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Previously on Reign
I know the château you
claim to stay at in Angers
where you ran into Francis.
I don't know
what happened between the
two of you, but I can guess.
You don't have to marry him.
It's all over.
Nostradamus said we can be wed.
There is no prophecy keeping us apart.
I do this not out of any
malice, as you are my son.
So that should you return,
you have seared into your memory
what is yours and what is not.
You're very quiet.
Are you warm enough?
I just wish that we could go back
to two months ago, do it all over.
Me in my wedding gown,
walking down the aisle
to you at Notre Dame.
But instead, we have
to come back to reality.
That's what you're thinking.
Politics, backstabbing, ***.
Just another day at French court.
Francis, can we turn around
and go back to the country house at Anet?
Everything we felt there
alone, away from court.
Somehow our love seems
so fragile, suddenly.
Things are different now.
We're married the future king and queen.
My mother is no longer an obstacle.
Nostradamus's prophecy no longer a threat.
And Bash is far away in Spain.
I hope he's safe,
and that he finds happiness.
Well, there is something
that everyone will want
from us that we can agree on.
A castle full of little royals?
Archduke, we thank you
and your sister for coming.
The last thing either of us
wants is a senseless, costly war
caused by a tragic mistake.
A French ship firing
upon a Bohemian vessel without provocation?
Yes, that is indeed a mistake.
But not a mistake of intent.
An accident.
France is very sorry,
and will do all it can
to maintain its peaceful and prosperous
friendship with the
great nation of Bohemia.
In keeping with our agreement
that I provide a new suitor each week
While I provide you with an
infinite amount of carnal pleasure?
Who is it this time?
The last one was simple-minded.
The one before that smelled of vinegar
and had an abundance of earwax.
Well, he also had an abundance of land.
But no matter.
I'm sure the Archduke of Bohemia
will keep up to your high standards.
The archduke?
What's wrong with him?
He's perfect.
He's clearly attracted to you.
He's a foreigner, so he
doesn't know your reputation.
He'll take you far, far away from me.
There's only one difficulty.
The archduke is a pious man.
He'll expect his new bride to be chaste.
A ***?
Everybody knows that
I'm the king; I'll make sure no one
mentions your lack of virtue to him.
You want me to trick a deeply
religious man into marrying me?
- If your conscience won't permit it
- My Lord,
would you please present me
to our distinguished visitor?
Archduke Ferdinand.
The Lady Kenna.
I'll leave you to it, then, hmm?
I'm delighted to meet you, Lady Kenna.
Oh, the delight is all mine.
You'll have to excuse my nerves, of course.
I'm not used to the attentions
of such a powerful man.
I missed you all!
You both look happy.
We were.
We are.
I'm sure we'll be just as
happy here as we were in Paris,
and Anet, and every castle
from here to the Loire Valley.
Oh, which reminds me.
I found a wonderful suitor for you, Greer.
And there's one in Paris who
is very keen to meet you, Lola.
Wonderful.
Mary!
Oh, how I've missed you.
Ah.
A word.
And so the politics and backstabbing begin.
You must tell me all about
your travels later.
First, you need to know
that your *** brother
didn't make it to Spain.
What do you mean?
I sent those guards with him myself.
They were supposed to
accompany him to a ship
and see him safely on board.
The bodies of those men you sent
were found by the side of the road,
not long after you left for your honeymoon.
But Bash's body was not found?
Either he killed the guards himself,
or the whole party was attacked,
and he managed to escape.
Are they looking for him?
Of course.
Henry has his
men looking everywhere.
Aren't you glad you have a mother
who pays attention to such things?
You are a
Hunter.
Yes, you fool.
Have I offended you?
What kind of a fool can't recognize
a boar trap?
The embarrassed kind?
If you were such a tracker,
didn't you think it strange
that there were leaves on a patch of snow
surrounded by evergreens?
Who's this then?
Bash, my brother Carrick.
Bash tried to ruin my boar trap.
I would have seen it.
She tackled me prematurely.
Then we competed
to see who could shoot the most pheasants.
Be nice, Carrick.
He's a guest.
Well, guest
you're the first man my
sister's ever brought home.
Don't worry.
I'm not staying.
I'm just a hunter passing through.
Really? To where?
It's the boar.
Wait!
My God.
Olivia?
It fits perfectly! Thank you!
I love mine.
How utterly virginal.
And utterly ironic.
Oh, you're not wearing your gown, Lola.
Uh, it's incredibly lovely,
but I'm afraid it's a bit snug.
Oh, don't worry.
We'll have
the seamstresses work on it.
So, Mary, tell us, are you pregnant?
Greer!
It's been almost two months.
You know everyone's wondering.
Two months isn't very long.
I thought you loved marzipan.
Lola, are you all right?
Perfectly fine.
Thanks.
How do you know her?
Beneath the dirt, this dress is fine silk.
It would take weeks to weave.
Only a noble could afford to buy it.
Carrick.
The girl's been fed on.
She can't stay.
And what do you suggest I do?
Throw her back into the woods to die?
She needs help, a physician.
This is our home.
You get her out of here.
No! No!
Olivia, it's all right.
It's all right.
- T take my blood!
- Olivia!
She's been chosen.
She's been touched by the darkness.
I've been a widower over a year.
My advisors are constantly
pressuring me to find a new wife.
You poor dear.
How absolutely awful.
I was just wondering how
you feel about an older
More experienced suitor?
Well, I must admit
that the thought makes
my heart beat faster.
Is that wrong to admit?
Is it sinful?
I just I don't know.
There.
Why, you sweet young thing.
Your Majesty,
it pleases me that the relationship
between our nations is so
congenial!
Do you worry for your reputation?
Yes, but more than that.
Uh this
is God's vessel.
I need to make sure that I'm pure
for the man I choose to devote my life to.
What a relief to find a
woman who understands that.
Oh, you must meet my sister
you are cut from the same cloth.
Is this all you can give me?
The pain in my joints has worsened.
Laudanum is difficult
to obtain, but I'll
I'll do my best.
I thought you were in Spain.
And Olivia D'Amencourt,
I thought, had left court.
- What happened to the poor girl?
- She was wandering
the woods in a confused
and terrified state.
The slashes she did herself.
Poor child.
These aren't slashes, they're bite marks.
But are they animal or human?
I don't know.
I was told she was chosen.
Is it possible that she had an encounter
with whatever it is the pagans
are worshipping in the woods?
Whatever thing is, that
creature that requires blood.
I don't believe in such beings.
Well, nor did I, and yet here she is.
I don't believe there are
things that require blood.
You don't believe there's a dark,
malignant power in the woods?
Nature is not malignant.
Nature doesn't care.
Only humans are malignant.
There's nothing evil in the woods.
Unless it comes from us.
Olivia!
Can you hear me?
- Can you help her?
- I can try.
I'll tell no one she's here
for now she needs rest
and gentle treatment,
not a dozen questioners.
You should leave.
It's not safe for you here.
You asked to see me?
Ah, Mary.
Mm.
My dear, now that we're fast friends,
I'd like to help you with something
of the utmost importance.
Babies.
Excuse me?
Your duty, in case
you are unaware, is to produce an heir
and ensure the future of your line.
Yes, I am well aware of that.
Thank you.
And yet you stand before me looking svelte.
You aren't pregnant, are you?
We only just got back,
and we haven't been married for very long.
Rub this on your chest ten
minutes before lovemaking.
It may burn.
Ignore it.
And this on his
well, you know.
When you detect interest.
After lie absolutely still for an hour,
and then take two of these.
No, not these.
These were in the wrong cabinet.
Never touch these.
Excuse me.
I need to speak with my queen.
Privately.
Yes, of course.
What's wrong?
I was with the duchess in my chambers.
As we were
engaged in conversation,
we happened to move
close to the window and
And what?
She caught cold?
She fell.
To her death.
My God.
Henry!
We're trying to avoid
a war with these people.
- Does the archduke know?
- Not yet.
Why are you coming to me?
Shouldn't you be crafting
strategy with your advisors?
I can't trust them.
What if they
use this against me?
And this could mean war.
Yes, it could.
And no one knows how to cover up a problem
better than you.
You are my
you are France's best hope.
Forget France.
Oh, you just want me to
have blood on my hands, too.
A way to keep me silent.
It's a practical solution.
For you.
What's in it for me?
I want Chenonceau.
I gave that to Diane.
You want me to take back a gift?
She loves that château.
Bring your mistress back to court, then,
and let her deal with your dead duchess.
Let her aid in moving a body and crafting
- a story
- Very well.
Chenonceau.
But no one else can know.
Only the two of us.
No servants,
no trusted advisors.
Don't try to school a professional, Henry.
Lola, I think we need to talk
about your liaison with Francis in Paris.
Kenna, I can't do this right now.
Because you're tired.
You've been tired a lot.
You're pale, you're not eating,
your new gown doesn't fit.
You acted so strangely when
you were at home with Francis.
You're pregnant, aren't you?
Fast work.
Well done!
There is no better way
for a royal mistress to secure her place.
Look at Diane.
If I could have managed it, but the king
is well versed in avoiding such issues.
Don't congratulate me.
I'm not Francis's mistress.
It was one night.
A a moment of comfort.
Do you have any idea
how this will shame my family in Scotland?
And what will it do to Mary?
I understand that you're worried.
Mary won't take it well, not at first.
But think of it in time, she'll recover,
and Francis will be a loving father.
He'd want the child to grow up here,
and he'd probably let you raise it.
Let me? I'm the child's mother.
Yes, well, I'm sure that
you would play some part.
As long as you don't anger Mary
and you keep Francis's interest.
Regardless,
Lola, your position at French court
is assured for life.
For life?
But as what?
Kenna, I can't do this.
What are you saying?
There are people who help
women who don't want babies.
Everyone knows they exist.
I I just don't know any.
Did you have you ever
Ended a pregnancy? No.
The king is well stocked
to avoid such issues.
Well stocked with?
Well, he covers it
If you don't know, you
shouldn't be having sex!
All right.
Uh
one of the servants a
girl who washes my things
she isn't married, but she seemed to be
with child a few months ago.
She disappeared for a few days,
and when she came back, she
was thinner, less troubled.
Who is she?
Tell me, please.
Bash.
You're supposed to be in Spain.
I'm supposed to be dead.
The night Francis's men
were escorting me out of the country,
they tried to kill me
on his orders, I believe.
Oh, Francis wouldn't you know that.
Really? After we put him through hell,
dispossessed him of everything?
After he saw our feelings for each other
when he returned? After
he stopped our marriage?
He still values you as his brother.
I am nothing to him.
Nothing but a threat.
He made that very clear.
Well, you're married now.
All of that is behind us, all of that pain.
Was it only pain we left behind?
There was something more between us.
Francis knows that; he hates it.
He's come to hate me.
He still wouldn't have you killed.
Not in a flash of anger? Of jealousy?
That's all it would have taken
a wave of the future king's
head, a nod to some guards,
and his intent, however fleeting,
would have resulted in my death.
Don't you want to know the truth?
No proof, one way or the
other, would change anything.
It might change your heart.
And it would change Francis's life,
because if I learn that
he did try to kill me,
I will take him down myself.
Bash, watch your words!
This threat alone
could result in your death.
Francis is my husband.
For your own sake, for your own doubt,
find out who you're married to.
If you need me, put a light in your window,
and I'll meet you in the woods
where we first kissed.
It's leaving a stain.
Why is this so difficult?
Our clothes go away dirty
and they come back clean
how do they do it?
I don't know.
They take them
to the laundry, and
they dip them in something.
Oh.
Be sure to pick up all the solid bits.
If we're lucky, it'll
look like spilled wine.
Roll it forward.
The way my chefs do stuffed pastry.
Now there.
Now, all we have to do
is get her back to her chambers, and
toss her out of the proper window.
Oh, this was my favorite coverlet.
Add it to the list of my debts to you.
- You're mistaken, my lady, I never
- Please.
My friend needs your compassion.
It's dangerous, casting off a babe.
I understand.
No.
Truly dangerous.
Not just to your reputation.
I was warned many girls don't survive.
You did.
You look healthy.
I was lucky.
I'd never have done it if
I hadn't been desperate.
Tell me where you went.
My friend is desperate, too.
My lady, we both know there's no friend.
If I tell you,
if you never come back
This could keep my family for months.
My lady, it's wrong to tempt
me to do what could harm you.
If there is harm, let it be on me.
I know, I know.
She's heavier than she looked.
Nostradamus?
Are you here?
Wake up, my child.
Wake up.
Wake up.
I dismiss the demons
that trouble your sleep.
Wait until you hear the conversation I had
with your mother today.
I'd rather hear about the conversation
you had with my guards.
You wanted to know my
orders for Bash's departure.
I knew that you would hear about that.
I'm sorry, but I I have to ask you,
did you order your guards to kill Bash?
Who put this idea into your head?
Bash believes it was your doing.
He was here?
- Where?
- In this room.
Your bedchambers.
Francis, please don't do this.
I didn't ask him to come to me.
So that's why you've been asking questions,
because he told you to?
Because I wanted to prove him wrong.
Francis, for God's sake,
doesn't it trouble you
that your brother thinks
that you tried to have him killed?
It troubles me more that you've been
wondering if he was right.
I could give you the name of the
ship that Bash was to sail on,
show you the captain.
Does it matter?
I am the crown prince of France.
I can create evidence if I wish.
The more important question
is: will you take me at my word?
You came to me once,
accusing my mother of plotting against you.
You hadn't a shred of
proof, but I believed you.
We are royals.
We have the power to do terrible things.
Without trust, we're nothing.
This is true of you and Bash as well.
- Trust
- How can I trust him?
He killed a man in the woods for you.
And now these guards.
He
What, does he say he
killed them in self-defense?
I think it was to remain close to you.
Francis
I didn't order anyone to kill him,
but I can promise you
he's not safe from me.
You can tell him yourself
when he comes here again,
as I'm sure he will.
"To Ferdinand, my dearest brother"
"Dearest"? How many brothers did she have?
"My darling brother Ferdinand,
Tonight, I end my life willingly.
"
Mention her fondness for France
its culture and beauty.
It's a suicide letter, not
an enticement to pilgrims.
Why did she jump? We need a reason.
She was lonely.
What does a woman in her position have
to be lonely about? That's ridiculous.
You try, then.
The man she loved was
someone she could never have.
Poor girl.
Describe him as
ruggedly handsome, with the
*** prowess of a lion.
Oh, you were serious.
Ever since you kissed my cheek,
I've been wondering what it would be like
to be kissed on the lips.
Are you sure you're ready?
There.
Now even the dimmest
of servants can find it.
She deserved a better end.
Don't we all.
You kiss like the French.
Well, we are in France.
I mean, you are positively
fluent in the language of love.
Beginner's luck?
I'm sure your natural abilities
would flourish in Bohemia.
Someone fell from the room above!
Cecilia's in that room!
W wait!
Uh, you were
saying something about me and Bohemia.
- Not now!
- Wait!
Could she have had worse timing?
He was just about to propose to me.
I'm sorry, Your Grace,
the Lady Lola's not here.
At this hour?
We're supposed to meet
the king and queen in the throne room
to pay our respects to the
archduke in his bereavement.
She hurried out early.
She was dressed for riding
and wouldn't say where she was going.
Oh, no.
Do you know where Lola is?
Did you expect this to be easy?
Think hard before we begin.
I can give you a bit of leather to bite on
when you need to scream.
I would never ask this
of you, but I need to get
through the Blood Wood to
Lola before it's too late.
I can't believe she'd do
something so dangerous.
We all get desperate at times.
Bash, there's something else.
When we get to the
place, let me go in alone.
I don't want her to feel
embarrassed or shamed.
Follow my lead.
I'll do the talking.
Of course.
You've handled everything
brilliantly so far.
Your Majesties, excuse me,
but there's something you need to know.
One of my patients,
not fully in control of their faculties,
lashed out and stabbed Father
Leduc with his own crucifix.
He's dead.
That's awful.
But not now.
"The looks of a Greek
god, the might of a lion"?
She didn't write this.
I know it's hard to see
someone in your family
as capable of such passion.
What she was incapable of was writing.
She never learned.
The note is a forgery.
I fear my dear sister was
the victim of foul play,
likely by someone inside the castle.
If that is the case,
Bohemia will have no choice but to
You're right.
It's forged.
And I know who was responsible.
The duchess's lover.
She had a lover?
I don't think we need to
sully the lady's memory
with *** details.
Henry, our dear guest
deserves an honest account
of what happened.
Last night, I happened
to walk in on the duchess
while she was entwined
in the throes of passion
with a man she barely just met.
My sister?
I was shocked, I assure you,
but I had no intention of gossiping
about her indiscretion.
As my husband will attest,
I'm not a judgmental person.
Henry?
- She's really not.
- But
when news of Cecilia's suicide erupted,
I was immediately suspicious of this lover,
and I had him questioned under torture
until he revealed to me
the actual course of events.
And those were?
Well
filled with remorse,
Cecilia the chaste,
pious royal that she was
threw herself out of the window,
afraid of the shame that
this moment of weakness
would bring to your family.
Oh, my poor dear Cecilia.
And her lover, not wanting to
further your family's anguish,
wrote the note to protect their secret.
Making it appear that your sister's pain
was due to a
much more palatable unrequited love.
Unrequited?
This note mentions *** prowess!
I think that was just wishful thinking
on the part of the writer.
Right, Henry?
Hmm.
So, her lover wrote the note
in an effort to protect her honor?
Ill-advised but gallant.
I want to see this lover.
The heart is a strange beast.
You tortured a man of the cloth?
We didn't know he was a priest at the time.
He wasn't wearing his collar.
Or much of anything else.
And you killed him?
Unintentionally.
Sometimes
our interrogators get a bit too energetic
when faced with a reluctant subject.
My sister.
I don't believe it.
I knew that once or twice
she had looked for consolation
in the arms of others, but
such a scandal as this.
Can we just say that she drowned
accidentally in the river?
No mention of suicides
or old priests for lovers.
I know that I'm asking you to repeat
a falsehood, but I would be so grateful.
Well, don't torment yourself, sir.
To maintain your friendship,
Catherine and I would go to any lengths.
Yes.
Lola?
Lola!
Lola!
- Are you all right?
- She's fine, my lady.
We've not yet begun.
Please leave us.
Come home with me.
This could kill you.
Mary, please, I can't.
I have to do this.
If you knew the whole story
It doesn't matter how it happened.
You're pregnant, and I understand.
It's not the end of the world,
not unless you make it so.
Let me help you.
Oh, if you if you only knew.
When Francis returned from Paris
you were at his side.
Is that my husband's child?
Yes.
She'll be all right.
I don't know what's going to happen to her.
I don't know what's going to h happen.
I didn't put in that
that light in the window because of Lola.
I talked to Francis.
And he managed to convince
you he was innocent
- of any attempt on my life.
- I believe him.
- Of course you do.
- Bash,
stop this.
Look at you two, at each other's throats.
Well, my part in this
has ended.
I am married.
You want me to leave.
There is nothing for you here.
You're here!
You need protection from them.
You must trust me on this.
They will always put their
interests above yours.
You offer me so much that I cannot accept,
because I am wed.
You cannot care for me.
In any way.
Do you understand?
If you must hate someone
please, hate me.
If I were capable of that, I would.
I'd forgotten what it was like
working with you instead of against you.
You're very charming,
when you're not trying to kill me.
I mean it.
There is no one like you.
You're a galleon in full
sail, all guns blazing.
High on the waves.
I remember.
It's still true.
You make other women tame.
Stay with me.
Henry.
Don't ruin it.
I'm sorry.
That you slept with my husband
or that you're pregnant?
Mary, you were engaged to Bash.
Francis thought he'd never see you again.
I I thought you'd never see him again.
But I would see you!
You were my friend,
not to mention my lady, and
you knew that I loved him still.
I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Does Francis know that you're pregnant?
No.
And he can't.
Well, he'll know soon
enough.
You'll start to show.
Not for some weeks.
Months.
A and by then
- What?
- I don't know.
But all I ask is that you give
me time to sort my options out.
If you tell Francis I
am carrying his child,
I essentially become his.
I become nothing more than
the woman bearing a royal's child or
Or his mistress.
And that's not an option.
For any of us, I assure you.
This will forever change my life,
but it doesn't have to change yours,
if you keep it a secret.
From my husband?
That's what you're asking me?
Yes, that's what I'm asking.
Bash.
I caught the boar.
He fell in our pit.
You should've seen the
look on Carrick's face.
Congratulations.
Come and join us for dinner.
Actually, I'm I'm leaving.
Leaving us?
Leaving France.
I came to say good-bye.
Good-bye?
That's not why you came.
Stay for supper.
And the night.
And me.
And leave tomorrow.
A mark of flowers, hmm?
I used to pick roses every morning.
They cut me to pieces, but I didn't care.
That's because they're beautiful.
Just like you.
So the archduke
left without so much as a good-bye.
His sister just died.
The man is overcome with grief.
She could have thrown herself
off of any precipice in Europe.
Why here?
Well, clearly the archduke is a fool.
There'll be other suitors.
I promise.
But
his departure means
you'll be staying in court longer.
And that means
we get to play.
Don't let go.
Do you remember
last night, what you did?
Were you dreaming?
Frightened by a nightmare?
Why did you do it?
It's close.
What is?
The Darkness.
It's coming.
And it will take us all.