𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐂𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑 || 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑬 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑬𝑵

𝐶ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝐿𝑋𝑋𝐼𝐼

~Poison and Malmsey Wine~

February 1478, Westminster....

"Now, my love, you must be well behaved tonight" Catherine murmured as she waved Margery away and attended to Henry's doublet, fastening the last of the golden buttons through slits in the cloth of silver he donned. At the grand old age of nine, this was his first official attendance of a court celebration and he could hardly refrain from bouncing for excitement.

While his Mother straightened his sleeves, he shuffled from little foot to little foot, grinning like his Father who watched from just a few feet away, leant against the bedpost. Dressed in the same cloth of silver as his son and his coronet on his head, glimmering in the candlelight that lit the room. Henry thought he looked a King and stood up a little straighter under his proud gaze.

"I will, Mother" He promised solemnly, but still with a grin on his face. That night he was to be by his parent's side, observed by all the court as the Earl of Rutland, his Father's rightful heir. A York Prince. He would not let them down, he was determined not to. He would hold his head high, speak in the polite way his Mother had taught him and imitate his Father in every way possible.

If he did that, nothing could go awry.

Raising his left hand, he placed it on the hilt of the dagger at his waist, making his Father's smile widen.
"You truly are a knight, lad" He praised and Henry puffed out his chest with pride. To become a knight was his highest ideal! Soft footsteps suddenly caught his attention and his parents turned to see Joan wandering towards them, dressed in her nightgown and rubbing her tired eyes.

"Why, my sweet!" Catherine exclaimed, moving forward and lifting the little girl into her arms. Joan smiled sleepily and nuzzled into her neck "You're supposed to be asleep like your little brothers! Tis long past eight now"

"I want to go" She yawned, covering her mouth with a small hand "Want to go with Henny" her parents glanced at one another, amused. While all of their children were close and loved one another, there was no denying the bond between Henry and Joan. Where one went, the other did too and Joan was almost distressed that that tradition would now be broken.

Her hand reached over her Mother's shoulder and was promptly taken by Henry who smiled affectionately at her, just like he always did.
"One day, Joaney" He told her gently "But not quite yet" Catherine nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, my love. Now, let's get you back to bed, shall we?"

"Can I do it, Mother?"
She turned to see her son looking hopefully up at her and she felt her heart melt within her chest.
"Of course you can, Henry" She said softly and placed Joan down onto the floor.
"Cold" She complained when her toes touched the cold stone and Henry was immediately by her side, taking her hand.