Chapter 17

This is a very simple and quick method.

But Mary was surprised.

It wasn't because the method was so unexpected; frankly, she had considered political assassinations before, but she couldn't find suitable people to carry them out.

She was surprised that it was Albert who proposed the plan.

She didn't have a strong impression of the blond young man in front of her, but from the few times they had met, she could sense that he was a person with a strong sense of justice and chivalry, otherwise he wouldn't have been willing to help the old woman who had been falsely accused of being a witch.

But now, when he talks about killing, he smiles calmly and naturally.

You can't judge a book by its cover.

Mary had this thought in mind, and then calmly said, "It's true, but there are huge risks involved. If it fails, or if rumors spread and the people of Edinburgh think I'm plotting a murder, my reputation will be ruined."

Albert thought for a moment and said, "They might not doubt you. In fact, after the Protestant storming of the palace and the burning of witches, John Knox's reputation has declined significantly. On the contrary, it is Your Majesty who has been the subject of some rumors among the common people."

"What kind of rumors?" Mary asked.

"You are blessed by angels, and the Lord has given you revelation in your dreams... The words you spoke at the stake that day have already been passed down among the people of Edinburgh, and they have begun to regard you as an extraordinary queen," Albert said.

Mary smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "That's a good thing, but the murder still doesn't clear my suspicions, because people always look for the murderer of the pastor, and anyone who has a grudge against the pastor is on the suspect list, and I'm the first one to be suspected."

“Then disguise it as an accident, so that no one suspects anything. For example, a horse that suddenly goes mad, a few belladonna berries mixed in with the berries, or excessive bloodletting by a doctor after a patient falls ill... These can only be described as unfortunate fates, and no one can be considered the murderer,” Albert said.

Mary glanced at him thoughtfully and said, "But I don't have such a loyal and reliable warrior by my side to carry out the murder for me. Although Pastor Knox is a self-righteous but actually despicable villain, killing him is still a sin worthy of hell."

Albert eagerly took a step forward, glanced at the Queen's face, then quickly lowered his head and whispered, "I am willing to do this if you allow it."

Mary stared at the blond youth for a while, wondering what kind of person she had actually rescued from the sea.

Mary withdrew her gaze and calmly said, "Mr. Dester, it's quite surprising that you seem so skilled at these methods of murder."

Eager to demonstrate his abilities, Albert's eyes flashed with annoyance upon hearing the Queen's words.

“I…I’m not what you think…please don’t have any ill feelings towards me,” Albert said dryly.

Whether it was true or not, Mary already had her own answer in her mind.

Mary stood up, walked over to Albert, and said, “Unfortunately, you have misunderstood my intention, Mr. Durst. I asked you this question simply to inquire about your views on Calvinism as a foreigner. I am truly astonished that you would suggest murder.”

Albert's lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something but then swallowed it back.

“Reverend Knox is a citizen of Scotland. As Queen, I will only protect my own subjects. How could I have such a crazy idea? Do you understand?” Mary said.

“I understand,” Albert said, looking somewhat dejected.

"Put away your blasphemous thoughts..." Mary pointed to the door and said, "...Now, leave."

...

Mary was actually quite tempted by Albert's proposal to assassinate her.

However, she had not yet figured out the blond youth's background and abilities, so she dared not give him orders casually.

Earl Boswell pledged his allegiance to her because he was a warrior who believed only in his own strength and primal laws, a natural believer in monarchs, and despised nobles who engaged in intrigue and scheming. Maitland and a group of nobles also secretly pledged their allegiance to her because they wanted to overthrow Earl Morrie and seize greater power.

Four Marys cared for and loved her because they had grown up together and shared a deep friendship. The Queen's favor was invaluable, guaranteeing them good husbands among the nobility. Her uncle, the Duke, far away in France, also cared for her, as Scotland was a crucial bargaining chip in the Guise family's political games.

Elizabeth I of London was hostile to her because she was a great threat to Elizabeth's throne and could potentially cost her her life at any moment. John Knox hated her because she hindered the spread of Calvinism.

Having lived a second life, Mary was able to see through these people's motives and thoughts.

She gives these people what they want, carefully maintaining a balance between interests, and then reaping more rewards.

It looks very complicated.

Ultimately, they are all just alliances formed by those with shared interests and mutual animosity among those with opposing interests.

But with the blond youth, Mary could sense that he was trying to please her, yet she couldn't figure out what he really wanted.

At first, Mary thought that this disheveled Italian wanted a stable job and income from her so he could live a peaceful life, which she could certainly provide.

But now that I think about it, someone who is fluent in multiple languages, skilled in combat, and has demonstrated expertise in assassination today could have a relatively good life no matter where they are.

Even if he couldn't go back to Italy, he could have gone to bustling cities like Paris or Madrid, instead of staying in a poor, remote part of Scotland as a mere deputy captain of a hundred-man guard.

With this in mind, Mary wrote another letter to the Duke of Guise, asking him to send someone to the Duchy of Ferrara in Italy to investigate Albert Dest's identity and past.

...

Having successfully defeated John Knox twice in a row, Mary was eager to press her advantage. Unfortunately, Knox had also become much more cautious and his behavior was no longer as arrogant as before, making it difficult for Mary to find fault with him.

According to the Protestants who secretly reported this, he hadn't even made any veiled attacks during his sermons these past few days, which surprised many of them.

Mary was also surprised, knowing that John Knox used to be extremely arrogant in the church and didn't respect royal authority at all.

How arrogant are they?

When her mother, Queen Guise, died, Knox sang Amen, giving thanks to God for the blessings upon mankind and for freeing Scotland from the regency of that French woman.

When her husband, Francis II, died, she was overjoyed once again, and even sang hymns of thanksgiving loudly in the church.

I didn't expect him to have toned it down now.

Unable to find another opportunity to strike at Knox, Mary was somewhat disappointed. She simply had people spread the previous rumors to smear John Knox and then proclaim the divine favor bestowed upon the Queen.

After finishing these tasks, Mary turned her attention to receiving the Marquis Moreta, the envoy from the Duchy of Savoy.

This country, which has since become extinct, was not large in area. Its borders were close to Italy and France, and it was within the sphere of influence of Catholicism. This time, it sent an envoy all the way to the British Isles on the instructions of the Pope to investigate how rampant the Protestant forces were, and also to offer some words of comfort to the devout Catholics—that is, Mary Stuart.

Mary, following protocol, hosted a banquet and ball, treating the envoy to good food and drink. When the Marquess of Moretti hinted that Mary must not stop her struggle against Elizabeth I and uphold the orthodox status of Catholics in the British Isles, she reluctantly revealed her predicament.

“Mr. Ambassador, I have no need to hide anything from you and the esteemed Pope, and you should be able to guess some of my predicament…” To the Marquis Moretti sitting to her left, Mary spoke quite frankly: “…I spent more than ten years in France before returning home to rule in my own right, which is why the nobles and commoners here treat me like a stranger, and they do not obey my orders at all. I have no reward money, no brave soldiers, and all the power of regency has been taken away by my half-brother, making me like a puppet.”

The situation wasn't actually that bad, but in order to gain the Pope's support, Mary didn't mind exaggerating the severity of the situation.

Marquis Moreta nodded slightly, seemingly focused but actually indifferent as he listened to the Queen of Scots's words.

“Your Majesty, I deeply sympathize with your situation,” Marquis Moreta said sincerely.

Mary glanced at the envoy's expression and added fuel to the fire.

"And those heretics in England have also stirred up a huge storm in Scotland. Many of the Scottish nobles have become Protestants and formed an organization of congregational lords, and my brother James is their leader," Mary said.

Marquis Moreta was then startled.

Commoners are one thing, but the nobles who control the majority of local military power and wealth cannot be ignored!

"Even nobles are like this! This is an outrageous blasphemy!" Marquis Moreta said, slightly angry.

“It is indeed blasphemy against the Lord…” Mary said, making the sign of the cross on her chest. Leaning forward to look at the ambassador, her deep, bright eyes reflected the flickering candlelight, tinged with a burning intensity. She said softly, “…I hope you will convey to His Holiness the Pope that I yearn to expel heretics from Scotland and restore Catholicism, but I have been forced by circumstances, even reluctantly, to acknowledge the freedom of religion of my subjects, just to ensure that I will not die like my ancestors, James I and James III, in a despicable assassination. But if one day I can reclaim my rights, I will surely expel Protestants, restore the dignity and rights that the Roman Catholic Church deserves, and let the Lord see my devout faith in Heaven.”

“This path, akin to that of a saintly martyr, must be extremely difficult; you will need my help,” Marquis Moreta immediately promised.

“I believe that God and the Holy Father in Rome will surely protect me. Please also tell His Holiness the Pope that if I receive another crown, the failure of Mary I will not necessarily be the failure of another Mary,” Mary said solemnly.

This implies not just a small Scotland, but the entire British Isles!

Marquis Moreta immediately felt much better.

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, I will certainly convey your words to the Pope verbatim!" Marquis Moreta said.

Mary smiled slightly and said, "I eagerly desire the Pope's friendship."

Mary and the envoy exchanged a smile, then raised their glasses together and drank the wine.