Chapter 1: Chapter 5

The long-awaited knighthood banquet in Jerusalem has finally arrived. Emma and the other handmaid had been preparing me for the occasion. Sir Tindall, thankfully, delivered the dress on schedule. I wore a green gown with a beaded puff displaying my neckline, a matching beaded tiara, and my hair braided.

My handmaids were amazed and taken aback when they saw me after they had finished dressing me.

"You looked so beautiful, my lady." Emma said

"The colour green does really suit my lady."

"Thank you." I smiled 

"And you really smell nice, my lady, like sweet vanilla." Joan said

"Not only does our lady smell sweet, her skin and make-up are nice too." "She not only looks like a princess but a goddess," exclaimed Emma.

Of course, I created my own beauty soap, make-up, and perfume using natural herbs and flowers. As I smiled at their comments, I thought to myself.

"The knights at the banquet will be amazed to see you, my lady," Joan giggles.

"Well, at the very least, I should try to impress them, because they are competing for my hand in marriage."

"I wonder who is the lucky knight who will win your hand?" Alisa wondered.

"Well, only God knows," Emma answered, "but whoever wins, he is lucky to have our lady's hand."

Then a male servant came by and told us that my carriage was ready to leave. I immediately went out with Emma, Lady Stephanie de Milly, and Raynald of Chatillon, who were waiting for me in Jerusalem.

It's a two-hour drive to Jerusalem, and I'm meticulously preparing my next move. I wasn't nervous or terrified. It's a mixture of anxiety and enthusiasm. Seeing King Baldwin IV and other historical people in person excites me. Of course, I must use caution as well. Taking the wrong steps will cost me my life.

Time flies, and before we know it, we've arrived at the Jerusalem gate. At the moment, Jerusalem is a battle ground. Everyone I saw standing outside my carriage seemed preoccupied with it. There are weapons everywhere. The major fortress is King Baldwin's Castle. Because this was the centre of the Holy Land, the majority of knights were present.

My carriage arrives at the castle's front gate. My knight opens the door and extends his hand to assist. The music was blasting before I stepped outside. Everyone was drinking and having a good time. Everything came to a halt as soon as I went outside, including the music. Everyone looked at me as if I were a ghost. Their gaze follows every step I take.

What the hell happened? Why are they staring at me so intently? Why do I have the impression that these folks are watching every move I make? I was thinking to myself.

 I became nervous and began to sweat. My stepmother then approaches.

"Daughter, you look extremely beautiful today; I didn't recognise you," she said as she took my arms in hers.

"Thank you, stepmother; I apologise for keeping you waiting," I said cheerfully.

"Well, all the knights here, I guess you've already swooned away." It's a good thing; they'll do everything they can to win you over. " Stephanie exclaimed enthusiastically.

I smiled, and my gaze was drawn to someone sitting in the centre of the stage, dressed in all white and wearing a silver mask. Our eyes locked on each other. I couldn't move because he was staring at me. My stepmother then grabbed my hand. "Philippa, are you paying attention?" she asked.

"I am sorry , who is he ?" I asked my stepmother

" Where is your manner, that's King Baldwin IV. "You should go and greet your majesty. "Hurry up," she advised.

I went ahead and approached the centre stage. I lower my body briefly, bending my knees and holding my skirt with both hands, as a way of showing respect for an important person.

How do you greet a king again? Should I call him sir? Or his royal highness? I thought to myself.

Well, here goes nothing.

"Greetings, your highness; my name is Philippa of Antioch, and I am the youngest daughter of Constance, Princess of Antioch, and Raymond of Poitiers, as well as the stepdaughter of Raynald of Chantillon through my mother's marriage."

Should I continue to bow down? Whatever it is, I need to finish this. I thought to myself.

"I prayed for your good health and for..." As I stood straight, our eyes met again, as I lost my thoughts.

 "For what?" He asked with a calm voice

"For your never-ending victory," I added while looking away.

My own heartbeat may be heard. I've never felt more nervous. I've met influential people before, but this one is different. Maybe it's the stress of knowing this guy will be in charge of my life.

"There's no need for you to be nervous, my lady," he chuckled.

He had such a soothing, kind voice. but also sad. I thought

"Please enjoy the banquet; it is not only for the knight but also for you, my lady."

"Thank you, your Majesty," I bowed one more before proceeding to my stepmother's side.

Then King Baldwin IV stood up and greeted the knights and guests at the banquet.

"People of Jerusalem, today is a celebration of our new knight's joining our crusade for our noble cause, in order to honour your family, your people, and God. Let us give thanks to God at this moment. Let us remember those whose lives were given so that we may enjoy this glorious moment and look forward to the peace that they have won for us. Even though we have defeated a formidable foe, the greatest Muslim general, Saladin, the conflict is far from done. We are still preparing for the Muslims' retribution, but we will not back down because our faith cannot be vanquished.

His speech was heartwarming. I could sense his sincerity, so the history book was true. He was a good king and ruler of his realm. It's such a shame he died so young.

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Lady Stephanie de Milly has an important announcement to make before we begin the banquet. "The king welcomed Lady Stephanie to the stage, escorted by Raynald of Chatillon."

"I'd like to announce that we will hold an archery tournament for those eligible noble knights to compete in order to win the hand of my stepdaughter in marriage," she says to the cheering crowd.

"I wish you luck, and may your lucky arrow find its way," they say as they return to their seats beside me.

When they heard the news, the knights applauded, while some were stunned. The banquet continued as everyone continued to applaud and dance to the music, and shortly after the knighting of the knights, the archery tournament began as I watched and observed the knights who would be participating in the tournament. The majority of them are descended from noble families. Some are half my age, while others are double my age. The most remarkable of them all is an elderly man twice my stepfather's age who entered the contest and won the preliminary round.

"I had no idea you allowed an old man to join as a challenger for my hand in marriage," I said to my stepmother.

"He's no average old man; he's Count Philip of Tripoli, Raymond Tripoli's uncle, and he's a wealthy count without a wife; his last young wife died during childbirth," Stephanie explains.

"You're saying, you want me to marry this old relic? It seems you favoured him. "

"No, child... he was one of the best choices, but if he wins this tournament, he will be," she said, smiling and clapping for the winners.

I remained quiet since I knew they were already planned for this to happen from the beginning. I keep my emotions to myself and wait for the proper opportunity to strike. The contest has been reduced to the last four archers. And one of them is Count Philip from Tripoli, who my stepmother secretly chose to win this tournament from the start.

The first archer missed the shot and received no points; the second archer did not strike the target but received six points; and the third archer received eight points. The crowds cheered and watched to see who would win my hand in marriage. The last player is aiming his arrow at the target, and I know it's time to act. While everyone was watching the last player to strike the target, I quietly left my place and prepared my strategy.

The crowd roared when the final archer hit the target. Count Philip Tripoli, 60, easily won the tournament. He was going to be crowned champion of an archery contest. Stephanie De Milly and Raynald of Chatillon had already started clapping and cheering for the winner.

"Child, your husband has been selected," Stephanie said gleefully as she turned to face Philippa, who was no longer sitting alongside her. Her jewelled crown was all that remained.

The crowd was preoccupied with Count Philip's victory when a hooded lady appeared out of nowhere, carrying the flag of Antioch. The throng was taken aback when they discovered that the person in the hood was none other than the Lady herself.

"My name is Philippa, Princess of Antioch, and I am the youngest daughter of Constance of Antioch and Raymond of Poitier, and I will be challenging the winner of this tournament for my hand in marriage!"

She looked around at the knights and other men in the tournament who snickered and scoffed at her.

Count Philip approaches me and says, "My Lady, I'm sorry to inform you that this tournament is not suitable for a woman."

"What? Such a rule, in my judgement, does not exist." What do you think, my king? " As I fearlessly inquired of the King himself.

"No, I don't see any rules that say a woman cannot compete in the tournament." the king replied.

"Thank you, your highness." I smiled

"But your grace, I cannot accept her challenge," Count Philip complained. "She is a noble lady who only knows how to take tea and knit."

"Are you terrified of losing to a frail noble lady who knows nothing but to drink tea and knit?"

The audience started to laugh, and he was losing his cool.

"Alright, I accept your challenge. If you ever hit one bullseye on the target, the wedding is off, "he said

He is confident that he will win. "Is it an agreement if I lose, I'll marry you right now?"

"Alright," he said, and we began a new tournament for both of us.

She approached the point from which the archers would shoot the target. Lady Philippa prepares to make her first mark.

"So how do you use this again?" I asked as I tried to place my arrow correctly. The crowd and knights laughed, while the other knights mocked me.

Instead of feeling threatened, I smirked and confidently aimed at the first target.

The condition is that I must shoot at least one bullseye target to win. Everyone knows that women are not permitted to learn anything about weapons or warfare because the only thing the ladies are required to learn at this time is how to be prim and proper. Philippa is no different. She is a sickly and frail child, and no one has high hopes for her. But I'm going to prove them wrong.

Archery was my former sport, and I was incredibly good at it. I try so hard to be great in everything, including this one. And I am confident that I will win these like I usually have. I thought to myself as I silently breathed in and out and focused completely.

She hit the first target with a bullseye and moved on to the second, which she also hit with a bullseye. Now for her final target, which was a perfect hit by Count Philip. Lady Philippa took a deep breath as she aimed her arrows at Count Rogers' arrows.

As Lady Phillipa continued to win the tournament, the audience gasped.

Stephanie, her stepmother, was furious as she watched Lady Philippa.

"Stop!" cried Stephanie as she rushed down to stop her stepdaughter. "Don't you dare release another arrow!"

Lady Philippa ignores her stepmother and keeps shooting. The arrow pierced Count Philip's arrow, splitting the bullseye and flying straight to an oak tree behind the target.

Everyone was taken aback to behold such a rare talent, including King Baldwin IV, who stood up from his seat. No one could believe that Count Philip, who was well-known for his archery skills, had lost to a lady.

The crowd erupted in applause for the new champion, rendering the tournament's knights speechless.

It was a breathtaking sight. As if they had won, the crowds, largely women, shouted wildly. It was a powerful moment for a powerless woman to stand up and battle among men, defeating them all. A woman who knew nothing but fear and etiquette triumphed over the soldiers of battle.

As the audience continues to shout and scream Lady Philippa's name, her stepmother takes her arm and drags her away. Raynald of Chatillon came after her.

Lady Philippa's strategy was a complete success.

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