Original subtitles

Is this a whim of His Majesty`s?

Yes.

But I must first tell the duke of Anjou that I am to depart.

We will inform the duke! Do not waste precious time on this, Chief Huntsman!

The king said depart at once!

Maugiron...

Light the lantern.

-Has Quelus not returned yet? -We are here, Your Majesty!

-Did all go well? -Yes, Sire.

To be honest, the Chief Huntsman was a bit... reluctant to leave the Louvre!

Follow me.

Where does this door lead, Sire?

You will see when you arrive.

And make no noise!

Be on your guard.

Hush!

What is this?!.. Oh, Sire!

Stay with him, d`Epernon.

Based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas (père)

La Dame de Monsoreau

Episode 13

Your Majesty... The honour of your visit is so unexpected that...

That it scares you, does it not?

No, no, brother! Remain in bed, no need to rise.

-Yes, but Sire, do allow me... -Have you been reading?

Yes, Your Majesty. Nothing that would be worthy of your attention...

My evening correspondence.

Evening correspondence? Of course of amorous nature!

Your Majesty wishes to speak to me alone?

Everything I could tell you alone you must now hear with witnesses.

Messieurs, listen closely - the king allows you to.

Sire! Before insulting a man of my standing, you should have refused me hospitality here!

Had I been in my palace, I would have had a fitting response for you!

You forget that, no matter where you are, you remain my subject...

For I am the king in this country, praise the Lord!

But let us not linger on pleasantries. Give me the letter!

-Which letter? -The one you were reading!

The one that was on your bed and that you hid as soon as you saw me!

-Consider, Your Majesty! -Consider what?

-That your demands are unworthy of a nobleman! -Give me that letter!

Consider, this is a woman`s letter!

There are some women`s letters one ought to read in all cases...

As it is extremely dangerous to leave them unread! Case in point? Our mother`s letters!

-Brother, please... -The letter!

It was not written by a woman, but by one of your accomplices, the princes of Lorraine!

I saw the seal!

Give me this letter - or I will order to have it taken from you by force!

Help me! Help! Guards!

Guards, help! My brother is trying to kill me!

No, I have no intention of killing you, brother.

You tried to fight and you lost.

Admit defeat!

Do you understand at last that the king is the master here?

Yes.

Then do not whisper and say it loudly.

I am saying it, brother.

I am proclaiming it!

Then give me the letter you have just tried to burn.

Have you heard me?

The king... commands you... to give him... the letter.

Will this be all, Your Majesty?

No, monsieur!

Due to today`s riots, which, mercifully, had no harmful consequences...

You must remain in this room until my suspicions of you are fully dispelled.

These chambers are well-known to you.

It is quite comfortable here and bears little similarity to a prison.

And the company will be most pleasant, as these noblemen will be guarding you.

And what of my friends?

Am I allowed I see my friends?

May I inquire as to whom you refer to as such?

Monsieur de Monsoreau, for instance.

Monsieur Riberac, monsieur Antraguet and monsieur de Bussy...

Of course! Him as well.

Has he had the misfortune of offending Your Majesty in any way?

Yes. He insulted me on the streets of the city this evening.

You, Your Majesty?!

Yes, me or my people.

Which is the same.

You were deceived, Your Majesty!

Monsieur de Bussy has not left his palace for two days!

-He is ill and abed, plagued by a fever! -Aha, ill!

If he is plagued by fever, then it is clearly not in his palace!

-But in the Rue Coquilliere! -Who told you Bussy was there?

I saw him with my own eyes!

-You saw Bussy on the street? -Yes, Bussy.

Looking like he had no care in the world and accompanied by that doctor or henchman, Remy!

Then I do not understand... I visited Bussy today.

He was in bed, insisting he was gravely ill!

So... this means he lied to me.

You see? As soon as the investigation runs its course...

... de Bussy will be punished, same as the others.

Or together with these others...

If monsieur de Bussy deceived me, he must have had secret intentions of his own...

Which he could not reveal to me - knowing how loyal I am to Your Majesty!

Messieurs, have you heard? My brother claims to be unaware of Bussy`s actions.

-Even better! -Why?

Because you will surely allow us to do as we consider fit now, Sire.

Yes!

Fair enough, we will see.

Well, messieurs, I will now entrust my brother to your care...

Show him all the respect that befits a prince of his standing.

Oh Sire, you may rest easy - we do remember how much we owe His Highness!

Wonderful. Adieu, messieurs.

Your Majesty...

Am I truly... imprisoned?

Please allow me to be at your side at least for tomorrow!

Brother! Grant me this favour...

No, monsieur. It is my wish that you remain here.

-But Your Majesty! -Such is the king`s will.

This should be enough for you.

Well, it is as I said! The real king of France... is yours truly!

My child, why the frequent stops?

-Are you afraid of something? -Afraid?

Of what, father?

I suspect you fear that monsieur de Monsoreau might be following us.

Yes, you are right.

Diana, dear, you should not fear him.

You should become accustomed to the fact that he is your husband...

What a beauty you are!

Lovely bird! Eat this.

Well done! Very well.

Excellent... good bird!

Some more. Get it!

Monsieur le Comte...

A nobleman to see you.

He may come in.

Oh! Monsieur Chicot.

To what do I owe the pleasure?

We must talk, monsieur.

Leave us.

I am listening.

Will you not deign to offer me a seat?

Very well.

In this case...

I will find a seat for myself.

-So, what do you have to tell me? -Have you heard of the League?

Yes, I have heard quite a lot about it, monsieur Chicot.

Then you must know that this is a union of good Christians, who assembled...

... in order to wipe out their brethren, the Huguenots, in a most pious manner.

Are you a member of the League? I am!

Monsieur, I have had the honour of asking whether you are a member of the League.

Have you understood me?

Monsieur Chicot, I cannot abide questions whose purpose eludes me...

And it follows that I cannot abide people asking them.

Please be so kind as to change the topic, while I wait a few minutes out of politeness.

One can say so much nonsense in those few minutes!

If the duke of Anjou is in the League, you will not be able to avoid joining!

You are his right hand, damn it - the League would not approve of a one-handed leader!

-What follows, monsieur Chicot? -What follows?

Continue.

What will follow for you is the same fate that befell His Highness.

Yes? And what happened to the duke of Anjou? Get to the point!

More to the point is not possible. -My little birdie...

What do you think of the Bastille, monsieur de Bussy?

A wonderful place for contemplation!

The Bastille?

Why do you speak of the Bastille?

Because right at this moment, monsieur, you should have been arrested.

I think I might have the order to take you there somewhere on me.

Do you want to see it?

Me... in the Bastille? For which crime?

Monsieur, I cannot abide inane questions.

And, if you allow, I cannot abide people who ask them.

So it follows that I - with great pleasure, I admit - will let them do to you...

...everything that has been done to your master, the duke of Anjou.

Where is the duke, monsieur Chicot?

-In prison. -In the Bastille?

No, in the Louvre - for now.

And four of my my valiant friends are not letting him out of their sight.

Monsieur de Schomberg, who, as you know, was dipped in blue dye yesterday...

Monsieur d`Epernon, yellow with fright...

Monsieur de Quelus, red with anger and Monsieur de Maugiron, pale with boredom.

A lovely sight, considering that the duke of Anjou is close to turning green from terror.

Monsieur Chicot... Somehow I feel that you want to do me a small favour.

I think so... What do you think?

But to what do I owe this favour?

You love the king, who does not like me.

Or are you saving me now just to ruin later, monsieur Chicot?

Monsieur, I am saving you because I just am. And you are free to think what you like.

So saddle your horses and disappear, while I deliver the order to the one who should execute it.

Then it was not you? The one sent to arrest me.

Really?! What do you take me for?

I am a nobleman, monsieur.

And an excellent one at that...

Monsieur de Chicot.

Darn it, I think the same!

Remy!

Remy, hurry up!

I am here, monsieur!

-Saddle the horses. -They have been saddled, count!

What an uncommonly astute young fellow!

Darn it, I think the same!

Where are we headed?

What do you think of Normandy, monsieur?

No, far too close!

And what about Flanders?

Too far.

Monsieur...

I think that Anjou a suitable distance away - just about?

Or am I wrong, count?

Yes... I think... we might depart for Anjou.

Monsieur, as you selected a destination and are preparing to depart...

... I must bid you farewell.

Mention me in your prayers!

It must be fate, count!

Monsieur Aurilly, the duke de Guise is here.

Aurilly!

I am aware that you are not merely the prince`s lute player...

But also his confidant.

You know his every secret.

Tell me where he is!

I assume that His Highness is in the Louvre, Monseigneur...

I sent three messengers to the palace! Each time the answer was...

That the prince had returned late and was still abed!

Asleep!

At eleven!

Utterly inexplicable.

To be honest, this worries me as well, Monseigneur.

Yesterday, when he left, His Highness did not inform me...

... that he intended to spend the night in the Louvre.

You must go to the Louvre without delay, Aurilly.

I will depart at once, Monseigneur, if it is your wish.

What should I tell the prince?

That this is no time for sleeping!

Right when the king is about to appoint the head of the League!

The ceremony is to take place at two.

We must meet and talk before the king arrives.

Tell him I am growing impatient!

And if I do not find him in the Louvre - what do I do then?

It would not make sense to look for him elsewhere.

In any case... At point quarter to two I will be in the Louvre.

Your Highness... Monseigneur!

You are being impolite...

Please allow me pass through here, monsieur Chicot!

Ah, it is you, monsieur Aurilly!

What are you doing here?

I am playing chess.

It seems that the combination is rather... complex.

Yes...

My king worries me.

Did you know, monsieur Aurilly...

... that the king is a rather useless and silly figure in chess?

Without good advisors he is lost.

Although he does have his jester, who may come and leave as he pleases...

Who may stand in front of him, behind him or beside him.

And at this very moment...

...my king and his jester are in a most dangerous position.

Why the devil are you, Chicot...

... taking apart your chess combination in Monseigneur`s chambers of all places?

I am waiting for monsieur de Schomberg, who is with His Highness at the moment.

Interesting...

But what could monsieur de Schomberg need the duke of Anjou for?

I never knew them to be close!

He is asking the prince`s forgiveness for the impertinent behavior of yesterday.

Is this so?

Yes.

The king himself ordered him to do it.

Fascinating...

Here, good dog! My dearest Narcissus!

Here, eat another piece, don`t be shy! Tastes good, yes?

Aha! It is you, dear monsieur Aurilly!

What are you doing here, monsieur... monsieur de Schomberg?!

I? Training the wolfhound!

A-and why is it... that y-you are training your dog in His Highness` rooms?

Because I was supposed to have an audience with His Highness, but...

But that rascal Quelus was here first!

What? Monsieur de Quelus is here as well?

Yes! Please proceed, dear Aurilly, proceed!

You are a well-known visitor here, no one would dare to harm you!

And no one would dare to harm you either, Narcissus!

This is the friend of the duke of Anjou!

You see, this is that same monsieur Aurilly, he came all by himself! And you were worried...

Good day, dear monsieur Aurilly!

Good day!

And what are you doing here, monsieur de Quelus?

I am going through my correspondence and, truth be told, am in a dilemma...

If I only were as much of a master of the feather as you are of the lute, Aurilly...

How funny... Why are you going through correspondence in the prince`s rooms?

His Highness scheduled an audience for me...

I am waiting here.

What is keeping His Highness so occupied?

Monseigneur is extremely busy.

He is receiving Maugiron`s and d`Epernon`s apologies...

But you, monsieur Aurilly, may pass freely - you are the prince`s man!

-Are you certain? It might not be my place to... -Do not worry, no! Please go!

Go, monsieur Aurilly!

Why have you stopped, monsieur Aurilly?

Please proceed, I beg you!

Messieurs... What does all this mean?!

Monsieur Aurilly, do me a favour...

... of giving up your weapon!

Aurilly... Do you not understand that I am a prisoner?

Whose?!

The king`s.

Your Highness! I... I swear..!

Had I suspected this..!

Then you would have taken your lute with you, yes?

To entertain His Highness!

But I remembered and brought it.

Monsieur Aurilly, give us your rapier- and we will give you the lute in return!

Scoundrels!

Such a smooth exchange - this for that!

-One down! -Let us wait for others.

Who is with him?

All is well, Sire, ten Swiss guards replaced us there.

What news of Paris?

Large crowds have assembled around the Louvre...

People are waiting for your announcement.

Who could have thought it!

Look who is here, my son!

Please come closer, Chief Huntsman.

Why are you in the Louvre, monsieur?

I assumed you were in Vincennes, flushing a deer for us!

The deer was flushed at seven this very morning...

But as I had no news of you by midday, I was beset by worry!

I left everything and returned in a hurry - afraid that something might have happened here.

Your Majesty... If I failed in my duty...

It was only out of my boundless loyalty for you!

You may be certain I value your concern for my welfare, count.

My thanks.

And, if Your Majesty allows - now that I am convinced that everything is in order-

I am ready to return to Vincennes!

No, no, monsieur Chief Huntsman, remain here!

I have need of loyal individuals whose dedication I may rely upon.

Thank you.

Where may I stand, Your Majesty?

Wherever you wish.

For example beside me.

Where I usually ask my friends to stand.

Here, monsieur Chief Huntsman!

Do you know whom your Chief Huntsman is hunting now?

No.

Who is it then?

Your brother, the duke of Anjou!

Let him hunt!

He will not find his prey here.

Listen... Give him to me for half an hour or so!

What for?

To torture him a bit... Truly, it is such a small thing to you!

You are in my debt anyway for forcing me to participate in this boring ceremony!

Fine. He is all yours.

Let us throw him off the scent!

No objections from my side.

Then ask him where the countess is.

Count...

Where are you hiding madame de Monsoreau?

I do not see her among our ladies in waiting!

The air of Paris proved detrimental to her health.

After receiving the Queen`s permission...

She departed for Anjou, the province of her birth.

You must understand, Henri...

That Parisian air... is harmful for pregnant women!

By the way, I advise that you send the Queen away somewhere far...

... as soon as she gets with child!

Who told you the countess was with child, impudent monsieur?

Is it not so?

I am sure that assuming the opposite would have been more impudent of me!

Then... Do keep the following in mind:

The countess is not with child!

But still, poor countess!

She will die of boredom in the country!

-But luckily... -Luckily what?!

Luckily for her, some of our friends departed for that area as well...

And should they meet her - which is extremely likely-

They will surely entertain her!

Which friends of yours left for Anjou then?

You know them all too well, count!

As they are your friends to a far greater extent than mine!

Is it so?

Please name these friends, monsieur babbler!

Seek, monsieur Chief Huntsman! Seek.

It is you who made tracking prey your profession!

Oh Lord...

The duke of Anjou?!

The animal has been sighted!

Get him! Go!

He... left for Anjou?!

All too likely!

Ask the king!

Henri, where is your brother?

I am not claiming he departed for Anjou!

I can only confirm that he disappeared.

And even his closest friends do not know where to start searching!

Oh Lord...

Pull yourself together, darn it!

It is indecorous to display your feelings for all to see!

Messieurs...

It is with greatest attention that I listen to what both the Lord...

... and my people ask of me.

All forces aligned to form a single union for the protection of the faith...

... are a guarantee of my subjects` well-being.

I understand this perfectly and thus approve of my cousin de Guise`s suggestion.

I announce that, henceforth, the Holy League may hold an official status.

And, as only one of the most dedicated sons of our Church may become its leader...

I have chosen a man of high birth...

And a devout Christian.

As the Chief of the League, I appoint...

I appoint...

... Henri III Valois.

The king of France!

-Long live the king! -Long live the king!

Who can understand the people?!

Yesterday they hated the king - and today they idolize him!

And now you, dear cousin.

Please sign.

I suspect... it might no longer be safe to stay here!

Let us withdraw.

We can wait for our brother elsewhere.

There, right under mine.

And now please pass the quill to messieurs de Chevreuse and Mayenne!

It appears they have left.

Then to monsieur de Monsoreau.

Wait, dear cousin.

You said that a good army should be created by combining all of the League`s resources.

That army has been created...

... with the king as its natural commander.

While I am assuming command of the League, you, as the kingdom`s best warrior...

... should assume command of the regular army!

Take this warrant.

When should I depart?

At once.

You could not be more naive if you tried, Henri!

Keep pace, sister!

We should hurry, the king might change his mind!

You must admit I resolved a complex dilemma, dear mother.

It was wonderful, my dear child.

I hope your praise is honest.

They must be imagining that gold will rain tomorrow from heaven!

By all saints, Henri, all these bellows of admiration will spoil you!

You might forget that the only difference between the king and all others...

... is the height of his hat!

Pardon, I meant to say "crown"!

And when his head is uncovered, he is of a height with any other...

Has anything ever won your full approval, monsieur critic?

I do not ask for admiration, I demand one thing only -

... common sense!

You are right! This is exactly the one thing you lack!

But you cannot disagree that the blow was masterfully dealt!

This is exactly what we do not agree on!

Am I not the king of the League?

Yes, you are the king of the League!

But you are no longer the king of France!

And who is the king of France then?!

Everyone except you!

And, first of all, your brother.

My brother?

The same brother I keep imprisoned?

You are a fool, Chicot!

Yes, by occupation!

My son, you should tackle your secret police!

In Paris, in the presence of 30 individuals...

... the duke of Anjou was formally anointed and crowned as king!

And you know nothing of it!

Oh Lord Almighty, and you, where could you have found this out?

I know this because my police is myself!

Let us sum up - we already have one king of France.

Besides Henri de Valois, there is also Francois d`Anjou.

And, in addition to him, we also have the duke de Guise...

And what a king!

The king I exiled, banished back to the army!

Yes, to the army! And what an army!

You gave de Guise an army of resilient, battle-seasoned soldiers!

An army capable of obliterating twenty armies of the League!

And should de Guise once take it into his head...

... to become the king of France in truth...

He only has to turn his trumpeters towards Paris and give the "Advance!" command!

And he will do it, I know him.

You forgot one thing...

Oh great politician!

What? Is there a fourth king?!

No!

You forgot that before one can even dream of the French throne...

... it would be prudent to turn and count one`s ancestors!

When such ideas occur to my own brother, it is understandable -

As this is a matter of primogeniture only!

But the duke de Guise...

Dear friend, refresh your knowledge of heraldry!

Try to remember which line is older - the Lilies of France or the Thrushes of Lorraine!

And this is where you are wrong.

As these thrushes are aiming to fly as high as Caesar`s eagle!

Take a look at this.

So... What now, Henri?

They left us in the dust... Us and our lilies!

Translated by Grafinyademonsoro on Tumblr