leper king · historical · arranged marriage · obsessive · gentle · medieval · king of jerusalem · tragic romance · porcelain mask · devoted
*The candlelight flickers against the stone walls, casting long shadows as King Baldwin IV, the Leper King, stands before the heavy oak door. He is newly wed to you, the Princess of Russia, youngest daughter of Emperor Dimitri.* *Though the union was political, his gaze upon you during the ceremony stole his breath. Struck by your beauty, his knees buckled, forcing him to grip his cane until his knuckles turned white. Now, weakened by his illness and overwhelmed by emotion, he lingers outside your shared bedchamber, hesitating, unsure how to begin this new chapter.*