Medicine | King Baldwin

25

As Isabel gently pulled away, her breath coming in soft, ragged gasps, Baldwin's hands remained cradling her delicate cheeks. For a moment, they simply stood there, lost in each other's eyes, the world around them fading into insignificance.

Isabel's heart was still racing from the intensity, her mind awash with a whirlwind of emotions. She couldn't shake the feeling of euphoria that had washed over her when Baldwin's lips had met hers, igniting a spark that seemed to set her soul ablaze.

His touch lingered for a moment longer before reluctantly withdrawing, his gaze softening as he looked at her.

"Forgive me." he said, his voice tinged with regret. "I did not mean to overstep." He said as she shook her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.

"No, it's not that." she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's just.. this is all so new to me." She explained, lowering her head in embarrassment.

"I understand." he said. "It's new to me too.." She looked at him with a mix of disbelief.

"You never..Have you...?" she asked, her voice hesitant, trailing off as she tried to find the right words. She was clearly flustered, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Baldwin's eyes softened as he observed her discomfort.

"I've never been with a woman.. like this." he began, his voice gentle. "It's just.. my illness. It repels people. They see the disease before they see me." His tone carried a weight of sorrow.

"But you're not just your illness." she said softly. "You're so much more than that." Her voice was filled with sincerity, and Baldwin could see the honesty in her eyes.

"Others. They don't see me like you do. They see a leper, not a man. It's easier to keep my distance, to avoid the pain of rejection and disdain." Isabel reached out and gently placed her hand on his arm.

"You don't have to keep your distance from me." she said firmly. "I see you, Your Majesty. Not the disease. Just you." Her words struck a chord deep within him. He covered her hand with his own, grateful for her presence.

The words left Baldwin momentarily speechless. He stood in front of Isabel, gazing at her with a smile that conveyed a mix of happiness and vulnerability, as if he feared that she might be taken away from him at any moment.

"Thank you." Baldwin finally spoke, his voice soft and warm. Isabel stepped closer, placing her hand on his cheek.

"You don't need to thank me." she said quietly. "I just want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what." Tears glimmered in the king's eyes, though he didn't let them fall. He closed his eyes for a moment, savoring her sweet touch.

"It was hard to keep my distance from you." he admitted. "Fear drove me to push you away. Fear that I would harm you. But now I see that you are the one I have always needed." She smiled, her fingers gently caressing his scarred face.

He leaned in and pressed a tender kiss to Isabel's forehead, his lips lingering for a moment. His hands gently threaded through her long, ebony black hair, the soft strands slipping like silk through his fingers. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, taking in the delicate, floral scent that was uniquely hers.

"Your Majesty." Isabel looked up, her voice gentle yet firm. "I should attend to my duties now." Baldwin chuckled softly, a hint of reluctance in his voice. He scratched the back of his head, a gesture that made Isabel's heart flutter.

"Yes, of course." he agreed, though his eyes held a trace of sadness at the thought of breaking their intimate moment.

He moved to the edge of the bed and sat down, his posture straightening as he prepared for the familiar routine as she gathered her supplies.

She carefully removed the bandages that covered his wounds. The sores were painful to look at, red and inflamed. Isabel's heart ached for him, but she pushed those feelings aside, focusing on the task at hand.

Taking a soft cloth, she dipped it into water and gently began to clean the affected areas. She worked meticulously, her movements precise and careful, ensuring that every inch of the sores was free from dirt and debris.

After cleaning the wounds, she dried them gently with an other cloth. She then applied an antiseptic to each sore.

"Is it too painful?" she asked, her voice filled with concern as she felt his arms shiver.

"No. It's just good to feel your gentle touch again." Baldwin shook his head slightly, smiling.

"Your wounds don't seem to be healing as they should." Isabel said with a note of concern in her voice. She carefully wrapped fresh bandages around Baldwin's hands, her brow furrowed with worry.

"I've noticed." he admitted quietly. "They've been more moist lately." Baldwin watched her, noting the anxiety in her eyes.

"I don't know what might have caused this change. But I will find out." Isabel said confidently as Baldwin nodded, appreciating her resolve.

Moving from his hands to his face, Baldwin watched Isabel with a playful challenge in his eyes. Her, feeling the intensity of his gaze, couldn't help but become flustered. She smiled as she worked, her fingers deftly applying the ointment to his skin.

"If you keep looking at me like that, I might make a mistake." she laughed, her voice light and teasing.

"I can't help it." he said softly as he chuckled, the sound deep and warm, filling the room with a sense of ease. "It's a rare treat to have you so close, taking care of me." Isabel's hands moved gently over his face, her touch careful and tender. She dabbed the ointment on his cheek, smoothing it out with practiced precision.

"I'm done, Your Majesty." Isabel said, stepping back to examine her work. Baldwin touched the fresh bandages, his eyes fixed on Isabel.

"Thank you, my lady." he said, his voice filled with genuine gratitude. She smiled and gathered her equipment.

"Always." she replied. "Now rest, Your Majesty."

Baldwin nodded, then before Isabel could leave, he kissed her hands and wished her goodnight. Her, feeling Baldwin's tenderness, blushed and softly returned the good wishes before stepping out of the room.

Once she disappeared behind the door, the king lay in bed, his thoughts swirling.

Part of him rejoiced at having Isabel close again, no longer having to bear the painful emptiness of her absence. Her presence was soothing and life-giving to him. Baldwin felt that without Isabel, his life would be empty and desolate.

However, as his thoughts delved deeper, worry and doubts also surfaced.

It wasn't Isabel he doubted, but rather what their relationship would entail.

She was not of noble birth, complicating things for a king. The kingdom's expectations, the pressure from noble families, and political intrigues were all obstacles he had to face.

Yet, despite all his doubts, Baldwin's heart pulled towards her. He didn't want to be with anyone else but her. His love and commitment to Isabel were stronger than any obstacle.

With these thoughts swirling in his mind, Baldwin finally succumbed to sleep. As he lay in his bed, he recalled the way her gentle hands had tended to his wounds, her touch filled with tenderness and care.

Baldwin's breaths became deeper and more even as he drifted further into slumber. His last conscious thought was of Isabel's emerald eyes and the reassurance they brought him, a reminder that he was not alone in his struggle.

Finally, sleep claimed him completely, offering a respite from his worries.