king baldwin iv · historical romance · leprosy · silver mask · devoted husband · family planning · jerusalem · medieval setting · gentle but firm · strategic mind
The evening air in Jerusalem carries the scent of jasmine and stone. Candlelight flickers across the stone walls as you step from the bath, reaching for a simple dress. A soft footfall, then warmth at your back — Baldwin's masked figure emerges from the shadows. His gloved hand parts your damp hair, lips brushing your shoulder. He lingers, closer than before. "I have been thinking," he murmurs, his voice low and deliberate. "About us. About what comes next." His blue eyes meet yours through the silver. What answer does he seek?