The Restoration of Rome: In the Name of Augustus

Chapter 56 William of Tyre

Inside Baldwin's bedchamber, the candlelight flickered restlessly, stretching and shrinking the shadows.

The young king was hunched over his desk, gazing intently at Bishop William beside him. The old bishop's quill brushed across the parchment, making a soft, rustling sound that seemed to allow Baldwin to temporarily forget his illness and the worries of state. Baldwin didn't even notice when Barrian entered.

"Your Majesty?" Balian whispered.

"Ah, Baldwin." Baldwin seemed to wake from a dream, turning his head. His empty gaze lingered on Baldwin's direction for a moment, then a hint of confusion flashed across his face. "Where's Leon? You didn't bring him?"

“Your Majesty,” Barian paused, his tone hesitant, “His Highness was stopped by the Queen Mother. When I found him, he was with the old craftsman Marcus… tinkering with some strange things. He said he was researching a device that could detect enemy activity from a thousand miles away.”

"Marcus? I know him." Baldwin's voice held a hint of curiosity. "What are he and Marcus researching?"

A hint of embarrassment crossed Balian's face: "Your Majesty, not only do I know nothing about that thing, but even Marcus, who has been doing this for decades, is completely baffled. To be honest, the scene looked... like playing in the mud."

Baldwin seemed amused by this suggestion, his mask slightly turning towards Barian: "Playing in the mud? How's the mud-playing going?"

Bishop William, who had been focused on writing, stopped writing with his quill and looked at the king with a hint of curiosity.

Balian pondered for a moment, then cautiously replied, "They seem to have created a kind of molten glass, becoming more and more transparent with each iteration. His Highness said that if this momentum continues, a relatively perfect finished product will be available in a few days. After that, I brought His Highness to see you, but we were stopped by the Empress Dowager on the way. She first sent His Highness to take a bath, and then..."

"And then what?"

"Then His Highness fell asleep in the bath." Balian's face was full of helplessness. "I'm afraid he won't be able to see you until tomorrow."

Baldwin's mask concealed all his expressions, but Bishop William beside him couldn't help but chuckle softly. As the king's tutor, William hadn't shown such a genuine smile in a long time.

"Teacher, it's been a long time since I've seen you laugh like that..." Baldwin's voice held a hint of gentle teasing. "What makes you so happy?"

Bishop William, born in 1130, had a face deeply lined with wrinkles, now softened by a smile, as if making him decades younger. He looked at Baldwin with affection, his voice gentle and distant: "Nothing, Your Majesty. It's just that your treatment of Prince Lyon reminds me of your father."

"Father?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," William said with emotion. "Your illness back then... caused many nobles and members of the Papacy to harbor resentment. But King Amaury loved you deeply, and for your sake, to prevent you from 'falling into hell' as they said, he overcame all difficulties and endured criticism." The old bishop's gaze deepened. "Judging from His Highness Lyon's actions after arriving in Jerusalem, your devotion and tolerance towards him are probably no less than what King Amaury did for you back then."

"Is that so?" Baldwin's heart stirred slightly, as if deep in thought. He waved his hand gently. "Barrian, you may leave now. Bring Leon to see me again tomorrow."

Balian bowed and took his leave, leaving only the teacher and student in the bedchamber once again.

Baldwin turned to William, his tone calm: "It seems there's more to what you're saying, teacher."

William lowered his head, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Your Majesty, I mean no offense. But I simply cannot stand idly by in this matter. Ever since that banquet a year ago, I have harbored doubts..."

Baldwin said calmly, "You mean Lyon? He's my half-brother, the future King of Jerusalem. What's there to doubt?"

William gritted his teeth, finally mustering his courage: "Your Majesty! Please forgive my offense, but all the records of the royal court, including the baptismal records of the church, contain no information about His Highness Lyon! If he were to be made crown prince, or even inherit the throne, his lineage would not withstand scrutiny by those with ulterior motives. This...this is a desecration of the divinely ordained monarchy!"

Baldwin wasn't angry; instead, a relaxed laugh came from behind his mask: "The records may have been lost, and the baptism may have taken place in the Hagia Sophia. The lack of records doesn't mean there's no bloodline. As for what you mentioned—unauthorized voyages, recruiting pirates, and spending huge sums of dinars on 'mud games'…"

He paused, then continued, "Jerusalem has never lacked infidels. That pirate Lyon recruited, isn't he now a devout Christian? As for the dinars he spent…" Baldwin chuckled self-deprecatingly, "You've seen the kingdom's financial reforms over the past two years. You never taught me any of this. Guess whose idea it was?"

"This..." William's face was filled with shock.

“Teacher, there’s no need to say more.” Baldwin raised his hand to stop William from asking further questions, his tone becoming meaningful. “You are my teacher, so I might as well speak frankly. You just said that I treated Lyon like a father to me, and you are right. In a sense, Lyon and I are the same kind of people. He was questioned because of his bloodline, and I was questioned because of leprosy—in the eyes of the world, neither of us is qualified to be king.”

His voice was calm yet firm: "But my father approved of me, even though I was 'cursed' by God; similarly, I approved of Lyon, even though his lineage seems unclear to you. Later, I proved to the world that my father's choice was right—I defeated Saladin in Montguiza. I also believe that Lyon can do better than me."

"Your Majesty..." William's voice began to choke.

Baldwin gently patted his teacher's shoulder, his tone tinged with sadness: "Aren't you the court historian? How much of the kingdom's history have you written since Godfrey? I'm afraid I won't live past 25. The kingdom's fate after my death will be witnessed and recorded by you. Whether my choice of Lyon was a merit or a demerit will be decided by you in the future. If he can truly lead the kingdom to its peak, I believe you will cite historical precedents to justify his legitimacy. If the kingdom is destined for destruction, then perhaps it was a mistake from the moment my father chose me..."

"Teacher, let's not worry about the past anymore, let's look forward." Baldwin's sadness vanished in an instant, replaced by calm and profound words. "I was thinking that Lyon had a past with the Roman emperor, so I could ask for his opinion, but now we have to continue to think about the wording of this letter ourselves."