Original subtitles

... Count Bryant de Monsoreau!

My queen, I humbly beg your permission to introduce to the court...

... the countess Diana de Monsoreau - the daughter of baron de Meridor and my wife.

I am glad for you, my dear. How is your father faring?

Thank you, Your Majesty, he is well.

He remembers his service at court with pride.

He is as loyal to Your Majesty as ever.

I remember his achievements in our service.

Guy de Durfort - the countess de Monsoreau, my wife.

The countess de Monsoreau, my wife.

The countess de Monsoreau, my wife.

My wife, the countess de Monsoreau! My wife.

Diana de Monsoreau, my wife. My wife!

Based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas (père)

La Dame de Monsoreau

Episode 11

Count, you are burning with fever!

Is that you, Remy?

Yes, it is I. I have been waiting for you.

What about your rendezvous with Gertrude?

A servant who loves is worth more than a countess who does not, Remy.

I could not leave.

I knew you would return soon.

Why?

No one likes to stay long in a place where one suffers.

She did not even wish to look at me, Remy!

Her gaze fled mine all the time.

She could have said simply and honestly:

"I thank you for all you did for me, monsieur de Bussy."

"But I do not love you!"

No... She wants me to love her! She wants me to go insane!

Count, please lie down!

It feels like I am truly going insane, Remy!

Me, a madman!

Losing his mind over a woman who scorned him! And for whom?

For that provincial scarecrow who tagged behind her, always two steps away?!

A scarecrow pretending not to notice me either!

Me, of all people! Me, Louis Clermont, count de Bussy!

If wanted to, just in a few minutes I could have him under my foot with a ragged wound in his chest!

If I wanted to, I could coat her white dress in his foul blood!

If I cannot make her love me... then she should fear me instead.

Fear and hate me, Remy.

Count...

Count, if you do not wish for the fever to kill you, you should lie down.

Follow me, please. Just come with me!

I will prepare some excellent medicines for you!

I am certain they will help.

And then... I will read you a most interesting book - containing useful advice too!

You do not want to die of fever, right? If you go to bed right now, all will be fine!

I do not recognize you at all!

You have grown lazy in exile!

Messieurs...

A moment of your time, please.

I would like to show you my favorite move.

If was a gift from a Pole - unfortunately, the man in question is no longer among the living.

-Monsieur Schomberg! -Yes, Sire.

-Please assist me. -With pleasure, Your Majesty!

Attack.

Not so tamely!

Again.

Bravo, bravo, Your Majesty!

Repeating for the likes of... Chicot.

Slowly!

Watch how I shorten the distance... Here!

-Out of the blue indeed! -As you see, messieurs...

... shortening the distance at the right moment can be crucial!

Continue.

Let us try again. Yes! -I think I understand the trick...

Sire! Please forgive the interruption...

... but a matter of great importance forces me to make a request.

I am listening, monsieur de Crillon.

I request that Your Majesty call for a session of the Royal Council tomorrow.

The Royal Council?

You do know that the Council may only be summoned in most extraordinary circumstances?

Sire...

These circumstances do fit the description.

Very well. The King`s Council will assemble tomorrow at ten and be at your disposal.

Monsieur de Crillon!

Again! Aaaand... yes! Not bad.

What are you reading, Chicot?

I was reading a chapter from "Gargantua and Pantagruel"...

The very same that was removed from the book due to extreme indecency.

Be sure to give it to me - to read as well!

I will give it to you gladly, Your Majesty - at a more appropriate time.

You keep bad company, Henri.

Why was monsieur de Crillon here?

He requested an audience with me.

By the way, Chicot... What could he want to tell us, any idea?

Are you really asking me this?

Chicot! Crillon is responsible for our security.

You don`t say! I was not aware of that.

I am certain he is well-informed - unlike you.

-Schomberg! Spin! Circular motions! -On it, spinning!

Just imagine, I could have been reading "Gargantua and Pantagruel"...

... in peace instead of listening to this foolishness!

Are you doubting his vigilance?!

Yes, I have my doubts, I swear by all saints!

And I have good reasons to doubt.

Orville!

Do not leave the count alone.

Should he wake up, try to entertain him.

And if the count awakens and asks about you, what should I tell him?

Tell him I went to fetch some medicine...

For his sickness!

The Chief of the Royal Guards, monsieur de Crillon!

He may enter.

At last, monsieur de Crillon!

We have been waiting for you for a while!

How do you do, monsieur de Crillon?

Thank you, Sire!

Our entire life is dedicated to maintaining Your Majesty`s and our kingdom`s security.

We are listening.

Your Majesty... Am I in front of the Royal Council?

Yes.

My most faithful friends have assembled here. Speak!

Sire, I must reveal a perfidious conspiracy to Your Majesty!

A conspiracy?

Yes, a conspiracy!

Ah, how convenient!

Sit at my side, brother.

Have you heard, brother? Monsieur de Crillon has uncovered a plot!

Could this be possible?

Unfortunately yes, Monseigneur.

Tell us all, monsieur de Crillon.

Sire, I have been keeping an eye on the conduct of a few malcontents for a while...

A few?

Far too modest an estimation, monsieur de Crillon!

Yes, a few!

Some shopkeepers, artisans and other riffraff.

Some scholars and monks here and there.

Hardly any princes involved!

Your Majesty, in such cases...

... the malcontents always use the two main pillars: The army and the church.

A sensible observation! Proceed.

For over two months, I have been supplying two fairly skillful and brave individuals with treasury money.

To be honest, their greed knows no bounds.

But it is only due to those individuals that I was able to learn of the first gathering of the conspirators!

Monsieur de Crillon, to which end was this conspiracy devised?

Your Majesty, it is no less than a second St. Bartholomew`s Day!

Against whom?!

Against Huguenots.

Monsieur de Crillon, how much did you pay for this information - in your estimation?

In truth, how much?

75 000 livres to one, Sire... And 100 000 to another.

Henri, if you wish, for just 1000 ecu I will tell you the secret monsieur de Crillon found out!

Speak.

It is... the League!

The League, pure and simple!

It has been active for ten years already.

Monsieur de Crillon unearthed a secret known to any Parisian drunk!

Sire, one of my spies was present at a gathering of these conspirators.

The location where this gathering took place is unlikely to be known to monsieur Chicot!

Where was it?

In the Abbey of St. Genevieve, Your Majesty!

What have you just said? St. Genevieve`s?.. This cannot be!

But it is so.

What was decided then at this gathering of yours, monsieur de Crillon?

It was decided that the members of the League would elect their chiefs...

And that everyone who enlisted in the League was to find a weapon for themselves, Sire!

Is this all?

-Monsieur de Crillon? -Is this truly all there was?

No, this is not all!

I also happen to think this is not all!

Continue.

-Sire... -Continue, Crillon!

They do have chiefs.

Who are those chiefs? Their names! Tell me!

Firstly, there was this preacher... A fanatic, a raving zealot.

His name is Gorenflot!

He is a monk with the Monastery of St. Genevieve.

Gorenflot!

Who else? Continue!

Continue?

But this is all, Sire!

Speak, Crillon, speak! Only my friends are here.

Your Majesty, secrets should not be publicly announced - forgive me, I am a statesman!

We are all of us people of the state here!

Come closer then, Crillon.

Sire, I know the name of the chief conspirator...

Your Majesty, the duke de Guise is in the Louvre!

Is he?

The duke de Guise deigned to come to the Louvre!

Yes, Sire. It was him presiding over the gathering of conspirators!

And the others?

Others?

I know of no others, Your Majesty.

He may enter!

Bring our cousin de Guise here!

I am glad to see you, dear cousin!

You look well.

I can scarcely believe you have just arrived from the siege of La Charite today!

Yes, it was today, Sire.

Truly, your visit is a great honour to us! Such an honour.

A great honour!

Your Majesty must be jesting - can a vassal`s visit be an honour to a sovereign?

What I meant, dear de Guise...

... is that any devout Catholic first pays his respects to the Lord upon returning from a campaign!

Pays his respects in a church first - and his respects to the king afterwards.

Words worthy of your wisdom, Sire.

This is why we arrived here, fully trusting Your Majesty`s judgement.

Please take time to marvel at your cousin`s trust for you, Henri!

I think you might have a proposal for me, cousin?

Then talk openly - or, as you have just said - in full trust!

What is it that you wish to propose to us?

One of the best ideas to inflame the Christian world since the abolition of the Crusades!

Speak, we are listening.

Sire, I have the honor of informing you of an alliance of all devout Catholics!

What?! By all saints! Is this about the League again?

I swear by our Lady - it is the League! The one created on the St. Bartholomew`s Day!

My son, how could you forget so victorious an idea?

Your Majesty! Sire... It is true that we called our alliance the Holy League.

And the main aim of this League is to protect the throne from our sworn enemies - the Huguenots!

Well said! I like it!

What are trying to achieve by this, monsieur?

Get to the point, do!

Sire, what I wanted to say is that, in our times, kings are supposed to lead two wars...

A spiritual war in addition to a political one.

A war against ideas and a war against individuals.

How beautifully put!

Be quiet, fool!

Men are tangible, mortal beings - one can fight them.

But ideas, Sire, are sparks on straw -

- and only the most vigilant eye will discern the fire in the light of day!

This is why we need millions of watchmen! And in order to lead these watchmen...

I request that Your Majesty appoint a chief watchman!

By this I mean the chief of the Holy Union.

Are you done, cousin?

Yes, Sire, and, as you could see, I was honest with you.

And what do you have to say about this, messieurs members of the Royal Council?

What are you doing, Chicot?!

I am going to sleep, Your Majesty -

- and tomorrow, with a clearer head, I will give my answer to our cousin de Guise.

And you, Sire... what do you think?

I think that you are right - as always, cousin.

Assemble your League chiefs, bring them here - and I will appoint the man our faith requires.

When, Sire?

Tomorrow.

You may leave - all of you.

But you, dear brother... should stay.

I wish to talk to you.

Brother, I am the happiest monarch on Earth.

Sire, your happiness - should you truly consider yourself happy -

- is no less than Heaven`s reward for your achievements.

Yes, I am glad that, even if no great ideas occur to me,

... they do originate from the heads of those who surround me.

Take for example our cousin de Guise`s presentation - that is a truly great idea!

Your Majesty, I am glad that you understand this.

Yes... Yes!

We will rally all devout Catholics around our throne!

I confess, I would love to reward the initiator of such a wise project!

By the way, Francois - is the duke de Guise truly the author of this ingenious plan?

In truth, brother?

Of course, speak plainly!

It was not him alone.

Who else deserves my gratitude for this idea?

I do.

You?!

How is this possible?

When the whole world is against me...

... such ideas occur to you, Francois! And I have not always seen a friend in you.

Oh Francois, how guilty I feel! It is my fault!

Just think how much of a triumph this idea of yours will be -

- it will give me an army, money, friends and peace, all at once!

But for that peace to last, only one thing is needed...

What do you mean?

Our cousin said that any great movement must have a leader.

Yes, certainly.

To lead such a movement... an exceptional individual is required!

Yes, Sire.

A great commander of armies, a fine politician...

I think you must agree that the duke de Guise is a perfect fit for this office in every respect.

Your Majesty, de Guise already holds far too much power.

Had the Guises been in line for the throne...

... the glory of the French royal dynasty would have been in their best interest.

But they are princes of Lorraine, whose House has always been a rival of ours.

Francois, you have touched an open wound.

I had no idea you were such an astute politician!

Yes - the rise of the House of Lorraine is the cause of my weight loss and greying hair.

I am weak and lonely.

I cannot do a single thing about them.

Francois, they will not give up without a fight - and any fight exhausts me.

Ergo I will appoint him the chief of the League.

You will make a mistake, brother!

Francois, whom should I appoint for this office, the most dangerous of all?!

Appoint someone who, protected by your power, would not fear the three princes of Lorraine!

But who... who could fit such a description, dear brother?

Look around you.

Around? I only see you, dear brother... and Chicot.

Both of you are my true friends, are you not?

Does he intend to fool me as well?

You still do not understand, brother?

Aha, so this is how it is?

No... no, you would never agree - the task is far too difficult!

Just think - dealing with stupid bourgeois, teaching them the art of fighting!

And should civil strife break out?

Blood will flow on the streets in rivers! Will you participate in that slaughter?

You, the greatest nobleman in our kingdom?

Your Majesty, perhaps I would not do it for my own sake - but for you, I would do anything!

What a kind brother you are! Most excellent brother...

Then, Henri, you would not mind me taking over this task?

Mind? I swear by Beelzebub`s horns, not only do I not mind - I am utterly delighted by your offer!

You put it all excellently.

I am truly surrounded only by towering intellects.

I, the greatest fool in my kingdom!

Surely you jest, Your Majesty!

I? Not at all - the situation is far too grave.

Our cousin de Guise is probably absolutely certain he would lead the League!

He will also want to be in charge.

Look out, Francois - this man will not tolerate being made a fool of!

If you see no other obstacles to my appointment...

I will settle the differences with de Guise myself.

When do you intend to do this?

Today.

Will you really visit him?

Not too great an honor?

No, Your Majesty, I will not visit him.

He is expecting me.

Where?

Here in the Louvre, in my rooms.

But I heard shouting...

People were greeting him when he was leaving the Louvre.

Yes, he left through the main gate, but will return by means of a secret door.

The king has the right to de Guise`s first visit, and I to the second.

My dear brother, I am truly indebted to you. Go and settle those differences!

No, what are you doing?!

Let me embrace you and press you to my heart - your real place is there!

Go, brother.

Oh Henri, such a touching display of familial unity!

Buffoon!

For shame! And you call yourself king!

At last! How did it go, Monseigneur?

All is well.

You were extremely pale, Monseigneur.

Was it that obvious?

To me it was.

But the king did not notice, did he?

No. At least as far as I know.

Did the king delay you, Monseigneur?

Did you discuss my proposal?

Yes, monsieur. Yes.

And what did the king say?

The king does approve of the idea itself.

But... he considers it dangerous to put a man such as yourself in charge of the whole organization.

I am afraid the League might be disbanded.

Damn it!

-This means dying before being born! -Or finishing before starting!

You dared to follow me, scoundrel?!

Let me listen, my son.

Is it possible that the situation is not that grave?

Maybe the king simply wants to exclude me from the matters of the League.

I assume the same.

Everything hinges on the appointment of the chief of the League...

If, instead of removing you and disbanding the League...

... the king selects a man who understands the meaning of the whole enterprise...

And who might that man be?

I see.

Watch them, Henri - the two mastiffs will fight over the bone now!

You are a fine politician, Monseigneur, if you succeeded here!

Yes, I did succeed.

And so fast too!

Yes. And yet, dear duke, nothing has been decided!

I did not want to give a final answer before seeing you.

Why, Monseigneur?

Because I do not know where all of this will lead us.

But I do!

Looks like a plot is in place!

I will not tell you where it will lead us, but I will remind you why we need this.

The League is a second army! If I am in charge of the first and my brother of the church...

While the three of us stand together, nothing will defeat us!

Yes. But do not forget that I am the heir to the crown!

Yes, Monseigneur!

And you should not forget about your enemies.

Especially about Henri de Navarre!

I could not be less worried about him - all he cares for are his love affairs!

He will be the first to lay claim to even your purse strings!

Like a hungry cat he lies in wait for his prey - Navarre is watching you and your brother!

And should misfortune befall...

Befall... the one on the throne?

Yes, Monseigneur - accidents are quite common in your family.

But you are as well-informed about this as I am, or even better informed?

Did you hear, Henri? Did you?

Yes, you are correct - the kings of our dynasty are born under a fateful star.

And yet, praise the Lord, my brother Henri III is strong of body -

- there was even a time when he endured hardships of war.

One could assume he would remain alive and intact even more easily now-

- when his life consists only of entertainment.

Do not forget one thing - any entertainment French kings indulge in is always fraught with danger!

Take for example your father, Henri II.

He was not touched by all dangers of war...

But death found him while he was partaking of one of those diversions we mentioned.

Montgomery`s spear went right for the eye during the tournament.

A coincidence? Yes! But Henri II died...

But the greatest danger for kings are books.

Such as books on hunting...

Their pages stick to each other, so one must wet a finger often to turn them.

Duke! Duke, do you enjoy inventing crimes?

Crimes? What could you possibly mean?

I am only speaking of fateful accidents which hound every king`s steps.

Take you, for example - you are the personified fateful accident of the king Henri III.

Especially if you are the head of the League!

As to be the head of the League would mean to be the king`s king!

Watch, Henri! Watch closely.

Look upon your fateful accidents!

There are two of them - and neither is losing any time!

And you knew...

But kept silent!

Words are but wind, but seeing is believing.

Furthermore...

As the head of the League, you could destroy the fateful accident of your own - Navarre!

So it follows...

It follows... that I should accept the king`s offer.

You do advise that I accept, do you not?

Of course!

I beg you to accept it, Monseigneur!

So be it, it is decided.

By the way, will tonight remain as planned?

Yes, do not worry. My people have been busy since this morning.

Paris will be the stage to a fascinating spectacle after dark!

Do not worry, Your Highness - I am certain the Parisians will support you.

Long live the League!

Glory to the League!

Burn those Huguenots!

Long live the duke de Guise!

Duke de Guise!

-Let us protect our true faith! -Protect our true faith!

Devout Catholics! Enlist in our Holy League!

Those who do will be our friends - and those who do not will be our enemies!

And we will repeat the Day of St. Bartholomew`s!

-Burn the heretics! -Burn them!

-Burn de Navarre! -Burn de Navarre!

-Glory to the mass! -Glory to the mass!

Come closer, brothers, do not be shy!

Let me go, let me go!

Come in, come in - and enlist!

Name?

I wish to write it down myself.

Here you go.

-And your book as well, if you please. -Go on.

Monsieur, you have wonderful handwriting!

I think so too.

Do you have a third book, by any chance?

A third book?

No, we don`t.

What a pity!

So, you are here after all, my son.

Such fervour! Such warmth dispensed today by our faith in the streets of my good city!

Yes. Heretics must be especially warm now!

Did you know they take you for an heretic?

-Long live the duke de Mayenne! -Long live de Guise!

What are those shouts about?

Those shouts? They prove one thing- that each is good in his own place...

The duke de Guise - in the streets, and you, my friend, in the Louvre.

Return to the Louvre - I will escort you to the gate, yes?

Will you stay with us?

No, I have a strong desire to see how the spectacle ends!

Stay here then.

Let me see you home first.

Translated by Grafinyademonsoro on Tumblr