His Constant Reminder

Chapter Three

(1506)

Rose laid with her head in Henry's lap as they sat outside and enjoyed the nice weather. They were hiding behind one of the giant trees while Mary went to the flower garden to find flowers. They sat in silence, allowing the wind to softly breeze around them. Henry brought his hand up to Rose's head and softly stroked her hair, pushing it behind her ear. Rose smiled up at him before closing her eyes. She let herself completely relax in his lap. Henry felt some sense of relief with Rose. Things were easy with her, she wasn't about all the fuss of court and enjoyed life. Despite being only thirteen Rose was mature but could be child-like when she was relaxed.

"Henry! Where are you?" Mary yells.

Henry shakes Rose slightly to get her to sit up so that they could get up.

"Over here, Your highness!" Rose exclaims, standing up waving her up.

"Why are you behind the tree?" Mary asks.

"I needed some shade, your highness." Rose explains.

Mary nods her head and sits down near Rose. She started to pull out all the flowers she picked and began to show them to Rose. Rose sat there and listened to every word Mary said and showed interest in the flowers that she was being shown. Rose started picking up all the flowers one by one after Mary put them back down.

"Your highness, do you have a small knife with you?" Rose asks, looking at Henry.

"Yes, why?" Henry replies.

Rose motions for Henry to hand it to her. She takes the knife and cuts one of the flowers, leaving about two inches of the stem.

"Your highness, come closer." Rose smiles.

Mary moves closer and waits for Rose to act. Rose pulls some of Mary's hair behind her ear and places the flower there to hold it. Mary smiles and giggles a little bit.

"I want to go inside and see it!" Mary states, getting up.

Rose laughs and picks up the flowers then curtseys to Henry. She follows after Mary who was almost running back to the palace. She picks up her pace so that Mary wasn't so far ahead.

"Your Highness! Don't run! You are going to fall!" Rose exclaims, calling for the young princess.

Mary sighs and slows her pace then waits for Rose by the door. Rose gives Mary a small smile then motions for her to continue inside. Mary kept a slow pace so that Rose didn't have to tell her to slow down.

"Where are we going, your highness?" Rose asks.

"To see my father. I wish to give him some of the flowers." Mary replies.

"What a nice idea, your highness. It will surely make your father smile." Rose says.

Mary nods with a smile. As they make their way towards the king's chambers, Mary keeps small conversations with Rose. Once they get to the door the guards ask what they're doing here.

"I wish to see my father." Mary states.

"One minute, your highness." One of the guards says, going inside.

He comes back out a moment later and holds the door open for Mary and Rose. Rose lets Mary take the lead, staying behind her.

"Your majesty." Mary and Rose say, curtseying.

"Hello, my dear. Lady Weston you may rise." Henry states.

Mary steps forward to give her father a hug. Rose gives the king a smile. Mary hands her father the bouquet of flowers that she had picked.

"Thank you, Mary. They're beautiful." Henry smiles.

He hands the flowers to his page so that they could be placed in water. Henry dismisses Rose, allowing for Mary to stay.

Rose walks out of the king's chambers and heads to her sister's chambers. She wanted to spend some time with her. She knocked on the door and waited for one of her sister's ladies to open the door. She was let in and she made her way to find her sister.

"Rose, what are you doing here?" Cecily asks.

"His majesty has given me some free time while he is with her highness." Rose replies.

"Oh, well that is good."

"How are you?" Rose asks.

"I am well and how are you?"

"Good. I spent some time outside in the gardens with her highness and his highness." Rose says.

"Oh really, his highness?" Cecily laughs.

"Stop it!" Rose exclaims.

"You like the Prince! Admit it!" Cecily replies.