The Last York Prince [AU]

Enamoured

(Richard meets someone that will forever stay in his heart no matter what)

LATE SPRING 1499

Lizzie woke up early. She opened her window and spotted someone by the garden, managing the roses.

Henry walked in to see his wife frowning. He walked up to the window and tried to focus where Lizzie was looking at.

"Who's that?", he asked.

Lizzie focused, noticing the hair. For a moment, she thought it was him and then remembered.

"I think it's Richard. Why is he up so early?", said Lizzie.

"Brackenbury said he loves tending to plants and the garden in Bedford is well managed by him alone", said Henry.

Richard wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his hand. He wiped his hands on the cloth and admired his hard work.

Then, he felt a little finger poking his shoulder. He turned to see little Mary, smiling shyly.

"Aren't you up a little early, princess?".

"May I have one, Richie?".

Richard carefully cut a red rose and removed the thorns. He handed it to Mary afterwards.

"Thank you, Richie", Mary kissed her brother's cheek before running inside.

Richard decided to wash himself a bit before heading out for a ride to town in disguise. It was still early and he was accompanied by William, Drew, Sarah and Robyn.

William was teaching them the art of being invisible. Robyn was catching up quick and William gave him a task.

"Can you read?".

"Sarah taught me some words".

"Think you can get me these without being caught?", William handed him a list.

Robyn disappeared in seconds. Richard was looking at things around the market when he spotted..., someone.

Richard and this person, about his age, eyes like a clear sky and hair like the sun, perhaps lighter, locked eyes for a few seconds before she was called away. She was wearing a peach coloured dress, something similar to Katheryn's dress.

She must be from a wealthy family to be able to own such outfit. Richard watched as she walked away, but for a moment, she turned around to meet his gaze.

Everything stopped in Richard's mind. His heart beat fast and he didn't even hear William calling out to him.

William looked at where Richard was looking, but didn't see the girl. He tapped Richard's shoulder, snapping him out of his trance.

"Are you alright?", he asked, seeing Richard's cheeks turned red.

"Y-Yes, I'm fine, William. Has Robyn return?".

"Yes, faster than I anticipated".

"Good, let's go", Richard walked away, patting Robyn's back to congratulate him.

LATER

Richard stood next to Arthur, not as fine as his siblings, but he looked regal nonetheless in his simplicity. He heard from Margaret Beaufort that they will receive an emissary from Kalmar Union.

When the emissary walked in, Richard saw her again. The girl from the market area.

The girl looked surprised to see the simple boy from the market dressed like a nobleman. She, following the emissary's lead, bowed before the royal family.

"Your Majesties, allow me to introduce myself. I am Lars Svensson, here to pay respect on behalf of my king, King Johan", said the emissary, Lars.

"We welcome you to England. We wish you have a comfortable stay", said Henry.

"Allow me to introduce my niece, Freja", Lars presented his niece.

Henry noticed her averted gaze and peered from the corner of his eyes. She was staring at Richard.

"Perhaps, your niece would like to see our garden, it is quite beautiful during this time of the year", Henry suggested.

Lars nudged his niece, who seemed distracted. "Oh, why yes. Thank you, Your Majesty", she spoke.

"Allow me to introduce Richard, Dukes of Gloucester and Bedford and Earl of Warwick. He will accompany your niece, alongside Lady Pole. Richard knows his way around", said Henry.

Freja blushed at the idea, but gave a curtesy now nonetheless. Richard bowed before Henry and Lizzie before offering his hand to Freja, who gently placed her own on his.

Lizzie walked up to Henry, who was smiling. "Why Richard?", she whispered.

"He's enamoured by her and so does she. I figure he would be less distracted this way".

Lizzie sensed Henry has something up his sleeve, but decided to brush it aside for the moment. Henry and Lars went to speak about their kingdoms, with the court following behind them.

Richard and Freja didn't speak for quite a while. Maggie tried her best to stifle her giggles seeing Richard all red and nervous.

"It is..., a lovely garden", Freja gathered her courage to speak.

"Thank you, I planted these..., for my mother", said Richard, nervously.

"Is she the lady back there?".

"No, this is my cousin, Margaret Pole. My mother..., is the queen", Richard averted his gaze.

"So you're a prince?".

"No, my lady. I am a bastard".

"Really? So am I", Freja smiled.

Richard looked at her, odd that she was all normal being a bastard. "My father made sure I am raised well and proper", she continued.

"You..., don't mind?".

Freja shook her head. "He loves all of his children equally".

Richard smiled, but Freja could see his sadness. "Your father doesn't love you?".

"He died when my mother was carrying me. I never knew him".

"I am sorry", she said.

"It's alright. It's been many years".

Maggie let out a tiny giggle and Richard glared at her. They stopped by the big apple tree. Richard plucked the one on the lowest branch and handed it to Freja.

The two would spend the day walking around the palace. Little Harry, who was with his mother huffed and crossed his arms.

"What's wrong, Harry?", Lizzie asked.

"Why is Richie spending time with her? I want Richie to teach me how to ride", Harry pouted, jealous that his beloved brother's attention has been stolen away.

Lizzie smiled lovingly as she brushed his hair. "Your brother might find someone that will one day be his constant companion, his wife. Don't you want him to be happy, Harry?".

"Yes, but..., he won't love me anymore then".

Lizzie chuckled and kissed Harry's cheeks. "Richard will always love each and every one of you. He is your brother, now and always. Nothing can ever stop him from loving you, Arthur, Edmund, Meg and Mary".