"Save me!" Mary pleaded desperately. Condé felt his heart go out to Mary. His previous plans was to try and make Mary his and his alone. In that moment, he wanted to ease her pain and sorrows. The greatest shock and joy was learning that he would be a father. He knew what he had to do for both Mary and his unborn child. The extreme lengths he would go to, to have a future with the only woman he ever loved.

"Mary, I promise you I will do everything I can to protect you. From this moment on, you won't have to fear anything."

Truth was evident within his brown eyes, it is as if Mary could see his soul. He was the first man that she felt safe with after the attack. The first man she learned what it meant to deeply love someone. A love that was rooted in the beauty of purity and not out of duty.

A soft smile lingered on her lips. He took it as an invitation and gently pressed his lips against hers

"Mary," he sighed, "it feels like I have my breath back."

She could not contain her heart, as the violent beats threatened to fracture her ribcage. Her fingers raked through his soft dark hair.

"As I have mine."

Mary spent the night with Condé in his tent. Her mind was restless, knowing that there might be repercussions when her secrets come to light. She prayed that she never have to look Francis in the eye if Louis takes him captive. Would it come to that? Francis has failed to protect her in the not-so-distant past and Louis proved to be a man worthy of the title King; Protector of France and Scotland. What about her faith? A Catholic could not marry a non-Catholic. She would have to convert- At least her cousin would be at peace with it and hopefully won't see Mary as a threat anymore.

Her time spent with Catherine de' Medici proved to have been profitable. Mary learned what it means to be a real and powerful Queen. She came to the realization that her and Francis' ideas on how to reign France might have been mere childish dreams. Ruling is hard and grueling work.

Mary turned her head to gaze upon Louis' sleeping form. Her heart was content at the sight of him laying next to her. Her eyes lingered on the burn mark on his collar bone. Her finger lightly trailed over the burn and she thought to herself that she would do it all over again if she had to. Everything she had done thus far was to preserve his life. She never fully understood her actions until this moment.

Louis stirred in his sleep and slowly opened his eyes.

"There is a sight I want to wake up to everyday." his voice was husky.

"I apologize for waking you." she whispered.

"Don't. If something is on your mind, I am glad to be awake." he said reassuringly.

"Nothing is on my mind."

"No? Why are you still awake at this hour, dear Mary?" he asked concerned and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She kept still for a moment, unsure how to answer him. Mary's face scrunched up and she avoided his gaze.

"My love, what troubles you?" he tried to get an answer out of her.

"It's - It's our future. Both here in France and in Scotland. Will we be truly safe? What of Francis and his family who I have grown to love since I was a child. Will Elizabeth try to eliminate me as I would still be a threat to her? What of our child? I-"

He pressed his forefinger against her lips to hush her.

"You are merely tormenting yourself. I believe that you and I have a divine connection. Please trust in me, Mary. Trust in us. I believe that our reign will be strong and steadfast. You have a heart of gold which France is lucky to have."

His little speech cheered her up a bit. He kissed her forehead and held her securely in his arms.

The smoke blew across the field as the sun slowly ascended into the still dark sky. Conde's men were mounted on their horses while foot-soldiers had their weapons at the was mounted on a horse next to Louis. This was the moment of truth; Francis had to renounce his throne or Louis would attack the castle. The castle didn't have nearly as much men in numbers as he had. Louis could easily siege the castle.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You could stay here. Protected." he asked as he was terrified to put Mary as such risk.

"I told you, I want to be at your side when Francis renounces his throne. The moment there is mention of an attack, I will go somewhere I know that is safe." Mary insisted mulishly. Her answers always seemed to surprise him, she is an unpredictable person.

"If the siege is successful, the trumpet will sound. When you hear it, come to the castle at once where I will eagerly await your presence."

They waited on the hill in silence as each pair of eyes watched the castle gate intently. It was well after dawn when Louis realized that Francis insisted on a battle.

"We need to move." he ordered his generals before looking at Mary.

"As of today, I will always be devoted to you." he promised and kissed her hand. She smiled sadly at him as tears filled her eyes.

"God be with you, Condé." she said before riding away into the thick trees.

The sun was directly overhead. It felt like hours passed that the battle went on as she heard no trumpet call yet. Was Condé successful at taking the castle or did Francis prove his power? This could mean that she can no longer appear at court since she would be executed for treason. The latter was a frightening thought; Louis could not have failed. Just as she was about to lose all hope, the trumpet finally sounded. Mary rode back to the castle as fast as the horse could go. When she finally arrived at the gate, she caught a glimpse of Louis. Blood dried on the side of his face and onto his clothes. This sight frightened her more than any horrifying thought she possessed earlier. Without hesitation, she unhorsed and ran up to Louis whom so joyously embraced her. His smile grew wide, bigger than what Mary has ever seen before.

"It is done. I have won." he proclaimed proudly. "We need to celebrate this victory!" he addressed his men and Mary.

"We shall have a feast! Today marks a new era for France, she will be ruled by a Protestant monarchy!"

Everyone cheered as they felt satisfied with their victory.