No one dared to disturb the Queen of Italy in her room. Marco only peeked through the little space when he opened the door to check his wife.

"How is she?"

Queen Mary asked while they were on their way back to the throne room.

"She's sleeping, mother"

King Marco of Italy said

"Thank god"

"What we heard earlier was horrible and a huge nightmare for her"

"I can't imagine what she might have felt after hearing that horrendous confession"

Mary said as a tear dropped from her eye

His son-in-law, King Marco, caressed her shoulder to comfort the Queen.

Lord James who was with them was quietly standing in front of the two.

"Is he dead already, Lord James?"

"If not, I would definitely be glad to kill him for my wife's sake"

Marco stated

"I don't think Alexandra would want you to get blood on your hands, Marco"

Mary said

Marco sighed in defeat

"He's not yet dead"

Uncle James butted in

"Not yet? Why?!"

Mary exclaimed

"He should be beheaded!"

Marco proposed

"Not according to Alexandra"

James said

They looked at him with a curious look on their faces

"What do you mean by this, James?"

Mary asked

"I'm not quite sure if you have remembered what she said but she wanted him to die slowly"

"Which I have to admit, I am agreeing with her on that"

"Killing him in an instant won't give either satisfaction or justice"

"Plus, we need to get more information regarding the whereabouts of the rest of his men"

"We cannot risk another attack to the Princess of Scotland or anyone in this court"

He added

Mary and Marco agreed with his explanation

A guard entered the vicinity and announced a sudden arrival at the throne room

"Your majesties, Queen Alexandra of Italy has arrived"

They looked at her and saw a blank reaction on her face, looking like she's dead inside.

She walked in graciously towards the group of majesties despite her blank facial expression.

"Alexandra, my daughter, are you alright?"

"Do you need anything?"

Mary offered a hug and she let her

"We shall leave the two of you alone"

Uncle James and King Marco agreed

As they were about to exit, Queen Alexandra spoke, and that made them halt.

"Stop"

"Kindly stay as I need both of you here as well"

She said

"Is there anything we could do for you, Alex?"

Marco asked

"Inform my grandmother, Catherine, in France regarding with what recently happened and the information we were able to squeeze out from that bastard"

"If it's possible to have her here, by all means, prepare the ship and our men for her to be fetched safely"

Alex demanded

"My dear, may I ask what is the purpose of this?"

Her mother asked

"She [Catherine] knows what to do"

"I would love to have her use her skills to hunt for the prey."

Alex smirked

Mary agreed but is currently in doubt about her daughter as she knows nothing about Alexandra's plan.

"What can I do to help?"

Lord James offered assistance

"I trust you with my whole existence, Uncle James"

"Not just because we are related but we both know how dedicated you are to the crown"

"With that, watch every move of your old pal, John Knox"

"Get back to me once you find his actions suspicious"

She said

Lord James nodded

"Hmm"

"Why is John Knox mentioned in this discussion?"

Mary asked

"A protestant who worked with Darnley"

"Didn't they attempt to get you off from your throne, mother?"

She asked

"Yes"

"Yes, they did"

Mary nodded

"Darnley is off the list"

"Now that he is gone, we have one highly possible suspect which is John Knox"

"Mind you he is a Scottish protestant after all"

"He has been quiet for the past years"

"I don't think that is normal, do you?"

She explained

They nodded

"She has a point, mother"

Marco backed his wife up to the Queen of Scots

"Well then, let us see to where this will lead"

"James and Marco, you know what to do already"

Mary demanded

"I will have to go back to my chambers to take a rest for me and my baby, mother"

Alexandra bowed down

"Take a good care of yourself, dear"

"I will visit your chamber from time to time so I could check on you"

Mary said

"Thank you, mother"

Alex smiled

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A/N:

I am very sorry that it took me months again to upload a chapter. I have lost track of this book, but I am trying to finish it as it has been years already since I uploaded the very first chapter. Please do continue reading the book, or feel free to read it again and share it with your friends.

Thank you for your patience.