The stairs and corridors of the palace were filled with shouted orders and frantically shuffling feet. Catherine ordered the nannies to lock her younger children in the rooms, then headed in a panic to the king's chambers. Henry was standing outside the door, still with his shirt open and his pants badly laced, talking animatedly with the head of the guards. When he saw the queen he dismissed the other man.

- I hope that at least you have an explanation for this!- he exclaimed without anger, but with a certain agitation.

- I am sorry to disappoint you then - replied his wife - What are you doing?

Henry looked around for a moment.

- I have sent the guards to hunt down the invaders, but we do not know if we will catch them. If they are here for you, I suggest you lock yourselves in your rooms until it is all over- he said. Then he looked at her eloquently.

- When we solve the problem - he added - you'll have a lot of things to tell me.

Catherine gave him one last look and then ran through the corridors.

- Catherine! - a voice called her. It was Mary. She reached her.

- We don't know what's going on - continued the Queen of Scots with a heavy breath.

- Something bad - the queen mother answered vaguely - Go to safety with your ladies and do not open the door to anyone!

With that she left. Just as she was about to open the door of her room, she stopped. He detached himself from the knob and started running to his left.

\\\\

They didn't find him. They couldn't find him. This was all the king could say to himself. He was tired and the whole thing disturbed him. Why had it come to that? He thought he had the answer: it all started with the arrival of Alexander. All the balances of the court had gone to hell after the Medici had come. He and his friend. Suddenly, from the window, he saw a small light running through the gardens and headed that way.

\\\\

The cold air hit the queen's face as she ran through the gardens in the dark, aiming straight for the tower with the coat of arms on fire. Her heart was in her throat. Did it feel like that when you were about to die? But he wasn't afraid; it was the right thing to do, and he knew it. He paused to catch his breath. And his ears perked up: someone was getting closer. He ran again, this time toward the forest. She pulled out a dagger. If they were going to kill her, at least she wouldn't go without a fight. She didn't know how far she ran, but after a while she saw the shore of the lake and increased her pace. When she stopped, there was only silence. Unsure how to wait, she knelt to pray. She gave thanks for her children, and for what their lives would be. She listed the things she regretted. Then she thought of Henry, her history with him, the pain but also the good memories. She thought of Philip and the love he had given her in such a short time. And then she thought of Alexander, her Alexander, beloved brother, friend, companion of misfortunes, rock in the storm. She stood up and looked at the lake with tears in her eyes. Then she felt a blade rising and she snapped to the side. Alfred de' Pazzi looked at her with crazy eyes.

- I have found you- he said laughing- How much my ancestors would laugh to see you now. Catherine de'Medici, Queen of France, great-granddaughter of Lawrence the Magnificent, defenseless, ready for death!

- Hatred has consumed you- said the woman, taking a step back, - but I am not afraid of you, de'Pazzi.

The other laughed even louder.

- Did you like my joke, little whore? Now your king will go and put out the fire while you burn in the one in Hell!

He pounced on her. Catherine cleaved a dagger blow, scratching his chest. But Alfred didn't seem to notice. He continued to advance. He hit her in the face knocking her to the ground. Then the queen mentally said goodbye to the people she loved. She closed her eyes.

- I will punish you for the sins of your family!- shouted her tormentor raising his blade. But the blow did not come. Caterina opened her eyes and was stunned. Alessandro had hit Alfredo and now he was fighting with him.

He had been warned the night before by a spy. Alfred de'Pazzi was moving toward the French court. And Alexander knew too well that Catherine would sacrifice herself for the dignity of his name. But he would not allow it. Not another time. He'd taken a couple of trusted men and they'd galloped off. Exhausted they had come without ever having rested. After sending his guards to help put out the blazing fire, he ran into the forest where he had seen his enemy heading. And he had saved his sister. Now he had to save himself. Alfredo was an excellent opponent. But Alexander had no intention of dying. He heard Caterina let out a scream, but he tried not to get distracted. With a fist she knocked the other man to the ground and got up to pick up her sword.

- Alexander- shouted again. A noise made the duke turn his head.

- Alexander no! - the queen shouted, throwing herself on her brother, but too late. Alfred pierced him with his blade. The man saw the stars for a moment then fell to the ground. He saw Catherine desperately slit the throat of her family's enemy and then she bent over him.

- Alexander, no, please, Alexander- she murmured - Please, resist I will save you-.

Alexander felt strange. He felt like water slipping through the cracks. Was it so to die? He felt no pain. He looked at his sister with tenderness.

- I...- he coughed evilly - I love you, my lily.

"Forgive me, Lord" she thought.

Henry arrived at that moment. But Alexander did not notice. He was dead.