𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄 || 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑾𝑯𝑰𝑻𝑬 𝑸𝑼𝑬𝑬𝑵

𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝐿𝑋𝑋𝑋𝑉𝐼

~The Heavenly Blossom of Life~

20th of June, 1484, Middleham Castle....

A thin shawl about her shoulders, Constance watched over the courtyard at the foot of the castle steps, a gentle breeze soothing on her face as she watched Richard's men remove the wood from the burned stables. Some of it was still smouldering, sending a film of grey smoke floating into the clear morning sky.

It smelt rather pleasant, she thought.
It smelt of victory.

The charred rubble of the stables was not the only thing being hauled away, so were the gallows, next to the gatehouse. Though hastily constructed, they had served their purpose nonetheless and the loyal castle inhabitants (and the villagers) had gathered to see the traitors die the evening after Middleham was reclaimed, cheering and jeering as one by one they dropped to their death.

Just as she'd ordered, Richard Grey watched, pale-faced (vomiting at one point) and in a perpetual state that swayed between disbelief and despair.

He would soon join them in death.

"Admiring the view?" A voice said from behind and she smiled, glancing over her shoulder at Richard.
"How could I not? It is a site of victory and justice"

"Indeed" He agreed, as he stood next to her, offering an arm which she took, fingers gently squeezing. The grime of battle had been washed from his body and he smelt of lavender with a hint of smoke - the latter because he'd spent so much time in the courtyard. She liked it "But we must be ready. News will soon spread, if it has not already and once the Woodvilles hear they will bring retribution"

"I'd like to see them try and get within ten miles of Middleham" She quipped "Or twenty for that matter. Their funds are low, their support even lower, what soldiers they have are paid for their loyalty and our supporters greatly outnumber them! Even more so when my boy arrives! Margaret's latest letter said he would sail any day now; Marie at his side"

Richard chuckled.
"I wouldn't expect anything less! She is her Mother's daughter. I can remember you riding to the walls of Warwick Castle as if it were yesterday! Have you settled into your rooms? Are they to your liking?"

In the days following their victory, a great many changes had taken place including the lodgings. The girls now occupied the guest quarters (all trace of Grey had been scrubbed from them before they were allowed to enter), Richard had managed to retain his so he had nothing to move, apart from bringing belongings that had been taken back into his care, and Constance had been given the Duchess' rooms.

While they were beautiful, she'd initially been hesitant to take them. They were Anne's rooms, the last memory she had of them was with her dear friend laid out on the bed in her wedding gown, dead and cold, but Richard had insisted. Anne would've wanted her to have them he'd said and would take no further objection.