O Lord, please save my father.
That was a superb performance,
my queen.
Edward had everything that I never could.
He was the spitting image of our father and a perfect man.
But...
You look dreadful.
Richard...
You're no longer a king.
It's time to die, Brother.
Your time has come, Edward.
Let us go to atone for the sins that not even a royal fortune could spare you.
As you say,
Warwick.
York of the white rose.
Lancaster of the red rose.
These royal houses with roses for their crests battled for the throne.
People call their strife the "Wars of the Roses."
In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.
That was certainly abrupt.
Death takes irresistibly and without warning.
Just like killing on the battlefield.
Death must be busy.
Buckingham, do you remember the first person you killed?
No. What of it?
I just recalled mine.
John Grey,
Elizabeth's former husband.
I'd heard he was slain by some nameless soldier.
Why tell me this?
I swore to keep no secrets.
I wagered all I have on you.
Don't betray me.
Today is All Fool's Day!
Men are women, and children are adults!
In this world gone mad, a beggar can even become a king!
Would you like a crown of your own?
I could never be king.
Why not? This is a world gone mad.
Even a demon could be king here.
Your Grace, I bring urgent tidings from Lord Hastings.
Earl Rivers means to make himself Protector.
He is escorting the Prince of Wales to the palace with a large army.
I have troops in readiness as well.
I'll leave to meet the prince at once.
By escorting the new king and making a show of our dignity
I, Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers, shall secure my place as Protector.
Fetching the prince isn't your only job.
You're to seize Richard and bring him to the Tower.
He murdered John. I mean to execute him personally.
Thank you for telling me the truth about John's death.
Buckingham, my kingmaker.
Once he learns of Earl Rivers's actions,
he's certain to give chase at the head of a large army.
You're to call on him alone and dine amicably with him.
Once he's off his guard, arrest him for treason.
But what if his troops surround me?
In that event, the troops I have in readiness
will kill Richard.
Ugh! What are these clothes?!
I don't want to go to the palace in these!
Your Royal Highness--
Call me "Majesty"!
I am your king!
M-My apologies, Your Majesty.
Spoiled little shit.
And I lack for companions.
Why hasn't Richard joined us?
He's close at hand. Earl Rivers has gone to fetch him.
Please, Your Majesty, take your ease here tonight.
Welcome, Richard! I've been waiting for you!
Earl Rivers. Is this your whole party?
It is. What of it?
He's supposed to have an army. What's the meaning of this?
Where is the Prince of Wales?
Pardon my saying so, but you appear too few for his guard.
Now, let us rest from our travels!
I was certain that you would come!
I take it you've brought these forces to defend us?
Oh, my dear brother-in-law!
For the sake of His Late Majesty's repose,
let us join hands in support of our new sovereign!
Have some wine.
We shall both enjoy ourselves this night!
The earl seems to have drunk too much. Bear him to his chambers.
I'll retire as well.
It appears your master's fears were unfounded.
I hope so, but I'm not so sure.
"Join hands in support of our new sovereign"?
I desire stability for the Royal Family of York.
I even sacrificed George to secure it.
That day, why did my father decide to become king?
A light that I can wish for but never obtain.
Who goes there?!
A thief?
I suggest you keep quiet.
If the truth about your body gets out, you'll burn at the stake.
Who are you?
Forgotten, have you? I remember you clear as day.
In an abandoned shack in the woods
was a child in a dirty cloak and ill-fitting chain mail.
And beneath it lay...
...a demon's body.
It can't be! You were there?
You must think your soldiers will keep you safe.
Well, I've got an army on my side too.
Isn't that right,
Your Grace, the Duke of Buckingham?
Buckingham?!
Won't you deny this man's ravings?
What are you after?!
Do it.
Look. This proves he's a demon.
I wasn't convinced until I saw with my own eyes.
Now do you get it?
He's a demon, sent into the royal family to bring England to ruin!
It's strange. I feel nothing.
This is a natural outcome.
Light
will never shine on a demon.
I knew God was watching over me.
Now, where's the title and gold you promised me, Your Grace?!
I'll grant your wish.
What is this about?
Any further conversation would lower the value of my soul.
Are you going to execute me?
Earl Rivers will arrest you for treason at dawn.
The Woodvilles have no intention of sharing power with you.
And with this body, you're hardly "worthy" of the crown.
I see.
Why did you hide it from me?
Did you think the knowledge would make me despair?
Did you fear to lose me?
You?
Yes. When we first met, I took you for a woman.
And my imagination was correct.
Stop! I'm--
A man? True, you are that.
But has your "womanhood" ever known love?
You've always lived with your true self hidden.
I can tell.
We're two of a kind.
If you offer your hidden self to me, I'll be the partner of a demon.
Demon.
Bloodstained demon...
Who defied...
...the will of God.
Richard, this is your last chance.
Will you seize your desire, or perish empty-handed?
Come.
Say it. What do you truly want?
Admit that you want what you've always desired!
I want...
What do you want?
I want...
I want the crown!
I'll give you the crown.
Remember this pain.
It's the seal of our pact.
The pain of our mutual sin.
I prayed and wished, but the voices of my curse never faded.
If the lost warmth I've foolishly clung to can never be mine again,
if it will allow me to escape destiny...
I'll become a demon.
Are you awake?
I've had fresh clothes prepared for you.
I'll help you dress.
The Woodvilles believe that I've betrayed you.
Your Grace.
Don't worry. Last night,
I carried Richard to bed.
Now, Rivers must be dreaming of himself on the throne about now.
Good morning, Earl Rivers.
Goodness. I drank too much last night to put him off his guard.
Now, is all as we planned?
Naturally.
This will make me the mightiest man in England!
I'll be kinglier than the king!
Anthony Woodville, Earl Rivers, commands you in the king's name!
Seize the traitor!
Wh-What are you doing?! Don't arrest me! Seize--
Earl Rivers.
R-Richard!
Stop! Damn it all!
You betrayed me, Buckingham!
I've merely seen justice done.
You are the traitor.
Rivers.
Unhand me! What's this about?!
My mother will make you pay!
--Imprison the rebels in my castle. --I said, unhand me! Let go!
--Buckingham, --Don't you know who I am?!
--we're going to collect His Royal Highness. --Take your filthy hands off me!
The prince is here!
It's Prince Edward--I mean, King Edward V!
God save the king!
God save His Royal Majesty!
God save the king!
At last...
At last, the time has come!
My blood--Woodville blood-- will rule over the blood of York.
John, I'll bless and avenge your death.
Richard the sinner! You will paint this festival red with your blood
without so much as setting foot in London again.
Your Majesty, and my beloved younger bro--
Mother!
I have just returned,
my dear sister-in-law.
Mother!
Richard.
Where are my brother and Grey?
Queen Elizabeth, I bear regrettable tidings on that subject.
I wanted to hurry on to London,
but Rivers and Grey went and got themselves arrested!
Wh-What?
They spoke honeyed words and concealed venom in their hearts.
They schemed to charge me with crimes I did not commit.
Impossible! Nonsense!
He's the one who plotted rebellion!
Guards! Seize Gloucester!
Curse you useless lot!
Dorset has taken leave of his senses! Defend His Majesty!
What?! Damn you!
Wait! Don't let him escape!
Dorset.
I don't believe it. He abandoned his mother and fled.
You are safe now, Your Majesty.
I shall purge England of all villains who would disturb its peace.
Let us proceed to the palace.
What could have happened?
This...
This can't be...
The palace is now free of your enemies.
Does Elizabeth still trust you?
I have many ways to ensure that she does.
She's even called me her "kingmaker."
What, are you jealous?
You're my kingmaker.
Elizabeth still has her uses. Pretend to be her ally.
Of course, my king.
Your Grace.
His Majesty summons you.
Very well.
Spying is a fine hobby. I'll let you watch to the end next time.
I told you that I'll show no mercy to anyone who harms His Grace.
But if he wishes it, even if it will harm him...
I've become a demon's partner to grant Richard's wishes.
Can you do as much?
Can you stain your hands with God's blood?
He discovered the whole plot,
including your involvement.
Don't you mean that you revealed it to him?
Or have you been in league with him all along?
Never. I have proof.
Or should I say... a witness?
Mother.
Beth?!
I asked Buckingham to help Richard.
What?!
I can never face him with a smile again because of you!
Uncle Anthony and Grey only got their just deserts!
You should be grateful that Buckingham still forgave you!
Consider a wise daughter your greatest treasure.
I suggest you give up open involvement in government and seek sanctuary.
That will spare Richard a dreadful decision as well.
I see I have no choice.
Very well.
In exchange, I'll take the younger prince with me.
If you deny me, I'll take my life this instant.
You don't want me to die yet, do you?
As you wish,
Your Majesty.
Thank you for inviting me tonight.
Our enemies are no more!
Yes. To our king.
To the king.
My wine hasn't tasted so fine in many a night.
All thanks to your timely warning, Lord Hastings.
Think nothing of it! We've long been comrades in arms!
But we can't relax yet.
Not while that woman is the queen mother.
Then let's send someone to watch her.
I know just the woman: Jane!
Your witch?
Well, mine at the moment.
Intercourse with a witch seems to bring superhuman pleasures.
Enough to make you putty in her hands.
Oh, no, the bond between us is one of simple love.
Although I admit that its beginning was quite stimulating.
I thought so. To open a tight-closed bud, begin with a shock.
We can depend on Hastings's support.
No. He supports Edward.
Why are you upset?
Why did you look at me that way?
That way? What way?
Don't tell me you thought that
one time would be sufficient to purchase my soul.
I'll undress myself.
Lord Richard? Is something wrong with your left eye?
The servants' children called my eyes strange.
Even Mother always says so.
Why am I different?
It isn't love that I want.
I need a pact.
Now, grave more pain into me to your heart's content.
Before the wound of our pact heals.
My skin color is different. Is that strange?
No, not at all.
You're not strange either, Lord Richard.
You still don't understand.
Mere pain fades quickly.
I told you:
Offer your secret self to me.
Listen, Richard. I'm about to mark you...
I'll hide it with my hair.
If you hide it, you won't feel sadness.
...with sweet suffering.
Can you do as much?
What can I do?
Yes. This is fine.
Richard, only I know the true you.
Even pleasure becomes pain.
In this ceremony that resembles love, I will be killed
and reborn.
Listen well, all of you.
The weak, mad King Henry VI
could not rule England without his uncle's help.
I'm no incompetent, but this is tradition.
Yes. That man required a Protector even in adulthood.
The situation is different.
Now, my lords, I trust that we are agreed?
What choice is there with Rivers gone?
No one who objects would be here in the palace.
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, we name you our Lord Protector.
I humbly accept.
The light that my father almost seized back then.
This is a transient light.
Back then, we were but powerless children dreaming of the future.
A crowd stood between us and the crown.
But now there are only two princes in our way.
Now, seize the rose!
Even if
my hands end up drenched in blood.