His Constant Reminder

Chapter One

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Henry walked around the palace, bored out of his mind. He had just finished his lessons and had nothing left to do for the afternoon. He made his way to the gardens when he heard laughter. He ran to the sound and found his younger sister Mary and her ladies. He hid behind the tree and watched them, he planned on scaring them. Unbeknownst to him, one of Mary's ladies was watching for any onlookers.

Henry watched as one of her ladies leaned over and whispered into her ear. He saw Mary smile and laugh. He watched for a few more moments, keeping his eyes directly on Mary. He didn't even notice that the young girl who had whispered to his sister had gotten up from the group.

"What can I do for your highness?" The young girl states, scaring Henry.

Henry jumps, turning around and seeing the girl.

"I was just watching my sister, my lady. Why are you sneaking around?" Henry replies.

"Her highness sent me to get to you. I saw you and told her that you were hiding and most likely planning something." The young girl laughs.

"How did you see me?" Henry asks, not believing that he was caught.

"I have excellent eyesight, your highness." She replies.

Mary yells for Henry to come out from behind the tree along with her lady. The young girl laughs and runs back to Mary. Mary smiles at her and laughs as she tells her how she scared Henry.

"Why were you hiding, Harry?" Mary asks.

"I was bored, Mary. I have finished with my lessons and have nothing to do." Henry replies.

"So you decide to come and bother me and my ladies." Mary questions.

Henry nods with a small smile. He plops himself down beside Mary. She shakes her head and turns to her ladies.

"Rose, can you go to the kitchen and get a basket of biscuits?" Mary asks.

"Yes, your highness." The young girl replies, getting up and giving a quick curtsey.

Henry watches the girl walk quickly towards the palace.

"Who is that?" Henry asks.

"Rose Weston. She is the younger daughter of the Viscount Welles. She is so sweet." Margaret replies.

"Oh. She is sneaky." Henry says.

"She's just quick and you are jealous that she was able to sneak up on you." Margaret states.

Henry shakes his head and looks up to see Rose walking towards the group with a basket filled with biscuits. Rose curtseys to Henry and Mary before setting the basket down in the middle. Henry watches Rose as she interacts with everyone else. Even at his age he could tell Rose was already beautiful. She had red hair that trailed down her back, fair skin, and blue eyes. Her smile was even to make anyone smile. Henry knew at that moment that he needed to keep Rose in his life. Henry sat back and watched the entire group, specifically Rose.

"Rose, how old are you?" Henry asks, suddenly.

"I am twelve, your highness." She replies, eyeing him.

"How long have you been in my sister's service?" He asks.

"Almost a year now, your highness." Rose states.

"Do you like being in her service? I know my sister can be a lot."

"Her highness is the best. I love being in her service."

Henry nods and hums. Rose stared at Henry, trying to figure out what he meant by all the questioning. He could have asked Mary all of these questions while she was in the kitchen. She couldn't understand why he wanted to ask her all these questions specifically.

"Hello, your highnesses, may I steal my sister? Our father is asking for her?" A young blonde girl asks, curtseying.

"Of course, Lady Cecily. She is all yours. Give your father my greetings." Mary states, smiling.

Rose curtseys to Mary and Henry before leaving. Rose linked arms with the older girl as they walked towards the palace.

"Who is that with Rose?" Henry asks.

"Her elder sister, Cecily. She was in Catherine's service until Arthur died. Her father asked for her to come back." Mary states.

"Oh."

"What's with all the questions, Harry?" Margaret asks.

"I'm just curious, that's all." Henry states.

Mary stares at Henry with curiosity. He had some type of curiosity when it came to Rose. She watched as he looked towards the direction of the palace. She smiled and knew.