ROYAL BLOOD
— 28. Madwoman

In Burgundy, at the celebration, George sat next to Maggie while numerous others stood or sat nearby, listening to their conversation.

"I am so pleased you could join us, cousin," George confessed, a large smile on his face at the sight of Maggie.

Maggie uneasily looked over at her husband before looking back over at George. "Umm..." She trailed off, chuckling nervously, "Perhaps you can recall our times together as children?"

George frowned, giving Maggie a weird look. She was trying to trick him, wasn't she?

"My apologies, but I'm afraid we haven't seen each other since I was six and you were three. Our mothers were not exactly friends due to what my mother did to your grandfather. And our fathers...well, while my mother was your father's close friend, my father and yours did not end on good terms before their untimely deaths. And by the time your mother became you and Teddy's guardian, I was put in the Tower with my brother Edmund for our safety," George explained thoroughly and Maggie was quite impressed, a part of her beginning to believe that George was, in fact, the real George.

"I meant..." Maggie trailed off and took a deep breath before continuing on, "We spent our childhood amongst the same people. Like Lizbeth, Thomas, and Arthur. We will have stories in common."

"Of course," George replied, a polite smile on his face.

Nora glanced between George and Maggie, letting out a sigh in defeat. "Maggie, my dear, tell us a story of the Prince," She encouraged the girl and while Maggie looked nervous, George chuckled since he saw what his mother was doing.

He had seen his mother play these type of games on many people.

When he was born, he already had four other siblings. His mother already had a lot on her plate and despite spending an equal amount of time with all her children, it was obvious that Arthur and Lizbeth spent the most time with their mother.

However, now, it was just them. He had his mother all to himself. Along with Lizzie, of course, who Nora treated like her actual daughter, but Lizzie was an adult now. She had been ever since George first arrived.

And since his arrival, Nora spent almost all of her time with him, not wanting to make the same mistakes that she did with his siblings, especially Lizbeth, whom she refused to speak of other than when she was mentioning Henry.

George watched, an amused look on his face, as Maggie turned to her husband for guidance. She had always been the more submissive one out of the York girls. He could see that now for himself.

"Uh..." She trailed off, forcing a smile on her face as she continued to converse with George, "I did hear of, um, once, you and your brother Thomas was caught stealing wine from a feast. You snuck it back to your room and on the way there, you were caught by..." She paused, waiting for George to finish instead as the court laughed at the mention, "Who was it again?"

"By my father!" George exclaimed happily, remembering that night as if it were yesterday, "Yes, that's right. I had nearly forgotten. I was still young, then, and was not allowed at most of the feasts. Thomas usually was, but after getting into trouble with Mother, he was stuck remaining with the twins and me in their nursery. We grew bored and Thomas came up with the idea of sneaking into the feasts to take a bottle of Burgundian wine. My mother still hadn't come down for the feast. He said it meant we wouldn't get caught. I was uneasy about doing such a thing in the first place, but Thomas convinced me that we should. I always wanted to impress him. He always claimed I was too uptight and responsible like Arthur. He and Lizbeth used to always tease me about such things. They were always getting into trouble and I wanted to impress Thomas this one time."

George smiled, exchanging a lingering stare with Cathy Gordon, who was smiling at him. "Arthur wasn't there to tell our mother about what I've done so I agreed. I was nervous as we stole the wine, but Thomas wasn't. He didn't care. He was never afraid. He was always doing things like that. He carried it under his coat as if it were nothing as we returned to our rooms. We nearly got there, but we were soon caught by Father. He was sneaking to see our mother, I assume, just as he always did," He explained, causing Cecily, Nora, and a few others to laugh at the mention of Edward's constant need to ditch celebrations to spend time with Nora instead.

"I was terrified at that moment, thinking he was going to yell at us. He wasn't angry, though, as our mother would have been. He merely laughed in amusement. He found it funny, remembering himself doing the same with his brothers Edmund and George, your father, when they were Thomas and I's age. He let us go and simply told us not to get caught, especially by our mother. She could be quite strict sometimes," He explained and turned to look at his mother. She smiled back at him, playfully rolling her eyes as the crowd chuckled, "But I understand why. She wanted to protect us. And I don't blame her. After getting past our father, we had to get past the maid and we did. She didn't think anything of it when we snuck in either."

"I...I forget the maid," Maggie spoke up and George turned to look at her with a smile on his face, "What was her name?"

The crowd watched him closely, especially Richard Pole. He thought that would be where Maggie would finally catch George in a lie. How wrong he was.

"Mary," He answered in a calm tone, much to Maggie's shock since he answered it without struggling in the slightest, "The daughter of the maid who once took care of my mother when she was a child being raised at Westminster. For me, she was not easy to forget. She was quite good-looking," She told the court, who laughed at his comment, "My brother Thomas used to agree with me on that. It would make my brother Arthur and Lizbeth quite annoyed."

George chuckled, smiling at the thought of his siblings when they were all still happily together. And alive.

"Christmas was my favorite time to visit," Maggie suddenly spoke up, causing George to turn to her with a curious look, "We used to gather around, sing. Oh, on one occasion I recall your mother and King Edward getting quite drunk together. They sang a song together that made everyone laugh, which is what they intended to have happened. They even convinced the servants to join in."

"An evening I recall well," George confessed, a smile on his face.

Maggie's smile faded and she frowned at George. "Forgive me, My Lord, but you agreed that we have never met."

Despite being called out, George smiled anyway, ready to prove his cousin wrong. "Just because I wasn't invited to celebrations like Lizbeth, Arthur, and Thomas were, doesn't mean I wasn't there to witness it. I lived at Westminster all my life, after all. While my elder siblings, all except Grace, were allowed to attend the feasts, the rest of us weren't. Not just because we were younger, but because we were still considered bastards at the time and my mother did not want the attention on us while Elizabeth and her children were in attendance," he explained and Maggie's mouth gaped open, shocked by how quick he corrected her, "I watched from the balcony, though. Just as I always did. It was one nearly identical to my mother's favorite place, but it overlooked the large dining hall at the castle. Whenever I couldn't attend the feasts, I'd watch everything that went on from that balcony."

Nora smiled as she listened, satisfied by Maggie's reaction. She turned to look at Richard, shooting him a taunting look.

"It was the first Christmas after your father died," George suddenly stated, despite feeling bad for having to mention such a thing to Maggie, who had lost both of her parents, "Everyone was trying to make it as happy as it could be for you and your brother. Especially my mother. She cared for you and Teddy deeply. After all, she was your Godmother. She promised your father she would protect you no matter what."

George shifted in his seat, inhaling deeply before continuing on. "One night, I witnessed as my brother Arthur comforted you both. The three of you thought you were alone. He held you both close to his chest, hugging you as you wept. He promised that everything would be well. He promised that my mother would help keep you safe and that if he became king as Father wanted him to, he'd protect you until his dying breath and help you both fulfill your dream of living in a quiet place in the North, away from everyone, as you always wanted to."

"That is not my memory," Maggie confessed, trying to contain her tears, despite recalling that memory quite well.

She couldn't let them know that.

Maggie quickly stood up, on the verge of walking away before she could cry in front of everyone.

Before she could, however, Lizzie grabbed her cousin by the arm to stop her. She pulled Maggie closer to her, beginning to whisper in her ear. "I know what you will say to Henry. So play your charade for now if that is what you wish to do. But when my brother rises up against him and Lizbeth, Nora will call on both you and your conscience to join us. You and I both know that boy is George. You're just too afraid to admit it. You will soon, though. Just as I have."

Lizzie sent Maggie a threatening smile, just before walking away.

After standing up from his seat, George stood up, smiling as he walked over to Cathy Gordon. "It was a wonderful story," She confessed, smiling as he took a seat beside her.

"I am glad," George responded as he grabbed Cathy's hand and held it with his own, "I hope that one day, I may tell you more. Unlike some people, you actually believe me."

"People don't believe you because your mother is a master at tricks. I do, though. I believe you because I am not blind. Not only do you look like your mother, but the bond you clearly have with her is something that cannot be faked. It is real. She loves you dearly," Cathy explained, a hint of admiration in her eyes as she smiled up at George, "And she's not the only one."

George's eyes widened. His lips parted and just as he was about to speak up, his mother walked over. She smiled, placing a hand on her son's back.

"It's time to make the announcement, my son," She whispered to him and George nodded, wasting no time standing up.

"George has been forced to be away from his home. And England is in darkness because of it. Just as it had been when his father was forced to do the same as George has. It happened twenty-two years ago. Edward had to miss moments he hoped not to. Moments like the birth of our dear boy," Nora explained as she gestured toward George, "Edward returned, though. He returned to his family and he reclaimed his kingdom. His son will do the same. There is much to be done, there's no doubt about that, but it will be done. However, despite that, at least today there is something that may be celebrated," She paused as George smiled almost shyly as he exchanged a look with Cathy, "My son and Cathy Gordon are to be married."

George smiled happily. He stared at Cathy lovingly as he held his hand out toward her.

Cathy smiled back at him, wasting no time with taking his hand before rising to stand beside him and Nora, her future mother-in-law.

The court smiled, clapping at the news.

Moments later, Richard began to walk with Maggie as they took in the news that had just been announced.

"I suppose we should have guess she would have something like this up her sleeve. She is Nora of Lancaster, after all," Sir Richard explained, causing Maggie to feel uneasy, "Let's hope King James is better than his cousin, Lady Gordon, at spotting a peasant in silk."

Maggie froze, feeling sick to her stomach as she heard her husband's words. "E-Excuse me," She stammered, just before walking away without him.

_____

At Westminster Palace, Lizbeth walked with Harry, Arthur, and Kathy toward their rooms, ready to put them to bed. She stopped when she was standing in front of the doors to Kathy's room and the boys' rooms.

"Good night, my loves," She told her two sons and her eldest daughter, pressing a kiss to each of their foreheads, "Remember to say your prayers."

"I will. For you and Father," Arthur told their mother, causing Harry and Kathy to roll her their eyes at their elder brother, "And my Lady, the King's Mother."

"I am pleased, my love," Lizbeth smiled, affectionately squeezing her son's shoulder.

"I will pray for your mother, too," Arthur continued on and at that moment, Harry was quick to speak up.

"She is mad!" Hardy exclaimed loudly as he looked up at Arthur, "Lord Strange says so."

"He's probably right if she has a witch ruin your ennobling," Kathy agreed with Harry, which infuriated their mother.

Lizbeth bent down to meet her son and daughter at eye view. She roughly grabbed them both by the wrists, shooting them a stern look. "I never want to hear either of you say that again. Do you understand?" She asked them in a low tone, "Time for bed. Now."

Harry and Kathy exchanged a look as their mother let go of them. They sighed, rolling their eyes at their mother's demand before walking away.

Once they were gone, Arthur turned to his mother, a concerned look on his face. "Is she alright, Mother?" He asked Lizbeth curiously, "Father says that she is doing this because she is angry. Angry that we are the cause of her children's deaths. Are we?"

"No, we are not," Lizbeth confessed, despite not knowing if she was actually telling the truth. She smiled sadly, grabbing Arthur's hand, "But that doesn't stop her from believing that we are."

Arthur looked up at Lizbeth, clearly feeling uneasy. "No matter what she does, she is still our grandmother and your mother," He pointed out in a sincere tone, "Does she know that, Mother?"

"You needn't worry about that," She assured him, forcing a smile on her face as she pressed a kiss to the top of his head, "Sleep well, my dear boy."

Arthur nodded, just before walking away.

Lizbeth watched him leave, only to stop when she heard footsteps. She turned around, seeing that Henry was walking in that direction but stopped when he saw his wife.

She took a deep breath, just before walking toward him.

"Kathy insists that I tell her a story of my time in exile before she goes to sleep," Henry confessed, causing Lizbeth to smile at the thought while her husband did not.

"I can't stop thinking about what happened at the feast," Henry confessed, a disappointed look on his face.

"Lies are all my mother has, Henry. And that woman is foolish enough to believe them," Lizbeth explained, not fazed by what had happened with Elizabeth Woodville as he was, "No one will believe her. England loves you. We've had seven years of peace."

"And you?" Henry asked, a curious look on his face as he took a step toward her, "Do you love me?"

"More than anything in the world," Lizbeth replied without hesitation. She took a step toward him, wrapping her arms around his neck, "You are God's King," She paused, pressing a quick kiss to his lips, "You are England's king."

She kissed him again and then pulled away to look him in the eyes. "And you are my King. The only king I will ever acknowledge as my own," She confessed, smiling softly as she kissed him a third time.

Henry sighed, pulling away from Lizbeth with a disappointed look on his face. "I don't have love here, no matter what you say," He confessed in a whisper and Lizbeth gave him a saddened look, "No one in England loves me. Not as I want them to. Not as they loved your brother and especially not how they love your mother."

"I love you," Lizbeth admitted without hesitation and Henry froze slightly, noticing how she looked almost hurt by how he had said no one in England loved him.

Henry shook his head slightly, causing Lizbeth to give him a weird look. "Not the way I love you," He confessed, leaning forward to kiss her.

They kissed passionately and after a long moment, Henry finally pulled away. "I shall tell our daughter the story she insists on hearing before she goes to sleep..." he trailed off, causing them both to quietly laugh, "And then I shall return to bed with you."

Lizbeth smiled softly, nodding her head in agreement. She leaned forward and kissed him once more, just before walking away.