Al-Andalus 1183. Lluna Valentia bint Al Mualim De Bosch is a Spanish/Moorish noble, fruit of an interfaith union that hoped to unite two conflicting faiths of the Iberian Peninsula.
However, hope is a dream and the reality is that the family's influ...
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When December rolled by, Lluna could not walk around without a fur-lined bliaut, coat, and other thick layers all over her body anyway, so the gloves were a welcomed addition—for the moment.
But they proved to be a nuisance and impede certain tasks. She could not grab beads and lace them properly into the cord, and eventually discarded the extra layer altogether. After all, she was only in the company of Teodora, Tania, Tamilla, and Ikram, Fatima, and their children, inside the great hall, surrounded by empty long tables and crackling braziers.
Recently-admitted lepers into the Lazarium were in need of some solace and new possessions of their own, which both things the sisters thought could be found in rosaries. Teodora had mentioned this during the visit to the Church.
To occupy herself with something to do whilst Baudouin tended to his kingly matters, Lluna offered her hands to the craft, and other tasks like it. Being queen did not exempt her from Christmas charity, but all the contrary.
Whenever the cords were dangling too much from the table, Safiyyah would be sure to swing her paws at them and add to the disruption.
"If there are enough left, I shall like to craft one for the King," Lluna pointed out, shooing the not-so-small kitten away.
The deaconess smiled in approval of the idea while she concentrated on making the wire loops.
"We have made sufficient beads, especially with your rose beads there. I am sure that he will be pleased with it."
So Valentia got to it, also setting aside even more extra beads. The dissecated rose petals made for striking powerful prayers. And the scented; Olive wood, jasmine flowers, rosemary leaves... for peace of mind and soul.
"I will bless it for you. And you can add a sacred heart to it, he loves that," Teodora mentioned.
A noise came from her twin, the nun. It was extremely low, but it sounded like a scoff.
Valentia could no longer ignore that dry dismissal at any sort of mention of the relationship between both monarchs.
Teodora had been attentive almost like a mother toward Lluna since the incident at the Sepulcher. But Tania seemed as distant as when she had met her in the Lazarium. It was fascinating to the Queen how expressive she could be with such a simple mask completely concealing her face.
"Why do you dislike me, Sister?" She asked the nun, who was focused on her own matters, assigning destinations to the donations.
Was it because of her origin, or something deeper?
"I do not personally dislike you, your Majesty."
Lluna hummed, tending to her task and not staring directly at Tania.
"I would have thought the idea of a leper being able to marry would agree with you," she threw the assumption into the air.
"Ideas can be... nice. But deceitful and blinding. The reality is that our leper king was better off as he was. Now he is being berated for extending his 'curse'."
