The Last York Prince [AU]

Secrets

(Richard gains another title. Maggie sneaks out.
PS: I know titles can't just be passed around, so correct me if I'm wrong)

Henry called for his council. He sat down with the scroll that had everyone intrigued. Henry looked around and frowned.

"Where's the Duke of Gloucester?", he asked his steward.

"He refused to leave his room, sire. He hasn't eaten at all", said the steward.

"Command him to come at once. Tell him it's important that he's present when I read my uncle's will", said Henry.

"The boy is included?", asked Margaret, but Henry was silence.

"At once, sire", the steward quickly left.

William walked in to find Richard in the same spot, staring at the window. He stood next to Maggie, who was in tears.

"Still no?", asked William.

Maggie shook her head. "I've tried, believe me", she said.

When the steward came, Maggie and William knelt before Richard. Poor boy, eyes filled with sadness and regret.

"The king has summoned you, Richard", said William.

"Please, you must go. It won't be long. I promise", said Maggie.

Maggie's husband walked in. He sighed, pitying the boy.

"We must go, Richard. Please", Pole pleaded.

William and Pole helped Richard to dress as presentable as possible. When he walked in, everyone gasped at how he was skin and bones.

Lizzie walked to her son. "Come, Richard. You can sit next to me", she said, kissing his hair.

Henry felt sorry for the boy, who took Jasper's death the hardest. Once everyone was there, he unrolled the scroll and set it down on the table.

"My uncle was a noble man. He cared for me all my life and I wouldn't have survived without him. His council was valuable and he was a wise man. May God blessed his soul and take him to heaven", Henry began.

Henry turned to Richard. "I awarded my uncle with my previous title and the dukedom of Bedford. According to his final will, he surrendered his title Earl of Pembroke to the Crown and would like me to award the dukedom of Bedford to you".

Margaret took the scroll and read it. "This is unacceptable! He's not Jasper's offspring!", she said.

"It's his last will, mother and I must honour it. My uncle had decided and it is by my blessing that Richard shall have that title".

He turned once more to Richard. "Are you alright with that?", he asked.

Richard simply nodded. "Thank you, Your Majesty", he said, soft as a whisper.

"Maggie, could you please take Richard back to his room?", said Lizzie.

Maggie nodded and curtsied to the king and queen. She gently guided Richard away from the room and back to his bed.

William helped to undress the boy and tucked him in the bed. Richard, feeling the softness of the pillow, quickly fell asleep.

"I'll stay with him", said William.

"I'll inform the duchess then", she whispered.

Maggie snuck out through the kitchen's back door. She walked as quickly as she can and arrived at a small red door behind the butcher's stall, slightly to the edge of the city.

She knocked and after being identified, she was let in. Inside, people bustling through and Maggie made her way to her aunt, Duchess of Burgundy.

"Well?", asked Margaret Of York.

"He'll become sick if he doesn't start eating", said Maggie, who had become an unwilling spy for her aunt.

"I didn't realised he was so close to Tudor", said Margaret.

"He had raised him. In Jasper's eyes, Richard was like a son to him", said Maggie.

"He even left a will and stated, with the King's grace, that Richard will inherit his title Duke of Bedford".

"That was kind of him", said Margaret.

"Richard hasn't eaten. He hasn't spoken to anyone, not even his siblings. I fear he might be lost if he continues down this path", said Maggie.

"Continue to care for him. He might not be part of this plan, but he's a York prince. As such, he is valuable to us", said Duchess Cecily.

Maggie returned and headed straight to Richard's room. She found Richard and Arthur asleep in the same bed.

"The Prince of Wales insisted he will care for his brother", said William, leaning by the door.

Maggie smiled and nodded. Not long, the King and Queen of England arrived outside Richard's room.

"How is he doing?", Henry asked.

"We will try to persuade him to eat tomorrow, Your Grace", said Maggie.

Lizzie watched as her two sons slept together and her mind couldn't help, but to wonder, what had happened to her brothers? What happened to the Princes in the Tower? She was afraid history will repeat itself.

"Perhaps..., Your Majesties would like to coax him? He's not really listening to us", said William.

"Mr. Barnley is right, Your Grace. Perhaps he will listen to you", Maggie suggested.

Henry nodded. "We shall try when the duke is up".

THAT NIGHT

Richard woke up to find Arthur asleep next to him. He gently lifted his younger brother up and got off the bed.

He looked outside and it was dark. He slid on his robe and took his usual night stroll. He didn't know how he ended up outside by the moat.

Lizzie couldn't sleep that night, worried of her son. She got up and walked outside. The guards were used to the royal walking around in the dead of the night.

That was until a guard came to her, telling her where Richard was. "He..., he's crouching by the water, Your Grace. It's been an hour like that".

Lizzie went to find her son and found him in the exact position as what the guard told her. Richard was staring intently to the water, as if he was in a trance.

"Richard, come. It's late", she gently coaxed him.

"Why Jasper Tudor?", asked Richard.

"It was his time, child. Now, come", said Lizzie.

"How could she do it?", Richard mumbled and Lizzie knew Richard was not talking to her.

"Richard, come. You'll get in trouble", Lizzie pleaded.

"He's innocent. You should've taken her", Richard whispered.

Lizzie has no choice but pulling her son back and slapped him. Richard seemed to be woken up and now in dazed.

"What...? How...?", Richard looked around.

"It's alright, Richard. It's alright. ", said Lizzie, gently caressing his cheek.

Lizzie guided him back to his room and put him back to bed. Richard quickly fell asleep and Lizzie sat there all night, hoping he won't see 'her' again.