The Last York Prince [AU]

Without You

(Richard resumes his life without his sunflower. Many ambassadors try to submit their choice for a queen, but one letter to Catherine got them curious)

LATE SUMMER 1535

The soon to be 50 year old Richard walked around the garden, his fingers gently grazing the flowers there. Up ahead, his youngest son and 12 year old Richie Stafford chasing the older prince, Ragnar.

"Come on, Richie, Erik! Run faster!", 19 year old Ragnar smiled and laughed.

Little Erik giggled and laughed as he ran. Richard smiled at their little antic. He looked up, smiling even wider.

"Do you see, my sunflower? Look at him running", he said.

10 year old Lizzie joined her father. With her were her young cousin, Bess Tudor, her older cousin Izzy Stafford and Bess' mother, Anne.

"Play!", Bess pointed out to the boys.

"Izzy, can you watch her?", Richard asked.

Izzy nodded and ran towards her brother and cousins with Bess and Lizzie while Anne casually walked behind them. Richard sat down by the fountain, sighing happily as he watched his younger children and niece playing.

Maggie sat next to Richard, instructing the ladies to watch over the children. She took Richard's hand into hers.

"How are you?", she asked.

"There are days that I just want to end it all so I can see her again, but Lizzie and Erik are too young. I don't want her to be deprived of love, even though I know Henri and Mary will take good care of them".

"You are strong. You are a son of York. She would've wanted you to be strong, for yourself and for the children".

MEANWHILE

Catherine headed to the privy council meeting when she stumbled upon Henry outside the door. Henry may have been staying in London now, but people were still wary of him. Catherine still curtsied to him, despite him no longer a king and merely a prince by name.

"How are you?", Henry asked.

"I am well", Catherine smiled.

"Cate..., I'm sorry. I should've been there for you, for Mary. I should've been a better husband to you".

Catherine shook her head. "You were. I never regretted any decision I made, but we both are on different paths now. We must move on".

The door opened and Stafford stepped out. "Catalina, is everything alright?".

"All is well, mi amor", she smiled at her husband.

Henry would be lying if he wasn't jealous. He remembered that smile used to be for him only. He had it once and it was no longer his.

"The children?", Stafford asked.

"Richie and Izzy went to play with His Grace and the royal children. I figured it's ok to let them off of their morning lessons".

"Are you coming in? Mary is looking for you".

Catherine turned to Henry. "I mean it, Henry. While I have loved you once and love you for our daughter, but that was in the past. We must now move forward into the future. I can forgive you..., just not now. You have a wife now, try to make her happy".

Catherine walked in, leaving Henry speechless by the door. Stafford approached the man who was once his friend.

"She's right, Harry. It's time we move on", said Stafford.

"Ed, I'm sorry. I know..., I was an arse to you", said Henry.

Stafford chuckled. "We were all arseholes when we're young, Harry. Have you seen your brother?".

Charlie poked his head out. "Stafford, His Grace is calling".

Stafford patted Henry's back. "Don't worry, all shall be well".

Henry nodded, letting Stafford back in. Charlie stepped out and embraced his friend.

"I do hope Pembroke heals your heart, Harry".

"How is my sister?".

"She's doing well, being Duchess of Suffolk and watching over our children".

"I'm sorry, Charlie..., for everything".

Charlie smiled. "Don't worry, I forgave you a long time ago. Now, come. We shall drink".

After privy council meeting, Henri and Mary took a walk to the garden, letting their son, Arthur ran around. Arthur spotted his father's siblings and ran to play with them.

The two regents found the current king sitting under the big apple tree. Richard was asleep, with Erik in his arms after tiring himself out.

"Should we tell him now?", Mary whispered.

Henri shook his head. "I'll let him know soon, when he's ready to face the council".

They have received a letter from Queen of Spain, Joanna. She's under captivity by her son and only queen by name. She requested England to help her regain her control, but her son Charles, had a different idea.

He had proposed that his mother to resign her total power to him and in return, he would arrange a match to Richard and make her Queen of England. Catherine, upon hearing it, find it absurd.

"Joanna would never agree to this. Why would she accept the lesser position of queen consort when she is queen regnant herself?", Catherine shook her head.

"I've heard from Lady Pole that my father and her met and they nearly kissed", said Henri.

Stafford chuckled. "That pissed your mother off".

"Did they, lady mother?", Mary asked.

"I'd pay to see that any day, uncle", Henri smiled.

"We must be very delicate in this matter. His Grace is still grieving", said Norfolk.

"Duly noted, Norfolk", said Henri.

Henri sighed as he sat down next to his father while Mary went off to play with their son. Henri turned to the king. His father's hair were greying and the frown lines were getting obvious. For a moment, he knew. There will be the time when he will wear the crown and that time, he must face the bitter truth that his father will die.

Henri was the strong one, hardly ever cries, except during his mother's funeral. He can't imagine his own state when it was time for his father to follow his mother into the next life.

"Henri, stop worrying", Richard spoke, despite his eyes were closed.

"I don't want to be king if you will not be there".

"You will have to. I know I won't be long, but I will try to live for the sake of your younger siblings".

"Papa..., how would I do that?".

"You've been doing just fine as regent. Consider this as your final training to be king because when I pass my crown to you, only then you will face the true obstacles of being a king. When I'm gone, you must face those obstacles alone".

Richard looked down at his youngest, dark curly haired, rosy chubby cheeks and curled in his father's arms, just as her mother would always do. Richard kissed Erik's hair and held him tight.

"Look, I don't know if you heard...", Henri spoke.

"I've written to Charles. I told him I will not interfere between his mother and him. That is one decision he must decide on his own. I do not need companionship for I have my children and I don't need anything else", said Richard.

"Papa! Papa!", Arthur called out.

"Go and be with them. Every single moment with your children counts", Richard smiled, watching his grandson.

"I know..., because that's what you always do".

Henri got up and kissed Richard's hair. He ran off to his son, scooping him up and spinning around, causing Arthur to giggle. For a moment, everything seems a bliss.