@glcsterdux */ 𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒓
summer had laid thickly upon lisbon, and the world opened up to the heat. the courtyard just beyond the palácio de quelez, apportioned for king edward and his retinue, bloomed green and lush; the red flags of poppy petals undulated in the strength of the sun, and the clouds had painted blue skies with magnificent billows of stark white, strewn with the whimsical charm of a child’s finger treading along the still, cornflower backdrop. the prince of wales gazed down at the busy square from within the cool, shadowy space of his chamber; peering through stained glass windows that casted a rose hue over the deep foliage that stood still in the august heat, the gentle hills being climbed by children, the pathways that snaked through the gardens being treaded by advisers and plantagenet royals seeking their affirmation and support. harry could see, from a distance, beatrice’s brilliant copper mane –– unable to be masked, even, by the whimple cowling her head. and, faintly, he could hear the bustle of the city leaking into the royal lodging; that was, until, his uncle’s baritone sliced through his musing and he wrangled from the shackles of a midday reverie. harry turned to the sound of floorboards buckling underneath gloucester’s weight, lips pursing into a restrained smile.
“i know that the king is the king, and that his word is law,” harry breathed, cocking his head to once more look down at the liveliness just beneath his somber suite. “but laws may be bended, and there are loopholes, and i have you ––– uncle, tell me, is there news from rome regarding richard’s legitimisation? truly, have i reason to fear that this trip abroad will strengthen my father’s chokehold upon the papacy in order to legitimize isabel’s brats? it is bad enough that i share a title with thomas, uncle, i could not bear it if i were asked to make room for a simpleton like dicky.”
