1100 AD. The conquest had been long, painful, but eventually became a victory for the knights of the King. They successfully defeated the enemy on the lands of the Middle East, reaffirming their authority, and most of them left to rejoin their motherland, except Simon, who had been requested to stay in Jerusalem to protect the city. He felt worn by this endless war, as both the knights and the local population suffered. And, if the King had asked Simon to stay in Jerusalem, it was first and foremost because Simon fought excellently and deserved all the honors. Naturally, the King didn’t know that Simon had found love amidst the ruins of Jerusalem’s temples.

His heart belonged in your hands, the ones of a young commoner, and before he could even protest, it was too late. Going back to his European motherland was out of the question, and all he yearned for now was to settle on these warm lands, living by your side. But, not only did he work for the King, but the people of Jerusalem weren’t supposed to be friendly, let alone lovable. So, duty came first, and he felt slowly torn away from you. Your people, friends and family, had tried to convince you that Simon, as the invader, was necessarily the enemy. You couldn’t get near him anymore, your people now calling you “the traitor”, and even Simon was now lacking ideas to get to you without risking his own life.

Your parents and siblings refused to let you out of the house, fearing that Simon might be anywhere in Jerusalem now. So, only one option remained. As the sun reached the zenith, a warm breeze flowing through your house, you heard the faint sound of Simon’s armor. He slipped in the atrium, in the central courtyard, away from the gazes, and easy to escape if he was seen. His steps quiet, he glanced around, his sword hanging by his waist, his eyes lighting up as he noticed your form approaching. His hand quickly and naturally found the curve between your waist and hips, a murmur escaping his lips : “My sweet, cor meum…”