Everyone seemed to know my destiny before I did. I am their Hope, I am His Hope. Hope is what I was names and Hope is what I shall bring. To my father, to my family, to my King.
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We attended Edwards funeral walking behind Anne, Maggie and Teddy. Edward's coffin was set down and Anne dropped to the floor
"Oh god! My boy, my Edward." she sobbed
"Anne." Richard called trying to to display his own grief. He held out his hand for her to taken but she did not. I stepped forward
"Uncle Richard." I put my hand on his arm showing my comfort then offered him my hand, which he took. Anne held on tightly to Teddy before Lord Stanley stepped in to help the sobbing Queen and clueless cousin.
To my daughters Hope and Elizabeth.
I hear news of Prince Edwards death and I am troubled by it. Do you think it is the working of our curse? Hope I know you do not want to marry Henry Tudor, but he will come now Richard no longer has an heir. And if Richard is the murder of our boy then we cannot side with him.
I stood in the corridors of my home looking out to the courtyard. When Richard stood next to me. I softly took his hand.
"I think I am in love with you." I muttered he turned around slowly and I copied before he pulled me into a kiss. I pulled away and ran off smirking.
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My sisters and I returned to Gafton with broad smiles. I had missed my family more than I thought i would.
"Lady Mother!" we called as we arrived. I jumped down and looked up to the open window where our mother was looking down from. The three of us headed inside. At supper the family ate together at an actual table which we had not done properly since we were with father before his death.
"Court is treating you well? That necklace that accompany's your fathers is almost as grand when i was Queen." mother wondered
"Court is treating her very well." Cecily commented
"Enough Cecily." I scolded her sitting back in my chair
"And how is your Uncle the King. Is he grieving still?" Our brother Thomas questioned
"Oh he has found some comfort, hasn't he Hope?" Cecily looked at me
"Okay that's enough. Thomas take the little one's Cecily you too." Mother cut in from my sisters remarks
"Mother." Thomas interjected
"I would like to speak to Hope and Elizabeth on my own." They all left the three of us. Once they were gone mother turned to look at me fully.
"Well? Is it Richard? What has happened between you?" she asked me
"It's not what you think, mother. Not yet anyway, if I am to find anyway of helping my brother then I need Richard on my side. Yet I cannot use normal means such as a sword or force to get him to my will." I explained
"So?"
"So he believes I care for him...more than a uncle. If I am honest it is little jibes at the false Queen that amused me more than anything. Like Lady Grandmother Jaquetta once said us women have different weapons." I continued
"It is a dangerous game your playing." she warned me
"At least I am in a position to do something. Besides I learnt from three of the most cunning people I know. You, Father and Lady Grandmother. In other news since the death of our cousin Anne isn't well, and now Richard need an heir for England. He did ask if I thought our boys might have got away." I went on to inform her. I saw her demeanour change
"Neither of you are allowed to tell him about your brother Richard, you promised me that."
"Be at ease mother, we're not that thick headed." Lizzie replied "But the two of us do think that he didn't do it, we're certain of it." I nodded in agreement. Mother changed the subject
"So how far has it gone between the two of you. I take it there is gossip." I chuckled taking a sip of my drink.
"He says that he loves me. Well he returned the gesture after I said it first. He also said that he would put Anne aside and marry me. If I do accept I would be Queen of England. A Queen that people adore more than their current one."
"My devious twin?" Lizzie chuckled
"Well isn't it us women that get more things done? So what do you say mother, do you approve of my efforts?" she hummed but never gave a firm reply.
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I returned back to London with Lizzie, she insisted that she return with me But Cecily chose to stay with our mother. I came to a halt just as Richard made his way to me. He helped me down off my horse.
"Hope, welcome back to court." I curtsied "My niece, Elizabeth." Lizzie curtsied too and we headed inside. I took my sister to my chambers. Over the coming weeks I was fitted for many new gowns much to Anne's dismay. I danced plenty with Richard and other men of court. Anne remained sickly as I finished another dance. I curtsied to her then joined my sister who was talking with Lord Strange and Lord Stanley. Then I took my sisters arm and excused us.
"It has worked dear sister, he believes he has won me and ruined my choice of a future."
"Hasn't it though?" she asked and I scoffed
"No, should he win the fight with Tudor and make good on his promise he will need a papal dispensation. Mother will plead with the Pope not to on my behalf and I will simply say that I love him as a Uncle nothing more. Who do you think they will believe?" I whisper "The usurper King or the adored Princess. I have played for both sides even though I wish to marry neither and secured a chance to help."
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I stood in Anne's chambers when I saw the sun darken in the middle of the day.
"Lizzie" i call, she came to my side "Something very strange is happening." I dropped to the floor
"Hope, Hope what do you see?" she questioned as she held onto me.
"It is coming, the battle to end the war. The war of Roses will end before the year is up the victor shall be my husband and I shall be Queen." I prophesied
"Witch!" Anne cracked from her bed
"Who will be the victor, sister? Who will end it." I turned to look at her scared
"I don't know." I answered, we heard footsteps coming this way
"Anne? Did you see the sun, how strange it was." Lizzie helped me to stand and fix myself
"My sister is here." I turned to the sick Queen "And my son Edward."
"Anne?" her breath slowed till I heard it no more.
"Lady Anne?" I asked but she did not reply she was still. She was dead. I covered my mouth in slight shock.
