Arranged Marriage (Baldwin IV x Y/N)
''What is happening?'' - mutters under her breath princess Sibylla, alarmed by the turmoil outside her private chamber, and draws back the curtain in the side entrance to the great hall to gaze about the crowd storming inside the building.
Snorting angrily, lord Guy stands by his frowned wife's side and replies ironically: ''Your dear sister-in-law is conducting a trial against the queen dowager, something you could never accomplish.'' Receiving only a cold glare, he adds in a hiss: ''I warned you, she's perfidious. Now the only obstacle left on her way to power is you, my dear.''
His trenchant words have made Sibylla exhale deeply in her last attempt to remain composed before facing him with an impassive stare. ''And what shall I do about it?''
Lord Guy, as if he's been expecting her reaction, curls his mouth and steps closer to the princess. ''Fortunately, I have a solution for your affliction.''
''Have you already forgotten how your last solution ended?!''
''Trust me, this time it'll be different-''
''No, no, I won't allow you to send another mere dancer to seduce my brother.''
Watching her already heading to the exit, the man in desperation once more attempts to initiate the intrigue. ''But you won't deny that your little gossip about the queen stood us in good stead.''
''Don't you dare!'' The brought up sore subject makes her immediately spin around to silence the provocateur. ''If someone hears about it, both of us will pay the consequences. After all, you entangled me in this ignoble plot.''
''My dear, this is an opportune moment to make a step! Especially when we have such a formidable ally.''
''Who are you referring to?''
''You don't mean...'' Sibylla's surmise is promptly confirmed by her husband's nod before the name of the said ally could even be said out loud. As if numerous concerns that clouded her mind weren't enough a sudden knocking on the front door has sent shivers down her spin and the couple immediately distance themselves from each other. ''Come in!''
In the doorway hesitantly leans out the seneschal and glances quizzically at his niece. ''Your Highness, aren't you coming to the trial?''
''We were, uh, about to leave. But shouldn't you, uncle, be on the way to Byzantium now?''
''I needed to bid my little family a farewell. What a pity I have to leave at the time when my dear wife needs me the most.''
''Do not worry, uncle. I will look after aunt Agnes and your daughters.''
''Thank you.'' A tentative smile forms on his weary visage but doesn't last long as the echo of heavy footsteps distracts his attention from the merry memories of his beloved ones.
''My lord!'' A scrawny knight expeditiously approaches his superior to notify him of the latest news. ''The queen is about to give a verdict!''
''Already?!'' In a rush they all head out to the great hall, now filled to its capacity. Nonetheless, they manage to elbow their way through the raucous mass of nobles to the wooden platform with the king's oaken throne, which to their surprise is currently occupied by the queen.
''How dare she sit on the king's throne?!'' - complains embittered lord Guy.
Lord Joscelin then reminds him calmly: ''In truth, queen (Y/N) was authorized by the king to govern Jerusalem at the time of his absence.''
''Hmph! The king is more naive than I expected.''
Just as the snarky comment has left his mouth, princess Sibylla contradicts him sharply: ''My brother is not ill-advised. He must've chosen her for a reason.''
Her uncle lets out a heavy sigh and chimes with her: ''Indeed. The new queen is a rough diamond that needs a distinguished mentor like Baldwin to catch the light.'' With that said, he squints his pensive eyes at ruminative lady (Y/N), who doesn't avert her frigid gaze from the queen dowager.
Lady Maria, however, doesn't seem to be so unmerry as other participants of the trial - neither her broad grin nor her ridiculing falters with each new accusation brought against her. ''So where will you exile me, Your Majesty? Nablus? Or maybe Byzantium? I believe our granduncle emperor must be yearning for having me in his advisory council.''
''I won't exile you.'' - flatly states lady (Y/N).
''Oh?'' - the amused queen dowager feigns wonderment, twirling her long pearl necklace. ''Is there any atonement I must make? If not, I'll return to my chambers now.''
''You're allowed to leave but not with your daughter.''
In response, lady Maria knits her eyebrows, her cheerful mien is no more evident. ''What do you mean?''
''Your daughter, princess Isabella, will be staying here under the guardianship of lady Stephanie of Milly, the lady of Oultrejordain.''
At once a commotion takes over the audience, yet the queen remains adamant as she turns to one of the courtiers and commands impassively: ''Bring the princess and her belongings to the royal chambers. From now on she lives in the castle.''
''You can't take my daughter away!!'' - shouts wrathfully lady Maria and lunges at her cousin. Fortunately, guards fleetly seize the woman before she could cause any harm. ''(Y/N)! You will pay for it!''
In the heat of the moment lady (Y/N) swiftly makes her way to the rear exit, not aware she's being observed by the king and his former tutor, who deliberates contentedly: ''Now I see why you chose her. She's more than meets the eye.''
''Lady (Y/N) is not a political pawn.'' - cuts in coldly Baldwin. ''She's my wife.'' He then tilts his head toward the sage to add more serenely: ''I chose her, because I love her.'' Once the clicking of heels on the stone floor reaches his ears, the king turns around to greet his beloved with open arms. ''Well done, my dear.''
''Baldwin?'' Their unexpected meeting instantly lifts her spirits. ''Why aren't you at the meeting in the council chamber?''
''I hastened it to see at least the ending of your first supervising the High Court's deliberation. I must say I'm impressed by your brave decision, no one else has brought lady Maria to trial before, but you don't seem to be content with your feat, do you?''
''My dear, I opposed my own family. I'm certain the emperor will harbor a grudge against me because of it.''
Although her disquiet saddens him, he asks placidly with no slight perceptible in his voice: ''Am I not your family?''
''Oh, Baldwin, you mean a world to me. You're more than a family, you're my soulmate.''
''My love, even if the whole mankind turns its back on you, I'll always stand by your side. You chose a righteous verdict and I'm proud of you. Now why don't you take some rest after a challenging day with the High Court?''
''Wait, there's something I need to tell you.''
Not to disrupt the couple's discussion, William of Tyre discreetly retreats to his scriptorium, but the moment lady (Y/N) is about to utter a word, a group of royal physicians appear in the arched doorway. One of them, the chief physician, hurries to the queen and asks pleadingly: ''Your majesty, may we discuss some matters in private? It's urgent.''
''You may speak in my husband's presence.''
''But it's about your pregnancy...''
At the last word puzzled Baldwin peeps at his speechless spouse. ''I assume that's what you wished to tell me, am I correct?'' He doesn't hear any reply, only spots a deep blush on her cheeks, what causes him to chuckle.
A stilted cough brings everyone's attention back to the middle-aged physician, who begins his explanation haltingly: ''About your examination's results, I found them exceptionally peculiar to be true, so I asked my aides to delve into each detail again. That's when my new apprentice, who I took under my wing a week ago, brought another similar scroll that he admitted to accidentally scramble with other papers. It was your lost examination findings and there was no confirmation of your pregnancy.'' Once the confession is done, he ponderously falls on his knees and one of his subordinates rushes to force his master to stand up but inefficaciously. ''Thus I come here with a plea for clemency on behalf of this youngster. Your majesty, have mercy on him. He's still young and inexperienced.''
Lady (Y/N) in a daze rubs her temples with both her hands, trying to burke her sorrow for the unexpected turn of events. Sensing her husband's arm gently caressing her back, she quickly composes herself, though only for a few minutes. ''Mistakes are part of human nature. All we can do is learn from them, but remember they're meant to make us stronger. Therefore I ask you to continue tutoring him in medicine.''
''I will, your majesty.'' The scholar in relief bows deeply, radiating with exultation.
''I'm grateful that you didn't abandon this young apprentice like many others do when they expect much from their subsidiaries but aren't willing to teach them. You took responsibility for his actions like a true master.''
''I was just fulfilling my obligation.''
''Before you go, I'd like to know if anyone else heard about the pregnancy.''
The man's clarification is abruptly interrupted by the youngster's mumbling: ''Uh, actually...''
His master gradually rises to eye intimidatingly the troublemaker. ''Boy, did you tell someone about it?''
''...My older sister. She overheard me reading aloud the results...''
''Your sister? That one, who is countess Agnes's maid?''
Suddenly, a courtier arrives behind their gathering to announce sonorously: ''Your majesty, countess Agnes wishes to invite the queen to dinner.''
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