Catherine was nervous. The trial has already started, and Claude's testimony went terribly wrong. Catherine managed to convince Claude to speak on her behalf, but Narcisse got a hold of Claude's diary and read the truth out to the council, even Claude couldn't lie about it.

Lola's testimony was next, and if the council found her statement to be true, Catherine would be convicted for Francis' death right away, and she would be beheaded by days end, making Narcisse the permanent regent until Charles comes of age, but she didn't trust him to ever put the Valois line above his own life.

Princess Claude walked up to her mother in tears after her testimony. "I am so sorry, mother. I didn't know that they had taken my diary."

"Darling, it's okay." Catherine said as she hugged her daughter. "Go back to your chambers."

Claude hesitated, but and ran out the throne room.

"Can we have Lady Narcisse testify, please?" One of the Lords on the council said.

"Hello." Lola said awkwardly.

"Lady Narcisse, you were asked by your husband to take the stand, is that correct?"

"Yes." Lola answered.

"Lord Narcisse stated that you have reasoning to believe that Catherine de Medici, the Queen Mother, was completely capable of poisoning our late king, King Francis. Why is that, Lady Narcisse?"

"Well, we all know that Catherine is a master of poisons." Lola muttered.

"Yes, but she was locked up in a dungeon, under maximum security. How was she able to poison King Francis if she was locked up?"

"I imagine the same way she threatened my life." Lola said. "When Catherine was in the dungeon, she was able to plant a dead rat in my bath with a note in it's mouth that read 'one rat down, two to go.'"

The council began to mutter to themselves before one spoke up.

"Lady Narcisse, thank you for your testimony." One of the Lords interrupted and dismissed Lola.

Lola slightly smiled, and walked out the throne room.

"Catherine, we are giving you one chance to convince us that you are not guilty of killing our late king and your son. Please explain."

"I have no reason to kill my son, I love all my children." Catherine said calmly.

"Then why did you poison Claude? Why did King Francis lock you up in a dungeon?"

Catherine remained quiet, she didn't have an answer - not an answer that would convince the council that she was innocent at least. Catherine poisoned Claude because she was poisoned the same way Henry was and she wasn't in her right mind, but Francis locking her up in the dungeon was because of her treason.

"Do you not have an answer? We have come to a conclusion, Catherine de Medici. You have been found guilty in the murder of King Francis Valois." Narcisse stated. "You will be beheaded by the end of the day. Guards, take her away."

"You can't do this!" Catherine yelled.

"We can, and we will." Narcisse fired back as he watched his former lover get dragged into the dungeon.

Conde knew he was late, but he rode as fast as he possibly could with a carriage that held his late cousin. Conde felt awful disturbing the dead, but he knew Francis would have had it no other way. Conde didn't particularly care for Catherine, but he knew Mary did, so he chose to do what he could to help her. He just hoped it wasn't too late.

After getting word from his sister Claude about his mother's trial, King Charles managed to leave the safe house and ride back to French Court with a few guards. It was reckless, he knew, but he was not going to let his mother go down without a fight. He was king, and that meant something to him. He will do what he damn well pleases and Narcisse or the council will not stop him.

Charles knew his arrival would alert the council, and may speed up his mother's execution so he had a rider go ahead and let all of the guards know that King Charles was returning, and no one is to know of it.

Sorry for the late update, I typically try to update more often but I have so much going on right now, hopefully it'll all get better but sorry for the short chapter! Hope you guys enjoy.