The Serpent Queen

Previously on The Serpent Queen...

I'm sorry to hear about Hercule.

He didn't deserve what happened to him.

Who really gets what they deserve in this world?

I'd like nothing more than to retire.

How can I with a psychotic sadist

waiting in the wings?

To ensure glory, we must have a solid bond of trust.

Now take off all your clothes.

So I have decided that the House of Guise

will fund the construction of a grand palace

that will make all Frenchmen proud,

regardless of their faith.

What a pretty idea.

Catherine says you are to give me what I need,

anything I desire.

You can I ask,

but I won't necessarily give it to you.

So what would you say if I told you

I could arrange another miracle?

The Duke of Anjou is confined to his quarters.

Your time will come.

She'll turn on you, too, believe me.

Promise me no harm will come to Edith.

A condition for your queen?

Cross me on this, and we will be enemies.

The Black Queen sent this woman to kill me.

We drank that poison together,

and yet here we are.

Are you with us, Sister Aabis?

The location for the new palace is perfect.

It's just as I imagined.

Seems you have vision, Your Majesty,

in addition to your other gifts.

You flatter me.

I wonder why.

It's easier to flatter with the truth.

I admire what you're doing.

You are a humanist who sees worth in everyone,

no matter their station.

I can't help but wonder what we might accomplish

were we free of the usual constraints.

What did you have in mind?

America, a place we could bring people together,

unbound by the old laws

and outdated prejudices of Europe.

I happen to have a controlling interest

in a new settlement in Florida.

Think of it, a colony in your name

where your policy of tolerance would be law

and you would become rich

trading new resources with the vast world.

But not before I provide a substantial outlay

from France's treasuries, hmm?

All I ask is an investment to get things started.

Then you do not plan on returning to Florence?

Ah.

Florentines have never been keen

on a bastard as their duke.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that.

But before I can help you build a new country,

I must first unite my own.

Hello, Margot.

Do you know Sisi?

Grandniece of the Holy Roman Emperor.

As it happens, we have a great deal in common.

Yes.

How wonderful for you both.

Are you waiting for someone?

Mm? No, no, just, um, reading.

Well, I just adore reading outside.

Perhaps I could join you one afternoon.

It is my opinion that reading is best enjoyed

as a solitary pastime.

But if it is your scheme to marry my brother

and we become sisters-in-law, we will have plenty of time

to bore one another.

There's no point rushing things.

I don't believe I'm scheming at anything.

Please forgive my sister.

Margot thinks saying things no one else would

makes her brave.

She forgets, no one else says them

because they are boring and uninteresting.

Oh, he must like you.

He's usually much more indulgent of me.

Who is that with Mother?

I think he has something to do

with your new palace.

He's terribly handsome.

Is he?

I don't see it myself.

Ah. Hello, Mother.

You know Sisi?

Of course.

Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?

Ah, I had hoped to introduce you formally.

Charles, may I present the Duke of Florence,

Alessandro de Medici.

It's an honor, Your Majesty.

Ah, so a relative of some kind.

You, you're a fool.

I told you what would happen if you went after Edith.

I would ask you to adjust your tone when addressing...

And I would ask you to fuck off.

Who are you to ask me anything?

I'm her brother.

Her what?

I thought you were an only child.

As did I.

Can someone tell me what is happening?

What is happening is, your mother

sanctioned a political assassination

without your authority.

If the situation was dangerous before,

it is now uncontrollable.

And you have your mother to thank.

- How dare he? - Is it true?

I must confess, this was a contingency

I had not anticipated.

Montmorency has never seen reason

when it comes to that girl.

Please excuse me.

- Uncle. - Your Majesty.

Welcome to court.

Antoine, you-you...

oh, you big beast, oh.

Say that again.

Oh, you massive beast.

- Stop, stop, stop. - What is it?

Carry on, carry on. Oh.

An... toine.

Ant...

Another miracle.

God be praised.

Is that what you think?

Well, you know me.

I don't believe in magic,

and I don't believe in miracles.

But I believe in faith.

Pray for rain, and if it rains,

who's to say the cause?

Isn't that what you used to tell me?

Someone wanted a miracle,

and someone benefited from providing one.

At this point, it doesn't really matter what happened,

does it?

People believe,

and there's nothing more dangerous than that.

You're up against God now.

Tell me...

how can I protect my children?

Perhaps you should be more concerned

about who will protect you from them.

Now that Montmorency no longer trusts you

to protect his ward, he'll certainly manipulate

the king's insecurity over your tendency to rule over him.

You learned how to manage the Guises and the Bourbons.

Keep them in competition so they never accumulate

enough power to oppose you.

You'd have me set my children against one another?

That ship has already sailed, hasn't it?

I hear you have a brother now.

He must be such a comfort to you.

He is.

A man you've never met walks into your life

and tells you he's the family you've always wanted.

So many confusing feelings, I imagine.

Hard to see straight.

Morning, Throckmorton. What's the latest?

News from France, Your Majesty.

Ah.

Hmm, seems our piece of gutter trash

is rising faster than we thought.

I never doubted her.

I don't know about you,

but I suddenly feel a hankering for the continent.

Shall we take a trip?

I do love a sea crossing.

You are such a romantic.

It's true, I am.

I'd ask you to stay, but I don't have a chair.

- Off you go. Your Majesty.

I'm afraid my son is not feeling very well.

Your Grace, forgive my intrusion.

Oh, nothing to forgive.

I will leave you.

No, don't go.

You know...

my son wasn't always as cruel as he became.

No, in fact, he was a good boy, gentle.

He had a small dog he loved.

He was totally devoted to that dog.

He used to carry it with him everywhere.

Of course, I mocked him relentlessly

for the depth of his feeling.

Told him it made him... soft.

So to prove me wrong,

he threw it out the window.

Perhaps...