Medicine | King Baldwin

11

"My lord." Isabel greeted William with a graceful incline of her head. Turning towards the King, she addressed him with deference. "Your Majesty." a deep bow accompanying her words. "I have come to assist with your evening treatment, Your Grace." she continued.

Baldwin's gaze drifted towards Isabel as he silently appraised her. Meanwhile, amidst the quietude that enveloped the room, William subtly interrupted the stillness with a restrained cough, his gentle action serving to punctuate the air with a subtle reminder of their shared presence.

"Then I shall take my leave." William remarked, casting a brief glance between the two of them before excusing himself.

"V...very well." replied the king as William departed, leaving them alone, leaving the room in silence.

"Shall we begin?" Isabel asked in a gentle tone, which filled the king with a sense of pleasant warmth.

"Yes, indeed." he responded. With a swift motion, he shed his white cloak, allowing it to fall from his figure, and then settled onto the edge of the bed in his pristine white of his shirt.

Isabel took her seat opposite him, gazing deeply into his eyes before carefully removing the king's gloves. As they slipped off his fingers, the bandaged hands underneath were slowly revealed.

She raised her hands towards the mask, a silent query in her eyes as she awaited Baldwin's confirmation to proceed. The king's nod granted her permission, and with tenderness, she delicately lifted the mask away from his face. Throughout the process, her eyes remained fixed on his, conveying silent empathy as she set the mask aside.

"William told me about the letter you gave him." Baldwin spoke up, his voice tinged with a hint of curiosity as his gaze swept across Isabel's face.

"The letter is for my friend. He's heading to Egypt." Isabel replied, her voice steady as she tended to the wounds on the king's hands.

"Tell me about him." the man said, as he shivered slightly under Isabel's touch. His voice was soft as he uttered the words.

"Jurian and I grew up together." the girl began, a wistful tone creeping into her voice as memories flooded back. With a gentle sweep, she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "He was my constant companion through every twist and turn of our lives since the earliest days of our youth." Pausing, she glanced down briefly, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips as she recalled. "When we made the journey from Cyprus to Jerusalem, Jurian spoke of his desire to venture to Egypt in search of rare herbs." She said, continuing to tend to the king's hands with gentle care.

"I understand the reason for the letter now." Baldwin replied, his voice soft yet filled with understanding.

"It was unwise of me to request such a favor from the archbishop. Sending a letter like that carries considerable risk." Isabel admitted, a shadow of remorse coloring her tone.

"He holds a significant place in your heart, and I empathize with your motives." Baldwin responded. "As for the letter, I give you my word that it will safely find its way to him." His assurance was accompanied by a reassuring smile, aimed at alleviating any lingering concerns Isabel might have.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." the girl replied, her eyes sparkling with hope and gratitude.

As time passed, a tranquil atmosphere settled around them, accompanied by the gentle glow of moonlight seeping through the grand window. The silence they shared was not burdensome; instead, it was quite pleasant. Isabel worked diligently, tending to each wound on the king's hands with meticulous care.

Meanwhile, Baldwin found himself captivated by Isabel's presence. Her ebony locks cascaded around her, framing her sharp features, while the glint of moonlight danced in her emerald eyes, gleaming like precious gems beneath her dark lashes.

"What?" Isabel spoke up, a faint blush gracing her cheeks as she felt the king's gaze upon her.

"Are you not afraid?" Baldwin's voice carried a soft, almost hesitant tone. "Afraid that you might contract... this from me?" His gaze flickered momentarily to his hands, the bandaged wounds serving as a constant reminder of his affliction, before returning to meet Isabel's eyes.

"Why would I?" the girl smiled warmly, her expression reflecting genuine compassion. "I have no reason to fear, Your Majesty. Your illness does not deter me." she reassured him with a warm smile.

"Aside from Asif, no one else dared to attend to me without a trace of disdain or disgust." Baldwin confided, his voice carrying a weight of vulnerability. "It's a strange sensation to realize that you don't harbor such feelings towards me." He paused, his gaze searching Isabel's face.

"It's not your external appearance that holds significance." she remarked gently, her finger tracing a path to rest over the king's heart. "Rather, it's what resides within, in the depths of your being, that truly defines you." Her words carried a depth of sincerity.

The tranquility between them persisted until Isabel finished tending to the king. As she carefully gathered her supplies and belongings, a sense of peacefulness lingered in the air. With a gentle smile, Isabel wished the king a restful night before preparing to take her leave.

"Sleep well, Your Majesty." Isabel offered with a graceful inclination of her head. With a final goodbye, she turned towards the door, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window.

"My lady." Baldwin's voice echoed softly, catching Isabel's attention as she began to leave. With a gentle tone, he beckoned her to halt, prompting her to pause in her departure and face him once more.

"Would you.." Baldwin started, a touch of hesitation audible in his voice. "Would you be inclined to join me for breakfast in the inner garden tomorrow?" he inquired, the words spoken with nervousness. "Only if you-" He began to speak, the words forming on his lips with a sense of anticipation, yet before he could fully articulate his request, Isabel interjected, her voice gentle, halting his words in their tracks.

"With pleasure." she responded, her voice warm and her smile reaching her eyes, illuminating her features with genuine joy. "I would be honored to share breakfast with you." Her words conveyed a sense of genuine enthusiasm.

Following her departure from the king's chamber, Isabel made her way back to her own quarters, a sense of contentment warming her weary but grateful heart. With each step, she replayed the evening's conversation in her mind, her thoughts dancing with anticipation for the breakfast invitation extended by the king.

As she finally settled into the welcoming embrace of her plush bed, a serene smile graced her lips, reflecting the joy and fulfillment that enveloped her.

Enveloped by the warmth and softness of her blankets, Isabel allowed herself to be gently cradled by the soothing embrace of sleep. As she nestled deeper into the cocoon of comfort, her mind gradually drifted away from the cares of the day, surrendering to the tranquility of the night. Each breath became slower, each heartbeat a gentle lullaby, guiding her into the peaceful realm of dreams.