CHAPTER FIVE: DEPARTURE, September 25, 1461

FIVE MONTHS LATER

CATHERINE SPEND HER DAY, IN HER FAVORITE PLACE, THE GARDEN. THOMAS ACCOMPANIED HER THAT MORNING. "Catherine you astound me each morning," Thomas commented. Catherine rolls her eyes as she parades in her new dress. "Thomas, this dress could be a blessing from France. Your mother gifted it to me this morning." Catherine couldn't help to admire the dress. He started to grin at the thought of observing her in the dress but she couldn't help to see her father grinning at her, calling her favorite princess. She nearly fell, causing Thomas to run to her.

"What's wrong? Catherine?" Catherine started to tense, she was shaking. An anxious breakdown started to drop upon herself. "I have no one, Thomas." She conceded in a delicate tone, "Pardon me for this,'' she told him regaining herself, she stood straight fixing her posture.

''No, excuse me," Thomas contended, getting Catherine's right hand and holding it in his hand, ''I shouldn't have brought you here in this heat.'' Instead, she smiled and nodded her head in understanding. "I must return to my brothers, but may I come to your chambers later?" Thomas asked, earning a look of disbelief from her.

"I don't mean it like that. I swear it. I just wish to talk to you alone."

"Yes, of course. Thomas, it seems odd but yes." She replied. "Until then, my lady." He whispered to her softly, just before walking away. She watched him walk off, smiling softly. She knew she was being stupid, but she couldn't help herself. No matter how many times she denied it, she did care for Thomas, more than Edward

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That night, Catherine was sitting at her work area, perusing over what she had gotten within the past months. It was a letter from her mother. She refuses to open it, she couldn't. The pageboy Jimmy had furtively given this to her and told her to open it when she is alone, it's been months, she didn't set out to see it or open it. Thomas entered, closing the doors behind him. She turned to spot a little dark box on his hands, he started strolling, towards her bending down on his knee. He held a little gem box in his hand. He looked over at her with a grin, holding up for her to inquire what it was. "This for you." He told her sarcastically. She smiled. Thomas bowed down as he took a ring out, it was a rare diamond, it was carved with two initials, T &C. She promptly started to grin. He put the ring on her little finger, he started smiling.

"I cannot accept this gift," She argued, slowly looking up at Thomas as she shook her head."It's a gift to you because, I'm leaving," He corrected himself, lightly grabbing her by the shoulder before turning her around.

Catherine immediately raised her eyebrows. She immediately hugged him, tight. "Thomas," she breathed out heavily. Thomas wrapped his arms around her, hugging her in return. "Catherine, I just didn't want to leave without your love," this caused Catherine to smile brightly. Of course, she loved him as a friend, she always did.

Catherine nods eagerly. "Of course you have my love." He soon spread a smile.  "I'll miss you," He confessed in a whisper, beginning to lean forward. "I will keep you in mind, Catherine. I will come back to you."   

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The following morning, at the feast being held that afternoon, Catherine sat at the long banquet table next to George, Richard, and their sister Margaret and Elizabeth, across from Anne and Isabel Neville. "Well isn't Lady Catherine of Lancaster?" George spoke loudly causing her to roll her eyes. "What? A ward to highborn not to address us formally."

"Oh please, George. Stop being so spoiled. Do not come near one of my ladies." She decided to call him out. George smirked. "Luciana told you?" This caused Isabel to lock her eyes on them. Catherine widen her eyes as her knew the girl liked George. "Stay away from her! She told me how you lure her into your chambers?" Catherine told him angrily.

George scoffed. "No way. She lured me." Catherine widened her eyes. No. Luciana couldn't have done it. Did she love George? "She is a harlot!" Isabel spoke, causing George to hush her. "She is not. I admit she is beautiful but this relationship we have is mutual."

Catherine couldn't believe it. Luciana lied to her. She told her that George made the passes on her. "Stop, George," Richard spoke up. She immediately got up and glared at George. "I hope you spend your day in the midst of the karma. You can go to hell, spoiled as you are!" She left running away from the siblings who all seem shocked by her outburst.

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From the distance, Cecily and Lord Warwick observe her outburst. "I do not get why Edward has taken a liking to her," Warwick told his aunt. Duchess Cecily nods, watching her son Edward trying to find somebody. "He adores her, I could see it." Duchess Cecily expressed. Lord Warwick extends his eyes, unaware of this, "You can't be genuine, Aunt Cecily. Edward must wed Princess Bona of France." Duchess Cecily sighed. She knew Edward had to married Princess Bona for the great of the peace settlement but she couldn't help to repair England with the marriage of Catherine of Lancaster, her son, King Edward would be the salvation England needs. She started talking, "A marriage to Catherine of Lancaster would reinforce his claim to the English throne. No one would set out challenge it ever once more. All Lancastrians proceeding to battle for Lord Henry would rally to their rightful princess side," She explained in a quieted tone.

"She may be a child," Lord Warwick pointed out in a quieted tone. "We won't lose her as well. She will still bore heirs but of Thomas. Those children will be Thomas children, of York and Lancaster's win for everybody." "To you, maybe, but to the rest of England, she is the one they furtively wish to be queen. She is, in fact, her father's daughter you haven't taken note," Cecily clarified, gaining an eye roll from Lord Warwick. "Goodness, believe me, I know," He answered in an irritated tone, "marvelous girl." He rolls his eyes. Noticing that Catherine of Lancaster doesn't listen to no one but herself. She may be a young lady who can't indeed follow the rules.

"Adored by the individuals," Cecily rectified Warwick, who appeared frustrated that the one person he hoped to be on his side was not, "It would mean England may finally have peace. So when they'll have children of their claim, a combination of the red and white roses." Lord Warwick remained silent, denying to reply. As much because it might have sounded like a shrewd choice for nearly everybody, it wasn't for him. Warwick looked at her. "You do not know that Edward cares for her." Duchess Cecily laughed. "Oh, truly. Edward is no place to be found." Cecily spoke up causing Warwick to stand up seeking out for Edward. He before long spotted a knight on the distance. "You there. Where is Edward?" He asked. "Lord Warwick. Lord Edward has gone off to look for Catherine of Lancaster." Warwick frustrated by this sat in defeat

"He cares for her." Duchess Cecily taunted her nephew. After all, Edward chose to keep her as his ward. No matter what he isn't the only York boy who has managed to fall for her. "She will be the light to Edward in his darkest times. You'll see." Cecily spoke up, recalling what they used to say about Catherine's father. "After all she was the apple of her father's eyes, she may as well be Edward."