Heyy, my dear people! Sorry for the lateness again, but finally the next chapter is here, so let's see happenings of the evening. The evening which will decide fates... A blessed evening, or a cursed?

Warning, this chapter will contain a tiny bit of history content. If you are not adept at the 12th century European circumstances, a few moments of Wikipedia might be useful, if you wish to get a better understanding of the story.

(I am not a native speaker of English, so please excuse my mistakes. Don't look how the story is written, but appreciate what is written in it.)

Ravenna sat in an armchair near the opened window while drying her freshly washed hair. She held the De re military by Vegetius -the only book she had at hand besides the Holy Bible- in her hand and pretended reading it by keenly turning pages. However, her thoughts weren't engaged in the war on the bald dunes fought with swords and arrows, but the war of intrigues and ascendance taking place within the sublime walls of the royal palace.

She had been always an outgoing person and until that day, she could have not even imagined how can someone worry so beastly about meeting new people. But these people were not ordinary ones, they were the ladies and lords of life and death, their carelessly passed words were laws and their antipathy was a death sentence. She knew, how she act tonight will determine the rest of her life.

„You wear a worried look, my lady." Alisha coyly appointed as she approached her with a towel.

„I guess I do because I have been never been this concerned since I can remember!" she shut the massive volume with a loud clashing.

„Can I appease your anguish, my Baroness?" she asked compliantly.

„No, you cannot." Ravenna sighed. „Unless you are a princess in disguise." she added ironically.

The maid hesitated for a moment. „I am not one, but I will try my best to make you appear like the most gracious princess."

„You are a sweet spirit, Alisha." the lady gave her a thankful smile.

The other woman did not respond anything just started gently wrapping Ravenna's hair with the handcloth. After it was dry, she braided one front lock from both sides and braided them into one on the back of her head letting the rest of her hair swinging free. She fastened the last necklace around Ravenna's neck when the two guard -came in order to escort the baroness- knocked.

„If God is equitable, you will return with a smile on your face, my lady." Alisha gave her a supporting look which made her mistress smile at the very moment.

Ravenna gracefully strolled along the endless corridors of the palace in her new, bell sleeve, violet dress between the two men, her heart going a mile a minute. She has never been to that wing they were going but from its direction, she supposed it was the building her the path towards the royal gardens.

Music and laughter reached her ears and a half minute later she beheld an enormous double door graced with carvings.

„We reached our destination, my lady!" one guard said.

„I wish you a further blessed evening!" the other called while opening the door for her."

The two men bowed and retreated while closing the door.

Ravenna's mouth fell open. She could only imagine the view, which unfolded before her eyes, while reading about sumptuous Roman feasts. The vast hall was bright from thousands of candles hanging from the seeling on refined racks, an orchestra of lutes, bladder pipes and harps played in one corner and a long ebony table on the rightside which was burdened with a flood of palatial meals, though almost no one sat at them. Ladies and lords chatted with each other bunched into smaller-bigger groups holding cups in their hands.

The baroness took a few steps inwards when suddenly Lady Sibylla strolled into her sight.

„Ravenna!" she shouted with a broad smile immediately appearing on her lips. She started slightly running towards the baroness.

„I wish you a good evening, my…" she failed to finish the sentence due to her surprise when the princess tightly hugged her when she reached.

„A few cups of wine are certainly in her." Ravenna thought ironically while returning the princess's embrace.

„I am so glad that you are here!" Sibylla gushed as she let go.

„I could not have been so much of a moron to refuse your most gracious invitation." she returned her smile.

„Join me, dear Ravenna, I have so many mighty people to introduce you to!" the princess continued pressing the word „so" and stalked to two lords who stood the closest to them. Ravenna followed her with a bit of awkwardness.

„Good evening, my lords!" Sibylla greeted them.

Both men bowed.

„Splendid evening to you, too, my Princess!" the older man replied.

„How may us serve you?" the other inquired.

„I do have someone with whom you should truly be acquaintanced with." she glanced at Ravenna who forced a charming smile on her face. „May I introduce Lady Ravenna de Neapolim, Baroness of Nablus to you, my lords."

Ravenna and the two men curtseyed.

„The lord on the right is my dear uncle, Joscelin, Count of Edessa." Sibylla continued and the younger man nodded. „The other gentleman is Roger de Moulins, Grand Master of the Knights Hospitaller."

„It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady de Neapolim." he mumbled grudgingly under his beard.

„It is such a great honour to make your acquaintance, my esteemed lords!" Ravenna tried to make her smile seem genuine.

A brief moment of awkward silence followed her sentence, which was broken by the princess.

„We must continue or way now, I do hope we will have the pleasure of spending some time together during tonight." she smiled delightedly and took a step away dragging the baroness with her by her right arm.

„We wish you a joyful evening, Your Highness!" the younger man called with a decent smile.

„I wish you further good evening!" Ravenna called hastily before leaving.

The two didn't even bother themselves with answering her just slightly nodded their heads with cold glances.

It slightly made Ravenna feel bad, but she has somehow expected a reaction like that so she was not hurt. They probably would have refused to even talk to her if it hadn't been Sibylla who introduced her.

„It is such a lovely evening!" the princess gushed as they strolled to the middle of the hall.

„My princess!" a young lady in expensive clothes hurried to Sibylla who glanced at Ravenna as if she intended to introduce her, but the unknown lady continued excitedly. „I just heard that Lady Laurette has disappeared with Lord Ignace."

„No way!" Sibylla shouted with surprise while covering her mouth with both hands. „When did they leave?"

„About 15 minutes ago, my lady!" the other woman's smile said everything.

„Look she is coming back!" Sibylla gestured towards a delightful lady who just entered the door. „Let us go and talk to her!" she called excitedly and hastened towards Lady Laurette escorted by the unknown lady.

They left Ravenna as if she hadn't even existed. The hall was noisy with laughter and mirth, only the baroness stood ungainly in the crowd alone like a desert island in the foaming sea. She didn't want to disturb anyone, so she decided to sit down at the table.

She slowly sipped a cup of wine when suddenly Italian words reached her ears. Italian, the native language of her beloved mother. She turned in the direction of the voice and realised it was coming from a man of his thirties standing behind her back. His exceptionally handsome face was surrounded by browny-blond curls gracefully swinging as he was explaining something enthusiastically.

Ravenna only heard some incoherent words due to the noise of the hall but the two beauteous ladies listening to his speech burst into laughter after he had finished.

Suddenly he turned towards Ravenna. Their glances met for a moment before the baroness embarrassedly turned her head back towards the table and drank the remaining wine in from her pot.

„I wish you a blissful evening!" a voice came from behind her.

She turned back surprised. The man talking in Italian stood by her.

„Lady Ravenna de Neapolim, if my assumptions are correct." he continued with a self-assured smile.

„How did you know, my lord?" the baroness inquired astonished.

„I was chatting not far from you when Lady Sibylla introduced you to Lord de Moulins and the count, and fortunately, God had endowed me with good hearing." he replied with a half-smile.

„I see." Ravenna nodded. Although she has never seen him, she felt this man possessed a glorious sense of humor so she continued with an ironic smile. „Unfortunately, I did not have such great amount of luck to hear your name pronounced."

He chuckled shortly.

„I am Conrad of Montferrat, the brother of William de Montferrat, Princess Sibylla's late husband."

„I am delighted to make your acquaintance." the lady nodded with a slight smile.

„May I take a seat?" he inquired.

„I do not wish to burden you with my company, my lord." Ravenna looked at him vaguely. „I was gazing at you only I because heard someone spoke Italian –so dear to my heart- and turned back to discover from where the speech was coming from."

„Oh, have you spent your childhood in Italy, my lady?" he sat down without her permission.

„No, but my mother did." a pleasant smile lay on her lips while thinking about the woman she still loved the most. „She was raised in Noth Italy which she was ineffably attached to even after spending more than a decade here. Perhaps, that is why she insisted on naming me after Ravenna, the most beautiful Italian city in her opinion."

„What a coincidence, I am from North Italy, too." he smiled broadly. „And I feel the exact same way as your dear mother did, though Igave just returned from Europe. Have you ever been to your mother's homeland?" he asked without the slightest Italian accent on his French.

„Unfortunately, I have never been to Europe." she shook her head.

„Then you should definitely visit some countries there. Your jaw will drop to the floor when you will see the landscapes." he leaned a bit closer to her. „Just imagine, green grasslands and impenetrable forests as far as the eye can see. A back garden of an average peasant is as lush and fair as the gardens of lords here."

„I do hope I will have the luck one day to experience what you just described."

„No doubt you will, my lady." he nodded one confidently. „Anyway, it is a pleasure to meet a new „half-compatriot." Conrad nodded.

„As I saw you have already found some who were entirely your fellows." she said with a half-smile while glancing towards the two women -sending reproving gazes at her- de Montferrat was talking to.

„Indeed I did, it is hard to spend one day in Jerusalem without getting know someone who has something to do with your motherland, no matter from what corner of the world you came from." he chuckled. „I guess, you only arrived here a few days ago, did you not?"

„Yes, I did. I have been living here for 3 days." she nodded.

The lord grunted with approval. „And you are right away sitting here. Well, you did not waste your time, my lady." he put his chin on his palm while leaning his elbow on the desk. „However, a few minutes ago you were truly wasting precious moments with being bored all your self." he added with irony.

Ravenna opened her mouth to answer, but the lively voice of Lady Sibylla behind their backs prevented her.

„Oh, I see you have found Conrad, dear Ravenna!"

De Montferrat confusedly jumped to his feet in surprise and bowed.

„How splendid to see you tonight, my Princess!" he smiled.

„It is always splendid to see you, dear Conrad." Sibylla returned his greeting then her eyes wandered on the table. „Oh, how delicious does that roast look" she mumbled while laying her gaze on a pork dish. „Wine made me hungry, the dinner should really begin by now." she declared louder.

„Shall I escort you to your seat, Your Highness?" Conrad inquired.

„No, I do not require your escort now, just stay where you are." she called. „ I am glad that you are getting along fine with Lady Ravenna." she gave a short smile and walked away towards her seat at one head of the table.

„So we are getting along fine…" Ravenna looked at de Montferrat with an ironic half-smile.

„Indeed we do, the Princess her Majesty said. Did your ears miss it?" he answered in the same style.

Sibylla sat down in her seat. All the highfaluting noble ladies and lords started obediently strolling towards the long desk and took their seats to Ravenna's utter surprise. She sat between Conrad and a lady she had never seen before. A brief moment of silence settled on the hall.

Ravenna awkwardly looked around to see what she should be doing. She had never been to a royal feast and had no knowledge considering their etiquette and customs. Once the Archbishop sitting at the other edge of the table stood up and crossed himself followed by all the aristocrats. The baroness did the same with a bit of a delay, relieved to find out people pray before starting feast dinners.

„Ad coenam vitae aeternae perducat nos, Rex aeternae gloriae." the guests murmured.

„Amen." said the Archbishop.

„Amen." the whole hall repeated.

Servants hurried to the table putting even more food on its board making Ravenna's mouth water. Suddenly Lord de Moulins stood up from his seat with a pot in his hand.

„May I have the honour to thank this glorious feast to our Heavenly Father and majestic Princess! Long live the Princess!" he lifted his cup.

„Long live the Princess!" the hall clamoured.

Everyone grabbed a cup and started drinking.

„Why are you not drinking?" Conrad glanced at Ravenna surprised.

„I have just drunk a whole cup of whine…" she answered.

„Not drinking to the princess's health equals a high treason. Drink now!" he whispered violently.

The baroness hastily grabbed the full cup in front of her and drank all its liquid at once.

The orchestra started playing again and the delighted mood of the company returned. Ravenna and Conrad started supping on the roast pork laying in front of them.

„Lord the Moulins is such a bloated imbecile, do you share my opinion, my lady?" he lent to Ravenna so only she could hear his words.

„I do not want to deliver an opinion about him since I only met him once." she answered surprised.

„Was that not enough?" he gave her an ironic smile.

„Well, he was not the embodied Christian kindness to say so." the baroness chuckled.

„He acts as he was the goodman of the house here, however, he just dares to be here because Lord Odo de St Amand, the Grand Master of the Templars is in the captivity of Salah ad-Din alongside with Lord Baldwin de Ibelin. May God get them released." he sighed. „Although Templars and Hospitallers made a truce recently, de Moulins and his horde are still weak in the knees over us."

„Such a hypocrite." Ravenna voiced with disdain. „I guess Lord Joscelin is in a situation of this kind, too, they seemed to be on the exact same page."

„Your suspicion is correct, my lady." de Montferrat chuckled. „Joscelin dares to be here because, his rival the paternal relative of the royal siblings, Raymond de Tripoli is in his county currently. The whole court knows that the king keeps Raymond much more in countenance than him." Conrad giggled with mockery. „Never forget, Lady de Neapolim, the more a court member wishes to seem in certain and highfalutin position, the more defenceless he is."

Ravenna hummed while chuckling when suddenly harsh sound of trombones brayed through the babel of the hall. An expression of surprise came over every face while the aristocrats jumped to the feet.

A smile rushed to the baroness's lips immediately.

„Does that mean that the king is arriving?" she turned to de Montferrat while standing up.

„It is supposed to mean that, but on the other hand, it would be utter startling to see His Majesty here. To my knowledge, he has not honoured any feasts with his presence for years." he replied.

„Well, he told me that chances are he will take part." the lady glanced at him with a half-smile.

Conrad opened his mouth to react, but the same moment the figure of the king appeared in the door. The noble ladies and lords bowed deeply as he slowly plodded to the other head of the table. He stopped before his armchair and looked along the crowd in front of him searching for one person, whom he found not far from the other head of the table, in a distance which made it communication inconspicuous impossible.

„Most esteemed ladies and gentleman, jewels and guardians of Jerusalem, may God gift you with further countless, joyous feasts which you merit by praising His name and defending His teaching." the king said softly but loud enough to make sure everyone heard it.

He sank into his chair, the crowd unbent and grabbed cups once more.

„Long live the king! Long live the king! Long live the king!" sounded the acclaiming three times.

Baldwin sighed. He always felt the bitterest self-irony while hearing that words.

The hall became quiet as everyone lifted cups to their lips. Ravenna keenly emptied another pot of wine and sat back in her chair as the others did. Cheerful music filled the hall.

„What a stupendous pleasure to see you here, dear brother!" Sibylla smiled.

„So is it for me wherever I see you, dearest sister." he nodded.

„Is there any news about the battalion led by your brother, Lord Almaric?" Baldwin turned to constable who sat on his right. Although he addressed this question just to the him, the whole table kept ears wide open.

„The arrive soon, Your Highness, and had been expanded with some knights from Bulgaria." he responded contently.

„I am glad to hear that." the king nodded.

„If I may be so bold to voice my words in your presence, Your Majesty…" de Moulins uttered. Baldwin gave him a neutral look so he continued.

„... the Knights Hospitaller will always be the readiest to fight under your flag, my Lord." he slightly bowed.

„I hope so, you had better not break your vow, Lord de Moulins." the king replied softly but firmly.

Realising that he did not achieve the reaction he wished to, the Grand Master continued.

„By dint of our incomparable European relations we will offer you the vastest mounted army the barbarian Saracens have ever seen." he claimed with pathos.

„Fortunately, there will always be some not first-born boys in Europe who will visit us in order to get an estate." Baldwin said with elegant irony.

Loud laughter filled the hall. De Moulins lay back in his chair with a complexion red from embarrassment making an eye-catching contrast with his grey beard.

„Now he has got what was coming to him!" Conrad whispered to Ravenna while laughing.

„Let us not talk about politics, after all, we came here to carouse." Sibylla called while smiling.

„You are right, dearest sister. Let us save the serious concerns of politics for tomorrow." the king nodded with a slight chuckle.

The hall became noisy again. Every aristocrat started chatting with the ones sitting near them.

Although Baldwin had dinner previously his mouth watered when he glanced at the endless rows of delicious meals. „Do not let your desires rule you, you are not an animal." he thought while taking his mind off meals.

He wandered his eyes along the guests in order not to make conspicuous that he only monitors one of them in truth.

A loud laughter stood out from the noise. The king knew who this guffawing belonged to. He turned his head in the direction of the voice and find the owner sitting next to the other person he had searched for.

Conrad found her?! His pulse doubled. How did he did he not notice that he was beside her when he looked for her for the first time?! If he makes an inadvertence of this significance it will certainly cause serious consequences… How could it happen?! Probably because he did not have hardly any sleep last night and the day was quite hectic so far.

He got comfortable in the chair as much as he could and pretended to listen to the conversation between the archbishop and the constable on his sides, but in reality, he drove his thoughts back to Ravenna and de Montferrat who were heartily laughing at something once again. Seeing her being delighted made Baldwin irate for the first time. A type of anger grew inside him, what he had never experienced in his life so far.

Conrad was the biggest and most successful woman chaser he knew. Smart, handsome, outgoing and humorous with outstanding language skills which enabled him to have a conversation with any ladies disregarding their nationality.

Conrad vividly explained something to the baroness who listened him smiling and nodding with utter attention.

„Now she is in his net and seems to enjoy her captivity." the king thought with disdain. „Probably Conrad does not consider the rumours authentic. Otherwise, how could he has been so reckless to take up with a woman he knew I renownedly cared for?!" his left fist tightened when suddenly the words of the archbishop disturbed him.

„What is your precious opinion, my King?"

„About which question?" he collected himself.

„About the Muslim inhabitants of the Holy city, my Lord. Whether we should really provide them free practice of religion as so far or maybe this leniency only enlarges our problems." the archbishop answered measuredly.

„I do not wish to alter my degree on this particular issue, Your Eminence. Turning the Arabs' anger against ourselves would not be a favourable decision to opt for in any case." Baldwin said gently. „Furthermore, we have just agreed that politics will not be the topic of our conversations tonight. I would be rather grateful if the holy Archbishop of Jerusalem would keep our agreement," he added with slight irony which made the constable –listening their chatting- giggle a short.

„Our esteemed Archbishop cares so much about the issues of religion and state that he does not find any pleasure is wasting time of other topics." he chuckled with slight irony.

„If you wish, I will dedicate some time for you tomorrow to lend an ear on your collected suggestions." the king turned towards the older man.

„I could not wish to steal your precious time." he shook his head then bowed slightly.

A smile of contempt lay on Baldwin's lips while hearing the ludicrous and expected answer.

Almaric started talking about the playing techniques of the musicians in the orchestra, so the king drew his glance back to the duo at the other side of the table.

Conrad undeliberately glanced towards the king and suddenly as a curse of the sky blue and blackish eyes met. For a moment they silently stared at each other, then Baldwin moved his gaze away as if he was just looking around without purpose.

„I suppose, I am in unutterably huge trouble, my lady." Conrad turned to Ravenna in a manner that she could not decide if he was serious or not.

„What did you commit?" she inquired between two sips of wine.

„I assume, I irrevocably made the king to have a grudge against me."

„What did you do?!" Ravenna asked startled.

„I thought the rumours were false or at least enlargened and dared to have some words with you." he drooped his mouth sideways.

„What are you talking about?! That lunatic rumours are utter nonsense!" she declared a bit overgesturing from alcohol.

„I would never deny that they are nonsense, my lady, but on the other hand, His Highness could have killed me with his pure gaze when our eyes accidentally met a minute ago."

„Really?" Ravenna wondered and instinctively glanced towards Baldwin.

„Do not look at him!" the man prevented her action fervidly. „Please." he added more politely.

Ravenna gazed back into de Montferrat's eyes.

„We are just enjoying a friendly conversation. You must have overdramatized the manner of his glance." she waved her hand.

„You know, Lady de Neapolim, when one makes a name for himself at court one trigger an avalanche of rumours about himself at the same time." Conrad took a moment of break „If there is someone who knows that most of this tittle-tattles are bogus, it is you, my lady. But they surely can indicate some awkward situations, as they do right now."

„Are there gossips that you underhandedly beguile innocent girls?" Ravenna asked with sarcasm while hiccupping a little from wine.

„Rumour has it I gladly seduce any women of my taste." he sighed. „Whether married whether not."

„That is not a rumour! That is a fact!" the slightly inebriated gentleman sitting on Conrad's other side declared loudly while laughing. „It is so Bible truth, dear Conrad, that you are doing that the very moment!"

Many people in their section turned towards them to see what has happened, but his time curious glances did not bother Ravenna the liest, instead she professed with the unwavering self-confidence of tipsy people.

„What a luck is that I am not married."

„And I was not seducing Lady de Neapolim in the slightest degree." Conrad stated firmly.

Baldwin's heart jumped one when that blurry sentence through the noise reached his ears. He focused his attention entirely on the happening of the table's other end.

„Beyond these, all of you said is Bible truth." Conrad added sarcastically glancing at the gentleman near him.

The people nearby let out a soft laughter. This scene got even Princess Sibylla's attention.

„Is it true that you have never been married, Lady Ravenna?" she asked.

Noticing the princess speaking louder, the hall become quieter and more and more people paused their own conversation to listen the one indicated by the Princess.

„I fear, yes it is, my Princess." Ravenna nodded.

„How is it possible?!" Sibylla wondered.

„My father and I have different concepts of marriage, esteemed lady, and I have not caved in so far." the baroness claimed.

Now the hall was almost totally silent with every eye on the two ladies chatting with each other.

„I am so eager to find out what these so-called concepts are, dear Ravenna!" the princess continued smiling.

Baldwin felt his heart beating in his throat, but that time at least he could watch the happenings without having to keep it in secret.

„Well, my father wants me to marry a man with great fortune, and I wish to marry a man with great intelligence." the baroness replied.

„You should look around here, my lady!" Conrad called giggling. „There are many gallant gentlemen sitting around this table who fulfil both requirements."

„Too bad that they are all married!" Sibylla retorted bursting nearly the whole table into laughter.

The princess glanced along the delighted people with satisfaction, then suddenly declared. „My legs are yearning for some dance. Do you have any objections, dearest brother?" she glanced at Baldwin.

„Feel free, beloved sister." he approved.

„Excellent!" she stood up smiling broadly.

A dozen of dashing gentlemen hasted gracefully towards the princess to ask her a dance just as several ladies sent unambiguous glances to Conrad.

„I do not know to what extent do I have to right to ask you for a dance, Lady de Neapolim?" de Montferrat turned to Ravenna with a slightly ironic half-smile.

„You are fully permitted to ask so, my lord…" Ravenna smiled at him. „… but unfortunately, I do not feel like dancing at the very moment, maybe a bit later." she answered regarding the slight spinning of her head.

„As you wish." Condar nodded. Then would you be so gracious to apologise for my departure, my lady? I am obliged to have some dances." he looked towards some restlessly waiting women.

„Feel free, my lord." she nodded smiling.

The table slowly emptied as more and more people got involved in dancing to the orchestra's merry and dynamic music.

Servants appeared to collect the empty plates and other unnesecarry objects.

The baroness got bored of sitting alone in a few seconds and walked to one of the windows with vivid steps. The giant full moon and a starry sky without the least disturbance of clouds glowed to her face.

„How could God create this beauty?" she whispered when suddenly a familiar voice sounded behind her back.

„I have also asked this question a few times, my lady."

„I cannot be more delighted that you kept your promise and turned up here, my king!" she smiled broadly while curtseying after he turned back.

„I did not promise anything, my lady." he chuckled at her impoliteness. „I just did not reject to come. And anyway, my promises are like writing on Egyptian stone tablets." he claimed with a bit of coquetry.

„How sorrowful is that even wind and sand erode those ancient records. Is it so with your esteemed promises, too?" Ravenna inquired in the same manner.

„No my promises are like tablets hidden into pyramids where neither wind nor sand or any other devastating force could reach them." he called sarcasticcaly.

The baroness heartily laughed out without even taking a hand before her mouth.

„Why are you not dancing, my lady?" Baldwin inquired when she finished.

„I do not feel like dancing." she shook her head.

„Then what are you in the mood for?" he slightly tipped his head to the side.

„Well…" Ravenna hesitated for a few moments. „I would really enjoy a stroll!" she decided, smiling widely.

„Do you wish me to go along with you?" he asked with a bit of shyness.

„Indeed I do!" Ravenna nodded vividly.

A few inquiring eyes locked on them as they slowly walked towards the door, but the king knew how to ignore them and the baroness did not even notice them at that moment.

Guards opened the door while bowing deeply. The king glanced behind his back to see if Ravenna was following him and while conveniently turning around he beat his right hand into the door post accompanied with a harsh clash that he did not recognise in the lurry of the hall.

„Holy God!" the baroness flew both hands to her mouth.

„Is everything alright?" Baldwin turned to her concerned without any idea about the cause of her bewilderment.

„Yes, my lord, I am sorry. I thought I lost my necklace, then I realised it was only my hair that covered it." she smiled while forcing a self-ironic laughter.

The king chuckled a short do not attaching importance of what happened and considered it just the effect of wine.

A sudden flood of sorrow filled Ravenna, but it suddenly vanished as they reached the private gardens, only in a few steps distance from the hall.

„Good Heavens!" the lady marvelled when the picture of the moonlight garden revealed before her eyes.

The running water of the fountain gleamed in silver light and the so beauteous plants during the day time, then seemed to be mysterious and inscrutable in the subdued light.

Ravenna walked forward so impressed that she almost tripped over a root.

„Damn." she moan while composing her steps.

„Be careful, my lady, roots have the tendency to trip up artless people who touch too much drink." Baldwin chuckled.

„This is not the case, my liege! The most completely no!" she assisted gesturing more fiercely than normal. „It is that, that it is pitch dark here and I cannot even see the tip of my nose!"

„It is full moon and the sky is clear, my lady." Baldwin responded with irony while looking into her eyes.

„That is not the point!" she waved a hand.

The king giggled and playfully shook his head.

Ravenna stopped and turned her face up to the sky. Baldwin came to a stand near her and followed her example.

Millions of stars shone at them while a slight evening breeze fluttered their clothes.

The baroness suddenly drew her eyes to the king standing in front of her. Noticing her movement he looked at her a moment afterwards.

Moonlight gleamed in his eyes as she gazed at them with a slight, pleasureful smile. She absorbed in those young eyes bearing so many memories of hardship and gleaming with so much intellect.

Baldwin felt his pulse slowly increasing as more and more seconds went by this way. His heart and mind pushed against each other. Then former ordered him not to move a muscle or if he does only towards her, but the latter commanded him to interrupt. „She has drunk, this situation is risky. You do not want anything fatal to happen, do you?!" he urged himself.

„I am glad that you have already found a single voice with my court members." he said all of a sudden putting Ravenna off.

„To be honest, I did not." she recollected herself. „The most of them are golden butted beaus." she frowned making Baldwin laugh out loud.

„Only your esteemed sister and Lord de Montferrat were so gracious to have some words with me." she gestured. „I cannot imagine how you can handle them for so long time…"

„Well, affability is not the most concerned priority while choosing political and military leaders, my lady." he replied with a half-smile which Ravenna could not see, then his expression became stern, but his voice remained gentle and amiable. „However, by God's grace, there a few among them, who possess this virtue as well, such as Lord de Montferrat."

Although the king hid his visible emotions perfectly, Ravenna felt the slight tension and heartened up by wine and Conrad's remark, she delivered her question without ambages.

„Are my conversations with any men besides you against your will, Your Highness?" she asked with a tiny bit of indignation.

Baldwin felt a sudden surge of adrenaline through his veins.

„May I ask, what managed to give you this impression?" he inquired forcing calmness on his voice.

„I am not quite sure, but I had a slight impulse that you resented Lord de Montferrat because of talking to me."

„I do not have any objection towards him." Baldwin claimed a bit raising volume with bafflement, but composed himself instantly. „I would only raise your attention to be careful with him since unfortunately, there are situations in which he may take an advantage of ladies, who understandably adore him."

„There is no need fearing for me, my liege, I see Lord de Montferrat as my not so far known brother, I would not have the courage to associate myself with his chaotic women issues. The only person I feel sorry for is his wife." she turned to him with an ironic half-smile.

Broad smile rushed to the king's lips due to the sudden relief and delight.

„By the way…" the incident of visiting Jeanne pop into her mind. „… I was wondering how can you bear the ever great amount of attention wherever you go? When all eyes set upon you and do not wish to let go for a second."

„Well, I have never been dead on being the centre of attention, dear lady, but it was far not the hardest thing to get used to." he sighed. „But on the other hand, as I observed you had rather enjoyed the glances on you tonight." he added.

„I enjoy it only when I gather it by saying or doing something which is not unpleasant for me, but hate when I deserve it with my bare presence or at a bothersome moment."

„I see." he nodded.

„What was the most awkward incident you suffered on account of too much attention?" she asked excitedly.

„Well…" Baldwin hesitated. He had many. He was thinking hardly which one he should unfold, which can make her laugh, but will not reduce his authority in her eyes when suddenly Ravenna interrupted.

„I am sorry for asking doltish questions, Your Highness, I really drank more than I should have." she made a mouth with self-irony. „As a compensation, you can ask one, too." she continued. „And I will answer the absolute truth, no matter how prickly the query is."

The king hummed while chuckling. „How shall I know that it is really the truth what you tell?"

„Why would I lie to you, my lord?" she looked into his eyes. „Your hand can reach any distance if it is needed, you would discover the truth soon if you wished to either way."

He felt blood running into his cheeks making them blush rapidly. Regarding her usually irreverent, nippy style, a compliment professed with this much of frankness came quite abruptly.

„So, what will your question be, my King?" Ravenna urged him excitedly.

„Shall I ask something private?" he chuckled.

„Indeed, please." she nodded hyped up.

„Well…" he looked away for a second to cogitate something adequate. „Have you ever been in love, my lady?" he glanced back at her eyes.

Ravenna hummed as if she had been not satisfied with the privateness of the issue, expecting something more sensitive.

„Yes, I have." she claimed indifferently. „When I was 14 the Count of Auvergne, a dear old friend of my father and his son, Jasper visited us." she started telling the story as she had been talking about the weather. „Jasper and I started deeply caring for each other, but our fathers ended up quarrelling about some minor issues, so they travelled back to Europe and I have never heard of him again. I sent him some letters playing my father's control false, but he did not answer. Perhaps his father somehow found and destroyed messages, so he could have never read them." she grumbled.

Baldwin listened to her words with utter inquiry and sighed when she finished.

„I feel sorry for your misfortune." he probed her face for a moment before continuing. „Do you still have a soft spot for him?"

„I do not." the baroness replied confidently. „I loved his 16-year old self, but now he is 19 and I have not heard anything about him for 3 years. People change, who knows, maybe he would be my most remorseless enemy by now."

The king hummed with approval. „That is a wise reply, dear lady."

„Speaking of love…" Ravenna called making Baldwin's heart rush as it had never rushed for a moment. „… why do you oppose the relationship of your honoured sister and Lord Baldwin de Ibelin so inexorably?" she finished the sentence ollyannagyon

A mix of disappointment, surprise and anger overflew the king so ardently that he needed all his composure to stay calm.

„Sibylla always spills out the beans." he whispered reprovingly.

„I know that you wish to league with a more influential family, but affirming the alliance with the Ibelins still worths it since they are really one of the most well-to-do families by the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea."

„This issue is much more complex than you have featured it, my lady." Baldwin sighed. „What you have just said, is one of the main causes of my objection. If the Ibelins marry into the royal family in two different directions, their influence will assume so great proportions that the other families associated with the court will feel themselves threatened. The balance must be kept, my lady. There is no exception." he declared definitely. „Love and marriage in the ruling classes are two different things, like sunshine and rain: they usually exist on their own, but when they rarely occur together, that is unique and beautiful."

Ravenna reluctantly nodded. She could not argue with his train of thought, though it let her down.

Suddenly bright lights of 2 torches appeared in the distance approaching rapidly.

„What is that?" Ravenna wondered while monitoring the lights.

„Someone is coming, my lady." he squinted to see sharper.

The figure of three men silhouetted in the semidarkness, two servants holding the torches and one young man wearing armour in the middle.

„This is René de Plourde, the wingman of Lord Balian de Ibelin." the king said.

The comer marched towards them with somber expressions on their faces.

„But he is ought to be in Nablus with his lord, is he not?" Ravenna turned to Baldwin interrogatively.

„Yes, he is. Probably something important made him return." he answered as de Plourde reached them.

He bowed deeply a few meters before the king.

„May I wish you a good evening Your Highness, Lady de Neapolim!" he greeted them.

„Same to you, Lord de Plourde!" Baldwin replied. „What is behind your presence here?"

„I came bearing mournful news, my liege." his face seemed spectacularly pale even in the half-light. „Lady de Neapolim…" he turned to her. „The Almighty God took the soul of your esteemed father unto Himself." he uttered with a solemn expression.

A shocked look came over Ravenna's face. For a brief moment ultimate silence settled upon them. She turned her head towards the king who inaudibly whispered some swears under his mask, then she looked back to de Plourde.

„What?!" sounded the only word she was able to pronounce.

„Your the honored Baron fell prey to an assassin attack, my lady, he died without pain." the knight said earnestly.

The baroness gasped for air for a few seconds her vision blurry from tears.

„Do you wish to sit down, my lady?" Baldwin inquired tactfully.

„No!" she claimed half shouting half crying. She sniffled one and cleared her throat while composing herself. „When did it happen?" she turned to de Plourde ignoring that she didn't have the right of asking out the knight.

„Today's afternoon, about a half hour before our arrival to Nablus." he answered compliantly. „Lord de Neapolim was returning to his chambers after lunch when he got stabbed on the doorstep. The assassin was waiting for him in his anteroom."

„Did they catch the assassin?" Ravenna asked squarely.

„He committed suicide after shouting these words to the arriving guards: This is Lord Abba Al-Rashid's reply to your Baron's offer and my revenge for my love and my friend."

Ravenna's eyes widened. „Was he a 25-year-old man with a thin mustache?"

„I guess he was." the knight nodded.

„Holy God." Ravenna shook her head as if she wasn't able to believe the happenings of the last 2 minutes. She turned to the king. „The murderer of my father is called Bahij Bousaid." she said dismally. „He was the envoy of the caravan of Baghdad, who delivered my messages." she continued.

„Are you sure, my lady?" Baldwin asked. „His personal description is correct, but how can you explain his last words?"

„Bahij was in love with Adelaide, my made who handed my instructions to him. But my father executed her when he found her guilty in taking a message for another caravan. Probably he got to knew her tragedy when they arrived in Nablus district a few days ago." she replied. „I do not have any clue concerning my fathers offer, but I would doubt that he intended to do a fair deal with Lord Al-Rashid, the caravan leader."

„Are you certain that the caravan of Baghdad is accountable for this tragedy and not someone else?" he inquired adverting the guiltiness of de Neapolim's assumed supporter.

„All I can certainly say is the assassin's identity and that he did have a motive for murder."

„I see." he nodded then turned to de Plourde. „Did Lord de Ibelin take control of Nablus?"

„Yes, he did. He ordered back the knights who rode out to take a revenge on the caravan by force and is ready to take care of the city until its heir arrives."

„My uncle?" the baroness asked concerned.

„I do not find the heir of Nablus suitable for this position at the moment, so please inform both Lord Balian de Ibelin and Lord Rohard de Neapolim that I wish the former to govern Nablus for uncertain time and the latter to stay in his position while getting one-third of the inhabitant's taxes for recompense." the king ordered.

„As you wish, my lord." the knight bowed. „Do you have any further wishes?"

„No, you may retire." he nodded.

„My deepest sympathy, Lady de Neapolim." he de Plourde curtseyed once more and left followed by the servants.

Ravenna starkly watched the two torches disappearing letting the silver moonlight settling on the garden again. A fervent flood of tears deluged her eyes.

The king silently stood by her, his heart rupturing from seeing her so dolorous.

He suddenly sat down on the lawn and covered her face with her hands. She almost didn't let out a sound only the soft shaking of her head betrayed that she was crying.

Baldwin didn't know what he should do. Sitting down on the ground beside her was a painful and risky venture for him, not to mention he might won't be able to stand up without help. He could choose whether to torture his body or his soul.

He sighed and decided. He awkwardly took a seat gritting his teeth in order to not to groan from pain. He sighed with relief when the movement was over.

„I shall go back to Nablus." she stammered while looking up at Baldwin her eyes full of tears. „I am supposed to be there, I am not longer exiled, and the issue of caravan attacks -which would make my presence practical here- is over and will be unsolved forever as well. I have no business here anymore."

„We both know that there is not even a word of truth in the second part of what you have just said." the king replied. „A so talented lady as you has no better place to be at than the capital city, furthermore…"

„But I want to go home!" Ravenna interrupted fervently. „I could not bear the whole wretched city of Jerusalem witnessing my mourn! I am fed up with all the damned rumors, hypocrisy and hatred pervading every corner here!" she started sniffling again.

Baldwin overcame the stick in his throat. He would obstinately refuse the thought of letting her go, but on the other hand, fully understood her.

„Is it eligible if I set up a bevy to escort you to Nablus tomorrow early morning?" he inquired softly.

„Yes, thank you." she nodded one.

They wordlessly gazed into each other's eyes for a few moments. Her tears constantly streamed down her cheeks. He felt compelled to wipe them, but steadfast mind hindered hands from touching her. This time he would not have interrupted the situation for no man's pleasure, bur Ravenna did.

„I shall go to my chambers now, my lord. My cousin will probably be raging the whole night but I must try to have some sleep."

„Shall I prepare another room for you for tonight?" he asked concerned.

„No, thank you, I will manage this way, too." she gave him a bitter smile. „Could you please inform the ones who inquire about me on the feast of what has happened."

„It goes without saying." he nodded.

The baroness rose to her feet and Baldwin followed her example using all his strength groaning silently.

„Will you be alright, my lady? Do you not wish to talk a bit more?" he asked slightly gasping because of the exhausting movement.

„I do not wish to steal your precious time any further." she shook her head.

„You could never steal my time." he said with utter honesty.

She gave a slight smile tears still gleaming in her eyes and took a step away.

„Do you intend to return Jerusalem in the future?" the king inquired.

„Maybe one day, yes." she nodded.

„I will always see you here with the keenest pleasure." he looked into her eyes.

„Thank you, my lord." she gave him one more smile. „You are the only person who truly cares about me. May God be with you!" she curtseyed.

„I will pray for your father's soul. May God be with you, too, my dear lady!" he said tenderly.

They looked at each other for a last and brief moment before Ravenna turned around and walked away towards the gate.

Baldwin stood stock-still gazing at her departing. He feared this was the last time when he could see her. Visiting her in Nablus would have been difficult for him and waiting for her return would have been impossible. „'One day' usually means in a few years… maybe 5 or even 10?" This time interval was almost neglectable for a normal person but meant the whole life for him.

Well, now I really do look forward to typing chapter 10! :D Please feel free to voice your remarks, or ask if you have any question.

Hope to see you soon! :)