The Last York Prince [AU]

Goodnight My Son

(Here we go again. Could this put a restrain between the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester?)

SEPTEMBER 1503

Richard and the rest of the entourage passed York when a messenger came. Upon hearing the news, Richard told Sir Thomas to head back to court while he, Robyn and Herbert sped fast to Bedford.

Bedford felt like so far off. When he reached there, he had missed the funeral and he didn't get to give his son a final kiss goodbye.

William was interred with his brother and grandfather the king. Freja wanted to wait, but she didn't know how long Richard will reach home.

Richard found Freja in bed, in her shift and his jacket. Astrid removed herself from the bed and the room, leaving the husband and wife alone.

Richard removed his riding habits and his outer clothes, leaving him in his shirt and pants. He took off his boots before sitting down on the bed.

"May I know what happened?", he asked, gently.

Freja slowly sat up. "I went to him in the morning. I think he passed in his sleep. I don't know why".

Richard tugged her to him, letting her cry in his arms. He brushed her hair with his fingers and kissed her head every now and then.

"It's alright. God loves him. He was never meant to be with us".

"I failed you. I'm such a terrible wife!".

Richard hugged her tight. "Don't say that. It's no fault of yours. Do not blame yourself. I told you this before. I don't mind if we don't have any, all I want and need is you".

Richard let her cried herself to sleep. He set her into her pillow and pulled the blanket up.

Richard walked into the nursery. He sat on the floor and leaned by the crib, pulling his legs to his chest.

Drew knocked and entered. He sat facing his oldest friend. God knows how long he was in this room.

"I'm sorry, Rich. I don't know why..., he simply was gone".

"I heard her sing, Drew. I feel like I know, but I didn't want to believe in it".

"Don't you think it's time you let it go? Maybe that's what caused all these deaths".

Richard grasped the pendant. The names of those he targeted were in it.

"It's all I have, Drew. It's what drove me".

"You think it's not the same for me? They took my father, Rich. I want them dead too, but that won't bring him back to us, neither it won't bring your sons back to you. Besides, they won't get their hands dirty. They'd use people who are unknown so they can dispose them immediately".

Richard tucked the pendant away. "I want them dead, Drew. I will not stop".

"Even if it means your children will be the sacrifice?".

Richard shook his head and broke down. "I wish Lord Jasper never told me who I was. I wish I was William's son. I don't want any of this. If my father was innocent, why my sons? Why must they take my brother? Why can't they take them instead?".

"Your mother's curse, Rich, remember? Their line will end with a barren girl".

Richard hit the back of his head to the crib twice. "I want them dead. I promise, on your father, I will dispose of this when I know they're dead".

"Don't say I told you so", Drew spoke before he got up to leave.

The room got dark. The door opened and a candle illuminated Richard's next visitor, Erik.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you're here".

Erik placed the candle between them and sat down. "Freja wrote to me, asking me to come down. I think Christian had stayed for too long, so we decided to switch places".

"Thank you, for being here".

"I heard your little conversation with your steward. I have to agree with him, revenge will get you nowhere. Killing them will only give them an easy way out. After killing them, you will only feel emptiness", said Erik.

"What else do I have? All my life, it was a lie. I was lied from the very beginning. I wish I was still just..., Richard, son of no one".

Erik chuckled. "We don't choose who our parents are. We wish to live as free as the common folk while they wish to live like us. Life has a funny way to show itself".

"I worry for your sister. She blames herself".

"Freja has always been..., soft. She's very fragile, but she is descendants of great warriors. She'll be up in no time".

Erik got up and picked up the candle. He offered his hand to Richard and the young duke took it.

Richard returned to his room. Freja was sitting by the fire, staring blankly into it. She was still wearing his jacket and clutching on the blanket that Baby William had worn often. Maggie was there too, brushing her hair.

Maggie set the brush down and walked over to Richard. They embraced; Maggie was in tears too and telling Richard that everything will be alright. She excused herself, leaving the couple to themselves.

Richard sat on the floor and leaned his head on her lap. Freja gently brushed his hair with her fingers.

"I'm sorry", she whispered.

Richard kissed her knee. "Stop that".

"Most men would discard their wives to marry others".

Richard looked up and caressed her cheeks. "I'm not most men, my dearest sunflower. I will uphold my vow until the end", Richard spoke in Swedish.

Freja smiled, hearing him speak her native tongue. "How long have you been practicing?", she asked.

"A while now, although, Christian said I'm doing a terrible job at it", he said, now in English.

Freja kissed his forehead. "He's just jealous".

"All shall be well, alright?", he said.

Freja nodded. "I have faith in you".

(PS: now, if you're wondering why I killed off Little William so soon, this will have something to do with the very thing that Richard has close to him. He sorta knows, but he's in denial because he wants to believe his father is innocent, but sometimes, the things we carry can backfire really bad.

Now, it can also be blamed on the fact that back then, child mortality is quite high. Babies can die so easily. They don't have all the shots needed like we got when we were babies. The doctors are..., well, you get the point.

As I said, they will have children..., just not now)