@willwriteforruns - 49 (“Well this is awkward…”), @morgan-le-fay - 22 (“I’ve seen the way you look at me when you think I don’t notice.”), and a prompt from @queenanneyork for Richard III/Anne Neville
The war was coming to an end with York winning the final victory.
Richard, the Duke of Gloucester and Constable of England, rode proudly on his white horse. In his heart, though, he was thinking of something else. He had made a promise to a lady sometimes ago, and today he shall fulfill it. He hopped of his horse and walked with his head high before the captured militant queen, Margaret of Anjou.
"Where is Lady Anne?" He demanded.
"I will not tell you," the dominant Frenchwoman replied coldly. "My son Edouard has made the arrangements."
"I will ask you one more time and will not ask you again," Richard hissed. "Where is Lady Anne?"
"That little bird is locked up," Margaret said. "My son had told me before he departed for war, for the moment of his last glory. He said to me that he had the Warwick girl locked up in a tower with all the doors sealed. I hope he had left enough food and beverages."
Richard's face paled with anger.
"You better pray that she's safe and alive," he whispered. "Or I will have you pay for it."
Locked in a tower, Anne looked out from the window. The sun was rising and the flowers were blooming.
She went to eat some bread, which were the last few crumbles left. Was she going to starve to death in this tower?
He knew about her love for Richard and that Lancastrians were losing. So, to gain some pleasure, he had her locked in this tower.
"You can stay here and watch as I kill Gloucester," he said to her. "Or, Gloucester can find you dead here."
No, she was not going to die here.
She peeked out from the window and wondered how high she was from the ground. Then, she pulled down the draperies, and along with the tablecloth and bed sheets, she tied them together to make a rope. After she finished, she grabbed the candle stick and threw it against the window.
Picking up the candlestick, Anne used all her strength to smash the window open. Ignoring the bleeding cuts sustained on her hands, she went to fetch the rope she made.
She looked out and saw the banners.
It was the banner of Richard of Gloucester.
She was overcome with all kinds of emotions.
She still loved him but she had heard of his betrothal of Princess Mary of Burgundy. George and Isabel also told her that Richard only wanted to wed her for the sake of power and wealth. She never trusted anything George told her. Still, she didn't know if she was ready to speak to Richard again. After all, she would be Lancastrian prisoner in his hand.
In addition, she was also angry at Richard for leaving her to join the King's side to fight against her father, even though she knew it was his duty.
She could hear the door banging.
Tying one end of the rope to her bed, she let it down from the window. She said a prayer and climbed out of the window to escape from the tower.
Richard and his men were busying banging the tower door open to pay attention what she was doing.
As they busted into the tower, Anne was hanging her life on that bed sheet rope. It was much harder and scarier than she anticipated. She held on to the rope as she swung back and forth.
Lancaster really set his heart on locking her in his tower forever.
He had sealed every door that accessed to Anne's chamber.
As Richard was smashing the door, Francis froze.
He stood before the window and saw Anne - clinging onto a bed sheet rope and swinging back and forth.
"Francis! Help me here!" Richard yelled.
Before Francis could grab Richard, Anne's bed sheet rope loosened.
He opened his mouth and screamed.
"Why are you screaming? Have you lost your mind?" He demanded.
Without explaining, Francis grabbed Richard and rushed out of the tower.
There they found Anne, moaning.
She didn't fell onto the ground.
She landed one someone - George of Clarence.
"What were you thinking?" Richard asked as he helped Anne settled in the sanctuary.
Luckily, she wasn't hurt as much. But George wasn't so lucky. The physician said that he has to wait a few weeks before he could walk again.
"So what then? I should die in that tower?"
"If you want to escape, at least use a safer method!" He went on.
"What do you care for my safety?" Anne folded her arms and looked away. "I'm a nobody now. Maybe things would be much better had I fell and died."
Tears fell from her eyes but she tried hard to prevent herself from crying.
"I am a prisoner," she went on, sniffling. "I have nothing to offer you now. You are betrothed now, aren't you? To the wealthy, beautiful Burgundy heiress."
"And you wed Edouard of Lancaster, who had a crown to offer."
Wiping her tears, Anne murmured. "You should go. If the King were to show his mercy, he'll have me living with Isabel. I hope George will not take it too hard after I fell on him. If he King were not have mercy on me..."
Anne shook her head. "It's no use Richard. I don't love you anymore."
“I’ve seen the way you look at me when you think I don’t notice.”
"Don't deny it Anne," he continued. "I am yours as you are mine. I thought I lost you but now here you are."
"What if I don't want to?"
"I will not allow it. I will not lose you again," he said determinedly. "Even if it means to lock you in a tower."
"No," he said. "I will lock you in my tower and fill it with love. I will have the key destroyed."
"I have some bruises," she muttered.
"I can take look," he said. "I can show you my scars as well."
The scars he sustained from war.
A moment later, Anne lied in Richard's arms as he carefully caressed her body.
No one will harm her or take her away from him.
