Reign (2013) s02e18 Episode Script
Reversal Of Fortune
Previously on Reign The sisters know that I'm a healer.
They believe I'm blessed and took me in.
How did you heal that woman's son? I laid hands on him.
You saved someone at a cost to another.
Not always.
Many times, there are no consequences.
Who left those marks on your face? She earns every mark she gets.
You are hereby stripped of your title.
- I want to live.
- There could be a price.
You are free to be with Condé, but I can't control my mother's appetite for vengeance.
You are my choice, and this is our moment.
Promise me that when the day comes, we'll get on that boat, - and you'll leave all this all behind.
- Yes.
Francis, you must stop her for both of your sakes.
Francis? Francis! The vision.
Nostradamus's vision.
He saw how Francis died.
It's all coming true.
Why won't his ear stop bleeding? Is there nothing you can do for him? It's the infection.
Until his body overcomes the disease, it will keep pushing blood into the ear.
What if he can't? Will he never stop bleeding? Will he never wake up? Tell me the truth.
Well, if he can't overcome it, if his fever won't break, and soon, the king will die.
What is it? I can't believe I'm here with you.
That you're mine.
Yes, I am.
But ? Do I sense regrets? No.
No regrets.
You helped me find myself again.
Part of myself I thought I'd lost.
Why do I feel like a servant who's located some missing earring for you? Don't be like that, Louis.
I love you.
You must know that.
You've risked your life and your future for me time and again.
You turned down Elizabeth, the chance to be a king for me.
I know that you feel my husband's presence while we're here in France, but soon we'll be gone, in Scotland together.
I promise.
Well, then, the sooner we get back, the sooner we'll be on our way.
Lola, what's wrong? It's Francis.
He fell terribly ill last night.
How? Tell me everything.
Apparently, he collapsed.
He was burning up and fell into unconsciousness.
- He hasn't woken.
- Is it an infection? Are they worried he has some kind of brain fever? I don't know, but everyone's very worried.
Then I must go to him.
Welcome back.
What is this place? Where I live and work sometimes.
When I'm not with the nuns.
You cleaned my wound.
Stitched it myself.
You're lucky that blade stuck you where it did.
A few inches difference Well, even my gift has its limits.
Was it your gift or your medicine that healed me? I saved your life.
Does it matter that much to you how? Yes, it does.
Was I awake when you healed me? I saw my wound, Delphine.
I should have died.
Do you wish you had? You didn't when I found you.
All you did was beg for the pain to stop.
I just want to know what the price will be and who will pay it.
If there is an answer to that, I don't know it.
The rules are unwritten.
There's no way to know for sure if or when a price will be paid, or by whom.
I'm sorry.
Where's my shirt? Where do you think you're going? To find the man who tried to kill me.
He's already been caught.
What? There were witnesses to your argument in the village.
Loyal people who fear the king and his deputy.
Go there and confirm his guilt.
You will see your enemy hang.
Can he hear us? No.
The physician was asking how the king seemed before he collapsed.
He says it could help him treat Francis.
Was he eating? Did he seem weak? How was he sleeping? You don't know the answers, do you? Knowing a husband's well-being that's a wife's job.
And you have chosen - not to be a wife to my son.
- Catherine Where were you last night, Mary, when the king collapsed? I was away from the castle to I know about you and Condé.
Do you know what told me that your infidelity was fact and not rumor? The look of pain on my son's face when he lied for you.
To protect the woman that he loved more than anything.
We had come to an agreement.
I doubt that agreement included you abandoning your marriage and running off to Scotland.
Yes, I know about that, too.
So does Francis.
The truth of your betrayal was the last thing that he heard before he collapsed.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Am I upsetting you? Should I not have suggested that you did this to him? Because you make no mistake this is on your head.
Nostradamus always said that you would be the cause of my son's death.
I never imagined that you would kill him by breaking his heart.
Don't know if you can hear me, but please know, wherever you are, I am so sorry for the pain we've caused each other.
I want you to live.
Please, please live.
That's a good look for you.
You going somewhere? Yes, thank goodness, and leaving this rat trap behind.
I've rented a townhouse not far from here, and it's rather grand.
A grand townhouse? How did you get the money? The business is growing, Leith, and it will grow even more once I give it the right setting.
A brothel.
The lease came up, and I took it.
I only just have enough money for the first week's rent, but there's a group of rich merchants arriving in town, and if I can get them there for a party I'm throwing tonight, I will make a killing, and the business will be off and running.
But if you didn't need to do any of this, if we could get an annulment and marry and start a family, would you not want to leave all this behind? Leith we've been over this.
It's not possible.
What if it was? What if I told you that I have a very powerful friend who could help us? I only have to do a few tasks for him.
What tasks? They'd have to be dangerous tasks, or they wouldn't be worth such a favor.
Leith, I never asked you for this.
Because you don't want it? I want what I have.
A man I love, not a man I have to depend on.
Mary, a word.
It's as I feared.
Rumors of the king's health have started to spread through the castle.
If news of his condition should fall into the wrong hands The throne room is full of potential threats lords, diplomats, all waiting for Francis.
I'm afraid I can't hide the truth from my face.
- Catherine, wait.
- Don't! Please listen.
We may never know what caused Francis's illness.
If I'm as responsible as you say, I will never forgive myself.
So let me do this one thing for you.
I will talk to the advisors.
You go back to Francis.
When he wakes up, he would rather see your face than mine.
Mary.
I'm so sorry.
- Is there anything I can do? - There is.
Find Bash.
If these are the final hours, Bash needs to say good-bye to his brother.
Gentlemen.
I'm sorry you've been kept waiting.
I fear you've been misinformed as to our king's situation.
It seems a rather magnificent stag did not check the royal calendar, so our king and his hunting companions have been met on a chase through the woods.
I will be handling any urgent matters until his return.
So if there isn't anything terribly pressing ? - No, Your Highness.
- No.
No, Your Majesty.
Well, I will let you know when the king is back.
Your Grace.
That was a fine performance.
I don't doubt your concern for your husband is real.
Pity I can't say the same for your lover.
If Francis dies, Condé could marry you.
He could become king of Scotland.
But I'm sure that's the furthest thing from your mind.
Or his.
I just wanted my own life.
A chance to feel my heart again.
I I knew my leaving would never be painless, but Louis, do you really think that my betrayal has done this to Francis? He's saddened, as any man would be.
But sadness doesn't make men bleed.
Mary.
Thank you, Louis, but it doesn't feel right to take comfort in your touch right now.
Admiral Sinet.
Queen Mary, I'm sorry to arrive unannounced, but there's been urgent news regarding Scotland.
- What's happened? - The Protestant rebels in Scotland are mobilizing for a military offensive.
Against whom? Against your supporters.
We expect that all regions and lords loyal to you are in imminent danger.
The killings have already started as they overtake the land.
Lords and ladies beheaded, bodies left behind as a warning.
How many men do these Protestants have on their side? Our intelligence indicates that at least a thousand are gathering for the attack.
And my half-brother, James? He explains in his dispatch.
He's worked hard, in your name, building alliances with Catholic and Protestant lords, both.
Fighting to prop up a crumbling peace.
England doesn't want peace.
They want Scottish blood and my crown.
James can't hold back the tide any longer.
He needs some show of strength to deter your enemies and to persuade your friends that they can win.
I will bring this to King Francis's attention as soon as he returns.
Your Majesty.
Louis, what do I do? If I don't act, then my allies will be slaughtered and my country will be lost.
Maybe we should leave now.
Your people will rally when they see their queen.
We'd be sailing into a civil war.
I don't have enough men.
I would need thousands of soldiers.
The only person who can command a force of that size is the king.
Mary with Francis as he is, right now the king is you.
Your Majesty, I received your request.
Good.
But I wonder if some other guard might look after Claude today.
I have an urgent matter in town I need to attend to.
Something to do other than your job? It will only take a few hours.
- Take Claude with you.
- That wouldn't be wise.
The section of town I'm headed is ill-suited for princesses.
You don't seem to be hearing me, Leith.
I trust you to do this and not ask questions.
Which is more discretion than I trust my daughter with.
Hence, in part, my request.
Do you understand? Of course, Your Majesty.
Your daughter will be kept safe today and occupied outside the castle walls.
Francis is grateful.
As am I.
Driver! Driver, what's going on? means fewer soldiers facing England, less on our borders with Navarre, the Italian and German territories, and those are just our foreign threats.
The potential threats.
Unlike the threats that Scotland faces that are real and immediate.
How can I betray my husband's wishes, endanger his country? A country I have come to love, too.
How can I do this? Mary, how can you not? Scotland is our home.
The loyalists you'd be protecting, many are friends.
Some are family.
If these rebels aren't stopped, we may not have a country to go back to.
I know it's grim logic, but if Francis were to die, in that moment, you'd lose all power in France.
The crown goes to Charles.
You will have lost your chance to send help.
I would like a moment with my daughter-in-law.
Alone.
I've heard what is happening in Scotland, and while I sympathize with your situation, I'm aware of what you must be considering, sending French troops.
I don't like it.
Think about your allies in Scotland.
Why should I stand by while you steal my son's army to run off with your Bourbon prince? Elizabeth is building a Protestant campaign to take over Scotland; France could be next.
I don't believe that.
I am trying to save my country! Your country is all but lost! Do not drag us down with you! I understand that you want to get as far away from here as possible, but I won't let this happen to France, to you.
You may have the authority, I will move heaven and earth to stop you.
It's the king's deputy! He lives! My lord, is this him? Is this the villain who tried to murder you? That's him.
You have been found guilty for the attempted murder of the king's deputy.
God have mercy on your soul.
Who's next? Bring out the witch! Let them see her face! A face kissed by the Devil.
My God.
Clarissa.
I'm not a witch! I'm not a witch, please! Bash! Bash, you know me! - Please help me.
- Beat the evil from her! - Please! I beg you! Stop! What proof do you have that she's a witch? My lord, look at her face.
She passed my farm on Sunday, and by Wednesday, my salt pork was black with rot! That proves nothing.
What are her crimes? This witch was a servant, my lord.
She stole from the family she served, and fled in the night.
I was no servant.
I was more like a prisoner.
Kept beneath the floorboards and treated - like an animal! - No! Not today.
There will be no hanging or stoning of this girl.
But she's Satan's spawn! And I'm the king's deputy.
So I will take her to French court to face the king's justice.
Please make way.
If you take me back to court, you haven't saved my life.
I will die there.
By Catherine's hand.
Perhaps that's what you deserve.
You kidnapped her children; have you forgotten? I was monstrous, it's true.
But you don't know what it was like, living hidden my whole life.
To have to watch the love that those boys were given by their mother.
To realize that I had been watching my own family.
I was watching my own mother.
I went mad.
You almost killed those boys, my brothers.
I regret what I did, and I will not hurt another soul.
Are you going to let them kill me? I haven't decided what to do yet.
For now, you're coming with me.
You're training.
When we get to Scotland, I want to be ready to fight.
Catherine guessed what you had in mind, didn't she? Mary, I know you're torn, but don't let this decision be about me or Francis or love or guilt.
It's about your duty as queen of Scotland.
It's about all of those things.
None of which make it the right choice to weaken France.
Louis, Catherine is worried for France if I send those troops, and she should be.
I'm worried as well.
There must be some other way to stop the slaughter of those loyal to me.
Mercenaries, a private militia.
There is.
I know of a private army, run by a general named Renaude.
With our combined forces, we might have enough men to overtake the rebels.
And why didn't you mention this Renaude to me before? Because he used to serve Narcisse, and rumor has it he still does.
If you want those men, you'll have to go through Narcisse.
I still don't understand why we keep circling this dreary village.
We've been to the jeweler and the dressmaker.
I'm just looking for that tapestry shop.
We've passed it.
Why are you deliberately wasting my time? Mother asked you to, didn't she? I don't know what you mean.
Why does she want me out of the castle? Is it because she's bedding Narcisse? She wants me away from him, doesn't she? Whoa! I've got to run a quick errand.
I'll be right back.
Stay in the carriage.
You.
- Do you know this town? - I do, Majesty.
Where's the last place you'd take a princess? You.
You owe the cardinal three months' dues, and I'm here to collect.
The cardinal's demands for protection I have nothing left to give.
I enjoy this no more than you do, but the fact is that you owe the money.
Where is Princess Claude? The moment I saw her, I felt a terrible sense of dread.
You considered letting those savages stone her to death.
I was pulled back from death, and then there she was, pushed toward it in almost the same time and place.
A woman connected to me.
A woman whose fate is also connected to someone I love by a prophecy.
Connected to whom? My brother, Francis.
And you're afraid now that you've spared her, you've brought a deadly prophecy closer to the king of France.
I don't know, but I don't dare ignore the coincidence.
I need to get to the castle and make sure he's not in danger danger I might have put him in.
Clarissa's not safe there.
Can she stay with you? - I'll be back for her soon.
- Yes.
Your Majesty.
I don't mean to interrupt, but I was told you wanted to see me.
Let's not waste time by pretending you don't know what's happening.
As surely Catherine has told you, I need an army.
I've been informed that you have access to one.
As you're well aware, my armies were taken by the king, along with my lands and my titles.
You promised Francis your loyalty and your usefulness in exchange for your life.
Buying the allegiance of a secret army behind the king's back is not loyalty.
It's treachery.
And don't try to deny that either.
Once I start looking, I know I will find proof of that and more.
All of which Francis will hear about when he wakes.
If he wakes.
You're right.
Francis could die at any moment.
Which is why time is of the essence.
You will deliver Renaude to me by dawn.
You will tell him that he and his men will answer to me, because today I am king.
And I will punish those who defy me.
Remember your son.
Do not test my power, and do not tempt my fury.
Get back there, wench! No! I said no! Hey.
Hello, friend.
Come on.
Come on.
Did you need a ride? I'm afraid that won't do you much good, you little thief.
I'm not a thief! Unhand me at once! I'm on a mission from the Crown to find the king's brother.
And the Crown didn't bother to give you a horse? Not too many highborn ladies are tasked with important missions, or travel these woods alone.
Please, just let me go.
Don't pass me off to those savages like those common whores.
Whores? Those ladies are my lieutenants' wives, so you'd do well not to repeat that.
Wives? I'm sorry.
I thought I know what you thought.
I also know that you're not a thief not with that lofty gaze of judgment, Lady ? Kenna.
Lady Kenna.
Those men are members of my private army, Lady Kenna.
I've been summoned by the castle and will soon leave them to ride there and take my orders.
Be happy to give you safe escort home.
I can't go home.
Not until I find the king's brother.
I can't leave a beautiful noblewoman to wander out here all alone.
It's far too dangerous.
What if I promise to ask for your king's brother on the way? Will that satisfy you? What did the doctors say? The next few hours are critical.
The bleeding from his ear has slowed, but they fear the fever alone might take him, and soon.
This may seem like an odd question, but when did this happen to him? Is it in the last day? Yes.
Why? Does that mean something? Just wondering.
Keep praying for him, Mary.
I just wish I knew it helped.
You never know what might help.
We have to try everything, don't we? Lord Honoret! Is that you hiding behind a whore? How lovely to walk in and find I know so many people.
Count DeSalle! Remember me? We met at your wedding.
Greer.
What is Claude doing here? She's shaming my very best customers out of the party.
I'll get her out of here.
Oh.
You're here? Fancy a turn with me? A wha ? A dance, you dirty bird.
Hands off, I'm a princess.
Well, a princess has no business in a house of ill repute.
You're such a prude.
Nice to see you again, Leith.
Looking fine, soldier boy.
Oh, they know you.
Maybe you're not such a prude after all.
The doctor said it may be any hour now.
My son is dying.
Catherine, I'm so sorry.
I meant what I said last night.
You don't have to be alone in this.
You have my loyalty.
And my protection.
Protection? Mary has ordered that I deliver a private army to her.
A general named Renaude he's a friend of mine.
I've summoned him.
Why are you telling me this? Last night, you told me that you were afraid of what would happen to you if Francis dies.
Of your enemies descending upon you and your young children.
I can't think about this now.
Well, you need to, because you were right.
If you become regent, your enemies will move against you.
But even if Mary takes Renaude's forces to Scotland, I still have the French army here.
Most of whom you can trust, but not all.
When a crown changes heads, power shifts.
Nothing is certain, and no one is safe.
You and your sons will need extra protection.
Renaude's army should be for you, Catherine, not Mary.
Why are you so keen to protect me? This is just a bet to see which queen you think will win.
I'm flattered as a queen, of course Catherine I care about you.
If you deny her Renaude's army, Mary will destroy you.
And still may resort to French troops.
It may not come to that if we can stall.
We may only need hours, as you say.
If Francis dies, then Mary loses her power.
But if the king survives, then he'll put a stop to her plans by himself.
Arrange to stall her, then.
This could cost Mary her nation.
Well, she shouldn't have forgotten that by marrying your son, her nation became France.
You're a skilled rider, Lady Kenna.
Never discount a woman's skills.
Our daily lives consist of making hardship seem effortless.
I have a feeling I've just begun to learn the extent of your skills.
You know, I don't even know your name.
General Renaude.
I have an urgent message from court.
General, is it? Lady Kenna, your husband has returned safely from his journey.
You're married? I didn't know.
Please bring Lady Kenna the rest of the way to the castle.
I thought you said that these woods were too dangerous for me alone.
And now you're sending me off with a messenger? He made it here safely.
The woods between here and the castle are well-patrolled.
As it happens, I have other reasons for not riding on with you.
I'm not headed where you are anymore.
Oh.
I suppose that is somewhat honorable.
Unless of course I am savagely murdered here in these woods.
Enjoy your reunion with your husband.
I'm sure he will.
Is this wine from the castle? It's to relax you.
And to thank Delphine for sharing her comforts with us.
Very kind.
It's been so long since anyone's offered me more than brown water.
Bash, what have you done? What's what's happening to me? Clarissa, I'm so sorry.
I didn't know Bash had left the castle.
If I had, I never would have sent you to find him.
But I'm glad you're both safe.
Any word on Renaude? He sent you this message.
He's saying he's two days away.
Two days? Weren't we told he was closer? Wait a minute.
Mary, Renaude is the man who helped me.
He escorted me back to the castle.
General Renaude is here? Well, not here.
But he said he was summoned to court, and then he received a message, read it and turned back around.
Which means someone told him to lie.
- To pretend he was farther away than he is.
- By two days.
Enough time to see whether the king will live or die.
If he dies, Catherine will take power, she'll stop us.
If he lives, Francis will most likely do the same.
This is Narcisse's doing.
Tell the guards to fetch Narcisse and drag him to the dungeons.
I will tear him in half for this.
Why? Did Catherine make you to do this? - I'm so sorry.
- I'm her child! I'm doing this for her other child, your brother, the king.
He's gravely ill.
I I don't understand.
Your friend, Nostradamus, had a vision.
Mary's return to court would cost Catherine her firstborn.
We all thought that meant Francis, but you were her firstborn.
To those who of us who believe in such magic, your death satisfied the Fates.
Do you believe in such magic? Yes.
So do I.
If not, the Devil take my soul.
You saved her from so much suffering in her future.
Francis, I am sending French forces to Scotland.
I'm sorry, but it's the only way.
I know you can't hear me, but I wish, if you could, that you would understand.
I hope that you would forgive me my choice.
I have forgiven you for yours.
I know that you never meant for any harm to come to me.
I remember when I couldn't be this close to you or even hear the sound of your breath.
I cling to that sound now.
I don't want it to end.
Francis? Catherine! He's regained consciousness.
Apparently, he's upright, and he's even speaking.
Oh, thank God.
I'm so relieved.
Mary, what about Scotland? Will you still be going? Are you sending men? That is for Francis to decide.
You should know that I informed him of your plan to send his men to your country.
He already knew, of course, that you were willing to betray and abandon him.
Francis, thank God.
The fever's broken.
Doctors say I'll be on my feet soon.
My mother's told me about the crisis in Scotland.
I need to explain.
No, there's no need.
I've already made my decision.
And it's final.
I have ordered 2,000 French troops to sail to Scotland Francis! to defend your supporters.
- You can't! - I have faith that France can withstand the temporary absence of troops as well as the cost in gold to send them.
Let our enemies observe this display of French power.
Why would you do this after such a betrayal? I said my decision was final.
Leave us, Mother.
I am grateful but I have to ask the same question.
Why? You mean why, when you were about to leave France? To turn your back on the country that sheltered you as a child and abandon the crown you were given? And me, the husband you swore an oath to? Yes.
Because my country made yours a promise, that's why.
France and Scotland are allies.
We are both stronger when we honor our promises.
Unlike your wife, you mean.
Make of that what you will, but I have been given a second chance at life, and I intend to live it more wisely.
So the next time I'm staring at death, I can have no regrets.
And do you regret marrying me? I think you should leave.
Leave this room? Or leave France? That's up to you.
You got what you wanted your freedom, your country's salvation.
Just don't expect a fond farewell from me.
Or my trust.
Ever again.
Could the driver have taken a longer way back to the castle? And was there a single kingsguard errand you left unfinished? You should thank me for giving you time to sober up.
I wanted my mother to see me drunk, you idiot.
Claude.
Hello, Leith.
Lady Kenna.
I was so sorry to hear about your brother.
But you must be so relieved now that he's awake.
Awake? What are you on about? Well, Francis.
He was so ill, and You didn't know.
How long was he ill? He fell unconscious the night before last, and Well, I'm sure someone was supposed to tell you.
Just not me.
Please save your rage for after I leave.
You kept me away from the castle purposely, didn't you? So I didn't make a family crisis worse than it already was.
Well, don't be so stoic.
This isn't a military tribunal.
Why do they treat me like a child? Like a problem that needs to be managed.
You tell me.
I get into trouble.
I go for the wrong men.
I suppose you could argue that I only want the things that I can't have.
But I can change.
I mean, you're a promising fellow.
Except for the bit about all the whores knowing you.
Uh Their madam and I are together.
So much for breaking a pattern.
Your Majesty.
Brother, I'm fine.
It was rather a miracle.
I was told to call for Charles, but in the middle of the night, Francis's condition suddenly reversed itself.
Middle of the night, just like that.
Yes, a miracle.
Yes, I suppose it was.
Ships have set sail for Scotland.
Francis's troops.
But we won't be leaving any time soon, will we? I can't.
Not now, of course, but when Francis has fully recovered? When I leave, I will weaken him in the eyes of Europe, just when he has weakened himself by upholding the alliance between France and Scotland.
I don't understand.
How long do you mean to remain? Did he make this a condition of his order, that you need to stay here in France? No, he did not.
Then why are you doing this, Mary? I love you, and you love me.
Our love will die here.
You must know that.
Please try to understand.
I'm not my own person in this.
I'm not just responsible to you or me.
I am responsible to two countries.
Do you think I've forgotten that, Mary? I'm a prince with my own people, my own responsibilities.
No, I don't suppose you did forget.
But maybe I did.
My feelings for you are so strong that I couldn't see past them at times.
And what do you see now? An affair under your husband's roof and nothing more? It's all I can offer you.
I once told you that my heart was all I had to give.
Is that not enough anymore? Honestly, I don't know.
How is the king? Resting.
I would like to stay for a while.
They believe I'm blessed and took me in.
How did you heal that woman's son? I laid hands on him.
You saved someone at a cost to another.
Not always.
Many times, there are no consequences.
Who left those marks on your face? She earns every mark she gets.
You are hereby stripped of your title.
- I want to live.
- There could be a price.
You are free to be with Condé, but I can't control my mother's appetite for vengeance.
You are my choice, and this is our moment.
Promise me that when the day comes, we'll get on that boat, - and you'll leave all this all behind.
- Yes.
Francis, you must stop her for both of your sakes.
Francis? Francis! The vision.
Nostradamus's vision.
He saw how Francis died.
It's all coming true.
Why won't his ear stop bleeding? Is there nothing you can do for him? It's the infection.
Until his body overcomes the disease, it will keep pushing blood into the ear.
What if he can't? Will he never stop bleeding? Will he never wake up? Tell me the truth.
Well, if he can't overcome it, if his fever won't break, and soon, the king will die.
What is it? I can't believe I'm here with you.
That you're mine.
Yes, I am.
But ? Do I sense regrets? No.
No regrets.
You helped me find myself again.
Part of myself I thought I'd lost.
Why do I feel like a servant who's located some missing earring for you? Don't be like that, Louis.
I love you.
You must know that.
You've risked your life and your future for me time and again.
You turned down Elizabeth, the chance to be a king for me.
I know that you feel my husband's presence while we're here in France, but soon we'll be gone, in Scotland together.
I promise.
Well, then, the sooner we get back, the sooner we'll be on our way.
Lola, what's wrong? It's Francis.
He fell terribly ill last night.
How? Tell me everything.
Apparently, he collapsed.
He was burning up and fell into unconsciousness.
- He hasn't woken.
- Is it an infection? Are they worried he has some kind of brain fever? I don't know, but everyone's very worried.
Then I must go to him.
Welcome back.
What is this place? Where I live and work sometimes.
When I'm not with the nuns.
You cleaned my wound.
Stitched it myself.
You're lucky that blade stuck you where it did.
A few inches difference Well, even my gift has its limits.
Was it your gift or your medicine that healed me? I saved your life.
Does it matter that much to you how? Yes, it does.
Was I awake when you healed me? I saw my wound, Delphine.
I should have died.
Do you wish you had? You didn't when I found you.
All you did was beg for the pain to stop.
I just want to know what the price will be and who will pay it.
If there is an answer to that, I don't know it.
The rules are unwritten.
There's no way to know for sure if or when a price will be paid, or by whom.
I'm sorry.
Where's my shirt? Where do you think you're going? To find the man who tried to kill me.
He's already been caught.
What? There were witnesses to your argument in the village.
Loyal people who fear the king and his deputy.
Go there and confirm his guilt.
You will see your enemy hang.
Can he hear us? No.
The physician was asking how the king seemed before he collapsed.
He says it could help him treat Francis.
Was he eating? Did he seem weak? How was he sleeping? You don't know the answers, do you? Knowing a husband's well-being that's a wife's job.
And you have chosen - not to be a wife to my son.
- Catherine Where were you last night, Mary, when the king collapsed? I was away from the castle to I know about you and Condé.
Do you know what told me that your infidelity was fact and not rumor? The look of pain on my son's face when he lied for you.
To protect the woman that he loved more than anything.
We had come to an agreement.
I doubt that agreement included you abandoning your marriage and running off to Scotland.
Yes, I know about that, too.
So does Francis.
The truth of your betrayal was the last thing that he heard before he collapsed.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Am I upsetting you? Should I not have suggested that you did this to him? Because you make no mistake this is on your head.
Nostradamus always said that you would be the cause of my son's death.
I never imagined that you would kill him by breaking his heart.
Don't know if you can hear me, but please know, wherever you are, I am so sorry for the pain we've caused each other.
I want you to live.
Please, please live.
That's a good look for you.
You going somewhere? Yes, thank goodness, and leaving this rat trap behind.
I've rented a townhouse not far from here, and it's rather grand.
A grand townhouse? How did you get the money? The business is growing, Leith, and it will grow even more once I give it the right setting.
A brothel.
The lease came up, and I took it.
I only just have enough money for the first week's rent, but there's a group of rich merchants arriving in town, and if I can get them there for a party I'm throwing tonight, I will make a killing, and the business will be off and running.
But if you didn't need to do any of this, if we could get an annulment and marry and start a family, would you not want to leave all this behind? Leith we've been over this.
It's not possible.
What if it was? What if I told you that I have a very powerful friend who could help us? I only have to do a few tasks for him.
What tasks? They'd have to be dangerous tasks, or they wouldn't be worth such a favor.
Leith, I never asked you for this.
Because you don't want it? I want what I have.
A man I love, not a man I have to depend on.
Mary, a word.
It's as I feared.
Rumors of the king's health have started to spread through the castle.
If news of his condition should fall into the wrong hands The throne room is full of potential threats lords, diplomats, all waiting for Francis.
I'm afraid I can't hide the truth from my face.
- Catherine, wait.
- Don't! Please listen.
We may never know what caused Francis's illness.
If I'm as responsible as you say, I will never forgive myself.
So let me do this one thing for you.
I will talk to the advisors.
You go back to Francis.
When he wakes up, he would rather see your face than mine.
Mary.
I'm so sorry.
- Is there anything I can do? - There is.
Find Bash.
If these are the final hours, Bash needs to say good-bye to his brother.
Gentlemen.
I'm sorry you've been kept waiting.
I fear you've been misinformed as to our king's situation.
It seems a rather magnificent stag did not check the royal calendar, so our king and his hunting companions have been met on a chase through the woods.
I will be handling any urgent matters until his return.
So if there isn't anything terribly pressing ? - No, Your Highness.
- No.
No, Your Majesty.
Well, I will let you know when the king is back.
Your Grace.
That was a fine performance.
I don't doubt your concern for your husband is real.
Pity I can't say the same for your lover.
If Francis dies, Condé could marry you.
He could become king of Scotland.
But I'm sure that's the furthest thing from your mind.
Or his.
I just wanted my own life.
A chance to feel my heart again.
I I knew my leaving would never be painless, but Louis, do you really think that my betrayal has done this to Francis? He's saddened, as any man would be.
But sadness doesn't make men bleed.
Mary.
Thank you, Louis, but it doesn't feel right to take comfort in your touch right now.
Admiral Sinet.
Queen Mary, I'm sorry to arrive unannounced, but there's been urgent news regarding Scotland.
- What's happened? - The Protestant rebels in Scotland are mobilizing for a military offensive.
Against whom? Against your supporters.
We expect that all regions and lords loyal to you are in imminent danger.
The killings have already started as they overtake the land.
Lords and ladies beheaded, bodies left behind as a warning.
How many men do these Protestants have on their side? Our intelligence indicates that at least a thousand are gathering for the attack.
And my half-brother, James? He explains in his dispatch.
He's worked hard, in your name, building alliances with Catholic and Protestant lords, both.
Fighting to prop up a crumbling peace.
England doesn't want peace.
They want Scottish blood and my crown.
James can't hold back the tide any longer.
He needs some show of strength to deter your enemies and to persuade your friends that they can win.
I will bring this to King Francis's attention as soon as he returns.
Your Majesty.
Louis, what do I do? If I don't act, then my allies will be slaughtered and my country will be lost.
Maybe we should leave now.
Your people will rally when they see their queen.
We'd be sailing into a civil war.
I don't have enough men.
I would need thousands of soldiers.
The only person who can command a force of that size is the king.
Mary with Francis as he is, right now the king is you.
Your Majesty, I received your request.
Good.
But I wonder if some other guard might look after Claude today.
I have an urgent matter in town I need to attend to.
Something to do other than your job? It will only take a few hours.
- Take Claude with you.
- That wouldn't be wise.
The section of town I'm headed is ill-suited for princesses.
You don't seem to be hearing me, Leith.
I trust you to do this and not ask questions.
Which is more discretion than I trust my daughter with.
Hence, in part, my request.
Do you understand? Of course, Your Majesty.
Your daughter will be kept safe today and occupied outside the castle walls.
Francis is grateful.
As am I.
Driver! Driver, what's going on? means fewer soldiers facing England, less on our borders with Navarre, the Italian and German territories, and those are just our foreign threats.
The potential threats.
Unlike the threats that Scotland faces that are real and immediate.
How can I betray my husband's wishes, endanger his country? A country I have come to love, too.
How can I do this? Mary, how can you not? Scotland is our home.
The loyalists you'd be protecting, many are friends.
Some are family.
If these rebels aren't stopped, we may not have a country to go back to.
I know it's grim logic, but if Francis were to die, in that moment, you'd lose all power in France.
The crown goes to Charles.
You will have lost your chance to send help.
I would like a moment with my daughter-in-law.
Alone.
I've heard what is happening in Scotland, and while I sympathize with your situation, I'm aware of what you must be considering, sending French troops.
I don't like it.
Think about your allies in Scotland.
Why should I stand by while you steal my son's army to run off with your Bourbon prince? Elizabeth is building a Protestant campaign to take over Scotland; France could be next.
I don't believe that.
I am trying to save my country! Your country is all but lost! Do not drag us down with you! I understand that you want to get as far away from here as possible, but I won't let this happen to France, to you.
You may have the authority, I will move heaven and earth to stop you.
It's the king's deputy! He lives! My lord, is this him? Is this the villain who tried to murder you? That's him.
You have been found guilty for the attempted murder of the king's deputy.
God have mercy on your soul.
Who's next? Bring out the witch! Let them see her face! A face kissed by the Devil.
My God.
Clarissa.
I'm not a witch! I'm not a witch, please! Bash! Bash, you know me! - Please help me.
- Beat the evil from her! - Please! I beg you! Stop! What proof do you have that she's a witch? My lord, look at her face.
She passed my farm on Sunday, and by Wednesday, my salt pork was black with rot! That proves nothing.
What are her crimes? This witch was a servant, my lord.
She stole from the family she served, and fled in the night.
I was no servant.
I was more like a prisoner.
Kept beneath the floorboards and treated - like an animal! - No! Not today.
There will be no hanging or stoning of this girl.
But she's Satan's spawn! And I'm the king's deputy.
So I will take her to French court to face the king's justice.
Please make way.
If you take me back to court, you haven't saved my life.
I will die there.
By Catherine's hand.
Perhaps that's what you deserve.
You kidnapped her children; have you forgotten? I was monstrous, it's true.
But you don't know what it was like, living hidden my whole life.
To have to watch the love that those boys were given by their mother.
To realize that I had been watching my own family.
I was watching my own mother.
I went mad.
You almost killed those boys, my brothers.
I regret what I did, and I will not hurt another soul.
Are you going to let them kill me? I haven't decided what to do yet.
For now, you're coming with me.
You're training.
When we get to Scotland, I want to be ready to fight.
Catherine guessed what you had in mind, didn't she? Mary, I know you're torn, but don't let this decision be about me or Francis or love or guilt.
It's about your duty as queen of Scotland.
It's about all of those things.
None of which make it the right choice to weaken France.
Louis, Catherine is worried for France if I send those troops, and she should be.
I'm worried as well.
There must be some other way to stop the slaughter of those loyal to me.
Mercenaries, a private militia.
There is.
I know of a private army, run by a general named Renaude.
With our combined forces, we might have enough men to overtake the rebels.
And why didn't you mention this Renaude to me before? Because he used to serve Narcisse, and rumor has it he still does.
If you want those men, you'll have to go through Narcisse.
I still don't understand why we keep circling this dreary village.
We've been to the jeweler and the dressmaker.
I'm just looking for that tapestry shop.
We've passed it.
Why are you deliberately wasting my time? Mother asked you to, didn't she? I don't know what you mean.
Why does she want me out of the castle? Is it because she's bedding Narcisse? She wants me away from him, doesn't she? Whoa! I've got to run a quick errand.
I'll be right back.
Stay in the carriage.
You.
- Do you know this town? - I do, Majesty.
Where's the last place you'd take a princess? You.
You owe the cardinal three months' dues, and I'm here to collect.
The cardinal's demands for protection I have nothing left to give.
I enjoy this no more than you do, but the fact is that you owe the money.
Where is Princess Claude? The moment I saw her, I felt a terrible sense of dread.
You considered letting those savages stone her to death.
I was pulled back from death, and then there she was, pushed toward it in almost the same time and place.
A woman connected to me.
A woman whose fate is also connected to someone I love by a prophecy.
Connected to whom? My brother, Francis.
And you're afraid now that you've spared her, you've brought a deadly prophecy closer to the king of France.
I don't know, but I don't dare ignore the coincidence.
I need to get to the castle and make sure he's not in danger danger I might have put him in.
Clarissa's not safe there.
Can she stay with you? - I'll be back for her soon.
- Yes.
Your Majesty.
I don't mean to interrupt, but I was told you wanted to see me.
Let's not waste time by pretending you don't know what's happening.
As surely Catherine has told you, I need an army.
I've been informed that you have access to one.
As you're well aware, my armies were taken by the king, along with my lands and my titles.
You promised Francis your loyalty and your usefulness in exchange for your life.
Buying the allegiance of a secret army behind the king's back is not loyalty.
It's treachery.
And don't try to deny that either.
Once I start looking, I know I will find proof of that and more.
All of which Francis will hear about when he wakes.
If he wakes.
You're right.
Francis could die at any moment.
Which is why time is of the essence.
You will deliver Renaude to me by dawn.
You will tell him that he and his men will answer to me, because today I am king.
And I will punish those who defy me.
Remember your son.
Do not test my power, and do not tempt my fury.
Get back there, wench! No! I said no! Hey.
Hello, friend.
Come on.
Come on.
Did you need a ride? I'm afraid that won't do you much good, you little thief.
I'm not a thief! Unhand me at once! I'm on a mission from the Crown to find the king's brother.
And the Crown didn't bother to give you a horse? Not too many highborn ladies are tasked with important missions, or travel these woods alone.
Please, just let me go.
Don't pass me off to those savages like those common whores.
Whores? Those ladies are my lieutenants' wives, so you'd do well not to repeat that.
Wives? I'm sorry.
I thought I know what you thought.
I also know that you're not a thief not with that lofty gaze of judgment, Lady ? Kenna.
Lady Kenna.
Those men are members of my private army, Lady Kenna.
I've been summoned by the castle and will soon leave them to ride there and take my orders.
Be happy to give you safe escort home.
I can't go home.
Not until I find the king's brother.
I can't leave a beautiful noblewoman to wander out here all alone.
It's far too dangerous.
What if I promise to ask for your king's brother on the way? Will that satisfy you? What did the doctors say? The next few hours are critical.
The bleeding from his ear has slowed, but they fear the fever alone might take him, and soon.
This may seem like an odd question, but when did this happen to him? Is it in the last day? Yes.
Why? Does that mean something? Just wondering.
Keep praying for him, Mary.
I just wish I knew it helped.
You never know what might help.
We have to try everything, don't we? Lord Honoret! Is that you hiding behind a whore? How lovely to walk in and find I know so many people.
Count DeSalle! Remember me? We met at your wedding.
Greer.
What is Claude doing here? She's shaming my very best customers out of the party.
I'll get her out of here.
Oh.
You're here? Fancy a turn with me? A wha ? A dance, you dirty bird.
Hands off, I'm a princess.
Well, a princess has no business in a house of ill repute.
You're such a prude.
Nice to see you again, Leith.
Looking fine, soldier boy.
Oh, they know you.
Maybe you're not such a prude after all.
The doctor said it may be any hour now.
My son is dying.
Catherine, I'm so sorry.
I meant what I said last night.
You don't have to be alone in this.
You have my loyalty.
And my protection.
Protection? Mary has ordered that I deliver a private army to her.
A general named Renaude he's a friend of mine.
I've summoned him.
Why are you telling me this? Last night, you told me that you were afraid of what would happen to you if Francis dies.
Of your enemies descending upon you and your young children.
I can't think about this now.
Well, you need to, because you were right.
If you become regent, your enemies will move against you.
But even if Mary takes Renaude's forces to Scotland, I still have the French army here.
Most of whom you can trust, but not all.
When a crown changes heads, power shifts.
Nothing is certain, and no one is safe.
You and your sons will need extra protection.
Renaude's army should be for you, Catherine, not Mary.
Why are you so keen to protect me? This is just a bet to see which queen you think will win.
I'm flattered as a queen, of course Catherine I care about you.
If you deny her Renaude's army, Mary will destroy you.
And still may resort to French troops.
It may not come to that if we can stall.
We may only need hours, as you say.
If Francis dies, then Mary loses her power.
But if the king survives, then he'll put a stop to her plans by himself.
Arrange to stall her, then.
This could cost Mary her nation.
Well, she shouldn't have forgotten that by marrying your son, her nation became France.
You're a skilled rider, Lady Kenna.
Never discount a woman's skills.
Our daily lives consist of making hardship seem effortless.
I have a feeling I've just begun to learn the extent of your skills.
You know, I don't even know your name.
General Renaude.
I have an urgent message from court.
General, is it? Lady Kenna, your husband has returned safely from his journey.
You're married? I didn't know.
Please bring Lady Kenna the rest of the way to the castle.
I thought you said that these woods were too dangerous for me alone.
And now you're sending me off with a messenger? He made it here safely.
The woods between here and the castle are well-patrolled.
As it happens, I have other reasons for not riding on with you.
I'm not headed where you are anymore.
Oh.
I suppose that is somewhat honorable.
Unless of course I am savagely murdered here in these woods.
Enjoy your reunion with your husband.
I'm sure he will.
Is this wine from the castle? It's to relax you.
And to thank Delphine for sharing her comforts with us.
Very kind.
It's been so long since anyone's offered me more than brown water.
Bash, what have you done? What's what's happening to me? Clarissa, I'm so sorry.
I didn't know Bash had left the castle.
If I had, I never would have sent you to find him.
But I'm glad you're both safe.
Any word on Renaude? He sent you this message.
He's saying he's two days away.
Two days? Weren't we told he was closer? Wait a minute.
Mary, Renaude is the man who helped me.
He escorted me back to the castle.
General Renaude is here? Well, not here.
But he said he was summoned to court, and then he received a message, read it and turned back around.
Which means someone told him to lie.
- To pretend he was farther away than he is.
- By two days.
Enough time to see whether the king will live or die.
If he dies, Catherine will take power, she'll stop us.
If he lives, Francis will most likely do the same.
This is Narcisse's doing.
Tell the guards to fetch Narcisse and drag him to the dungeons.
I will tear him in half for this.
Why? Did Catherine make you to do this? - I'm so sorry.
- I'm her child! I'm doing this for her other child, your brother, the king.
He's gravely ill.
I I don't understand.
Your friend, Nostradamus, had a vision.
Mary's return to court would cost Catherine her firstborn.
We all thought that meant Francis, but you were her firstborn.
To those who of us who believe in such magic, your death satisfied the Fates.
Do you believe in such magic? Yes.
So do I.
If not, the Devil take my soul.
You saved her from so much suffering in her future.
Francis, I am sending French forces to Scotland.
I'm sorry, but it's the only way.
I know you can't hear me, but I wish, if you could, that you would understand.
I hope that you would forgive me my choice.
I have forgiven you for yours.
I know that you never meant for any harm to come to me.
I remember when I couldn't be this close to you or even hear the sound of your breath.
I cling to that sound now.
I don't want it to end.
Francis? Catherine! He's regained consciousness.
Apparently, he's upright, and he's even speaking.
Oh, thank God.
I'm so relieved.
Mary, what about Scotland? Will you still be going? Are you sending men? That is for Francis to decide.
You should know that I informed him of your plan to send his men to your country.
He already knew, of course, that you were willing to betray and abandon him.
Francis, thank God.
The fever's broken.
Doctors say I'll be on my feet soon.
My mother's told me about the crisis in Scotland.
I need to explain.
No, there's no need.
I've already made my decision.
And it's final.
I have ordered 2,000 French troops to sail to Scotland Francis! to defend your supporters.
- You can't! - I have faith that France can withstand the temporary absence of troops as well as the cost in gold to send them.
Let our enemies observe this display of French power.
Why would you do this after such a betrayal? I said my decision was final.
Leave us, Mother.
I am grateful but I have to ask the same question.
Why? You mean why, when you were about to leave France? To turn your back on the country that sheltered you as a child and abandon the crown you were given? And me, the husband you swore an oath to? Yes.
Because my country made yours a promise, that's why.
France and Scotland are allies.
We are both stronger when we honor our promises.
Unlike your wife, you mean.
Make of that what you will, but I have been given a second chance at life, and I intend to live it more wisely.
So the next time I'm staring at death, I can have no regrets.
And do you regret marrying me? I think you should leave.
Leave this room? Or leave France? That's up to you.
You got what you wanted your freedom, your country's salvation.
Just don't expect a fond farewell from me.
Or my trust.
Ever again.
Could the driver have taken a longer way back to the castle? And was there a single kingsguard errand you left unfinished? You should thank me for giving you time to sober up.
I wanted my mother to see me drunk, you idiot.
Claude.
Hello, Leith.
Lady Kenna.
I was so sorry to hear about your brother.
But you must be so relieved now that he's awake.
Awake? What are you on about? Well, Francis.
He was so ill, and You didn't know.
How long was he ill? He fell unconscious the night before last, and Well, I'm sure someone was supposed to tell you.
Just not me.
Please save your rage for after I leave.
You kept me away from the castle purposely, didn't you? So I didn't make a family crisis worse than it already was.
Well, don't be so stoic.
This isn't a military tribunal.
Why do they treat me like a child? Like a problem that needs to be managed.
You tell me.
I get into trouble.
I go for the wrong men.
I suppose you could argue that I only want the things that I can't have.
But I can change.
I mean, you're a promising fellow.
Except for the bit about all the whores knowing you.
Uh Their madam and I are together.
So much for breaking a pattern.
Your Majesty.
Brother, I'm fine.
It was rather a miracle.
I was told to call for Charles, but in the middle of the night, Francis's condition suddenly reversed itself.
Middle of the night, just like that.
Yes, a miracle.
Yes, I suppose it was.
Ships have set sail for Scotland.
Francis's troops.
But we won't be leaving any time soon, will we? I can't.
Not now, of course, but when Francis has fully recovered? When I leave, I will weaken him in the eyes of Europe, just when he has weakened himself by upholding the alliance between France and Scotland.
I don't understand.
How long do you mean to remain? Did he make this a condition of his order, that you need to stay here in France? No, he did not.
Then why are you doing this, Mary? I love you, and you love me.
Our love will die here.
You must know that.
Please try to understand.
I'm not my own person in this.
I'm not just responsible to you or me.
I am responsible to two countries.
Do you think I've forgotten that, Mary? I'm a prince with my own people, my own responsibilities.
No, I don't suppose you did forget.
But maybe I did.
My feelings for you are so strong that I couldn't see past them at times.
And what do you see now? An affair under your husband's roof and nothing more? It's all I can offer you.
I once told you that my heart was all I had to give.
Is that not enough anymore? Honestly, I don't know.
How is the king? Resting.
I would like to stay for a while.