The Last York Prince [AU]

Relatives

(Richard goes to visit his father and finally receives visitors himself

PS: the power of fanfiction is that you don't necessarily have to stick to the facts (I think), ie Katheryn Plantagenet died when Elizabeth Of York was coronated)

AUGUST 1498

It was another morning. Richard was prepping to go to Leicester when William knocked on the door.

"You have a visitor. I put her in the study".

Richard frowned. A visitor? This early? He finished getting ready before heading to the study.

The woman, who was wearing a mauve coloured dress, stood and stared at Richard III's portrait. Richard noted that she had dark hair like his, fair skin and was about Teddy's age.

"Are you Katheryn?".

The woman turned to Richard and smiled. "Hello, brother".

Richard smiled back and the two embraced. "What brings you here?".

"I figured it's safe to finally come and see you. My husband was afraid that I could be next. I couldn't even reply to all the letters you sent. I'm really sorry. It must've been hard for you to deal with all that on your own".

Richard nodded. "I thought I could save Teddy and John. I felt like everyone had abandoned me when the king gave me Teddy's title, as if to make me look like a usurper".

"You should've heard all the things they've said about father. Telling people how he had killed the princes, how he had poisoned his wife to marry his own niece..., no offence".

Richard chuckled. "None taken. Well, they are trying to make them look like saviours while painting our father a tyrant...".

"...Beaufort was the one who confessed to Jasper Tudor that she had murdered the princes. Although, she'd denied it when the king asked".

"But he's not a tyrant, that I know. He was a loving man. He had loved all of his children. If he was alive, seeing you and knowing what you had done, he would be so proud of you".

Richard looked up at the portrait. He may never know, but there were others around him that would tell him who Richard III really was.

"I'm heading off to Leicester today. Do you want to come?", he asked.

Katheryn nodded. "Yes, I would love to", she said.

As they arrived there, the priests greeted Richard and Kathryn. The siblings lit a candle for their father and prayed at his tomb.

"Dear my lord father, Richard and I have come to visit you on this rare occasion. You should see him, father. How strong and valiant your York son has become".

"Dear my lord father, I know you don't know me, but I am your son. Too many people have been reminding me of who I am and how I am so much similar to you. Things have been better..., on my account that is. I've met Katherine today. I promise, this time, I will take care of her. I won't do reckless things and I will stray away as far as I can from the court. Teddy and John had left to be with you".

"We hope they can keep you company before we join in heaven".

They left the friar after praying and giving alms to the poor. Richard and Katheryn took a walk around the town.

"How far is Bosworth?", Richard asked.

"Quite far. Why?".

"I want to go there. I don't know why, I just-".

"You don't have to go there. There's nothing there".

"It's where our father died. I just..., I don't know, Kate. My instinct tells me to go there".

"I don't want you to get in trouble, Richard. You just made a promise, remember?".

Richard chuckled and nodded. "Will you be staying over?".

"Just for the night. I must return tomorrow and meet my husband in London".

"Come then, before we lose daylight".

Katheryn stayed the night in Bedford. The next day, Richard was prepared to escort Katherine to London when Ralph stopped him.

"Do you think it's a good idea for you to return to London?".

"I'm not returning, Ralph. I'm merely escorting my sister back to her husband. I can't let her go off on her own".

"I think Brackenbury is right. Let's not cause an uproar. Brackenbury will escort me back since he needs to be back in London", Katheryn joined them.

Richard sighed and nodded. He stood at the front door, waving and watching his sister until she disappeared from his sight.

THAT NIGHT

Richard was having a late night reading in the study when he heard horses neighing outside. At first, he thought William was letting extra hays for the young ones, but then, he remembered. William had gone to bed an hour ago.

Richard set his book down carefully and quietly. He grabbed his sword in one hand and candlestick in the other. He carefully went down to see who it was.

The front door opened, causing Richard to drop his sword and sighed. It was just Edward.

"Wha- How did you get in?", Richard asked, remembering only he and William had the keys.

"I let them in", William came in right behind Edward.

"Them?".

Another person walked in and Richard couldn't believe it. He smiled and ran towards his lady grandmother.

"Oh my sweet boy, I was so worried. You're so very brave. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to be with you", said Duchess Cecily.

"I'm really sorry. If I had gone your way, Teddy could still be alive. Maggie won't even talk to me".

Duchess Cecily kissed his hair and smiled. "It's alright now. It's late and boys your age should be sleeping. We'll talk more in the morning".

William and Edward carried the duchess' belongings to her room before retiring. Richard bid her goodnight before going to bed himself.