kingdom of nations

Chapter 98: The Death of the King (6) Thirteen thousand collections plus more!
"My eldest daughter, Princess Sibylle, will be engaged to Abigail, the son of Grand Duke Bohemond of Antioch, and they will become husband and wife." As soon as the king finished speaking, Raymond suddenly turned his head to look at Bohemond, and Bohemond's expression showed that he really knew nothing about the king's decision this time.

Yes, everyone in Alasar knew that Abigail was madly in love with Princess Sibylle. And according to the current situation, the king only had Baldwin as his heir, and Baldwin's illness made it difficult for him to have a healthy heir. The only choice he could have was his sister's son.

If he still dies before the age of thirty, it means that the child, who has not yet grown up, will need a regent, and this regent can only be his mother or father.

Speaking of Sibylle, Bohemond could only sigh in his heart. Although she had always tried her best to pretend to be a smart person - but unfortunately, she might be able to play those young people in the palm of her hand, but she could not shake the old fox like Bohemond. To put it bluntly, she couldn't even control a guy as upright and stubborn as Raymond, not to mention those ministers and generals who had their own thoughts and had been immersed in power for many years.

Bohemond wanted to laugh, but Amalric I immediately announced another decree.

He appointed Raymond, Count of Tripoli, as Baldwin's regent.

Although Baldwin had reached adulthood and had become a knight, he still needed the assistance of a mature and steady elder. He handed over this power to Raymond, who was also Baldwin's cousin. As for when - Amalric I pondered for a while, and at this time Raymond's heart was about to jump out of his chest.

Then he heard an answer that disappointed him greatly.

"Sixteen," Amalric I said. Sixteen, Baldwin would be fourteen this year. When they returned to Alazarus, he would only have a little over a year to participate in government affairs and hold power. What could he do in a year? He could only help Baldwin calm the unrest and complex situation inside and outside Alazarus. In other words, he got a job from the king, but he didn't get the compensation he deserved.

Not only that, Amalric I gave his daughter, Princess Hibernian, to Bohemond's son Abigail, simply to let them check and balance each other to avoid a situation where one person dominated the court.

The smile on Bohemond's face seemed to confirm that he had considered this question. But would he say no, I don't accept this marriage? No. As he had once said to his son Abigail, those young men were attracted to Princess Sibylle. Her beauty and talent were certainly one reason, but more importantly, she held the inheritance rights of Alasar.

In Alaska, even if there is no male heir, the king's daughter can still wear the crown. As the husband of Princess Sibylle, no matter whether it is Abigail or anyone else, they can stand by her side and share this power. Bohemond certainly will not give up such an opportunity easily.

Just like him, knowing that Amalric I was suspicious and wary of him, he had to accept the appointment.

Even though Amalric I said that he had to hand over power when Baldwin was sixteen years old.

But what if Baldwin still couldn't show the qualities that convinced others at that time? Perhaps he could... Raymond was shocked by his own thoughts.

But then he thought again, this was not his fault, it could only be the arrangement of God or fate. Otherwise, why didn't Baldwin's illness heal with the blessing?

Not to mention, he had been severely burned in the Caliph's palace while rescuing Amalric I. Raymond had seen lepers and understood that once they were injured, the disease would develop more rapidly. He was so young and so weak, and as an elder, he should have shared some of the heavy responsibilities with him, at least... prevented him from dying prematurely.

Moreover, while this expedition wasn't entirely fruitless, it also failed to achieve Amalric I's original goal. They would be on another expedition in the coming years. Whether Baldwin planned to remain in Alaska or travel far as the leader of the Crusade, wouldn't he need a trustworthy person to manage government affairs and logistics?
As he thought about this, his mood became strangely calm again. Bohemond glanced at him and seemed to have seen what he was thinking.

In front of all the witnesses, after confirming the fate of his eldest daughter, only son and second daughter, Amalric I seemed to have finally put down the huge stone in his heart and showed a relieved expression.

He insisted on walking back to his tent, but fell on the soft couch and could not get up again.

Heraclius went in, prayed for him again, and heard his confession - he had confessed before, but Heraclius thought he would have more to confess... given the previous sword-conferring ceremony and the public will.

This time Amalric I was more relaxed, perhaps because he had already dealt with all his affairs and was just waiting to obey God's call to return to heaven. He was not panicked. After all, both the church and the saints he had seen had given him revelations that warriors who fought for God, especially those who died on an expedition like him, would never fall into hell.

As soon as they get rid of this heavy old skin in this world, they will immediately see the gate of heaven open to them, golden light shines through the thick clouds, and saints and angels are guarding the door to welcome their arrival.

Heraclius anointed him with oil, not only on his forehead but also on his shoulders, hands, and feet. Then he placed a Bible by Amalric's pillow, leaned over, and whispered, "Shall Baldwin come in and keep you company?" Amalric nodded, and Heraclius went out and lit two candles, giving Baldwin one and telling him to place the other by Amalric's hand. He then lit more candles, and everyone waiting outside the tent took one.

This represents the divine, and as one priest said, God is a burning fire - the wick of the candle symbolizes His will, the purest and whitest will.

Life is like a candle, slowly burning out.

Heraclius placed a small cross in Cesar's hand so that he would stay with Baldwin, who might be Baldwin's only and most trustworthy support.

Since Cesar came into this world, he has seen many deaths, but no death was heavier or more critical than this one. Not to mention Baldwin, even he himself was confused about the future.

Amalric I not only knighted him, but also made him the lord of Bethlehem, but he only felt confused. He could vaguely feel that the king did not treat him as sincerely and warmly as Baldwin. He had the suspicion and vigilance that a king should have, and was good at manipulating others and playing with power, even to his only son Baldwin.

Yet, so close to death, he offered a gift of extraordinary generosity to a man he seemed to dislike. If this was the price he paid for Baldwin, Cesar had to admit he had hit the mark.

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"What are those Christians doing?" Hillku asked in confusion, gazing at the twinkling lights in the distance.

"Praying for their king," said Saladin.

"What do you think of the outcome of today's negotiations?" Hillku stretched his limbs. "If their king dies, will the contract they signed with us still be recognized?"

Saladin smiled. "No pact is stronger than the sword." He turned to the still-burning Fustat. "Perhaps there is also fire. They and we are only temporary solutions—the Christians plundered Bilbais and Fustat, and with the exception of a few, they are eager to return to their homeland."

Even if Amalric I still wants to fight us, even if he is safe and sound, how many troops will he have?
As for us, uncle, we cannot fight the Christians and Nur ad-Din at the same time."

"Sultan..." Shirku asked hesitantly, "Is he really seriously ill?"

"I'm afraid it's not a serious illness, but that he doesn't have much time left to live," Saladin said. "Perhaps God is indeed protecting us. The Christian king is dying, Nur ad-Din of Zengi is also dying, and Shawar of Fustat has paid his debt to us with his life."

Shirku sighed, "Saladin, I never thought we could get this far."

Saladin's background cannot be said to be ordinary, but it is also difficult to associate it with prominence. He was born in Tikrit. His father was a local official. At that time, Tikrit still belonged to the Ukayl Dynasty. Not long after, his father was dismissed and he could only take him, who was still an infant, to the Zengid Dynasty to seek a position.

With this transfer, they came to Damascus. Saladin's childhood and adolescence were spent in complete turmoil, and his family conditions were not so good. If he had not been smart enough, perseverant, and had an uncle serving in Zengi's army, it would have been difficult for him to attract Nur ad-Din's attention.

Saladin had to admit that Nur ad-Din was a respectable and wise man.

But Nur ad-Din was old, an old man without a qualified heir, and his thoughts would become dull and narrow - but his authority was still deeply established in everyone's heart, so much so that it was not until he was sent to Egypt for the second time that Saladin finally persuaded his uncle Shirku.

Suddenly, a small whimpering sound came from the tent next to them.

(End of this chapter)