The following contains spoilers for Requiem of the Rose King Episode 15, “If you hide it, you won’t feel sadness,” now streaming on Funimation.
When they were young, Buckingham saw something in Richard that made him decide to be his kingmaker: a certain ruthlessness or hunger that was hidden by dark hair, even darker eyes and words that only spoke of loyalty to the House of York, regardless of who was on the throne. Buckingham saw through those words and through Richard. He knew what Richard really wanted. This episode of Requiem of the Rose King is a huge turning point for Buckingham and Richard’s relationship.
However, Buckingham made it clear that this alliance hinged on the fact that the two would be honest with each other at all times. There would be no secrets between them. Even though this episode finally had Richard being truthful to himself and Buckingham, his secret was very literally, laid bare, and it was uncomfortable to watch, to say the least.
Richard lets people know his secrets in a few ways. The first is purposeful and strategic, such as how he tells Buckingham that he’s the one who killed Elizabeth’s husband many years ago. He cites that he is only fulfilling the promise he made about keeping no secrets, but he knows that Buckingham can use this to make Elizabeth trust him. The second way is done subconsciously. In the previous episode, Buckingham asked what lengths Richard was willing to go to in order to protect the throne. Would he be willing to kill someone? In a moment of intense vulnerability, Richard confessed that he had, in fact, killed the person he loved the most in the world.
Despite the fact that Buckingham makes it look like Richard is the only one not upholding his part of the alliance, Buckingham is no saint either. Rumors have been floating about in town about Richard’s body, and Buckingham knows that he’s keeping something from him. He decides to kill two birds with one stone: get rid of Grey and find out the truth about Richard’s body. He lulls Grey into a sense of safety and a drunken stupor, and while Richard is outside, he springs the trap on him.
The man who almost sexually assaulted Richard in Episode 2 returns. Just the sight of him brings back all of his traumatic memories from years ago. Buckingham ties Richard down and the man rips off Richard’s clothes, revealing his breasts. As the anime has done before, the violent act itself and Richard’s body are heavily censored.
It’s truly disappointing and frankly disgusting that Buckingham resorts to this underhanded method to out Richard without his consent and under Buckingham’s terms. Richard’s reaction to what has been done to him is gut-punching. He even says that this is a “natural outcome,” as if he should expect sexual violence. Studies today have found a link between outing someone and suicide. Outing someone can lead to them becoming victim to ostracization, hate crimes and violence. And unfortunately, in Richard’s case, he’s no stranger to being looked at like he’s not human.
Ignoring how he has just forced Richard to reveal himself, Buckingham tries to portray himself as a sort of savior. He validates Richard’s gender identity as a man and asks him if his “‘womanhood’ [has] ever known love.” He sympathizes with him, telling Richard that he knows he had always hidden his true self and offers him a revised alliance: if Richard agrees to have sex with him, Buckingham will ensure that he becomes king. He’s basically propositioning a friends-with-benefits relationship.
The rape scene isn’t animated, but it’s implied, and it’s awful to see even if it’s not explicitly shown. Even worse is that Buckingham is taking advantage of Richard’s emotional state. Buckingham knows that Richard has been suffering alone as a result of his body and that he yearns for human contact. He also knows that Richard has always wanted to be king but was too scared to reach for the crown. This is no love-making: this is Richard and Buckingham engaging in “mutual sin.”
Following this, there is a noticeable difference in Richard’s appearance. Previously, his hair had been combed so that it would cover his ‘demonic’ eye. After having sex with Buckingham, he no longer covers his eye, and even his clothes have changed. He used to wear armor that bound his chest and clothes that were buttoned all the way up to his throat. Now, his clothes look more feminine: there’s a slit cutout above his chest, and he wears a cloak that looks like wings.
The rape scene was not necessary, and it’s revolting to see this being so closely intertwined with Richard finally accepting who he is. Richard hasn’t escaped from this cycle of self-loathing. There’s a strange connection between Richard embracing his ‘true self’ while simultaneously demonizing himself. Richard craves the pain that comes from sex because it will help him forget about all the things that have happened to him and all the things he himself has done. The more violent the sex is, the better.
In the very end, Richard still doesn’t see himself as a human being; he’s just accepted that he’s a demon and has found someone who’s willing to go to hell with him. It looks less like self-acceptance and more like self-resignation: if his fate is indeed to be a monster, what’s the point in fighting against something as powerful as fate?
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