Chapter 46: Marriage
On the spiral staircase, Caesar met Princess Sibylla.
Although Caesar was awake, and Baldwin was also awake, they had to wait for several days before they could meet.
When Baldwin was brought back to Holy Cross Castle, everyone witnessed such a solemn holy relic. While he was still in a deep sleep, people constantly requested to visit or even serve him—of course, such requests were impossible to grant, not only because Baldwin was still very weak, but also because he still showed symptoms of leprosy.
Although it could now be said that this was God’s trial rather than punishment, Amalric I, after much consideration, still put Baldwin’s health first, disregarding the anxious letters and pleas. Only after Baldwin had passed the critical stage did some people whom Amalric I trusted deeply enter his room.
Among these people were Count Raymond of Tripoli and his son David, Duke Bohemond of Antioch and his son Abigael, and several other vassals and their heirs. While these boys could not return as squires, their fathers would likely return to Prince Baldwin’s side in the coming months—he was to resume his lessons.
As mentioned before, the prince’s lessons were originally very full, and his teachers, besides his father Amalric I, were his ministers and generals. For example, Raymond originally taught horsemanship and spear fighting, while Bohemond taught falconry and archery. For scholarly subjects like grammar and astronomy, the late Patriarch took on a third of the teaching, and other priests were responsible for the rest.
After Baldwin was diagnosed with leprosy, the former Patriarch fled faster than if he had seen Saracens. Raymond and Bohemond also withdrew. If Baldwin were no longer the heir to the throne, a monk would not have the right to have a Count or Duke teach him.
The troublesome chapter could finally be turned. Although leprosy remained a hidden danger, no one would doubt Baldwin’s ability to become a valiant commander anymore. Saint George’s spear had already revealed his destiny—as for not being able to procreate and dying before the age of thirty, that didn’t matter much; there were plenty of kings without heirs everywhere, and many who didn’t live to be thirty.
With the visits of these important figures, Prince Baldwin’s room suddenly became cramped. Considering that Caesar had also received a “blessing” like himself, Baldwin would rather have him stay in the room with him than be together, having to salute people and serve him and his guests, out of longing for his companion.
Finally, after Baldwin confirmed that there would be no visitors that day, he immediately sent a servant to find Caesar.
Little did Caesar know that when he took out a box of saffron sent by Abbot John and a box of honey mulberries（He knew Baldwin wouldn’t be short of these, but sharing between friends is always a joy） he tucked them into his cloak and went up the spiral staircase, only to run into Princess Sibylla.
Princess Sibylla was once praised as a gemstone among flowers, and she still is. However, this gemstone seemed to have been tempered, becoming sharper and brighter. Even in the dim spiral staircase, she seemed to glow, and the previous setbacks did not seem to have affected her much.
Caesar felt comforted. In the commotion caused by Count Etienne’s arrival, the two kings were the instigators, while Princess Sibylla was an unadulterated victim.
From his perspective, whether it was simple sympathy for the victim, or for Baldwin’s only sister, or for Damara’s master, he could not remain indifferent, or stand by and watch with cold eyes like others, or even gloat.
Sibylla was also watching Caesar. She had once desired this child; he was so handsome, he should have been by her side, like a brooch, bracelet, or ring. But when she learned he was Baldwin’s new squire, she immediately abandoned the idea.
Not out of love or pity for her brother, but because she had long known that only Baldwin held an important place in their father Amalric I’s heart, and now there was also guilt. Not to mention a smart and handsome squire, even a stone, Amalric I would not allow her to compete with Baldwin for.
It is hard to say how much was for Baldwin, and how much was out of that long-brewing malice, when Amalric I began to fear Caesar, and she found Baldwin and told him that she could orchestrate a clever accident to eliminate this suspicion and doubt.
To crush a rose, to cut up a piece of brocade, to smash a gemstone—the more perfect, the more flawless, the more satisfying it is to destroy!
During their “Choosing ceremony,” Sibylla did not return to her room to rest but knelt in the chapel, praying silently. Those who saw her were moved by her piety and friendship; no one knew how turbulent her heart was.
She sometimes cursed both of them, asking God not to bless them; sometimes she pleaded with God to bless only one of them. When she thought of Baldwin gazing at his squire’s back with jealousy, or Caesar eventually falling into the ranks of ordinary laborers due to not receiving a blessing, she felt like laughing.
Should she have him come to her?
Absolutely not. She would order Abigael to summon an Isaac slave merchant and let the slave return to his destiny.
But in the end, it was only Sibylla who was plunged into suffering.
God is merciful, how merciful!
After Count Etienne left Holy Cross Castle, although he was nominally to return to France to seek permission from King Louis VII to marry Princess Sibylla, everyone knew it was just an excuse.
As expected, King Louis VII’s reply arrived not long after. In his letter, he apologetically stated that he could not agree to the marriage, and he would not elaborate on the specific reasons. However, everyone who heard the news understood implicitly and exchanged subtle glances.
This situation even occurred among the handmaids around her. She knew they were mocking her behind her back, not all handmaids were as innocent as Damara… She detested them, and they might not like her much either.
Count Etienne’s arrival and departure were like shattering something perfect. Apart from the handmaids, the noble children surrounding her also began to look at her with clearer eyes. She was still worth pursuing, but beyond her beauty, her value had been steadily declining—Prince Baldwin had received a blessing, perhaps he would have offspring, perhaps his life could be extended to forty, fifty years?
Especially now that the marriage contract between Amalric I and the grandniece of Manuel I had been settled, Princess Maria Komnenos would arrive at Ayyarasa Road on the feast day of Saint Agnes（January 21st） and then marry the King on the feast day of Saint Peter（June 29th）.
In this era, a princess awaiting marriage would typically arrive in her future husband’s country very early. This was to quickly familiarize herself with the unfamiliar land that she would have to dedicate the rest of her life to, and also to reverse the “identity recognition” of the previous decade or two—that is, to transform her from a princess of one nation to a queen of another.
Princess Maria arrived at Ayyarasa Road at the end of January and married at the end of June. The public was already mocking the King for being “impatient,” while those astute ministers guessed that the King wanted a healthy heir as soon as possible, as swords are blind on the battlefield, and a crown could not protect the King from arrows or spears.
And once the King’s new wife became pregnant, Sibylla’s inheritance rights would be further diluted. If it were a boy, then even if Prince Baldwin had no offspring, his younger brother could still inherit the throne of Ayyarasa Road after his death.
In contrast, the slave whom she once regarded as an “object” had, by gaining the prince’s trust and God’s blessing, leaped out of his original class and embarked on a bright path.
As he stood there, she could directly see his future: servant, squire, escort, knight, minister, or general. God treated him even better than Baldwin; Baldwin might die in his prime, but he would continue to live. He would become the confidant of the new king.
He was so intelligent, so handsome, so pious; he would live a long life, full of glory… perhaps he would even carve out a territory for himself and become a Count, a Duke, a King…
And her? A wife.
How unfair.
“Are you going to look for Baldwin?” Sibylla said, her blue eyes unfathomably deep: “Go, he’s waiting for you.”
——————
As soon as Baldwin saw Caesar, he rushed forward, and the two embraced tightly.
“I could hardly believe it,” Baldwin said excitedly: “Of course, I saw it, the light overflowing from you, so dazzling, but then I fainted. After I woke up, I was terribly worried, afraid it was a hallucination caused by my excessive eagerness. Fortunately, they told me it was true. I felt that I had seen Saint George, and you felt that you had seen Saint Jerome.”
The prince paused here, a look of confusion on his face: “Did Saint Jerome make shields?” But he quickly dismissed the thought. There were knights who had seen virgins before, and they were still invincible on the battlefield.
He took his friend’s arm, and they sat down together at the small round table, just as they had every time before. They first ate a hearty meal to their satisfaction, then ordered the servants to clear away the leftovers. Afterward, Baldwin dismissed everyone else and then pulled Caesar to sit on the carpet with him, and they began to admire and divide the gifts he had received.
Caesar took out the saffron and honey mulberries. The two children sat cross-legged, eating the sweet candied fruits and opening boxes.
Jewels and spices were the most numerous, being both expensive and small. Next came weapons, then cloth—or rather, silk. Cotton and linen were directly stored in the warehouse.
Baldwin asked Caesar to wait a moment and took out an oak box from the corner cabinet. It was not large, about a foot square and as high as a palm. Before he opened it, Caesar guessed it might be the clothes Princess Maria had sent to Baldwin.
As expected, Baldwin produced a brightly colored, deep purple cloak. Its length only reached about Baldwin’s knees, but such deep purple fabric with a gold trim, if it reached the ankles, would only be worn by an Emperor or a King.
“This is… a Byzantine style, or rather, a Persian cloak.”
The box contained more than just a cloak; there was also an exquisite belt, which only royal family members were allowed to wear.
Seeing the belt, Caesar also remembered something. “Right,” he said, “Abbot John also gave me a belt.” He showed it to Baldwin.
Baldwin clapped his hands in delight. “That’s wonderful!” he said. “I’ve already asked the castle steward to look for one, but the Byzantine Emperor guards this deep purple silk very closely. Even the wealthiest merchant might not be able to obtain it—Abbot John is truly thoughtful.”
“Do you want me to go with you to welcome the Byzantine princess?”
Baldwin gave Caesar a look of course. “But just wrapping it around my arm isn’t enough. I have a short cloak here that looks like silver in the sun and gold in the moonlight. I’ll have the handmaid sew this purple border onto the lapel, so we’ll look like brothers.”
“Baldwin, you’ve already given me so many things.”
“A master should be responsible for his squire’s food and clothing,” Baldwin said, propping his hands behind him. Sunlight shone on his face. Now that he was only with Caesar, he did not wear a veil or gloves. There were still some red spots on his handsome face, but most of his skin was smooth. “Besides, the King said he would launch a war against the Fatimid Dynasty within three years. By then, we will be his escorts.”
“We?”
“Yes, we are already brothers in God’s sight, so it’s unreasonable to ask you to continue serving me,” Baldwin said cheerfully. “The problem is, when you were my squire, I could cover some of your expenses, but after you become an escort, you will need to equip yourself with many things… This is a considerable expenditure. Although there are generous masters who provide these for their escorts, if you can procure them yourself, your reputation will be better.”
“I remember Count Etienne gave you some money,” Baldwin straightened up and began to count on his fingers: “And Brother Geoffrey of the Temple Knights gave you a hundred gold coins.” Caesar had not hidden these from him. “Shield, chainmail, iron boots, long sword, dagger, leather outer garment, coat of arms, quilted cotton under-robe, gloves, knee guards… Horse… Horse tack… If you want goods from Tours（a famous armor production center in France（ the price might go up a bit.”
“Of course,” he smiled. “If my father achieves a great victory, we can strip some things from the battlefield.”
“Uh…”
Seeing Caesar’s rare look of awkwardness—Baldwin knew his companion was very particular about cleanliness, almost to the point of eccentricity—he burst out laughing. Caesar realized he was just joking.
“But you really need to change your ways,” Baldwin said. “My father showed me the armor he wore on the battlefield…”
Someone was knocking on the door.
Baldwin showed an expression of displeasure. “I said not to disturb us unless it’s my father or teacher, no matter who it is.”
Caesar stood up to open the door. When the door opened, a Lord, dressed in a sleeveless outer garment of dark gray velvet with a gold buckle belt, stood outside. The servant beside him looked somewhat uneasy. Caesar nodded to him, and the servant ran off like lightning.
The Lord examined Caesar’s face carefully. Green eyes, black hair; he should be the well-loved squire by Prince Baldwin’s side. His tone softened slightly: “Please convey to Your Highness,” he said in a low voice, “I am Berion of Ibelin. My sister-in-law wishes to see Prince Baldwin.”
Ever since he arrived at Holy Cross Castle, Caesar had not stopped memorizing the intricate and headache-inducing noble genealogies. Berion of Ibelin, he knew, was a small territory near the city of Jaffa, but his sister-in-law?
“Let her in,” Baldwin’s voice came from behind Caesar. “She is the Countess of Jaffa and Ascalon, my…
Mother.”
