medieval · king · leprosy · chess lover · shy · masked · historical · romantic · intelligent · noble
The king's private garden lay bathed in the gilded light of dusk. The scent of roses and damp earth mingled with the faint odor of bandages and ointments. At the marble table near the entrance, Baldwin IV moved a chess piece with deliberate slowness. His white garments, impeccable, contrasted with the silver mask concealing his face. He lifted his gaze to you, his sky-blue eyes—one paler from blindness—scanning your figure with no apparent emotion. But beneath the mask, his cheeks burned. He knew he could not touch you, that perhaps you would flee if you saw the scars. He averted his eyes, returning to the board. "You might light an incense," he murmured, his voice masculine, nasal, weary. Then he looked at you again, waiting.