A morning Embarrassment

My heart was racing with a mix of guilt and excitement... Is it because I forced him to remove his mask when I knew it would make him vulnerable, but I needed to disinfect and clean his facial wound.

Under the moonlight, as he raised his head, he carefully removed his silver mask and white vail, and I was surprised to see his bare face for the first time.

If it weren't for his leprotic wound, which covers his right face over his right eye and extends all the way to his ear with fresh wound you could still see that he used to have a very beautiful face. But he still looks like an angel in the moonlight, with his thick wavy almost curly blond hair that glows under the moonlight beam, his fair white skin, aquiline nose, and pale rosy lips with a small cut in the side. His deep ocean blue eyes, which shine brightly, are his most distinguishing feature.

I was completely speechless, I didn't feel pity or disgust for him, but rather amazement that he was able to face people with such courage, to face all judgement and stigma thrown at him and yet he never back down and instead of running away, he faced them, hiding his insecurities behind his mask and continuing to serve his people even though he is ill.

"Now.. that you see my hideous face... tell me.. d-do I looked like a monster just like everybody says," he asks as he looks away.

"Of course not!" I exclaimed, "who told you you're a monster?"

He looked at me, surprised.

"You don't look like a monster, and your face isn't hideous," I say as I gently touch his cheek.

" I can see that you have pretty blue eyes, it's a shame that people don't see you for who you are, but only for your outer appearance, but don't worry your grace, for me you are still the best King that Jerusalem will ever have! I guarantee it!" I said confidently, and he looked surprised but smiled and chuckled.

I blushed when he started laughing, but it was the first time I saw him smile; he usually has a calm demeanour, but he seems more at ease with me now.

"I'm sorry my lady, I shouldn't laugh; it's just the first time I've met someone who is optimistic about this; usually, everyone except Omar, Sir William, Aimery and Robert flee when they see my face," he explains.

"I was just thinking that unlike other people who have seen me in this condition, they usually find me hideous and either pity or disgusted with my appearance, which is why... it was the first time that someone said that I was an amazing person even though I looked like this," he added with a smile.

I reply, "You shouldn't worry, your highness, since I won't run, I promise."

"Thank you," he says softly.

I carefully cleaned his facial wounds and applied antibacterial cream, and I was about to finish when I placed a clean bandage over his wound and said, "all done."

" I am deeply grateful for your help," he stated.

"Don't worry, I was just trying to help... that's all," I explained as I positioned the medicine bottle on the tray.

"but still.." he said. "I just can't believe you're willing to lay your life down to prove that you can heal me; is there any innocent explanation? you can tell me," he asked.

I looked at him, the history books are correct, he is very wise and intelligent for his young age, he speaks like a mature old man despite being younger than me, But I can't tell him about being reincarnated or being from the future.

"well, it's a woman secret, as a noble gentlemen you shouldn't pry on a woman secret," I said.

He looked surprised, but he smiled and said, "I understand my lady, I wouldn't ask more," as he approached me and kissed my hand, his gesture surprised me but made me flustered and blush.

"t-thank you, y-your highness," I said nervously as he took a gentle step back and smiled.

"Well... my work is done, see you tomorrow," I said as I carried my medicine tray out the door. "Wait," he said.

As I turned to face him, "I was just wondering... " He averted his gaze, "if you want to eat breakfast with me," he said, a flush spreading across his pale cheeks.

I respond by looking at him and smiling, "sure... why not"

I returned to my bed chamber that night and went straight to bed. The cold night flew by, and as soon as I opened my eyes, I saw Bathilda's stoic face staring at me, and I nearly jumped out of my bed in shock.

"Oh, my God!" I scream. "It's just you..." I exclaim, my heart racing. "Don't do that...you almost gave me a heart attack," I say, realising it was just her.

"I apologise, my lady, if I have startled you, but I was informed that you will be joining his highness for breakfast," she said stoically.

"Oh... yes..." I replied.

"I'm here to help you in getting ready, my lady," she said.

"Oh, thank you for the offer, but I usually delegate that task to Emma," I explained.

"Oh.. I understand, but I am a personal handmaid to highness, and I make certain that everything runs smoothly for his highness," she stated sternly.

I see that she has made it clear that she is the woman for the job. "Alright, I understand," I say as I get out of bed, "but I still want Emma to help you."

"I understand," she said, adding, "his majesty will be waiting for you at the pleasaunce garden."

"A garden? I see... well, then, I should get ready, I don't want his majesty to wait," I responded.

Bathilda made the point that she supervises everything involving the king. Emma helps her get me ready for the day. She is surprised that all of my clothes are different from what other ladies' designs are, and she even remarks on the lack of modesty in them. She is also surprised that I make my own make-up and perfume.

Everything went smoothly; I was dressed in a white satin gown adorned with laces, and as we marched to the corridor, I was escorted by Emma and Bathilda and greeted by several knights along the way.

Bathilda silently opened a door, and I was taken aback by the beauty of the garden, which was full of red and white roses and red Anemone coronaria, colourful butterflies and white doves flies around the crystal blue pond, it was bright and breathtaking.

King Baldwin bows slightly to greet me as he stands beside a garden table, wind blowing in his golden blond hair, dressed in a white silk chemise and an outer gold tunic adorned with silver embroidery, and he did not wear his silver mask, instead using bandages to cover his facial wound.

As I approached him, he extended his hands, which I took. He kissed my hands as a curtsy, but there was a tingling sensation in my body that caused my cheek to blush.

"It's wonderful that you can join me for breakfast," he said softly.

"yeah.. wow your garden is so beautiful," I say as I take a look around.

"Actually, this is my favourite place in the castle," he said calmly.

"Oh, your Majesty, I want to thank you for inviting me to breakfast," I said.

"actually... I should be the one to thank you for accepting my invitation," he said, smiling and looking at me with his beautiful deep ocean blue eyes, which made me even more intrigued with him.

Bathilda quietly serves our meal, which includes white bread, cheese, three meat dishes, and three fish dishes, as well as a hot cup of tea.

I commented as I took a glance at the dish, "Wow.. this looks amazing."

He tilted his head and said, "wow? What is a wow?"

"Oh.. ahmm it's an expression for when you're both surprised and delighted," I explained nervously.

"I noticed that you frequently used unfamiliar words that we don't understand, it's not latin or french but an unusual word that only you understand its meaning, for instance wow," he said as he smiled at me.

"yes.. I actually umm.. those words, it is just an expression that I... I learned from the convent," I say nervously.

"you learned it from the convent? that is really interesting, on how the nun teaches young ladies in St. Lazarus convent," he said, "you see my elder sister and younger sister go there too," he said, smiling.

I gave him a nervous smile as I felt a sudden chill and cold sweat run down my spine.

"I apologise for bothering you; I was just curious about you... you are not like any other noble lady I've met; at such a young age, you created things that other artisans couldn't, and you provided simple solutions that our esteemed scholars couldn't figure out, and most of all, you are mysterious that I can't stop thinking that you might not be from here," Baldwin explains with a smile.

I quickly retrieve my composure and respond, "yeah... its very interesting as well, I never thought I could also make those things, I am just confident in my skill, that is all," as I sip a cup of tea. He is very intelligent, and I think he senses when I make up excuses, so I need to change the subject quickly. "So, your highness, did you get a good night's sleep?" I inquire, a little nervously.

"I surprisingly did, it was the first time I had slept well," he said. "I believe your medicine is working perfectly," he added.

"That's great to hear... but if your wounds start to itch, don't scratch them because they'll get worse," I explained.

"I see," he said.

"How about your fever?" I inquire.

"Well, I didn't have a fever last night," he replied as he set down his cup of tea.

"That's great to hear...I'll make more medicine to help you sleep and for your fever," I said with a smile.

"Thank you so much, my lady," he expressed gratitude.

We keep eating our breakfast; he is very graceful in every way, from the way he eats to the way he holds his spoon to the way he drinks his cup of tea. He is simply ideal.

I hadn't realised I'd been staring at him for too long when he noticed. "Is there any problem, my lady?" he inquired.

"n-nothing.." I respond quickly as I hurriedly eat, as he smiles at me and I inadvertently knock over my tea cup and spill it all over my dress, "hot!" I yell.

"My lady! are you alright?" he asked as he stood up and approached me.

"y-yes... " I respond, "I am truly sorry..."

"Are you hurt?" he inquired. "Bathilda!" he exclaimed.

"No.. it's okay.. I'm fine," I said. "You don't need to call her," I added.

"I hope it doesn't burn your skin," he solemnly said as he gently wiped away the spilled tea stain on my skirt as I watched him, his gentleness making my heart skip a beat and I can hear it pounding as I blushed, I've never been clumsy before, and I've always been so composed, so why am I acting like a clumsy idiot in front of the king? What is happening to me is due to... As I looked at him, our gazes met, and I felt a hot flush run down my cheek, I looked away.

"I'm sorry if you feel uncomfortable," he apologised.

"n-noo... I'm f-fine..." I say, blushing profusely.

"Your face is very red.. are you alright? do you have a fever?" he inquired as he placed his left palms on my brow.

I was surprised that I couldn't move, that my sweat had turned cold as ice, that I couldn't even hear him because my heart was pounding, when Aimery entered, "sire, your vassal are now requesting your presence," he said.

"Yes.. I'll be right there," Baldwin said, turning to face me, "Are you sure you're alright?" he inquired.

"y-yes..." I said as I step back and ran away, "p-please excuse meeeee." I actually heard him say wait, but I kept running out of embarrassment.