York's Hope.

Chapter Sixty Two - Confide and be Damned

I watch as the children practice their archery. Sir Richard standing close as he tutors them. I see as they struggle with their loosing of the arrow.

"I want the children busy at their favourite pursuits today." I told Sir Richard, he turned to me "They can do what they want but the must be kept occupied."

"Your Grace." he nodded. Maggie and Lizzie came over. I took my sisters arm then look to my cousin

"I looked for you earlier. Before it was light. I could not find you."

"I was here, walking in the courtyard. The smell of burning made me feel ill." she answered turning to walk over to the boys

"Where is Cathy Gordon?" I question knowing that she would know since they have become close since her arrival.

"I do not know your grace, I have not seen her." I watch as she stands behind the boys. I watch her for a moment then lead Lizzie away. Before I could confide in her we were interrupted

"Your Grace." he bowed "The King informed me of your unfortunate situation that occurred after we last met. I am Señor Rodrigo De Puebla."

"The Spanish ambassador." I nodded

"I carry a private message from Queen Isabella to you. Though now I am aware of what happened I question whether I should repeat it." he thought out loud

"You can, and my sister can be trusted to hear it as well."

"She thanks you for the message your sight gave her, which is why she recommended and not commanded that you take care of your problems. It is only because of your sight that she will not take insult."

"I did not mean to insult her, Señor. But please tell your Queen of what happened to me but I will take care of it and hopes she and her family are well." he bowed and left

"So you did have a seeing." Lizzie muttered

"I did and it might have just saved me from a bad relationship with the most powerful country in all of Europe. I had a nightmare Lizzie, it was Richard on the throne he had my boys and Henry's head on pikes." I confided in her

"Oh, Hope."

"I told Henry the truth, the look in his eyes I don't think he will ever forgive me." I breath

"He will, he loves you. He just needs to let it settle in first." she assures me

"I need to fix this somehow. Will you keep watch over the children, bring my nieces and nephews as well, I think they will like that. Also I wish for you to speak to your husband about Maggie seeing, Teddy. I was cruel and I hope this kindness will keep her on our side."

"Of course." I kiss her cheek and leave her. I go to see Cardinal Morton I find him in his offices.

"Your Grace." he bowed "Scotland is readying armies to come against us." He informed me

"And who brought you this news?" I ask

"The new clerk." he nodded to behind me and I turned around see a man enter

"Burgundy and Ireland wait for the tides and weather to be in their favour." he appraised me of the situation.

"It seems my Aunt has been busy, has she not?" I hummed then turned to the clerk "I require your insistence."

"Oh, Your Grace, you must allow me..."

"No, Lord Cardinal. You are busy and my lady, the King's mother may need you. Come." I walked out he bowed and followed

"I will ask things of you and I ask that you do not question or inquire. Just follow, you shall be greatly rewarded if you follow my instructions without fault." I instruct

"Of Course, you're grace." he agreed

"We are going to Newgate Prison. I want to see all the men they have, if I find one that fits you will tutor him to say that he is the pretender."

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There was a private room that and a hidden slate you could look through. The New Clerk was stood in the yard where the inmates were given their food. I pulled back the wooden slate and looked through, I took in the appearances of all the prisoners and saw one that was similar.

"Him." I pointed to the man that was now first in line. He told the jailer which man and he was pulled out of line.

"Name?" he was asked

"Noah Luff." he answered seemingly unbothered for being pulled aside during meal time

"Crime?"

"Defilin' a church" He answered, the clerk came back over

"Tutor him. He must be word perfect." I instruct. He bows his head with a small smile

"Your Grace." how went to do my bidding. I closed the hole and made my way back to the palace. When I arrived in the courtyard I was met by my brother in law Alexander.

"Your Grace." he bowed and I dismounted, I could see that he was troubled

"What is the matter? Is it my sister?" I ask

"No, the King. Something is wrong but I know not what it is. He refused to see anyone but you." I run of to the royal apartments people bowing as I sped there. I opened the doors to his rooms he sat by the window.

"What is it? What's wrong?" I ask out of breath

"King Richard was innocent. It wasn't him who killed the boys it was my Mother." he confessed to me, I stumble back.

"What?"

"How does it work? The curse. Is it all three boys?" he asked me

"I don't know." I answered

"But it's one of them. Without a doubt one of our sons will die, but which one?"

"I don't know Henry it wasn't specific, it cursed the male line, that is all i remember." I tell him making my way over.

"She killed the rightful King and put me on the throne. It's all been lies." I knelt down in front of him.

"Henry, before we met what had you heard about my family what we could do?" I question

"What does that..."

"Just answer it, tell me what you were told." I press him

"My mother said yours was a witch who bewitched the King and that you were a whore." he told me

"The women of my family are gifted by the goddess Melusina. That is what brought up in that is what my Grandmother and mother told Lizzie and I. The true extent of our gifts is unknown but what I do know is that we saw things, knew things before they even happened."  I took a deep breath

"My father had visions too. Before I was born he saw me in a dream with my sister, as I grew the more it happened, he saw me as the Queen of England. Even when he had Edward and Richard the vision did not change. It was me who sat upon the throne. It is what drove him to teach me everything I now know, in  preparation. On his death bed he spoke to me alone he called me Queen Hope and made me promise that I would protect it at all costs.

Even then I still tried to fight against it, against my future, yet my actions spoke for them self. I returned to court and charmed my uncle not only to drive Lady Anne mad in revenge but I was lining myself as the next Queen. Before I gave birth to Arthur I saw my father again. He warned me not to help my brother not to fight my fate anymore. The time of York was over, the time of Tudor, of us had begun. I will do what I need to to protect our throne Henry."

"But our boys, Hope. Our beautiful boys are damned."

"Come. I want to show you something." I pulled him up then grabbed his cloak.