The Last York Prince [AU]

London**

SUMMER 1494:

(WARNING: ABUSE)

Richard wandered around the market with Lord Jasper as he, William and some of Tudor bannermen to inspect the city of London. Jasper was glad Henry let the son of the late king he had defeated to live. Perhaps, this was the only way to keep Elizabeth of York loyal to House Tudor.

Suddenly, Richard ran off and Jasper and William took off after him. Jasper thought the boy was going to run away when young Richard grabbed a small white cat as it nearly got tramped over by horses. Jasper immediately pulled the boy away from the horses to safety.

"What were you thinking?!", Jasper raised his voice a little, causing the boy to bow his head down, covering the cat.

"I'm sorry, but I couldn't let it die", said Richard.

Jasper sighed. He had come to love the boy as his own even when he never admitted it to anyone, not even Richard.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell. I was worried", he said.

Jasper handed the boy to William. William held Richard close and wondered why Jasper had done that.

(LATER THAT DAY)

Richard was dining with William, Drew and Sarah when he quietly shoved a piece of bread in his pocket, catching the attention of Margaret Beaufort, who was watching him. William left to resume his duty while the kids headed out to their lessons.

When Richard was allowed to return to his room at the servant's quarter, Margaret followed him, unbeknownst to her that Jasper was watching, subsequently following her too. He wanted to know what Margaret would do to Richard.

Richard slipped into him room. He looked under his bed and coerced Clarence the cat to come out with the bread. The white cat with gold eyes came out and jumped into his lap.

"There, there Clarence. See? I brought food too, not just you and I don't mean the rats", said Richard, scratching the cat's ears.

"So, this is why the children are always sick?", Margaret startled the young boy, causing the cat to hiss.

Margaret wanted to grab the cat, but Richard pushed Clarence away, causing the cat to hide under the bed. "You insolent bastard! How dare you keep it?! The children can get sick and it's all your fault!", Margaret yelled and hit Richard, causing him to hit his head at the edge of his bed frame.

The servants, nor William's children, couldn't do a thing, but could only feel sorry for the poor boy. Richard winced in pain as Margaret hit him, but Jasper burst in and stopped her.

"Enough, Margaret! He's just a boy!", said Jasper, grabbing her hand.

"He's the son of the usurper Richard! He's a threat to Henry and the throne!", said Margaret, pleadingly.

"It's Henry's decision to let him live. He's innocent, Margaret. He doesn't know anything", said Jasper.

"He deserves to die", Margaret uttered loud enough for the boy to hear.

"Enough is enough, Margaret. Let him be", said Jasper.

Margaret left in anger as Jasper shook his head. Who in their right mind to hit a child? No one deserved to be punished for their parents' mistakes.

Jasper ordered one of the servants to fetch him some bandages and ointment. He crouched down to inspect Richard. His head was bleeding, impact from the bed frame. Bruises covered his face and there are a few cuts here and there too.

"Does she hit you elsewhere?", he asked.

Richard doesn't answer, in fear and trying to get away, but Jasper grabbed him by the arm. "Let me help you, Richard", he said.

"Why would you help me?", asked Richard.

"No one deserves to die. You're not responsible for what your parents had done. King Henry is gracious to let you live, so if I were you, I would fight to survive", said Jasper.

Jasper pulled the boy in his arms, making sure he felt safe, but Richard felt it was not. He felt like the more he was close to Lord Jasper, the more Margaret Beaufort's hatred towards him grew.

William arrived not long, after his children came to him to tell him what had happened, and Jasper handed Richard to his care. Finally, feeling safe, Richard broke down in tears in the arms of his father figure and his friends.

(THE NEXT DAY)

Henry stealthily pushed the door opened to find his uncle and the boy at the center of the room. He watched as Jasper taught Richard how to listen to dictation.

"You must listen carefully and remember every single word", said Jasper.

"Yes, my lord", said Richard, eyes focused on the paper.

Henry smiled at the sight of them. Jasper turned to the door and noticed his nephew, but Henry placed his finger to his lips, indicating that he didn't wished to disturb Richard's lesson.

Jasper nodded and turned his attention back to Richard. Henry noted that the boy's birthday would be around the corner and thought of gifting the boy with something.

Henry questioned himself as he laid alone in his room that night. Was it guilt that came crashing onto him the minute he saw the boy entering the palace gates?

Henry decided to find Richard. He walked towards the servants' quarters and found him cuddling with two others about his age.

Jasper had confessed to Henry that he had told Richard of who he was and how the boy had reacted. Jasper said Richard was more content to be just Richard.

Henry quietly shut the door back and returned to his room. There, he found his wife, Lizzie.

"Lizzie, why are you up this late at night?", Henry asked.

"I couldn't sleep", she said.

"Are you thinking about..., the boy?", asked Henry.

"He is my son, Henry. Just as our children are mine. There's never a day goes by that I do not think of my children..., all of them", said Lizzie.

Henry sighed. "He's doing fine, Lizzie. Jasper said he's doing well in his lessons", he said, trying to reassure her.

Lizzie nodded and laid down on the bed with Henry. He kissed her hair as he held her in his arms.