~A Simple Smile~

11th of July 1484, Middleham Castle....

Edward waved away his formal Uncle's greeting as he entered his study, shaking his head at the offered bow.
"There is no need, Uncle" He said "Not when we are alone" And Richard smiled, placing down the book he'd been reading at his desk before his nephew arrived.

"There is every need, Edward" He gestured to the window on the left side of the desk, something rather large and solid standing in front of it, draped in purple velvet; casting a curved shadow ahead of it. It was another blindingly sunny day "Come. I have something to show you"

His nephew was more than happy to obey, hands clasped behind his back as he followed Richard toward the window and they stopped before the velvet cover. Edward tilted his head, trying to make out what was underneath purely based upon the faint shapes he could make out beneath the cloth.

He couldn't.

"What is it Uncle?"
"Something for you" Was the reply, answering virtually nothing and Edward grinned. How he'd missed his Uncle, all felt so easy between them, so natural, void of any awkwardness he'd perhaps feared would come between them. Apart from, of course, the amount of ceremony he now had to be addressed with and his Uncle strictly adhered to "I hope you shall like it"

Stepping forward, Richard took hold of the cloth and in one swift swoop of his wrist, the velvet rippled away in a river of purple, revealing what it guarded beneath.

Edward's eyes blew wide.

Upon a wooden mannequin was placed the most glorious suit of armour he'd ever laid eyes upon. Fashioned from polished black armour, the breastplate beautifully decorated with gold damascening along the edges and centre of the plackart in the shape of streaming suns and York roses.

Across the armour the symbols of his house were engraved into the metal, even on the points of the sabatons, the fine fingers of his gauntlets, and atop the mannequin was a sallet helmet with a golden crown melded to it.

Speechless, he reached out to touch the iron suit, the metal cool against his fingers, the embellishment pressing into his skin.

"Uncle...." He whispered with a shake of his head. Never in his life had he seen armour so fine, so regal yet strong; every inch of iron a symbol of power "It is glorious" Richard smiled, brushing a hand along the pauldron.

"You have no need of gold plate to prove you are King" He replied, making reference to the armour Edward had arrived in which, while a truly fine piece and made him look the sun on Earth, Richard was convinced he would look not only the sun, a son of York, but a King, a warrior in this suit "I have spent the past months designing it in secret and had the village blacksmiths here and in Bolton working day and night since we took back the castle" He continued, looking at his nephew "The Scropes helped source the necessary metals" He smiled again "Even your Mother does not know, we shall surprise her!"

That prospect clearly delighted Edward who beamed, reaching up and plucking his helmet from the mannequin and running his fingers along the brim of the crown. He did so love to make his Mother smile, it reinforced his determination to prevail in their crusade "You know your Father oft fought in black?" He glanced back up at his Uncle when he spoke, his fingers ceasing movement along the crown's prongs.

"I do....you have told me many stories of his great victories throughout my boyhood"
While he adored his Uncle, he would've given much to hear the stories from his own Father's lips - at least he'd heard a few at Christmastide and such.

Some of his favourite memories were of when his Father would pull him onto his lap in an evening, let him have an exciting sip of wine from his cup and tell him tales of battle or of his own boyhood! Of course he adored when his Uncle did the same but the rarity of such moments with his Father made them all the sweeter.

"When I was a little boy he once let me try on his crown" Richard said, a fond smile of remembrance curving the corners of his lips as he reached out and gently took his nephew's helmet "I was only nine or so and it certainly did not fit!" He chuckled "Slid almost right over my head and the front ended up at my chin!"

"Really?" Edward examined, laughter bubbling from his throat that, for a moment, made him appear the boy he was meant to be and not the man he'd been forced to become.

"Really!" Richard replied, eager to extend that mere glimpse of boyhood to a true look; more than a moment "It was the very same crown that you wear! And it certainly fits you as perfectly as it did him! In our youth, he, George and I had returned from an" He paused a moment, smirking to himself before he continued "adventurous night in the city, very merry and very drunk and we decided it would be a fine idea drive Ned's dagger into the back of his bed, find our coronets and see if we could fling them successfully onto the hilt, while still drinking more!"

That made Edward truly laugh and he shook his head, staring at his Uncle in complete awe at the tail. Richard could see him trying to piece together the images in his mind, of his great Father and careful Uncle indulging in reckless abandon!

He doubted he remembered George.
Apart from, perhaps, the night of his arrest where he'd attempted to commit regicide.

Suddenly Edward's smile faltered somewhat.
"I wish I could do the same with my own brothers"

"You will!" Richard immediately enthused, placing a hand on his shoulder and squeezing it "Of course you will! Hopefully you shall have even more fun than we did for while your Father won many battles it is my hope you shall only have to fight the one! At the most two! It shall be great nonetheless and then you shall be free to do as you please for the most part!"

Edward arched an eyebrow.
"But my brothers are so much younger than I!"
"George was seven years younger than Edward and I ten years his junior! Dickon is six years younger than you and Charlie eleven! You shall be just fine, lad! You'll simply have to wait a few years or so for them to grow! In the meantime, I am sure you shall find many a friend to indulge with as a King, a young man should"

Edward nodded at his Uncle, starting to smile again when a red flush spread over his face and his fingers began to play with his rings.

"Uncle...." He murmured, eyes cast to the ground and Richard placed the helmet back upon the mannequin, looking at his nephew. Somehow, he knew what question was to come and fought to keep the amusement from his face.
"Yes, lad?"

After all, his Father could not answer such things.

Edward's embarrassed blush deepened.

"Is such....merriment as you described created with" He hesitated, not daring to look up "women...." He ventured at last "girls?" Richard had to bite the inside of his cheek to refrain from laughing and gestured to the two chairs stationed behind them by the faintly lit hearth. Edward was all to happy to follow, quickly seating himself in the chair backed to the window, Richard taking the one opposite.

"Yes" He replied once he was settled "It is often created thus. Such things are....invigorating for the spirit, particularly in our youth. Do you....find yourself interested in such things? In women? Unlike how you used to, not a simple liking as you had for Brackenbury's lass?" Edward gave a quick nod, looking toward the fire perhaps in a hope that the heat in his face would transfer to the orange flames.

"Yes" He murmured "I cannot help it Uncle, my eye is drawn to pretty maidens high-born and low, why there was a fair serving girl at one of the manors at which I resided on the journey here and I could scarcely keep my eyes from her! I wanted to have her, Uncle, to kiss her to...." He stopped himself, his blush darkening again. Richard tilted his head.

"Have you been with a woman before, lad?"
He shook his head - no "You are young but it is far from uncommon, I had my first girl at your age"
Edward finally looked up, his eyes wide.
"You did?"

"I did. In all honesty, I'm surprised Maximilian did not see you have a woman before you departed" He averted his gaze again at that and Richard smiled "There is naught unnatural about your feelings, Edward" He told him "It is what makes us men and while I would perhaps advise you not to indulge in your lust until this battle is fought, if you truly wish it then arrangements can be made. You are, after all, your Father's son so you may share...." He paused, balancing his next words carefully on his tongue "the same appetites, shall we say?"

A small silence fell between them, Edward once more fiddling with his rings before he forced himself to look up; meet his Uncle's gaze. He knew well of his Father's appetites, the beastly creation of them was readying to fight him!

"My sister said, that if I so desired to take a mistress then I could but I must be careful in choosing her, ensure that she always respects my wife and Queen" He told him "but...." He gave a small shake of his head, taking a deep breath, making his voice firmer "I have decided and swear now before God and to you that I shall never take an official mistress as my Father did. I may lie with whores, the same whore more than once perhaps, but I shall never take a true mistress. Never, Uncle. I have seen what havoc such a thing can wreak, what bloodshed and devastation" He shook his head again, finding he had to avert his gaze from his Uncle's to speak his next words "I shall not repeat my Father's mistakes" He said "I shall not risk mine own sons enduring another invasion of demons as are my Father's bastards. I swear it Uncle" He looked up again, the redness in his cheeks fading, face hardening "I shall never take a mistress"

Richard swallowed, starting at his nephew in something akin to disbelief. It was rare to hear a man say such a thing, especially a King, but a boy? He had never thought to see that, particularly in his insatiable brother's own son! Perhaps he shouldn't have been as taken aback as he found himself, he thought, he was the man that had raised the boy before him.

And after the hell he had been put through, it was no shock he should view the world differently, particularly the elements that had caused such bitter circumstances.

Still, surprise fuelled Richard's stare until he found the words to reply.

"That is very wise of you, Edward" He said "and I concur with such an oath but I must ask, if it does come to pass that you Father a bastard, which is more likely to happen than not, especially considering the youth of your wife, what shall be done? It is all very well to talk of prevention but that so often fails and you must think of a solution"

Edward's cool, yet determined expression remained unchanged.

"And you are right and I have thought on it"

Of course he had, Richard mused.

"If I Father bastards as many men do, many Kings" He continued "then I shall, of course, claim them. I shall not abandon them for the faults of their predecessors but they shall not be raised with their Mothers, particularly if they are born from any form of noble blood. They shall be raised under my jurisdiction with a firm understanding of their place, below the legitimate heirs which I will have. When my wife and Queen comes of an age to bear children I shall cast all others aside and preserve my body only for her as you did for Aunt Anne! You have taught me of the sacred strength of marriage vows and this past year has only hardened my belief in them"

Giving a final nod, to his Uncle and himself, Edward sat back in his chair, resting his hands upon the carved arms just like his Father.

But it was clear their minds differed.

"I will always be with you, Edward" His gaze softened slightly at his Uncle's words but the grip on his chair tightened slightly "No matter what is to come I shall always be with you. I shall exhale my last breath for you, shed my blood for you. There is naught more precious to me upon this earth than my kin and I shall serve you as my nephew and as my King until my dying days. In me, you shall always have a friend and an ally, a man you can trust"

Edward blinked; nodded.

Those words had not needed to be said, he knew his Uncle would fight for him always; trusted him implicitly to serve the realm and protect his family but that did not make them any less precious. Richard had given him a chest stacked high with treasured words, glimmering oaths that would be kept under lock and key within his heart.

He could never fail with his Uncle at his side.

"Thank you, Uncle" He said "You know that if you ever wish for anything from me, you need only ask and I shall grant it"

༻᯽༺

Playing with the cuff of her nightgown, Constance stared up at the canopy of her bed. She wished she weren't alone, that her body was not the only one to warm the sheets, she wished she was with Richard (after all, it was her birthday) but that could not be. They could not risk it, they had not risked any intimacy since Edward and Marie arrived. It was too dangerous.

But she missed it, yearned for it, to wake up safely in the arms of another; to soft words and gentle kisses. It was so much difficult to sleep without another beside her, not only to hold her but watch over her. At least she had two more of her children returned to her, she thought, that was indeed one of the highest blessings she could wish for.

And so she stared at the canopy, unable to find sleep that night until she heard someone enter her chambers and sat up, craning her neck to see who would come through the door. A smile spread across her lips when she saw it was her little love, garbed in a soft blue nightgown of the finest linen and embroidered with lavender around the curved neckline; long hair gathered in a loose braid down her back.

"Ma Mére?" She asked, peeking around the door, glad when she saw her Mother was awake.
"Marie" Constance greeted, whispering though they had no need to "Could you not find sleep?" The nineteen year old shook her head and tiptoed into the room, nimbly sliding under the covers of the bed, pressing a kiss to her Mother's cheek.

"Could you not?"
"It is a rare thing for me, my love. I have too much to think upon and when I am alone, my thoughts are left to take over my mind"

"Well, now you have me!" Marie replied, lying back on the pillows while Constance shuffled down the bed, propping her head up on her hand, elbow resting on the pillow beneath.

"I do! And, as a matter of fact, I have been wishing to ask you of something"
Marie arched an eyebrow.
"Of what, Mama?"
"Your marriage"

Constance was pleased to see a blush instantly covered her daughter's cheeks; a small, bashful, smile pulled at her lips. That was certainly a good sign of happiness; that she was fond of her husband. Her husband, she thought! It was still so strange to think of her little girl as a married woman!

"Are you happy?" She asked "Content, despite what this last year has brought?"

Her smile growing wider, Marie gave a short, almost excited nod and she rolled onto her side, closer to her Mother as if she were about to share the greatest secret known to man.

"He loves me" She whispered, almost giggling with wide, shining eyes "He says that he loves me and I believe that I love him!" She sucked in a sharp, excited breath, giggling again "He did not always" She added, her smile fading a little "It was so hard after poor Mary, you see, he loved her so very faithfully and he was always respectful of me, ma Mére, always respectful and kind but so very distant, so very sad" Her smile returned "In the past months that has changed, since my brothers came to burgundy really. It has meant we spend more time together and for that I shall be eternally grateful, despite the circumstances surrounding their arrival. Day by day, week by week I have gotten to know him more and more! He is so very clever and so very sweet with my brothers! In the months before my departure he began to send me gifts, all sorts of jewels and fine cloth, he even once had a tree put in the gardens with a beautiful bracelet hung from each branch! It was wondrous! He gave me my armour but his greatest gift, apart from his heart, while it may be small, is this"

Finger's dipping beneath the neckline of her nightgown, she drew forth a golden chain, upon which was strung a small golden pomegranate, sliced open to reveal ruby seeds. Holding it up, Marie was eager to have it under her Mother's gaze and her smile grew even wider.

"Why, my little love" Constance breathed, trying not to weep tears of joy at her daughter's happiness "It is beautiful"

"Max gave it to me before I left" She explained, one finger gently caressing the delicate pendant "It is his own emblem and he said he wished, upon my return, for us to begin a life together, as one. I swore to return to him and it is my great hope that soon after my return....I shall be with child" Her voice only grew softer as she spoke, speaking less directly to her Mother and more to herself, reliving each memory she spoke of, each precious word.

Constance's heart was alight in her chest, she was sure she could feel it dancing around her rib cage and did not hesitate to lean forward; kiss her daughter upon both cheeks. It was more than she could have hoped for for her little girl! She wanted more than anything for Marie to enjoy the forthcoming happiness in her life.

"You are not afraid, are you?" She asked, taking her hand "Of going to his bed?" Marie's teeth skimmed her bottom lip, biting down a little before she shook her head.

"Not afraid" She replied "The bedding ceremony went well and he was kind to me. It hurt a little but that is all" Constance nodded.

"Well you must know that when two people love one another, everything...." She paused and her daughter peered up at her curious. After a moment a smile spread across her lips, a giggle bubbling from them "everything is such great fun!"

Marie immediately burst into laughter, pulling up the covers above her head to hide her reddening cheeks. After a moment, Constance heard her sigh and she pulled back the covers, looking up at the canopy just as her Mother had done just minutes ago.

"I miss him"
Constance tilted her head.
"Maximilian?"
"Father"
Her smile faded somewhat and she lay down, beside Marie, staring at the canopy too.

"I wish he could see my happiness" Her sweet daughter sighed "He married me to Max not only because our match is a fine political alliance but because he believed he would make me and Queen and he will, I know he will....it will be soon but Father shall not see it. He shall not know I bear a crown, that I shall give birth to Kings and Queens, that I shall have my own kingdom and one day be crowned Empress of the Holy Roman Empire! I shall have far more land than Edward and much power! More than simply the courtly power of any Queen. Max values my mind, Mama! He is growing to value my council as Papa did yours, I believe he wishes for us to rule as equals, or as much as equals as we can be in this life"

"Your Father can see your happiness" Constance replied softly "He can see us all" A prick of guilt pierced her heart at that, at the thought her beloved could see all she had done with Richard but she pushed it aside. Now was not the time to think on that, she was to focus on her daughter "and rest assured he is proud of you" she continued "and when you become Empress he shall rejoice by God's side and by yours. He is not with us in body, my love, but I think he is in spirit" With a small smile, she turned her head to face Marie "Your Father would never truly leave us, his pride in being at the centre of things could not bear it!"

Looking at her, tucking a hand beneath her head, Marie grinned, fond memories of her Father's merry laugh that could travel across all of Westminster hall, his presence that demanded attention. No, she thought, he would not concede that even in death!

"He was certainly rather fond of himself" She chuckled.

"And how could be not be? Particularly in his youth!" Constance replied, remembering the golden haired boy that had so aptly stolen her heart and half of her soul "Your Father was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes upon when we were wed, I swear I was struck dumb for a moment the first time I was presented to him!" She returned her gaze to the canopy, the heavens "He was so tall, so strong, and his eyes glinted with a mirth that was not mocking but warm and inviting, a warmth you could drown in and I did so happily! He was my warrior angel and though it is a sin I did worship him"

A soft finger glided along her face and she realised with a start that she had shed an unwanted tear "Ah, and there it is" She murmured ruefully, half laughing "Ned was always rather proficient at making me cry and even in death he persists! He was as masterful at that as he was at making me happy, I think"

"But....you did still love him?" Marie asked quietly and her Mother nodded, reaching out to take her free hand and squeezing.

"With all of my heart" She whispered "I cannot not help it. And I would give anything in the world to have him still by my side, no matter how many tears he dragged from me"