Despite being exhausted, both mentally and physically, Mary had trouble sleeping. The chateaux were filled with people that detested her. Mary felt like she was slowly suffocating in the chateax and she just wanted to get away, be somewhere else but there. She longed to be in Scotland with the person she loved the most in this world.
The cottage's garden had a beautiful selection of different plants and flowers. It reminded her of the castle's garden. Her fingers gently caressed a blood red rose. The simple elegance of it reminded her of all the precious things that the world still possesed. Even in the most darkest of places, a simple light can offer warmth and comfort. Mary remained in the garden for a few hours until Lola came looking for her.
"Mary, there you are. I was looking all over for you. I thought you wanted to rest?" She asked concerned.
"I could not sleep." Mary replied with a soft smile.
"Mary, I know that there so much troubling you-"
"Lola, please stop. You could begin to phantom what I am going through. I mourn my husband's death. Despite of what happened, I did love him. But I have to look straight ahead at the future, not just for me but for France and Condé." Her hand rested over her stomach.
"Lola, for the first time in my life I fully understand what it means to share something bigger than myself with someone."
Lola frowned at her friend confused. "Mary, what are you talking about?" Her eyes fell on Mary's stomach.
"Mary, no. Please don't tell me it is true."
"I am pregnant, Lola. I am having Louis' baby."
Lola's face paled as she stared at her best friend. This could not be happening. This was the height of the betrayel. However, she was the last person to condemn her sonce Lola herself carried Francis's child.
"When did it happen?" She asked Mary after a few moments.
Mary bit her lip, "Before everything went to hell. Lola, do you undersrand my actions? Francis wpuld have never accepted the child as his own. I would have been thrown into the dungeons."
"So you had him killed instead?" Lola replied bitterly. She lost all respect for the queen and she wanted to walk away. Mary did not allow it and caught her arm.
"It was not like that, Lola. France has a fighting chance to reunite; Prostetants would stand in union with Catholics."
"Mary, you are living in a delusional world!"
"How can you say that? France have been at war with itself for too long and the would be peace in Scotland between the faiths. Don't you see what this means Lola?"
"Mary, I have known you all my life and I know you have honour and want to do the right thing for your people. But what about us here? What is there left for Jon and Claude and Francis's other siblings? Condé would never let them live because they are a threat to the throne. You single handedly an entire generation of monarchs." Lola spat out angrily and left Mary there in the garden.
The voices projected loudly in the room where Claude resided in. s
She heard the whole conversation and the blood in her veins boiled. She never liked Mary and she had a reason to hate her. Claude had to get her mother out of the castle before the excecution. Lithe entered her room to announce that breakfast was ready but she interupted him.
"Lithe, we need to leave. Now." she orfered.
"What? Why? Where are you planning on going?" he asked confused.
"I need to save my mother." she answered determinded.
"What? Are you out of your mind? If Condé or his men spots us then we would be thrown into the dungeons too. Claude, it's a suicide mission."
"Lithe, don't you understand? We have to get her because she knows where my other brothers are. They still have a claim to the throne. If we find them, my mother would be regent, controlling all of France again.:
Lithe frowned, it seemed too much of a risk. "Even if we could save your mother, where would you find an ally?"
"It's simple. Queen Elizabeth."
The castle finally settled down when the last of the rebels were slaughtered. Condé decided that he would wait before he sent for Mary again, when he was certain that every obstacle was tackled before they could wed and have a coronation. Condé's dreams were slowly coming true. His advisor arranged a meeting with the English Queen's ambassador.
The two of them enjoyed a glass of wine before they went on to discuss serious matters.
"What are your prospects with regards to marriage?" The ambassador asked boldly. The question took Condé aback, he thought that it was obvious that he would wed Mary.
"Lord Nicholas, what a dauntless inquest you have made."
"Forgive me, your majesty, you see I am here on important business for my queen. She has asked me to make negotiations."
"What does it involve?" Louis asked but he had a feeling where this leading to.
"Since the first marriage to Queen Elizabeth has been annulled at the death of the proxy, she has asked-"
"For a second attempt?"
"Something along those lines," the ambassador replied timidly. His behaviour confused Condé and he could not say that he was surprised that Elizabeth asked again since she backed him up by taking France. He honestly did not desire any other woman but Mary. And they were expecting their first child.
"Lord Nicholas, please tell your queen that I am flattered, however, I respectfully decline her offer."
"May I ask why? This decision could be catastrophic for France. Do you want to start a war with a few men for your army?We both know how the Catholics feel about their new king." The ambassador stated again boldly. He really had no filter and lacked tact. The man started to annoy Condé the longer he stayed.
"My Lord, nothing you ,or your queen, say or do would change my mind. The matter discussion has come to an end." He said firmly and rose. "If you now would excuse me."
"Elizabeth would not be happy. Beware a woman scorched." Nicholas warned before he left the room.
Condé reconsidered his plans. Perhaps he should get Mary back as soon as possible.