The Serpent Queen

Previously on The Serpent Queen...

I dreamt that Diane died.

And then what?

Then Henri died.

Then you already know the price.

That is a price I am not willing to pay.

We're here on behalf of our niece, Mary Stuart.

The king has forgotten her betrothal

to his son, the dauphin.

Francis will wed when the time is right.

When will that be?

When I am good and ready!

He does not believe the marriage is a good match.

What in God's name

does Henri know about a good marriage?

You've kept me a boy to suit your needs.

If my love has done you harm,

you must send me away.

Madame de Poitiers has business to discuss.

The wedding of the dauphin will go forth as planned.

And may I suggest we invite

the Holy Roman emperor of Spain.

Welcome the man against whom

both you and your father fought multiple wars?

- Are you mad? - France!

Will you joust in the ceremonies today?

It would please me to see you as you were when we first met.

Tell him I saw it in a dream, that he dies

on this course unless he stops now.

Once more.

You are evil, just like they all say.

Oh, come on. No one's watching.

Are you sure you picked the right girl?

Because if you don't take care of this soon,

Mary will certainly find her own way

to remain Queen of France.

You've got a visitor.

Your Majesty.

You were expecting your mistress?

She won't come for you, but perhaps

you've already figured that out by now.

Sit.

I take it I am the last person you expected to see?

I was arrested for entering your chambers

without permission.

I did not think you would care much

about my situation.

No, but I do.

Forgiveness is the basis of God's word,

especially for those who've been led astray

through no fault of their own.

I suspect it was Catherine who sent you to my chambers.

As I suspect her dalliance with the dark arts.

What I lack is proof of either.

Perhaps you could help me find what I'm looking for.

I'm sure you've heard many unflattering things about me.

And now you wonder if you can trust me.

I... I see your dilemma.

But allow me to tell you of my true nature...

so that you might better decide

which side you would like to be on.

I think if you had seen me on my wedding day,

you would begin to understand.

It was a day I thought

just as God had willed it.

Until I realized that there were other...

darker forces at work.

Henri!

Henri.

King Henri's tragic fall came as a surprise

to all except one.

Don't try to speak.

Protect my children.

Protect my children like you've protected me.

You will be here to protect them yourself.

All right? You will be here.

You haven't lost the ability to lie, I see.

Come on!

Fetch it, now.

Let me pass.

Your presence is no longer required, madam.

He needs me.

This is a family matter.

Henri!

No. Please no.

Why did you not stop jousting when I told you to?

Why?

Why?

I wanted your dream to come true.

- No. - Because I know wanted it to.

No!

I told you to stop!

You should never have loved me.

What?

I love you still.

Shh...

Then I pity you... as a fool.

A very unfortunate accident.

And on your wedding day.

A day that should be filled with joy,

now marred by tragedy.

The king is strong.

He is certain to survive.

He has a pole in his eye.

At a time like this, we should take comfort in our faith.

Perhaps a prayer?

Yes. Yes.

Lead us, Uncle?

Of course.

Though might not our Bourbon brothers

take offense to our Catholic liturgy, hm?

Uh, today I believe we are all Frenchmen first.

Oh.

I'm very pleased to hear you say so.

In these times of darkness,

we must all reach out towards the light.

For example, I would be more than happy

to promote an alliance with France

to secure the English throne.

If, God forbid,

the king does not survive the night,

and the new Queen...

of France and Scotland

happens also to be the rightful Queen of England.

You see?

Would certainly be convenient.

Ah. Let us kneel.

Really?

I'm not kneeling.

How is my father?

I'm afraid we cannot remove the shrapnel from his eye

without risking his life.

It's all right. It's all right. It's all right.

It's all right, Francis.

Take each breath slowly, yeah?

Remember? Like sipping cold water.

I'm not ready, Mary.

Francis, if it is God's will for you to be king,

you only have to trust in Him to make you ready.

We are by your side.

Let us be your pillars of strength.

And faith.

Lean on us, Francis, and all will be fine.

You... you can lean on us, too, remember.

Like a... like a chair.

- A what? - We're like the...

the legs of a chair.

To sit on, you know.

Sturdy.

Come with me.

Well, you certainly

couldn't have wished for a better time

to work your mischief, could you?

I merely play the pieces as I find them.

This is not a chessboard, Charles.

These people happen to be my family.

And you cannot expect me to participate

in their destruction.

But that's what families do.

Bit by bit,

then all at once.

No one gets out alive.

What is wrong with you?

When you operate on the king,

you must be sure of the outcome.

Of course.

What are the charges?

Murdered his mother while she slept,

set fire to his neighbor's house over a financial dispute,

and impropriety with a child.

Start with him.

No. No, no, no.

No! No!

Wait. Wait!

Please, please. No!

No! Ah!

Get him up.

Now take it out.

- Ah! - Do it!

Next.

No, no, no. Please don't. No, no, no.

This is utter madness.

Mm?

Oh, Catherine.

Excellent news.

The king has recovered.

Come. Come and sit with us.

Come.

The king has recovered.

Um... um, Francis,

your father wants to toast you on your wedding day.

Excellent idea.

Oh.

He must rest.

Nonsense. He's well.

More wine.

- No. - He's... he's well.

He's... he's fine. Ah, you're fine.

Ah...

mm... music!