The Last York Prince [AU]

Discontent

(William and Ralph sat down to discuss what to do with their lord.

PS: I've been listening to Lion King's ost - He Lives In You, Sleeping At Last - Neptune and Saturn and this chapter is inspired by these songs)

Richard had lost track of time. He laid in the study room among the mess he had made after venting his anger out.

To make it even worse, a letter had arrived from London - his half brother, John had met his end at the block too. Richard cried even harder upon reading the letter.

Books and papers scattered over the floor. The untouched food was left by the door and the bottles of wine he had consumed surrounded Richard as he stared the ceiling.

Ralph and William sat down, taking their lunch outside. Both were at wits end on what to do with Richard.

"Have you send words to his relatives?", asked Ralph.

"I've sent countless of letters. No words are coming back", said William.

"I'm worried. He's been in there for God knows how long".

"If you have any bright ideas, I'm all ears".

Drew threw the the hay into the stacks. He turned to the window, worried about his friend.

Drew walked to his father, with the intention of asking about Richard. This can't go on, he thought.

"Father, please tell me what to do. Richard has been in there for so long. Days are turning into weeks now. He'll die if this keeps going", said Drew.

"You think I don't know that? I've written so many letters, but I don't get a single reply from any of his relatives. He's got us now. We're all he has", said William.

"He's been doing nothing, but drinking", said Drew.

"I know. We need to seal off the wine cellar. We have to intervene", said William.

Days passed and Bedford Manor was visited by a familiar face. William embraced his friend - Edward Lincoln.

"I'm sorry about knocking you out cold that day", said William.

"It's fine, it didn't really hurt as much when I woke up. How's the prince?", asked Edward.

"Distraught. Depressed. Defeated. Take your pick".

"The duchesses would like to express their regards and ask for forgiveness. They can't come, in fear they might endanger the prince".

"Understandable. I don't think he can be in mix companies at the moment".

*

William opened the door, carefully not tripping onto the food. He picked it up and passed it to Sarah to be taken away.

Richard was still on the floor. He hadn't move and he looked sickly, as if he's dying.

"Richard?".

"Leave me to die, William. I don't think I can live with myself".

William sighed and sat next to him. "I know it's hard for you to swallow, but it is what it is now. We have to move forward".

"How, William? Maggie doesn't speak to me anymore. She thinks I'm with them. She thinks I had Teddy killed so I can be an Earl".

"She's distraught. She'll believe anything Pole tells her".

"Oh, I'm not distraught? Do I look happy and rejoice?".

"We live in a lifetime of war, Richard. Sometimes, some deaths..., we just can't stop, no matter how much we want to. People stab each other in the back are a norm".

"Not when it's your mother".

They sat in silence. William spotted the boar and white rose banner nearby, scrunched up and looked as if had been tossed aside.

"You can deny who you are, Richard, but they live in you. Your parents live through you".

Richard scoffed. "What's even the point? My father is dead and I don't know him. My mother is barely my mother. The rest of my family had abandoned me. What do I have left? Nothing...".

"What about my family? Alice and I had looked after you since you were two. Drew and Sarah had been your constant companion. You are a part of our family".

Richard rose from his position and grabbed the banner. He stared into the boar, often wondering how was his father like? Wondering what it is to actually have a relationship with his parents.

"He lives in you, Richard. Your father was a great king. He did many great things. I want you to remember him and the great things he had done, not the bad ones. There are people who WILL rally to your side. If you noticed, people had been coming here, from all corners of England to pray for your safety and health. Tudors be damned with them. You must live your life and show them who you are - a York son".

"I'm scared, William. I'm scared I can't live up to be like him. How am I to be as great as my father when I can't even protect my own family? Loyalté me lie my arse".

William chuckled. "No one was born and immediately become the greatest. Everyone falls and sometimes, more than once and that's why they rise back up again. Your father failed a few times too, yet he rose and became a great king, despite reigning for only a short two years. Loyalty does bind you to someone or your people, but the mistake your father made was trusting the wrong people. Loyalty blinds him and that was the reason why he lost that day...".

"...You must get up and stand on your feet. You must work your way to show to them who you really are. Only then, they will know that you're not an easy person to be broken up into pieces. Show them what being a York really means".

"Would you be here with me, William?".

"Always. You have my sworn fealty, Your Grace. Mine, Drew, Sarah and Ralph's. We are and will always be here for you".

Richard nodded. He tried getting up on his own, but he lacked the energy after not eating for so many days.

William helped Richard into the wooden bathtub. Pouring slight hot water mixed with warm ones, William helped to bathe Richard and put him in his clean shift.

Sarah and Drew helped him with some food while Ralph made sure the room was warm. Richard shed some tears, thanking them for their loyalty.

"I don't know how to repay you people", said Richard.

"Just..., don't do that again", said Ralph.

"Get some rest. We got loads of work to do", said William.