CHAPTER SEVEN: BROKEN HEART,1461

SHE NEVER THOUGHT HER LIFE WOULD LEAD TO THIS. Duchess Cecily had made her wear a long brown dress her hair was cleared out free in twists. Cecily kept urging to be prepared for Thomas's arrival, she couldn't wait to see him. She didn't blame her, she couldn't wait either. She wore the ring that was given to her, to show to Thomas when he arrived. She had gone through her time within the courtyard waiting. Ever since her handmaiden's Rita and Arianna caught her that night with Edward; they denied leaving her alone, with the king always making excuses to remain with her. She rolls her eyes, continuing walking. "I find it disappointing that you simply were kissing the king of England then waiting for the brother to seem." She heard a voice called her out. "That's cheating," Marianne smile approaching her. Her stomach had been bigger. "My lady," Marianne curtsy, Catherine couldn't help to taken note of her large stomach. Marianne touched her stomach, grinning. "My husband says to me, he needs this one to be a boy. I want a girl, little girl." Marianne smiled causing her to smile in return.

"Do you ever think of children?" Marianne asked. Catherine couldn't understand the feeling of children, she had been a child, she still is a child. It couldn't cross her mind, yet.

"No."

"Then you should stop being alone with the King. You'll end with a child sooner than you think." Marianne smirked. Catherine widened her eyes, hurt by her response. Marianne laughs. "Next time be much quieter."

"It's none of your concern!" Catherine crossed her arms, she looked towards her side noticing her handmaiden's looks. One of them might have told her. Marianne sighed. "You'll come a day where you will regret it. Everything but just know it's going to be the best thing ever to happen to you. You'll be a fine woman, queen." She walked away leaving her gaped in fear.

Noises can be heard. Her mind rapidly turned to the upcoming horses that came through the courtyard. She could see Edward from the distance who waved to her, calmly. She returns a grin as she holds up to see Thomas. Horses come in, she observes as Cecily comes out with open arms. "Thomas! My precious boy." She talked, loudly. As it were to hear a tall man laugh so hard. She observed as Thomas came forward appearing himself in armor, with a long beard, his hair messier than normal. They embrace themselves in a hug. Thomas strolls over to his siblings, giving them a hug. Before long after, Thomas looks over to her, she smiles brightly only for him to look away continuing walking the other side.

Her smile faded. He walked past her like she was nothing. Soon after, Edward appeared next to her. "What's wrong with my brother and you?" He questioned. Catherine didn't understand. "I don't know, Edward. He refused to acknowledge me." Edward senses something is wrong with him. He noticed the glares that he was giving to him.

"I'll talk to him," Edward muttered, Catherine nodded as both of them watched as Thomas continued walking with his family.

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Afterward in the day. Thomas reminded in his chambers, Edward entered causing him to roll his eyes. "How did the trip go to the North?"

"It went fine."

"That's not what I'm hearing?" Thomas rolls his eyes, "Edward, there is nothing more than, I might say. The English people, I talked to refused to recognize me as their lord. They said, I'm a kid and that-"

"And-what?" Thomas swallows. "We ought to free the princess." Edward knew he was right. He's been hearing rumors of a rebellion against him. "She is secure here." He told him.

"For now?!" Thomas yelled getting up from his seat. "She is a girl that's from the royal family of Lancaster. We must seek her out. She should be married." He answered, gazing into Edward's claim eyes.

"She will," Edward replied. Thomas frowned. "Is it? Don't you get it? You have fallen for her Edward? I see it, everybody does. I requested people from the court to keep on eye on her, she becomes my wife after all and I'll receive countless letters from them informing of your meetings. You laid with her didn't you?"

Edward laughs. "You can't possibly believe them?"

"Don't lie to your own brother!"

'I'm not. Thomas believed me," Edward fought back. Thomas stares at him, oddly, getting up leaving his own rooms full of thoughts.

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Thomas stood by Lord Warwick, frustrated. They were discussing some battle plans but Thomas couldn't find himself to focus. "What is it?"

"The North clearly weren't pleased with your visit?" Lord Warwick replied, trying to figure out what was wrong with him. Thomas widened his eyes. "I took some men with me. I tried to get the North to follow me. They wouldn't, they say they wouldn't dare follow a York brother."

"But they would do it for Catherine. Their princess."

Thomas widened his eyes. "You can't be serious? She laid with my brother and you still expect me to marry her?" Warwick raised his eyebrows, it couldn't be true. She is fifteen, a girl.

"She hasn't."

"Yes, she has. I received a letter that she was seen kissing the king, in her chambers." Thomas answered calmly. "Thomas. Anybody could have written to you that?" Lord Warwick questioned him back.

"The ring, I gave her. Our promise ring, she wore it as she laid with my brother." Warwick didn't want this to escalate any further. "Then you must marry her, quickly. You have to urge Edward to sign the form quickly. Once he does. You'll be married in the upcoming months." Thomas didn't care anymore. She wasn't his anymore. "Perhaps you should talk to her, Thomas. I don't care for the Lancaster girl. You should ask her? One thing for sure, we must work together to keep her away from Edward. She can't be his ward anymore. Edward is drifting away." Thomas didn't want this but he knew he needed the truth. For now, he wanted to focus his matters elsewhere. He will deal with this matter in the coming day.

The following morning, the people of the court were fetching themselves breakfast in the large dining hall. Catherine had begun her day sending her handmaiden's to fetch her some new clothes and treats. When she gasped to see Thomas sit next to her. "Good morning, Catherine." He spoke, softly. Catherine couldn't utter some words, stood frozen. "Now, don't be shocked to see a handsome man in front of you," he grinned, causing her to laugh. She playfully punched him on the shoulder.

"What was that for?"

"For not talking to me." She replied. Thomas immediately stared into her eyes, smiling. She was indeed beautiful and barely a child anymore. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry? That isn't enough. It will never be enough." She laughed, causing him to smile. "Catherine, I apologize for the way I acted. It was cruel and uncalled for." Catherine smiled at his comment. "I'm glad you know that."

"I do have to address a rumor."Catherine peered her eyes on him. "What rumor?" Thomas couldn't help to have the benefit of the doubt. He really wanted her to be honest with him. "Did you lay with the king?" Catherine's eyes widen, gasping. "God, no. No!" Thomas immediately tensed up. "Are you certain?"

"Yes! I swear, it's rumored." Thomas immediately pulls her in for a hug leaving her confused as she can. She swears she doesn't get the York brothers; perhaps Richard is the only normal one. Right there, he stood by her holding her hands.

"I come to you with an open heart, Catherine," He confessed in a whisper, wasting no time leaning forward to press a kiss on her lips, "I don't care what you think of me, as a friend. I will always be your friend. You once told me any woman would be lucky to have me." Catherine's eyes widen, she shakes in fear. Thomas had kissed her. He responded, cupping Catherine's face in his hands, ''If you give me your heart, I promise before God, I will take care of you.'' He leaned forward to press his lips against her as she let him. She didn't stop him. It felt right. Her mind told her it was the right to do, she didn't want to lose him. He used the same words, Edward did. Her heart wasn't telling her the same. She gasped away, their lips parted ways leaving her lips swollen. "I love you," he responded calmly, as Catherine grinned embracing him for another hug. She didn't know what to say, she just pulled in for a hug. Thomas is like a brother to her, she couldn't lose him. She can't. She is only a little girl in this twisted game.

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The night, Edward began to walk a little faster than he thought. He barged into the room to see Thomas and George were having a discussion. They both turned to him weary. "Edward, nice to see you," George greeted his elder brother first.

Edward directly went to Thomas. "What did you do to her?"

Thomas raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"She has been crying. She refused to see me. She doesn't want to see anyone." Thomas looks down, confused. "Perhaps, it's her choice. Leave her alone." George rolls his eyes. "Edward. If you haven't heard, Thomas and Catherine have confessed their feelings for each other. They are both very in love with each other." Love, it can't be. Why did she lie? Why would she play with his heart?

Edward horrified back away. "Thomas is this true?" Thomas looks away. "Thomas!''

"It's true. We kissed, I confessed my feelings and so did she." Edward's mouth gaped open.   Edward took one last look at George, just before leaving the room. Not thinking clearly, Edward returned to the privy council chambers, where Lord Warwick was speaking with Richard and a few other Yorkist supporters.  Immediately he called out Lord Warwick and Richard, saying it was urgent.

"What is it?" Lord Warwick inquired. Richard stood beside him. Edward began moving quickly, he couldn't find himself saying the words. He needed to. He finally turned to Richard. "Will I regret this?" Richard looked at him worried. "Edward, I do not get it." Edward finally turned to Lord Warwick and sighed. " I've chosen to sign the deed," Edward told him, Lord Warwick immediately looked satisfied, "In August of another year, Catherine of House Lancaster should become Catherine of York, spouse of Thomas of York." Richard frowned, pondering what the hell was happening. Edward will make Thomas of York.

"You mean to wed her inside the family," Richard talked, inquisitively.

Lord Warwick rapidly hurried Edward to the desk taking out the paper for Edward to sign. Edward picked up the quill, signing the document on his desk with his signature. It was official. Catherine was now not Princess Catherine of Lancaster. Without a doubt, she was so befuddled but he was hurt, she confessed her feelings to him. As he put down the quill, Warwick grinned, patting his cousin on the back. "It was the proper choice, the only choice." "Then why doesn't it feel like it?" Edward inquired delicately, turning to Richard. Indeed he looked disapproving. What had he done? "Who should it be this evening?" Warwick inquired, a huge grin on his face, "An Earl's spouse or a prostitute from a brothel in London?" Edward turned to Warwick, a clear expression on his confront. "I do not care who. Just have her brought up to me," He mumbled, fair some time recently strolling absent. His heart is in millions of pieces, she played him, she didn't get it why she would do this to him, after all, they went through together. She broke him. He is left with a broken heart.