Summary: Forced into an arranged marriage with Jerusalem’s mysterious King Baldwin IV, you expect a loveless life beside a cursed king hidden behind a silver mask. Instead, you discover a man of extraordinary kindness, wisdom, and strength.
The journey to Jerusalem felt like a funeral.
Not because anyone had died, but because someone had decided your life for you.
You stared out the carriage window as the sun painted the Holy Land in gold. The hills stretched endlessly beneath the heavens, beautiful enough to inspire poets. You hated every one of them. Your father had called it an honour.
“To become Queen of Jerusalem.”
“To marry King Baldwin himself.”
Honour. Duty. Peace between kingdoms.
No one had once asked what you wanted. You were a princess. Your heart had never belonged to you.
Rumours reached you long before the city walls.
The king was cursed. The king wore a silver mask. The king was terrifying.
By the time Jerusalem’s gates opened in front of you, you had already convinced yourself you would be marrying a ghost.
Your first meeting with Baldwin was not at court. It was in the palace library.
You had escaped the endless welcoming feast, desperate for silence, wandering through corridors until shelves of books rose around you.
“You dislike celebrations.”
The voice startled you. It was… soft. Measured. Intelligent.
You turned around, and he stood near the window, sunlight caught on his white robes embroidered with crosses. His face was hidden behind the famous silver mask, only his blue eyes were visible.
They were not frightening. They looked tired.
“You should announce yourself before speaking,” you replied sharply.
“I wished to know who you were before everyone else told me.”
His answer caught you off guard. He stepped closer.
“I am Baldwin.”
“As if I could mistake you.”
A small laugh escaped him. Amused.
“I imagine I am rather recognisable.”
There was no bitterness. No self-pity. Just acceptance. You had expected a king who demanded obedience.
Instead he asked, “What book were you searching for?”
“I wasn’t.”
“You came to hide.”
“…Perhaps.”
“So did I.”
You stared.
“A king hides?”
He looked toward the window.
“A man may hide, even if he wears a crown.”
For the first time since you left your home, you smiled.
Weeks became months.
The wedding was delayed under the excuse of politics.
In truth… Neither of you objected.
Baldwin preferred knowing you before binding you to him.
“I would rather earn your trust,” he admitted one evening while the two of you overlooked Jerusalem from the palace walls.
“You assume you haven’t.”
“I assume arranged marriages begin with resentment.”
“They do.”
“And ours?”
You looked at him.
“…Mine did.”
He nodded.
“I thought as much.”
No anger. No disappointment.
Only honesty.
He taught you chess. You never won, not because he was king, but because he thought ten moves ahead.
“You sacrifice too quickly,” he told you.
“You sacrifice nothing.”
“I sacrifice pieces that may be replaced.”
“And people?”
His hand paused over the board.
“I sacrifice myself before my people.”
You looked into his eyes, he wasn’t speaking metaphorically.
He meant every word.
Some nights you read to him. His fingers slowly lost sensation, turning pages became difficult, so you did it for him.
Sometimes he corrected historians. Sometimes he laughed at old philosophers. Sometimes he asked impossible questions.
“If Heaven exists…” You looked up from the book. “…do you believe we remain ourselves?”
“What do you mean?”
“Would a king still be a king?”
“I don’t know.”
“Would illness remain?”
“No.”
“I hope not.”
The first time you saw him without the mask was an accident.
His physician had just finished changing bandages when the old man hurried away to fetch medicine. The door remained open.
“Baldwin?”
No answer. You stepped inside. He sat in front of the mirror.
Without silver.
Without protection.
The disease had stolen so much.
Scars. Pale skin. Damaged features. Hands wrapped in linen.
He saw your reflection.
For a long moment… Neither of you spoke.
“I’m sorry,” you whispered. “I shouldn’t have-”
“You’ve seen.” His voice was calm. “So now you know why ambassadors avoid my gaze.”
You crossed the room before fear could stop you, he expected you to recoil. Instead… you knelt before him.
“I see a man. A very tired man.”
His shoulders trembled. Just slightly. No one had said such words to him in years. You reached for his bandaged hand.
He hesitated, then allowed it.
“I was afraid,” he admitted.
“Of me?”
“No.”
His thumb barely brushed yours.
“Of disappointing you.”
Your eyes filled with tears.
“You never could.”
It happened after that.
You fell in love.
Not all at once, piece by piece. The way dawn slowly replaces darkness.
You loved the way he remembered every servant’s name.
You loved how children were never afraid of him.
You loved the way he quoted scholars from memory.
The way he never lied to comfort anyone.
The way he prayed not for himself… But for Jerusalem.
You loved him.
Entirely, hopelessly and you realised it… far too late.
His illness worsened with cruel speed.
Walking became impossible. Meetings shortened. The physicians whispered outside his chambers.
No one smiled anymore. You refused to hear what everyone already knew.
Until one morning, his sister met you outside his room. Tears stained her face.
“He asked for you.”
The chamber smelled of incense. Candles flickered against stone walls.
Baldwin lay under white blankets, breathing slowly. He turned his head as you entered.
“My princess.”
His voice was barely louder than the candles. You rushed to him.
“No.”
He smiled weakly.
“You always hated that title.”
Your throat tightened.
“I don’t anymore.” You took his hand. It felt cold. “I should have told you sooner.”
He looked at you with quiet curiosity.
“Told me what?”
Your composure shattered.
“I love you.”
The words escaped with sobs.
“I was stubborn and angry. I thought this marriage had stolen my future.” Tears streamed freely down your face. “And then you became my future.”
He closed his eyes. As if he was savouring the words.
“I have loved you… for so long. You deserved more than a dying king.”
“I deserved you.”
He struggled to lift his hand. You helped him. His fingertips brushed your cheek.
“So beautiful…” he whispered.
“When you leave…” Your voice broke. “…don’t be afraid.” He looked at you. “In Heaven…” You smiled through tears. “…there will be no silver mask. No pain and no illness. I’ll recognise you.”
“You will?”
“I’ll find you. And this time there will be no kingdoms. No treaties. No arranged marriage. Only you and me.”
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
“I should like to choose you.”
His eyes softened, then, with the last strength he had.
“I love you.”
The room became impossibly still. His hand relaxed within yours. The candles continued burning.
Outside, Jerusalem carried on.
Inside… A king departed this world.
Years later, pilgrims often found an older queen kneeling in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
She never remarried. Never wore another man’s ring. Whenever they asked why, she only smiled.
“Because I have already promised my next life.”
Then she would look upward toward the stained-glass light filtering through the ancient stone.
Just a little something in my drafts about the (admittedly quite old) TikTok trend where people teasingly asked their spouses what they should take when they went back to their parent's house (as in - leaving their bf/gf for good)
Baldwin IV x f!Reader
You were in a teasing mood, it seemed. Perhaps it was the sweet French wine that Princess Sibylla encouraged you to taste at dinner (which you attended for not a second longer than necessary - you were too eager to return to your husband’s side) that had you more spirited.
“When I return to my father’s side”, you said while casually teasing the ends of your hair as if in deep thought, eyes full of mirth as you looked into Baldwin's soft gaze, “what should I take back with me?”
The king's hand stilled over the parchment he was about to sign. A single drop spilled from the silvery quill before he could put it away neatly. “My love-“
“Your love, yes, that will be with me always, no?”
Baldwin delicately took your hand and led it to the cold lips of his mask. He closed his eyes briefly and you had the impression that he was taking a moment to enjoy the warmth of your closeness. “Do not jest, dove.” His grip on your hand felt sure and unyielding as gloved fingers tightened over your wedding band. “Your place is at my side.”
⚠Warnings⚠ historically inaccurate mentions of death, guy of lusignan, racism?(I don't if it counts as racism btw it has nothing to do with skin color).
✎Note✐ reader is a female in this. Author hates this but decided to post it anyway. This is not the actual historical figure but the figure from KoH movie.
✎Tags✐ @jsprien213
✎Part 2✐
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You don't understand how it happened.
How did you end up in Jerusalem?. It's Not our modern day Jerusalem, it's 1182 AD.
From what you understood, you are during the anjou household reign of Jerusalem, most likely during king Baldwin IV time due to Saladin's name being mentioned so it must be around that time. But that's just a guess, if it is true then The king must be about 20 at this point.
When you first opened your eyes you found yourself laying on an a soft mattress, According to who they seemed to be maids, you had fainted while walking through the garden. You do have some blur memories of walking through a grand garden even though you know for sure that you did not walk through such garden ever in your life.
the last thing you remember, that you know that you actually did, that you went to sleep on your bed in your home, that's it. You didn't die while sleeping, did you?.
maybe you somehow took someone's else life, a someone from history none the less. It may sound bazaar but it's the only logical explanation in this unlogical situation.
While you were dozing off, trying to think of a solution to this disaster, The door was pushed wide open. a woman with fine clothing and jewelry enters with servants following her in. "I see you have finally decided to wake up." Her tone was sharp so was her glare.
You stared back at her, not with the same coldness but with confusion. "Who are you..?" You do know that she has to be a noble due to her clothing, but which noble? And why did she visit you? Why is her tone was as if you two know each other?.
She scoffed "It seems like the maids were right, It seems like you actually went mad this time." 'This bitch-' you thought to yourself, you can only say such things in your mind because you don't want to insult someone who might has the power to execute you on the spot. "Who are you?." You ask again, this time with determination.
"Sibylla of Jerusalem." Your face went pale, you thought knowing her identify would make you understand the situation better but it only confused you more, why would she visit you?.
You look away, you feel like you're gonna faint again. "Tsk.. Pathetic.." She mumbles as you grip on the bedsheets, she grabs your chin and makes you look directly to blue eyes. "Hold yourself better, you are no common girl, remember that you are queen of Jerusalem, wife to my brother, you are y/n of Jerusalem.. Even if I don't deem you worth of such honour yet here we are.."
You are not sure if she wanted to scold you or mock you, either way her words hurt you even though you don't know why, it just stungs.
"We're having dinner this evening, you should be fine by then." She stated as she turned her to leave. you wanted to protest, you are in no condition to join a stupid dinner. "But-" "absence is unacceptable." she cuts you, she doesn't even bother to turn around to look at you yet her words held a warning in them. With that she finally left you alone.
Now you know whose life you are in, yes life not body because you are 100% sure that this is your own body, whatever. In history her name was forgotten so she's only known as Baldwin's IV wife or the Saracen queen.
Basically Baldwin and her got married to secure an alliance between Jerusalem and some Saracens, and to prevent Saladin from getting anymore power since your people are also in odds with Saladin.
You pity her.
No one cared about her, she was just a tool for her family to gain more power, Jerusalem's court despited her because she is still a filthy Saracen in their eyes and not to mention that king Baldwin IV, her own husband did not spare her a single glance during the entire of their marriage. It's not personal, it's just she's the least of his concerns.
In the end of the day she was executed because she attempted to poison to Sibylla but failed, it is unclear whatever she was truly guilty or framed.
No.. No. You won't die like this.. You won't live like this! You don't want to die with sorrow and tears!.
You won't allow history to repeat itself, you don't care if it's gonna change tomorrow's history or not, you value your happiness more than history that you might not live to see.
If you want a peaceful life, you have two potions.
you earn the King's favor and then you will live peaceful as the queen.
Which you are mostly to take, run away after securing a good amount of money.
Just in case, you're gonna try to secure both plans. You will try to earns his favor while earning enough money to escape.
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Evening came fast.
You didn't want to leave bed but you also didn't want to piss off sibylla so it sucks to suck. Even though you still don't understand, how can she threaten you?! I mean yes she is a princess but you are the queen here for God's sake!. Damn was the old owner this weak that no one respected her title as queen?, however this will change, You didn't die to live again to take bullshit again.
The maids may not be fond of you but they sure did well in dressing you up, you don't like you're about to throw up at any given moment at all But the hard part isn't not looking like you're about to throw up, the hard part is not actually throwing up in front of everyone.
"Come on y/n!." You cheer up on yourself in front of mirror, you were right about the body thing, it is your body. you look like you, not like the actual historical figure (even though there is no surviving portraits of her but okay). 'I'm happy that i didn't lose you, my sweet sexy asf face' you wink at yourself before someone's voice interpreted your flirting session with yourself. "What are you doing?." God.. Why can't they leave you the fuck alone?. First Sibylla, now this?.
"wHaT aRe YoU dOiNg?." You repeat mockingly before turning around only to see Baldwin IV in flesh and blood standing in front of you, you recognized him easily due to the mask. Your face went paler then it went with sibylla, why is God doing this to you? You are praying for the ground to open in half and sallow you.
His blue eyes just stared into yours, it felt like he is staring right through your soul. "..." He didn't mutter a word, You don't know what he is thinking but whatever it is, it doesn't seems like something you want to know about.
You wanted to cry, really. But not in front of him because it would only worsen the situation, after all you just mocked a king.
"..."
It's been awkward silence for 6 long minutes, he didn't say anything yet. 'You know what? I already ate shit so let's just walk away and pretend that nothing has happened.. Maybe he will just ignore it and then I'll get to keep my head..' You thought to yourself.
You proceeded your plan and it actually worked! He let you walk away although you felt his eyes still watching you like a hawk.
Dinner was as awkward as you'd expect. You tried your best to just focus on your platte and ignore everyone else on the table. "Are you alright?." It's Sibylla, even though her words seems out of concern, her voice holds no kindness to it.
You looked up from your plate, you stare back at her but this time with more confidence since the last time you two spoke. "Yes, I am fine." You replied to her question with a calm yet confident note.
That caused sybilla to stare at you. You have never acted like this before, you were always quiet and shy, never once you looked right into her eyes with such directness.
"I heard that you fainted in the gardens today. you should look out for your health more your Highness... It would be a shame if you become so sickly like someone we know.." Said the man who is seated next to Sibylla, who you assume is guy of lusignan.
At his words Baldwin looked up at him, that caused guy to shift uncomfortably in his seat, he hated everything about Baldwin, especially his blue eyes when they stared right through his soul.
'God.. It's so awkward...' You thought before deciding to gamble with fate again. "Your majesty.. Your food will get cold.. Please eat." You hold his gloved hands in yours as you tried to give the kindest smile you could manage. He moved his eyes from guy's to yours before he pulled his hands away and continued his meal.
That went as smooth as possible.. You could feel Sibylla's glare but you couldn't care less, what matters now is to earn Baldwin's favor.
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Im back from the dead 💪🏻.
Idk if you guys will like this but enjoy and if you got any notes for me then go ahead 💃🏻.
