His Constant Reminder

Chapter Two

(1505)

Henry sat on a small throne on the dais near his father. It was his fourteenth birthday celebration. All the courtiers were present and in a joyous mood. Henry's father sat on his throne, intently watching everyone. Henry focused on the red headed girl who had captured his attention last year. She sat by her sister and her new brother in law. Her sister had been married two months earlier to the earl of Hereford's eldest son, Robert. They were both sixteen and it seemed like they were smitten. Henry hoped that he could be like them and like how his parents were. His parents were so in love and he only hoped that he could have a love match like theirs.

"Harry, why don't you go and dance? I see you have your eye on the Weston girl." His father states.

"I do not." Henry protests.

His father laughs and shakes his head then urges Henry to do what he says. Henry gets up slowly and makes his way over to Rose. Henry asks the viscount for permission to dance with Rose before offering his hand to her.

"Happy birthday, your highness." Rose whispers.

"Thank you, Rosie." Henry says.

"You know I hate being called Rosie." Rose complains.

"I know, but you are my Rosie." Henry replies, chuckling.

"I am yours, your highness?" Rose questions.

"Yes. I plan to make you mine once we are of age." Henry states.

"Really?" Rose chokes.

"Yes."

Henry leads Rose in the dance and makes small conversation with her. He tries to make her laugh and smile as much as possible. Rose was happy to be with Henry. He made her smile and feel happy. He treated her like they were equals and that she wasn't of a lower rank. They spent their afternoons with each other, in the company of Princess Mary. Since the first day they met, Henry couldn't get Rose out of his mind. They were still young for a marriage contract to be written up, despite his sister being only fifteen and married. Henry knew his father wouldn't allow him to be married now.

"Rose, meet me by the window outside the ballroom once the dance is over." Henry whispers.

"Why, your highness?" Rose asks.

"I have a surprise for you." Henry states.

Rose nods and continues to follow Henry's lead. Once the dance was over Henry bowed to Rose as she curtseyed to him then he kissed her hand and walked towards the dais. Rose walked back over to her family and told them that she needed some air and would be right back. She made her way to the spot where Henry told her to go. She looked out the window occasionally while keeping an eye out for Henry. She grew impatient as the time went by. Her father would grow worried if she didn't come back quickly.

Suddenly it was dark and Rose couldn't see anything.

"Hello? What is going on? Henry?" Rose exclaimed.

"Yes, Rosie?" Henry replies, laughing.

"Why have you covered my eyes? I would like to see what is happening." Rose states.

"I shall uncover them in a moment. Just wait." Henry says.

"Henrryyyy." She whines.

Henry lets out a small chuckle before untying the cloth. Rose blinks a few times adjusting to the light. She turns to look at Henry who is standing there with a big grin.

"Why did you bring me out here?" Rose questions."

"You shall see in a moment. Look at the ground outside." Henry replies.

Rose looked around and found some men out further. They were finishing setting something up. Rose watched curiously as they worked.

"Rose, look up at the sky." Henry states.

Rose looks up in time to see some fireworks exploding in the sky. They lit up the night sky. Rose watched in awe as they continued to go off.

"What do you think?" Henry whispers.

"They're beautiful.. Thank you, your highness." Rose replies, not taking her eyes off the sky.

They stood there and watched the fireworks for a few more minutes before Rose decided she had to go back to her father. She knew if she stayed out there for too long then her father would be worried and send her brother in law after her. Robert was a nice man, he treated Cecily nicely and he was kind to Rose. He would do anything to protect them.

For the rest of the night Henry sat on his throne, stealing glances at Rose as she sat with her family. He wished that they could spend more time alone but it wasn't appropriate. He did not wish to give Rose a bad reputation.

A few days later...

Rose sat by Princess Mary while they did some needlework. Mary was slowly getting the hang of it. Rose hummed to herself while she sewed. She had a love, hate relationship with needlework. It allowed for her to relax but she hated it when she stabbed herself with the needle.

"Your highness, his highness Prince Henry wishes to have an audience." One of the older ladies announces.

Mary laughed as she gave permission. She knew why Henry was there. He was here to see Rose and spend time with her.

"My brother is here to see you, Lady Rose." Mary laughs.

"Your highness, I am sure he is here to spend time with you." Rose replies, turning red.

All the younger ladies in waiting knew why Prince Henry came to visit every day. He was here to spend time with Rose and to see his favorite sister. He took a seat right next to Rose, who looked down at her lap and smiled.

"How is your day, sister?" Henry asks.

"It is well, Harry. How are you?" Mary replies.

"I am indeed well."

Rose sat there and continued to try to do her needlework while the royal siblings were talking. She snuck a look at Henry and couldn't help but sneakily stare at him. As she looked back down, she stuck herself with the needle.

"Ah!" Rose exclaims, waving her finger around.

"What happened?" Both Henry and Mary ask.

"I am fine. I stuck myself with the needle." Rose explains, holding her finger.

"Let me see it." One of the older ladies states.

Rose holds her hand out for the older woman. She pulls Rose up and brings her over to the bucket and pulls out a rag then rubs Rose's finger.

"No more for you today." The woman states.

"Ok, my lady." Rose replies.

She makes her way back to where Mary and Henry were seated. She started to put her needlework away in a small basket that was under her chair.

"Mary, would you like a walk in the gardens? The weather is quite nice." Henry asks.

"I would. Rose, come with me." Mary states.

Rose nods her head and gets up to grab a cloak for both of them. She quickly ties it around Mary then around herself. Henry tells the guard standing by the door where they were going and he opens the door. He takes Mary's arm and Rose follows behind.