch as the body of the love of her life was gone forever.
But she still had the greatest gift she could give him, her little daughter; Hope. She smiled as she watched the star head skyward. She laid his head on Death's shoulder and she looked up at her.
“Morpheus always said I was the light that illuminated his greatest nightmares,” she said wistfully “But now, he has become just another star in the firmament. From now on he will be the one who will illuminate our dark days for me and Hope.”
She looked at Death and she smiled at him.
“Until the end of existence itself.”
~•~•~•~•~•~•~•
Would you like me to do a Dream x Nuala one-shot? I love them, and there are almost no fanfics about them. But in what situation? Any ideas?
Famous singer ✧ Baldwin IV x fem!OC
Important to mention. Sorry, but english isn't my first language. I'm still learning.
~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~•
Work, work, work...
Even though it was his birthday, he had not stopped working. It was barely half a day and he still had a lot to do. And Tiberius kept going to her office to get her to sign authorizations for her birthday party, even though he never went.
Tiberius and his sister still held out hope that he would go sometime. But he preferred to distract his mind with other things.
However, he had to admit that he deserved a break for a moment. He got up from his desk and walked over to his balcony where he leaned back on a brown armchair with Persian decorations that was a gift from his sister on one of her trips.
Very comfortable, indeed.
But he was so tired that he closed his eyes for a moment, feeling the midday breeze, trying to erase the annoying sounds and sit in the birdsong.
Until something caught his attention even more; a melodious song he had never heard before. So much was his surprise that he opened his eyes.
"What a beautiful voice..."
No doubt it was a woman's, and to her surprise it was heard nearby. He peeked his head over the balcony and tried to concentrate to find the owner of the angelic voice.
"Where?" he muttered to himself.
Until he found it, in the royal garden, under an olive tree garden stood a young woman dressed in white. Closing her eyes and moving her hands gently as a summer breeze while singing a pagan song about the love that Mother Nature has for her children, the trees.
It was so beautiful.
He did not stop watching or listening to it for a single moment. He was captivated.
-"She's like an angel" that was the last thing he murmured before he felt a hand on his right shoulder.
His gaze turned from his white damsel to his most trusted knight, Tiberius.
"Are you all right, your majesty?“ asked Tiberius when he saw the trance the young man was in.
"Oh yes, don't worry, what have you come for?" he asked trying to change the topic of conversation.
"I have come to sign the contract for one night of the singer who will delight us with her voice at your birthday dinner, your majesty" explained the knight.
"Of course" he took the pen he had on his desk and signed. "Is there anything else?"
"Not for now, sir. Thank you very much" he bowed a little and left.
He immediately looked for her again in the gardens but it was in vain, she was not there.
He felt annoyed for a moment for not having been able to continue listening to this young lady, and admiring her too, because she was undoubtedly beautiful, like a spring fairy.
And to his bad luck he stayed like that all the rest of the afternoon, unable to stop thinking about her and her melodious voice.
~•~~•~
"You look beautiful, miss!" exclaimed an elderly maid with a smile on her face. "Follow me, I'll lead you to the royal parlor"
"Oh, thank you very much" she thanked giving a little bow.
"Oh dear, I only say what I see" she let out a little giggle.
The young woman did not usually dress up much, she did not give much importance to her physique, however, as it was a special occasion such as singing at the twentieth birthday of the king of Jerusalem, Baldwin IV. The least she could do was try to look presentable.
Suri wore a mint green dress with small golden details at the end of the skirt almost to the floor, as if she was embraced by a rain of stars, and small seashells adorning her neck, plus a golden tiara in her blonde hair that reached almost to her hips.
To many in the royal hall, she looked like one of Jerusalem's royalty. Some even whispered that her beauty rivaled that of Princess Sybilla, even though she was just a simple country woman with the gift of singing.
Nevertheless, Suri had made a name for herself in the city, which is why Tiberius himself had decided that she was the right person to sing at the birthday of the king of Jerusalem, even though he never showed up, at least not since he was diagnosed with leprosy.
Baldwin IV preferred to spend his birthday working in his office all day until nightfall, and took advantage of the fact that everyone was in the royal hall to take a stroll through the gardens. They had always been one of his favorite places in the castle, however, he did not frequent them as he used to, for him it was better to avoid the eyes of others.
The moonlight illuminated the entire sky and the stars were shining brightly, it was the perfect moment to start the dance, so the young woman took a deep breath and began to sing. Those present were delighted with the performer and her presentation, and that was when Tiberius smiled a little smile, he had made a good choice.
On the other hand, the king was looking at a map of the Middle East to discuss trade routes with new kingdoms, when he felt a shiver down his spine.
"It's her..."
This time he followed the voice of the blonde maiden. He left his work for a moment and headed towards the royal hall. The moment she tried the big door, everyone gasped, even Sybilla and Tiberius who couldn't believe their eyes. Had she finally gotten up the nerve to come to his birthday dinner?
Oh, yes. But for a different reason than they thought.
Baldwin bowed his head slightly and that's when they all bowed to him, no longer sure if coming was a good idea.
Until he saw her, he had stopped singing since he entered, the blonde kept staring at him making him a little nervous. Until they were only two meters away when she bowed to him and gave him a small smile.
"Happy birthday, your majesty“ she said sweetly. ”Would you like me to sing a song for you?"
"I would prefer that you dance a dance piece with me" he extended his hand to the young woman.
"Of course, my king."
“My king” kept ringing in her head since she said it with her soft lips.
It was when the orchestra played a pleasant melody that the king of Jerusalem took her by the waist and led her around the royal hall to the music.
Sybilla was astonished, her brother who had not shown up at her birthday dinner for years, comes this time just to dance with the famous singer.
She couldn't believe it, least of all Tiberius. He was still not reacting from the moment the king entered.
"With all due respect, lady. Let me tell you that your singing has left me amazed, I had the privilege of hearing you sing from my balcony at noon and since then I have not stopped thinking about you and your angelic voice." He commented without taking his blue gaze off the young blonde.
"Oh your highness, you flatter me too much" said Suri with sorrow "I don't know what to say to you."
"Would you allow me to invite you to breakfast tomorrow in my garden?"
Those words came out almost automatically. Despite being nervous, he was not going to miss this opportunity to invite such a beautiful woman as the famous singer Surieth Sahar.
Suri upon hearing his question was surprised, she did not expect an invitation from him, she still could not even believe that she was dancing with the king of Jerusalem himself. However, she could not deny that she was curious about the man under the silver mask.
"I would be more than happy to accept your invitation, my king."
La caballero femenina ✧ Baldwin IV x fem!OC
— ¡Suéltenme!
— Silencio, mujer sin vergüenza.— dijo el caballero sin soltar su brazo mientras que su otro compañero la tenía del otro brazo.
— ¡No me van a silenciar jamás! — expreso lanzándole una mirada de odio—. ¡Sueltenme!
Suri estaba siendo llevada ante el rey Baldwin IV después de que se descubriera que el pelirrojo caballero templario en realidad era una dama, y los demás caballeros no dudaron en llevarla ante el rey para que le cortaran la cabeza, era una falta de respeto que una mujer se vistiera de hombre y peleará con ellos.
— ¡Su majestad!— hablo en alto un templario—. Le traemos una desvergonzada que se ha hecho pasar por un caballero templario.
— ¿Una mujer?— pregunto el rey.
— Así es, si majestad.
Los más altos rangos de Jerusalén y los caballeros templarios se encontraban junto con el rey Baldwin IV, el cuál se encontraba en el centro del lugar. Estando reunidos para discutir sobre los asaltos en las caravanas musulmanas cerca de la ciudad, preocupando a todos desde hace unas cuantas semanas.
Al llegar al lugar ambos caballeros la tiraron al suelo, al frente del rey, dejando a la vista su exótica caballera roja.
Al instante Baldwin la reconoció, suspiro estresado.
Era Suri, su amada.
A pesar del gran amor que le tenía, no podía negar lo imprudente que podía llegar a ser.
— Lady Suri Sahar, la mujer más terca e insensata que conozco.— hablo Tiberios al notar que se trataba de la joven pelirroja que conocía desde que era una pequeña traviesa.
— Señor Tiberios, usted sabe que soy una grandiosa guerrera, por favor. Déjeme permanecer con los caballeros templarios e ir a pelear contra Saladino.— suplicó la pelirroja frente al confidente del rey.
— ¡Mujer arrogante! — el hombre que la trajo se enfureció ante sus palabras, y estuvo a punto de callarla con un golpe, hasta que el mismo rey hablo.
— Alto.
Y la habitación quedó en silencio, todos llevaron su mirada hacia él; el rey leproso. Sabio y leal ante Dios y el pueblo de Jerusalén, pero dañado por la lepra desde que era un niño, eso no impedía que fuera un gran gobernante.
— Lady Suri quedas fuera de los caballeros templarios de manera permanente.— hablo con firmeza el monarca.
— ¡Pero su majestad...!
— ¡Nada!— exclamó Baldwin sin una pizca de amabilidad—. Muchos en esta sala sabemos de tus habilidades con la espalda, son magníficas. Pero vestirte de hombre e ir a un enfrentamiento a Egipto, es delicado.
— Lo siento mucho, su majestad. Aceptaré su castigo, incluso si este es el destierro de Jerusalén o.... La muerte — dijo Suri tratando de sonar segura de sus palabras, pero al final se notaba el miedo en su voz.
Baldwin lo pensó un momento, solía ser rebelde y obstinada, creía que solo iba a pedir disculpas pero, ¿El destierro? ¿Incluso... La muerte? Era impensable, jamás le haría algo así a su flor carmesí.
— Tiberios, llévala a mis aposentos, ahí le diré cuál será su sentencia.
Los murmullos se empezaron a escuchar en toda la sala a causa de las palabras del rey, pero nadie se atrevía a alzar la voz contra el rey, a excepción de uno.
— Su majestad, ¿Cómo puede decir algo así?— hablo con indignación Reinaldo de Chatillon—. Ella cometió un acto grave, debe de ser castigada por la muerte, los más fieles caballeros queremos su cabeza.
— ¡Silencio! —Baldwin se levanto de su trono, y hablo alto —. Yo soy el rey de Jerusalén, la máxima autoridad. Usted ni ningún caballero va a elegir su castigo ni cuando, solo yo. ¿Entendido?
— Si, mi rey.
Se notaba el miedo en el voz pero también el odio, el odio de ser humillado una y otra vez por un leproso cómo él.
Se dió por terminada la reunión. El monarca se dió media vuelta y se retiró. Tiberios tomo a Suri del brazo y ambos siguieron al rey. Él se notaba enfadado por su manera de caminar, pasos rápidos y precisos. No sé dignaba a mirarla.
— Mi señor, lo siento. Se que jugué con su confianza..— se escuchó un grito en el pasillo.
— ¡No sabes nada!— por fin la mirada, ella quedó estupefacta.
Nunca le había gritado. Siempre hacia tonterías y en ocasiones le ponía los pelos de punta por el estrés, y solo conseguía unos regaños de su parte. Él siempre era la parte seria y responsable de la relación, pero en esta ocasión era diferente.
— Ven— la tomo del brazo y la guío a su habitación, sin antes darle una mirada a Tiberios—. Que nadie entre.
— Si, mi señor.
Cerro la puerta de un golpe, y comenzó a dar vueltas por la habitación. A pesar de no poder ver su rostro, sus ojos azules lo decían todo, estaba enojado.
— Baldwin, lo siento.— murmuró la pelirroja.
Baldwin ignoró completamente su comentario y se acercó a ella tomándola de los hombros.
— ¿Sabes lo que acabas de hacer? ¿Acaso lo sabes?
— Fui a Egipto pelear como la guerrera que soy, les fui de mucha ayuda. — hablo firme la joven ante el rey.
— Pudiste haber muerto, Suri.— dijo Baldwin enojado.
— Lo sé, mi rey.
— ¿Estás conciente de todo el daño que me hubieras provocado si eso ocurría?— preguntó, suspiro por un momento y luego la miro con preocupación. —. Cuando te vi siendo traída por los caballeros de esa manera sabía que algo malo pasaba.
— Lo que menos quiero es preocuparte.— comento siendo sincera.
En esta ocasión hablaba con la verdad. Muchas veces le gustaba divertirse con Baldwin, siendo un poco traviesa. Pero está no era una de esas, en sería había sido de ayuda en Egipto, porque a demás de saber manejar la espada, se desempeñada de buen manera con la medicina y los primeros auxilios, logrando ayudar a muchos caballeros para que no fueran aún con Dios.
El joven monarca la tomó de las mejillas, mirándola fijamente a través de su máscara, con los ojos azules cristalinos por todo lo sucedido.
— Te amo, Suri— susurro cerca de sus labios —. No quiero perderte.
— Eso no va a suceder, Baldwin. Te lo juro— se acercó aún más a él, recostando su cabeza sobre su pecho, logrando escuchar los latidos de su corazón — Yo también te amo, cómo no tienes una idea.
— Promete que no irás a la guerra.
— Pero Baldwin..— soltó un poco quejosa por lo dicho por su amante.
— Prométemelo— hablo casi en un suplicio —. Solo quiero que estés a salvó.
— Lo prometo.— dijo resignada ante sus palabras.
— Gracias.— murmuró cerca de su oído antes de darle un suave beso sobre su cabello rebelde.
La famosa cantante ✧ Baldwin IV x fem!OC
~~~~~•~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~•~
Trabajo, trabajo, trabajo...
A pesar de ser su cumpleaños, no había dejado de trabajar. A penas era medio día y aún tenía muchos pendientes por realizar. Y Tiberias no dejaba de ir a su despacho para que le firmara autorizaciones para su fiesta de cumpleaños, a pesar de que nunca iba.
Tiberias y su hermana aún guardaban la esperanza de que alguna vez fuera. Pero él prefería distraer su mente con otras cosas.
Sin embargo, tenía que admitir que se merecía un descanso por un momento. Se levantó de su escritorio y ser acercó a su balcón donde se recostó sobre un sillón café con decorados persas que fue un regalo de su hermana en uno de sus viajes.
Muy cómodo, por cierto.
Pero estaba tan cansado que cerró los ojos por un momento, sintiendo la brisa del mediodía, tratando de borrar los sonidos molestos y sentarse en el canto de las aves.
Hasta que algo llamo aún más su atención; un canto melodioso nunca antes escuchado. Tanto fue su sorpresa que abrió sus ojos.
— Qué hermosa voz...
Sin duda era de una mujer, y para su sorpresa se escuchaba cerca. Asomo la cabeza por el balcón y trato de concentrarse para encontrar a la dueña de la voz angelical.
— ¿Dónde?— se murmuró a si mismo.
Hasta que lo halló, en el jardín real, debajo un jardín arbol de olivo se encontraba una joven vestida de blanco. Cerrando los ojos y moviendo sus manos suavemente como brisa de verano mientras cantada una canción pagana sobre el amor que le tiene la madre naturaleza a sus hijos los árboles.
Era tan bello.
No dejo de verla ni escucharla por un solo instante. Quedó cautivado.
— Es como un ángel.— fue lo último que murmuró antes de sentir una mano sobre su hombro derecho.
Su mirada se desvía de su damisela blanca hacia su más confiable caballero, Tiberios.
— ¿Se encuentra bien, su majestad?— pregunto Tiberios al ver el trance en el que se encontraba el joven.
— Oh sí, no te preocupes. ¿A qué has venido?— cuestionó tratando de cambiar de tema.
— He venido para que firme el contrato de una noche de la cantante que nos deleitará con su voz en su cena de cumpleaños, su majestad.— explico el caballero.
— Claro — tomo la pluma que tenía en su escritorio y firmó—. ¿Hay algo más?
— Por ahora no, señor. Muchas gracias.— hizo una pequeña reverencia y se marchó.
Enseguida vuelve a buscarla en los jardines pero fue en vano, no estaba.
Se sintió molesto por un momento por no haber podido seguir escuchando a esa joven, y admirarla también, porque sin duda era hermosa, como una hada de la primavera.
Y para su mala suerte así estuvo todo el resto de la tarde, sin poder dejar de pensar en ella y su melodiosa voz.
¶§¶
— ¡Se ve hermosa, señorita! — exclamó una criada de la tercera edad con una sonrisa en el rostro —. Sígame, la voy a guiar hacia el salón real.
—Oh, muchas gracias — agradeció dando una pequeña reverencia.
— Oh querida, yo solo digo lo que veo.— soltó una pequeña risilla.
La joven no se solía arreglar mucho, no le daba mucha importancia a su físico, sin embargo, por ser una ocasión especial como el cantar en el cumpleaños número veinte del rey de Jerusalén, Baldwin IV. Lo mínimo que podía hacer era tratar de verse presentable.
Suri vestía un vestido color verde menta con pequeños detalles dorados al final de la falda casi al ras del suelo, cómo si la abrazara una lluvia de estrellas, y unas pequeñas conchas de mar adornando su cuello, además de una diadema dorada en su melena rubia que llegaba casi a su cadera.
Para muchos en el salón real, parecía una más de la realeza de Jerusalén. Algunos incluso murmuraban que su belleza competía contra la de la princesa Sybilla, a pesar de que ella solo era una simple mujer de campo con el don de cantar.
Sin embargo, Suri se había hecho un nombre en la ciudad, por eso el mismo Tiberios había decidido que era la persona adecuada para cantar en el cumpleaños del rey de Jerusalém, a pesar de que esté nunca se presentaba, por lo menos no desde que fue diagnósticado con lepra.
Baldwin IV prefería pasar su cumpleaños trabajando en su despacho todo el día hasta que caía la noche, y aprovechaba que todos estaban en el salón real para dar un paseo por los jardines. Siempre habían sido de sus lugares favoritos en el castillo, no obstante, no los frecuentaba cómo antes, para él era mejor evitar las miradas de los demás.
La luz de la luna iluminaba todo el cielo y las estrellas brillaban con mucha intensidad, era el momento perfecto para inicial el baile, así que la joven respiró hondo y comenzó a cantar. Los presentes quedaron encantados con la intérprete y su presentación, y fue ahí cuando Tiberios esvozo una pequeña sonrisa, había hecho una buena elección.
Por otro lado, el rey observaba un mapa del medio oriente para tratar rutas comerciales con nuevos reinos, cuando sintió un escalofrío en su columna.
— Es ella...
Esta vez siguió la voz de la doncella rubia. Dejo su trabajo por un momento y se dirigió hacia el salón real. En el momento en el que trata por la puerta grande, todos quedaron boquiabiertos, incluso Sybilla y Tiberios que no podían creer lo que veían. ¿Por fin se había animado a venir a su cena de cumpleaños?
Oh, si. Pero por una razón diferente a la que ellos creían.
Baldwin inclinó un poco su cabeza y fue ahí cuando todos se inclinaron ante él, ya no estaba seguro si haber venido fue una buena idea.
Hasta que la vio, había dejado de cantar desde que entró, la rubia no lo dejaba de ver fijamente poniéndolo un poco nervioso. Hasta que estuvieron a solo dos metros cuando ella se inclinó ante él y le dio una pequeña sonrisa.
— Feliz cumpleaños, su majestad— expreso con dulzura —. ¿Desea que cante para usted alguna canción?
— Preferiría que baile conmigo una pieza de baile.— extendió su mano a la joven.
— Claro, mi rey.
«Mi rey», no dejaba de sonar en su cabeza desde que lo dijo con sus suaves labios.
Fue cuando la orquesta tocó una agradable melodía cuando el rey de Jerusalén la tomo de la cintura y la guío por todo el salón real al compás de la música.
Sybilla estaba atónita, su hermano que no se había presentado en su cena de cumpleaños desde hace años, viene está vez solo para bailar con la famosa cantante.
No lo podía creer, y menos Tiberios. Que aún seguía son reaccionar desde el momento en que el rey entró.
— Con todo el debido respeto, señorita. Déjeme decirle que su canto me ha dejado maravillado, tuve el privilegio de escucharla cantar desde mi balcón al medio día y desde ese momento no he dejado de pensar en usted y en su angelical voz. — comento sin despegar su mirada azulada de la joven rubia.
— Oh su alteza, me halaga demasiado— dijo Suri apenada —. No sé que decirle.
— ¿Me permitiría invitarla a desayunar mañana misma en mi jardín?
Esas palabras salieron casi de manera automática. A pesar de estar nervioso, no iba a perder esa oportunidad de invitar a una mujer tan bella como la famosa cantante Surieth Sahar.
Suri al escuchar su pregunta se sorprendió, no esperaba una invitación de su parte, aún ni siquiera podía creer que estaba bailando con el mismísimo rey de Jerusalén. Sin embargo, no podía negar que le causaba curiosidad el hombre bajo la máscara plateada.
— Estaría más que feliz de aceptar su invitación, mi rey.
Ciega y leproso ✧ Baldwin IV x fem!OC
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— ¿Lady Suri?
Al escuchar su voz sonrió, dejo de acariciar las flores y dio media vuelta con su bastón en mano.
— Su majestad, lo he estado esperando.— comento la pelirroja.
La última vez que se vieron fue durante un banquete organizado por Sibila, la hermana de Baldwin. Suri sintió que no era el momento adecuado para confesarse, así que le pidió que se vieran dos días después en su jardín personal antes de que cayera el sol. El acepto.
— Así es. ¿Sobre qué quería hablar conmigo?— cuestionó Baldwin IV.
Estaba un poco nerviosa, nunca antes había confesado su amor a un hombre, no dejaba de hacer movimientos nerviosos con sus dedos y eso Baldwin lo notó.
— Usted sabe que nos conocemos desde que somos unos niños— declaro la pelirroja, sonriendo al recordar la primera en que se conocieron, en un banquete donde ambos tenían ocho y nueve años—. Yo siempre he sentido un gran aprecio, cariño y respeto hacia usted. Estuvo dándome su apoyo durante el fallecimiento de mi madre, y se lo agradezco mucho. Pero ahora ese cariño a evolucionado, ya no es solo cariño.... Si no también amor. Baldwin, te amo.
Sus ojos azul cielo se mostraban diferentes, se podía mostrar el miedo y la inseguridad gracias a las palabras de la joven, pero eso ella no lo podía notar.
— Suri, creo que estabas confundida. No dirías eso si en verdad me vieras. Soy un leproso, me queda poco tiempo de vida, no pasaré de los treinta años. No podrías estar con una persona como yo.— hablaba lento, tratando de mostrarse en calma, pero estaba todo menos calmado.
— Claro que sí.
— No— hablo firme—. Dices eso porque no puedes verme, si no saldrías asustada al ver mi rostro deforme gracias a la lepra.
Ella soltó una pequeña risa, y se acercó a él, Baldwin retrocede pero Suri sigue avanzando hasta que toca su máscara con ambas manos, y la acaricia como si lo estuviera tocando sin ella.
— Eso es imposible, Baldwin — murmuró la joven—. Si pudiera ver, no me importaría tu apariencia, para mí siempre serás el hombre más valiente y bello de toda Jerusalén.
Bajo su máscara su rostro y mirada se suavizan, mirándola con cariño. La conocía desde que era unos niños, sabía que lo que decía era verdad. La atrajo hacia él, envolviendola en un abrazo. Suri se sorprendió, pero después le correspondió y se dibujo una sonrisa en su rostro.
— Yo también te amo, Suri.
La reina de su corazón ✧ Baldwin IV x fem!OC
~~~~•~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~•~
— A lo lejos se puede ver el castillo, caballeros—Comunico fuertemente la pelirroja a sus soldados que se encontraban al tras suyo—. Justo a tiempo.
Surieth Sahar. Madre del reino de Aktakistán. A pesar de serlo desde hace poco tiempo después de la muerte de su padre, cuatro años, su pueblo y sus caballeros sienten un inmenso respeto por ella. En tan poco tiempo logro políticas públicas y económicas que favorecieron en gran medida a su gente.
Ahora se encontraba a punto de llegar a Jerusalén, muy al sur de su reino. Pero solo lo hacía por un propósito, su difunta madre era originaria de tierra santa, le había prometido mantener una buena relación con los cristianos a pesar de ser de religiones diferentes. Actualmente se encontraba en una situación delicada, el ejército de Saladino se había adueñado de gran parte de las tierras del este, logrando expulsar a los cruzados de ahí, así que se dirigía con sus mejores guerreros para poder recuperar las tierras perdidas y no puedan avanzar hacía la capital.
— Suri...—exclamo Sibila con una sonrisa al verla entrar al palacio con sus más importantes caballeros—. Bueno, más bien. Surieth Shahar, madre del reino de Aktakistán.
La pelirroja no pudo evitar soltar una pequeña carcajada, logrando asustar a sus guerreros, ya que escuchar su risa era algo inusual. Desde la muerte de sus padres su ánimo había caído por los suelos, y a las únicas personas que se mostraba un poco más afable era con los niños del pueblo.
— Deja a un lado las formalidades, y ven acá.— dijo Suri, extendiendo los brazos y haciendo un pequeño movimiento con los dedos.
A pesar de que hacer ese tipo de demostraciones estaba en contra de los modales que le habían enseñado, Sibila iba a hacer una excepción con su mejor amiga.
— No sabes cuánto te he extraño— murmuró en los brazos de Surieth.
— Yo también te he extrañado, Sibila.— contesto con una pequeña sonrisa.
— Todos en el palacio lo han hecho, incluso Bald...— fue interrumpida por su amiga.
— ¿Dónde está tu pequeño hijo? La última vez que lo vi me llegaba un poco arriba de la cintura— pregunto ignorando su comentario —. Seguramente ahora es todo un hombre.
— Si, ha crecido mucho desde la última vez que estuviste aquí — sonrió ante su comentario, tomó su mano y la jalo un poco hacia el palacio—. Pero ven, él te está esperando en el jardín, incluso preparo todo un banquete solo para ti.
— Oh, no era necesario.
— Suri, no seas modesta. Sé que no estás aquí por visita pero te lo mereces después de todo el recorrido que hiciste para llegar. — está vez tomó ambas manos mientras las acercaba a su pecho, otorgándole una sonrisa haciéndola caer en sus encantos.
— Está bien, Sibila.
Eso solo hizo que la sonrisa de la pelinegra aumentará, su hijo y ella la habían extrañado muchísimo. Y aún que no quería comentarlo, su hermano también.
Durante todo el banquete las risas no dejaron de escucharse en todo el jardín, Baldwin V se había convertido en un muchacho muy apuesto, y ahora la superaba en altura. Y en el primer momento en que lo vio por poco no lo reconocía pero él no la había olvidado, y no dudo en darle un fuerte abrazo. Mientras que a lo lejos los observaba Sibila con una sonrisa melancólica. Desde que era un niño logro entablar una linda amistad con la pelirroja y le alegraba que a pesar de los años, se mantenía.
Lo único que causó una gran incomodidad durante la comida fue sentir los intensos ojos azules del rey Baldwin IV sobre ella, pero no estaba solo, si no que a su lado se encontraba su esposa, era un poco raro, ya que él solía comer solo en su habitación, pero a decir verdad él no había logrado aguantar las ganas de verla después de tantos años, la extrañaba. Y como no, si ellos alguna vez fueron amantes, pero terminaron cuando ella se enteró que se debía de casar con una cristiana, y nunca podría estar al lado de una pagada como ella, o al menos no lo dejarían.
Ahora, varios años después, se reencuentran, ella sin ningún tipo de relación amorosa, centrandose en gobernar su reino en el norte, mientras que Baldwin llevaba casi cinco años casado con una joven mujer de la alta sociedad llamada Salomé, siendo hija de un duque del oeste. No obstante, a pesar de llevar tanto tiempo juntos, nunca se llevaron bien, él trata de llevar una buena relación con ella, pero por su carácter chocante, le es imposible.
Aún no tenían hijos, y Baldwin no los quería tener con ella, pero tenía la obligación darle un heredero a su pueblo, y se ha sentido presionado, ya que no han logrado concebir uno.
Ambos se encontraban en la biblioteca real hablando sobre las tácticas de guerra que realizarían durante su enfrentamiento con Saladino, con decenas de mapas y libros dispersos por la gran mesa, mientras que Surieth no paraba de hablar sobre la estrategia que haría con sus caballeros, Baldwin no dejaba de verla fijamente, seguía igual de bella como la última vez que la vio, solo que sin las lágrimas que caían por su ojos después de haberle partido el corazón, y haberle dicho que ya no podían estar juntos.
— Te extraño.
Pero ella lo ignora, se sentia mal pero era lo mejor.
— Suri...— la manera cariñosa en que lo llamaba, se quebró.
— Su majestad—dijo sin rodeos, y sin quitarle los ojos de encima —. He de informarle que es más importante la futura guerra con el sultán Saladino, que algo que ya quedó en el pasado.
— Para mí aún existe una oportunidad, Suri.— Hablo seguro de sus palabras.
— Pues para mí no.— dijo fríamente.
Ella ya no lo suportada, se dispuso a irse, donde fuera pero lejos de él, pero el la detuvo tomándola del brazo y acercándose peligrosamente a ella.
— Bésame— la retó sin dejar de mirarla a los ojos— ¿O acaso no besarías a un leproso?
— No— exclamó, dándole una mirada furiosa—, no besaría a un hombre casado... Va en contra de mi moral.
—Tienes razón— soltó una pequeña risilla de ingenuidad—, fue una osadía de mi parte.
— Por favor...— estuvo a punto de llamarlo por su nombre, "Baldwin" pero se arrepintió— su majestad. No haga esto aún peor, yo no vine por usted, si no cumplir la última voluntad de mi madre, a pesar de casarse con un hombre de diferente cultura que la llevó lejos de aquí, ella nunca dejo de tener a Jerusalén en su corazón.
— Lo entiendo...— bajo la mirada, sin tener la valentía de mirarla —. Perdí su corazón hace mucho tiempo.
— Fue en ese momento... cuando me dijo que no podía estar conmigo porque pensaba casarse con otra mujer, fue ahí— no lo miraba con enojo, si no con melancolía—. Pero eso no importa... Sigamos con la estrategia.
Él no dijo nada, por lo menos no sobre ese tema. Fue un tonto, lo que sintió y vivió con Surieth, no se comparan con nada, ni siquiera con los cinco años que ha pasado con Salomé, que más que un matrimonio, para él no ha así más que un infierno.
Logrando arrpentirse de una sola cosa en su vida; de no haber luchado por el amor de Surieth.
The feminine knight ✧ Baldwin IV x fem!OC
Important to mention. Sorry, but english isn't my first language. I'm still learning.
~~~~•~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~•~~~~~~~~~•~~~~
"stay away from me!"
"Silence, you shameless woman" said the gentleman without letting go of her arm while his other companion held her by the other arm.
"You will never silence me!" she said with a hateful look. "Let me go!"
Suri was being taken to King Baldwin IV after it was discovered that the red-haired Templar knight was actually a lady, and the other knights did not hesitate to take her to the king to have her head cut off, it was disrespectful for a woman to dress up as a man and fight with them.
"Your Majesty" spoke a Templar in a loud voice. "We bring you a shameless woman who has pretended to be a Templar knight."
"A woman?" asked the king.
"That's right, yes, your majesty."
The highest ranks of Jerusalem and the Knights Templar were together with King Baldwin IV, who was in the center of the place. They were meeting to discuss the assaults on the Muslim caravans near the city, which had been worrying everyone for a few weeks.
Upon arriving at the place both knights threw her to the ground, in front of the king, leaving her exotic red knight in sight.
Instantly Baldwin recognized her, he sighed stressed.
It was Suri, his beloved.
Despite the great love he had for her, he could not deny how reckless she could be.
"Lady Suri Sahar, the most stubborn and foolish woman I know" said Tiberius, noticing that this was the young red-haired girl he had known since she was a naughty little girl.
"Lord Tiberius, you know I am a great warrior, please. Let me stay with the Knights Templar and go fight against Saladin" begged the red-haired woman in front of the king's confidant.
"Arrogant woman!" The man who brought her was furious at her words, and was about to silence her with a blow, until the king himself spoke.
"Stop."
And the room fell silent, all looked to him; the leprous king. Wise and loyal before God and the people of Jerusalem, but damaged by leprosy since he was a child, that did not prevent him from being a great ruler.
"Lady Suri, you are permanently out of the Knights Templar" the monarch spoke firmly.
"But your majesty...!"
"Nothing!" exclaimed Baldwin without a hint of kindness."Many of us in this room know of your skills with your back, they are magnificent. But to dress as a man and go to a showdown in Egypt is delicate."
"I am very sorry, your majesty. I will accept your punishment, even if this is banishment from Jerusalem or.... Death" Suri said trying to sound sure of her words, but at the end you could hear the fear in her voice.
Baldwin thought about it for a moment, she used to be rebellious and stubborn, he thought she was just going to apologize but banishment? Even...? Death? It was unthinkable, she would never do such a thing to her crimson flower.
"Tiberius, take her to my chambers, there I will tell her what her sentence will be."
Murmurs began to be heard throughout the room because of the king's words, but no one dared to raise his voice against the king, except for one.
"Your majesty, how can you say such a thing" spoke Reinald of Chatillon with indignation "She committed a grave act, she must be punished by death, the most faithful knights want her head."
"Silence!" Baldwin rose from his throne, and spoke loudly. "I am the king of Jerusalem, the highest authority. You nor any knight will choose your punishment or when, only I. Understood?"
"Yes, my king."
There was fear in his voice but also hatred, hatred of being humiliated again and again by a leper like him.
The meeting was adjourned. The monarch turned and left. Tiberios took Suri by the arm and they both followed the king. He looked angry because of his way of walking, quick and precise steps. He did not deign to look at her.
"My lord, I am sorry. I know I played with your trust..." a shout was heard in the corridor.
"You don't know anything" at last he looked at her, she was stunned.
She was stupefied.
He had never yelled at her. He always did silly things and sometimes made her hair stand on end from stress, and only got a few scoldings from her. He was always the serious and responsible part of the relationship, but this time it was different.
"Come" he took her by the arm and led her to her room, without first giving Tiberios a glance "No one is to enter."
"Yes, my lord."
He slammed the door shut, and began to walk around the room. Although I couldn't see his face, his blue eyes said it all, he was angry.
"Baldwin, I'm sorry" the redhead muttered.
Baldwin completely ignored her comment and walked over to her and grabbed her shoulders.
"Do you know what you just did? Do you even know?"
"I went to Egypt to fight like the warrior I am, I was very helpful." The young woman spoke firmly before the king.
"You could have died, Suri" Baldwin said angrily.
"I know, my king."
"Are you aware of all the damage you would have caused me if that happened?" he asked, sighed for a moment and then looked at her with concern. "When I saw you being brought by the knights like that I knew something was wrong."
"The last thing I want to do is to worry you" she commented sincerely.
On this occasion she was speaking the truth. Many times she liked to have fun with Baldwin, being a bit naughty. But this was not one of those, she had been of help in Egypt, because in addition to knowing how to handle the sword, she was good with medicine and first aid, managing to help many knights so that they did not go even with God.
The young monarch took her by the cheeks, staring at her through his mask, his blue eyes crystalline because of everything that had happened.
"I love you, Suri" he whispered close to her lips "I don't want to lose you."
"That's not going to happen, Baldwin. I swear" she moved even closer to him, leaning her head on his chest, managing to listen to his heartbeat "I love you too, how you have no idea."
"Promise you won't go to war."
"But Baldwin..." she blurted out, a little bit complaining about what her lover had said.
"Promise me" she said almost in supplication."I just want you to be safe."
"I promise" she said resigned to his words.
"Thank you" she murmured close to his ear before giving him a soft kiss on his unruly hair.
The blind woman and the leper ✧ Baldwin IV x fem!OC
Important to mention. Sorry, but english isn't my first language. I'm still learning.
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"Lady Suri?"
At the sound of his voice she smiled, stopped caressing the flowers and turned around with her cane in hand.
" Your Majesty, I have been waiting for you," commented the redhead.
The last time they saw each other was during a banquet organized by Sibylla, Baldwin's sister. Suri felt it was not the right time to confess, so she asked him to meet her two days later in her personal garden before sunset. He agreed.
"That's right, what did he want to talk to me about," Baldwin IV asked.
She was a little nervous, she had never confessed her love to a man before, she kept making nervous movements with her fingers and Baldwin noticed that.
"You know that we have known each other since we were children," declared the redhead, smiling as she remembered the first time they met, at a banquet when they were both eight and nine years old. "I have always felt a great appreciation, affection and respect for you. You supported me during my mother's death, and I am very grateful for that. But now that affection has evolved, it is no longer just affection..... It is also love. Baldwin, I love you."
His sky blue eyes looked different, there was fear and insecurity thanks to the young woman's words, but she couldn't see it.
"Suri, I think you were confused. You wouldn't say that if you really saw me. I'm a leper, I have a short time to live, I won't live past thirty. You couldn't be with a person like me," he spoke slowly, trying to appear calm, but he was anything but calm.
"Of course I could."
"No" he spoke firmly. "You say that because you can't see me, otherwise you'd be frightened to see my face deformed by leprosy."
She let out a little laugh, and moved closer to him, Baldwin backed away but Suri kept moving forward until she touched his mask with both hands, and caressed it as if she was touching him without it.
"That's impossible, Baldwin," the young woman murmured. "If I could see, I would not care what you look like, to me you will always be the bravest and most beautiful man in all Jerusalem."
Under his mask his face and gaze softened, looking at her with affection. He had known her since she was a child, he knew what she said was true. He pulled her to him, wrapping her in a hug. Suri was surprised, but then she reciprocated and a smile broke out on her face.
"I love you too, Suri."
The queen of his heart ✧ Baldwin IV x fem!OC
Important to mention. Sorry, but english isn't my first language. I'm still learning.
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"In the distance you can see the castle, gentlemen," the red-haired woman communicated loudly to her soldiers behind her. Just in time.
Surieth Sahar. Mother of the kingdom of Aktakistan. Despite being so recently after the death of his father, four years, his people and his knights feel immense respect for her. In such a short time she achieved public and economic policies that greatly favored her people.
Now she was about to reach Jerusalem, far to the south of her kingdom. But he was only doing it for one purpose, his late mother was originally from the holy land, she had promised him to maintain a good relationship with the Christians despite being of different religions. Currently he was in a delicate situation, Saladin's army had taken over much of the eastern lands, managing to expel the Crusaders from there, so he was going with his best warriors to recover the lost lands and can not advance towards the capital.
"Suri..." exclaimed Sibylla with a smile when he saw her enter the palace with his most important knights. "Well, rather. Surieth Shahar, mother of the kingdom of Aktakistan."
The redhead could not help but let out a little laugh, scaring her warriors, since hearing her laughter was something unusual. Since the death of her parents, her spirits had fallen to the ground, and the only people she was a little more affable with were the children of the village.
"Leave aside the formalities, and come here." said Suri, extending his arms and making a little movement with his fingers.
Even though making such demonstrations was against the manners she had been taught, Sibila was going to make an exception for her best friend.
"You don't know how much I've missed you." she murmured into Surieth's arms.
"I've missed you too, Sibylla" she replied with a small smile.
"Everyone in the palace has, even Bald..." she was interrupted by her friend.
"Where is your little son? The last time I saw him, he was a little above my waist." she asked ignoring her comment. Surely he's all grown up now.
"Yes, he's grown up a lot since the last time you were here" he smiled at her comment, took her hand and pulled her a little towards the palace. "But come, he's waiting for you in the garden, he even prepared a whole banquet just for you.*
"Oh, it wasn't necessary."
" Suri, don't be modest. I know you're not here for a visit, but you deserve it after all the trip you made to get here." This time he took both her hands as he brought them to his chest, giving her a smile making her fall for his charms.
"It's fine, Sibylla."
That only made the red-haired girl's smile grow bigger, she and her son had missed her terribly. And even though she didn't want to say it, her brother had missed her too.
Throughout the banquet the laughter was heard all over the garden, Baldwin V had grown into a very handsome boy, and now he surpassed her in height. And the first moment she saw him she almost did not recognize him, but he had not forgotten her, and she did not hesitate to give him a big hug. While in the distance Sibyl watched them with a melancholic smile. Since he was a child, he managed to establish a nice friendship with the redhead and he was glad that despite the years, it was still there.
The only thing that caused great discomfort during the meal was to feel the intense blue eyes of King Baldwin IV on her, but he was not alone, but at his side was his wife, it was a little strange, since he usually ate alone in his room, but to tell the truth he had not managed to hold the desire to see her after so many years, he missed her. And why not, if they were once lovers, but they ended when she found out that he had to marry a Christian, and could never be next to a paid one like her, or at least not let him marry her, or at least they wouldn't let him
Now, several years later, they meet again, she without any kind of love relationship, focusing on ruling her kingdom in the north, while Baldwin had been married for almost five years to a young woman of high society named Salome, daughter of a duke of the west. However, despite having been together for so long, they never got along well, he tries to have a good relationship with her, but because of her shocking character, it is impossible for him.
They had no children yet, and Baldwin did not want to have them with her, but he had an obligation to give an heir to his people, and he has felt pressured, since they have not managed to conceive one.
They were both in the royal library talking about the war tactics they would perform during their confrontation with Saladin, with dozens of maps and books scattered around the large table, while Surieth did not stop talking about the strategy she would do with her knights, Baldwin did not stop staring at her, she was still as beautiful as the last time he saw her, only without the tears that fell down her eyes after having broken her heart, and having told her that they could no longer be together.
"I miss you."
But she ignored him, she felt bad but it was for the best.
" Suri..." the affectionate way she called him, broke.
"Your majesty," she said bluntly, and without taking his eyes off him." I must inform you that the future war with Sultan Saladin is more important than something that is already in the past."
"For me there is still a chance, Suri," he said, sure of his words.
"Well, not for me," she said coldly.
She didn't support him anymore, she was ready to leave, anywhere but far away from him, but he stopped her by taking her arm and getting dangerously close to her.
"Kiss me," he challenged her without looking her in the eyes, "Or wouldn't you kiss a leper?"
"No," she exclaimed, giving him a furious look, "I wouldn't kiss a married man.... It's against my morals."
"You're right," she gave a little giggle of naivety, "it was daring of me."
" Please..." she was about to call him by his name, "Baldwin" but she regretted it "your majesty. Don't make this even worse, I didn't come for you, but to fulfill my mother's last will, despite marrying a man of a different culture who took her far from here, she never stopped having Jerusalem in her heart."
" I understand..." he lowered his eyes, not having the courage to look at her "I lost her heart a long time ago."
"It was at that moment... when you told me that you couldn't be with me because you was thinking of marrying another woman, it was then" she didn't look at him with anger, but with melancholy. "But that doesn't matter... Let's continue with the strategy"
He did not say anything, at least not on that subject. He was a fool, what he felt and lived with Surieth, do not compare with anything, not even with the five years he has spent with Salome, that more than a marriage, for him has been nothing but a hell.
