Upon his return, Conde felt a huge change in French Court. Before he left, it seemed so full of life, now everything seemed dark. Losing the King of France must of caused this. Conde eagerly waited for the servants to ready his chamber, he knew all eyes were on him and wondering why he has returned to court.

"Prince Conde." He heard a familiar voice speak.

"Lord Narcisse." Conde responded. "I trust you are well."

"I am. What are you doing at French Court?" Lord Narcisse asked.

"I just returned to pay my respects to the late King, I just heard of his untimely departure."

Narcisse studied the Bourbon Prince's face carefully before he spoke. "Francis passed away weeks ago, and you're now just paying your respects?"

"I've been away, I just heard of his death, but I need not explain myself to you."

"Prince Conde?" A guard Conde recognized as Catherine's interrupted. "Sorry to interrupt, but the Queen Mother requests your presence.

"Of course." Conde said as he turned to Lord Narcisse. "It was good seeing you." He said sarcastically before he turned and followed the guard.

"Stephane." Narcisse heard and turned around.

"Lola." He said as he greeted his wife with a kiss.

"Was that Prince Conde?" Lola asked.

"Yes, it was."

"I wonder if Mary knows of his return. Someone should tell her." Lola said.

"I'm sure someone already has."

"Queen Catherine. The Prince of Conde." The Guard announced as he took his leave.

"Catherine, my condolences for the loss of your son and our king." Conde bowed.

"I know you don't mean it." Catherine said coldly. "You're just here for another chance at Mary's heart."

"Catherine, you have it all wrong. I only-"

"You only want to make sure she is okay? Is that all, Prince Conde?" Catherine interrupted.

"Yes." Conde responded sternly.

"You have no intentions in courting the newly widowed queen?" Catherine asked.

"No." Conde answered. "As soon as I heard that Francis was dead, I began my journey here recklessly. I did not think about it."

Catherine studied the Bourbon Prince for awhile. Catherine was really good at reading people, and she could tell that his heart still belonged to Mary as it always has. "Very well."

"What?" Conde asked, confused.

"Do you still love her?" Catherine asked. "I know you did. Do you now? Do you still love the Queen of Scots?"

"Yes." Conde answered without hesitation. "I loved her then, and I still love her now. I will always be in love with her."

"Then ask for her hand in marriage." Catherine smirked.

"Wait what? You hate me." Conde stated even more confused than before.

"I don't hate you, Prince Conde. I am just not very fond of you. You tried to steal my son's wife and caused him to almost pass away. But you left as soon as it became clear to you where Mary's heart truly lied." Catherine paused for a moment. "But it doesn't mean that Mary never loved you, and she needs a new alliance now more than ever."

Conde chuckled. "A marriage out of convenience."

"That is what Mary and Francis' marriage began as, and you saw what that turned into first hand." Catherine said. "What do you say, Prince Conde?"

"I need to speak with Mary first."

"She is in her chambers." Catherine said. "You may go."

Conde's heart was pounding, he felt as though everyone can hear it. He just admitted to Catherine that he still loved Mary. He finally admitted it to himself after all this time that he still loved her. He was nervous to see her, he hadn't seen or spoken to her since his departure from court, he thought he would never see her again. But fate intervenes.

"Prince Conde, Queen Mary does not want to be bothered." The guard outside Mary's chamber said.

"Please, just ask the Queen if I can see her." Conde pleaded. "I am not ordering you as a Lord or Prince, I am asking you. Please ask the Queen. If this angers her, I will take the wrath."

The guard stared at the Prince for a moment before he nodded.

Conde waited outside the door for only a moment, but it felt like years. He was scared that she wouldn't want to see him. He was worried that she was mad at him. There was a list of things that he felt. But he hoped none of it were true.

Suddenly, his thoughts were interrupted by the lovely words of the guard. "Queen Mary agreed to see you."

"Thank you." Conde said as he walked up to the door. "You can do this, Louis." He whispered to himself right before he walked in.

Louis studied Mary's chamber, it looked exactly the same as it did when he used to visit. His eyes searched until he found the Queen, sitting on a chair by the window. She slowly turned around and their eyes met. She still had the same dark, raven colored hair and radiant face. She smiled at him, the beautiful smile that he missed, but had so much sorrow in her eyes. He ran right up to her and held her in his arms.

"I am so sorry, Mary." He spoke softly, as she tightened her grip on him.

"He's gone, Louis. He's gone." Mary sobbed. She remembered his touch, and how comfortable she once was in his embrace, how comfortable she still is.

"I'm sorry." He said as he held her.

Conde let Mary cry in his arms until she fell asleep. He saw her whimper even in her sleep. He could only wonder what she was dreaming. He caressed her face and tried to set her down on her bed, but she began to stir. He didn't want to move anymore because he was afraid to wake her. He decided to just stay where he was and hoped that the guard did not speak.