The Serpent Queen

Previously on The Serpent Queen...

Burn it down.

I presume you are not so stupid

as to leave any survivors that might identify you.

You have a choice to make... war with the Protestants

or war with the Catholics.

Unless there were another way.

Put word out that we are entering

into negotiations with England,

but do not agree to any terms without my prior approval.

- Are you mad? - You forced my hand.

In fact, the house of Guise

will fund the construction of a grand palace

along the banks of the Seine.

Perhaps a trip across the channel

would be a welcome break.

England.

I shall leave Henri here with you.

What?

My cousin wrote to me saying that

she would help me in my time of need.

I'm sure you've been fooled by forgery, Your Majesty.

What?

There's always a price.

If the price is my children,

then you already know that is a price

I am not willing to pay.

You've already buried four.

Hello, cousin.

I must travel to Italy, and I need someone

to keep an eye on them.

Charles is your king first and your brother second,

and I speak especially to you, Anjou.

Mother, you overestimate me.

I'm all bark.

Enough!

Then bark less.

Do you think Mother will ever really let me rule?

You can't wait for anybody

to give you permission, Charles.

The king attending a Protestant service

was a provocation unto itself.

Equal to mass murder?

We demand satisfaction.

There's a rumor going around

there may have been some survivors.

When Edith rose from the dead,

everything I had tried to subvert

threatened to come to pass.

Come on!

Ironic, isn't it,

that a miracle would prove

the greatest obstacle to peace?

You said the doors were locked.

They were.

So what are you saying, Francois?

That this was a fucking miracle?

What difference does it make?

I think you'll find it makes a big difference, Mother.

As far as they're concerned,

she led her entire congregation out of a burning building

without a mark on her.

People are now traveling from all over the country

to take a look at their new Protestant saint.

Protestants don't have saints.

They do now.

And it's in her name that people have been

attacking Catholic churches all over the country.

I thought you'd be pleased.

The country is on the brink of civil war

just as you planned.

I did not plan on a group of witnesses

who could identify you

as the one who set the church alight.

Catherine has no interest

in trying me for the crime.

But Montmorency does.

From what I hear, that gypsy preacher is all he cares for.

He will come for you while Catherine is away

unless you get to the king first.

No.

No, the king will not be persuaded

to oppose Montmorency,

especially with his mother away.

Then I suggest you find someone who will.

Tell me again why your mother had to go all the way to Italy

to build your brother a palace in the middle of Paris.

I told you, to find the best artists in Europe.

And borrow a bit of cash, from what I hear.

Isn't it enough he's king?

Why does he need a palace that will most likely

bankrupt the country?

It's all stagecraft, Lemur.

It's orchestrated by

the master of ceremonies herself

to solidify the people's support.

My mother knows how much the people love a project.

Just think of how many worked themselves to death

building the great pyramids of ancient Egypt.

Of course, how could you ever understand?

Your mother hates you.

Still, you must be seething.

He gets a palace on the Seine,

and you get to go hunting with us.

Indeed.

In fact, the only reason I hang around with you lot

is anyone worthwhile has something better to do.

There goes the royal faggot!

Who said that?

Well?

Sister Edith says you're not our prince!

Who the fuck is Sister Edith?

Who spoke?

Come on, show yourself, you little coward.

I think it would be safer

to return to the palace, Your Majesty.

And yet far from court, I had no idea

how bad things had already become.

Can you really look at this view

and tell me you haven't missed the city of your birth

just a little?

Mm...

for me, Florence will always be

the city where everything was taken from me.

What is there to miss?

The truth is, the faster we conclude our business

and return to France, the better.

What happened to you?

Someone threw mud at me.

It's not fucking funny.

Well, it is a bit funny.

Someone in the woods has made a speech,

and now the peasants think it's all right

to throw mud on the princes of France.

Apparently.

What are you gonna do about it?

What do you want me to do about it?

Make an example of them.

And how do you propose I find the people

who insulted your honor?

Well, you don't have to find

the actual little shits who did it.

You just take 12 at random,

and you slit their throats in the town square.

They'll get the message.

A bit old-fashioned, don't you think?

If you want them to respect you, Anjou,

the easiest thing is probably

to start behaving respectfully, don't you think?

Respect?

Who the fuck is talking about respect?

I don't want their respect.

And I'm sorry to burst your little bubble,

but there's nothing remotely respectable about any of us.

I mean, none of you have an actual job

or any particular skill.

We grew up in the most dysfunctional family possible.

And if you think it doesn't show

on each and every one of you, you're delusional.

Someone's feeling a bit introspective.

Oh, fuck off, Hercule.

Oh, don't take it out on him.

Can you not see?

They are never going to respect us.

Never.

So all we have is to make sure

they're fucking terrified of us.

Spoken like a true Renaissance man.

Come on.

Hercule, join us.

You fucking coward.

Fine.

Well, I'll do it myself

if you don't have the stomach.

I said no.

Can you not see how drastically

the situation has changed?

They're attacking Catholic churches

all over this country, and your response is what?

Just to sit tight?

I am your king, and I will not be lured

into an overreaction that will only promote

further insurrection.

Is that understood?

Oh, you really want that palace, don't you?

And you really want a spot on my government,

but you don't have the temperament.

You will not exact any revenge for your humiliation.

Is that clear?

Fine.

Aren't you forgetting something?

Protocol dictate you not turn your back on your king

before you're dismissed.

Is he serious?

May I take my leave, Your Majesty?

You may.

We should write Mother and tell her what happened.

We needn't bother Mother with Anjou.

I can handle him myself.

It has always mystified me