Original subtitles

Your Highness... you returned from somewhere but recently.

Very reckless of you, Your Highness...

...to walk around the city in the night!

But who told you I was outside?

Damn it, Monseigneur, you are wearing boots! Dusty boots!

Monsieur de Monsoreau, do you hold another office now beside the office of the Chief Huntsman?

The office of a spy? Yes, Monseigneur, everyone is spying these days.

To a larger or lesser extent.

And so am I.

-And what does this office give you? -Knowledge, Monseigneur!

Knowledge of the current events.

What is it that you meant to tell me?

Your Highness... I am here on an errand of a person of highest standing.

Of the king`s?!

No, Monseigneur - the duke de Guise`s!

Speak then.

Messieurs de Guise are in Paris - they came for the meeting you had appointed.

-Appointed a meeting, I?! -Yes, you did, Monseigneur -

On the day of your arrest! Messieurs de Guise did not forget about you.

By the way, they did nothing to help me escape!

They could not have, they themselves were on the run! But had you marched to Paris with an army...

Yes, but I did not march to Paris!

No, Monseigneur, you did - because you are in Paris!

I am in Paris... as my brother`s ally!

If I dare say so, Monseigneur, you are more than just an ally to the messieurs de Guise!

Who am I to them then?

You are their accomplice!

Did messieurs de Guise tell you the reason for their return?

Yes, Monseigneur, they granted me this honour.

In the knowledge that I am your confidant, they gave me the task of informing you of their plans.

Is the final goal of those plans still..?

Of course, Monseigneur.

To make you the king of France!

Based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas (père)

La Dame de Monsoreau

Episode 23

Monseigneur, what are you thinking of?

I am thinking of the fact that my brother is childless.

I will follow him on the throne.

The king`s health is rather fragile...

Why risk my life to achieve something I have a claim to by right?

Messieurs de Guise will not tolerate a king they do not approve of on the throne.

If you do not accept their plan, Monseigneur, they will choose another king!

Who? Who will dare to lay claim to the throne of Charles the Great?!

A Bourbon instead of a Valois!

-The king of Navarre?! -Why not?

He is young and brave - he has no children yet, but he most certainly can have them!

Both I and my allies will never let it come to pass...

...that a Huguenot king ascends the French throne!

Hm, allies...

Of all your allies, you now have only two left.

Monsieur de Bussy and myself.

I will repeat, Your Highness...

...you are only powerful together with messieurs de Guise!

Without them, you are helpless.

And with them... I can achieve anything.

Yes.

One word of yours - and you are king!

Speak, count, I am listening.

In this case, Monseigneur, here is our plan - summarized...

It is quite simple. As you know, we will celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi in eight days.

The king will make a pilgrimage to the main monasteries in Paris, as is his habit.

At the end of his pilgrimage, he is bound to visit the Monastery of St. Genevieve.

As soon as he enters, the gate will be closed - and he will be received by the very same monks...

...who anointed Your Highness for the throne!

Will they raise a hand against the Lord`s anointed?

Only to cut his hair for monkhood!

Will they dare to do it?

Will they touch the king`s head?

By that time, he will no longer be a king.

What do mean?

Your Highness, do you remember that monk who loves speeches...

...and who intended to preach for the League with a musket in his hands?

-Brother Gorenflot! -Yes, him.

Well, our monk agreed to accept the king`s abdication as soon as the latter arrives in his cell.

The king will never sign any instrument of abdication!

You see, Your Highness, it is said...

It is said that brother Gorenflot is not only eloquent... but also exceptionally strong!

I do not think the king would have enough strength to refuse...

After this, madame de Montpensier will enter the monk`s cell...

...carrying golden scissors from which she refuses to be parted.

And this rite of taking monastic vows will be complete.

Are messieurs de Guise not afraid that I would betray them?

Of course not.

Because they have another plan... in case of your betrayal.

Do you wish to know the details of this plan?

No, I do not.

What should I do then?

You must accept the plan of messieurs de Guise and sign it.

Sign it? What madness!

They are mad if they think I would agree to sign!

They want to hide under the cover of my name -

-I most certainly refuse! -You cannot refuse, Monseigneur!

In your position, to refuse means to betray!

Messieurs de Guise may consider this however they like!

At least I might be able to choose a lesser evil myself.

Be careful not to make a wrong choice, Your Highness!

By refusing to sign the plan of de Guise, you are signing your own death sentence.

Very well. Very well, count, I will do it tomorrow.

No, Monseigneur, you will do it now, if you agree to it!

Yes, but messieurs de Guise must draw up an agreement first, must they not?

Oh, do not worry - the agreement is ready, I have it here.

Please read it, Monseigneur.

So I must sign it then?

Must if you want to, no one is forcing you, Your Highness!

No, you are forcing me! If you threaten to murder me if I fail to do so.

Perish the thought, Monseigneur! Would I ever dare to threaten you?

I am not threatening, but I am warning you...

Sign it.

Sign it, Monseigneur.

You have no other choice.

Here we go! And now, Monseigneur, be on your guard...

And do not walk around the city at night anymore, like you did tonight!

What? What does all of this mean?!

You forget your station!

This means that this night, you embarked on winning a woman who has a husband...

And that husband loves and worships her to such an extent...

...that he would destroy anybody who dares to approach her!

Are you speaking of yourself and your wife, by any chance?

Yes, you are correct.

I understand now.

Yes, Monseigneur - madame de Monsoreau can only belong and does belong to me alone!

And will belong to no one else - even a royal prince!

I swear by my name and by my dagger - this will be so!

-Are you threatening me? -Oh no, Monseigneur.

I am only warning you again.

Warning me of what?

I warn you - my wife will not belong to anybody else!

Monsieur fool... You warn me for no reason.

Your wife already belongs to someone else.

To you? You, Monseigneur?!

Perish the thought!

-Jealousy must have made you insane! -But you have just said...

...that my wife belongs to another, you said it!!!

And I will repeat it - belongs to another!

His name. Tell me that man`s name and give proof!

Count, who was there in front of your house armed with a musket?

-Oh Lord, it was I! -Yes, you.

And at that same time, count, in your house - or in your wife`s room, to be more precise...

...there was a man!

-And you saw him enter?! -I saw him leave.

-Through the door?! -Through the window.

Monseigneur... Did you recognize him?

Yes.

I beg you... I implore you, tell me the name of that man, or I will not be responsible for my actions!

Dear count, I give you the prince`s word of honour...

I swear by our Lord any my own soul...

In eight days` time, I will tell you the name of the man who possesses your wife!

-So you swear? -I swear.

I will find you wherever you would choose to be, Your Highness.

Do keep your word.

In eight days` time... This is all I can tell you now.

Your Majesty...

Sire!

The Corpus Christi day has come, Your Majesty!

-Each soul is revived by the Holy Spirit! -Oh Chicot, Chicot.

I have not met another man yet who could choose the most inopportune moment for everything.

Why?

You tore me from one of the most happy dreams of my life!

What were you dreaming of, my son?

I was dreaming that my dear Quelus...

...run Antraguet through with his rapier!

Did he really?

Well then... Let us go and pray for this dream to become reality!

-Call the servants, Chicot, do. -What do you want of them?

My hair-shirt and my whips!

Wait, wait! Patience, it is only eight in the morning.

You will have enough time to whip yourself until evening!

Let us talk first.

Come, have a talk with me - with your friend!

Chicot`s word, you will not regret it, Henri!

Very well. But be quick about it!

I will try to.

How will we divide our day, my son?

Well, first comes the mass in Saint-Germain l`Auxerrois.

Good!

Upon returning to the Louvre, there will be a light breakfast.

Excellent!

Afterwards a procession of repentants with detours to the main monasteries of Paris...

...ending with the Monastery of St. Genevieve.

-Why St. Genevieve? -I promised the prior...

...that I would spend the night alone in a cell with a monk - almost a saint, it is said!

He will pray all night to ensure victory for our weapons!

-I know that so-called saint. -Even better!

You will come with me and we will pray together, Chicot!

Who could doubt it, the ceremony will be wonderful!

I hope the Lord will reward me justly for it.

This we will see tomorrow.

But answer me this, Henri...

Is your decision final on spending the night in the Monastery of St. Genevieve?

I promised!

If it is so, my son... This ceremony does not suit me!

I do not understand you, Chicot.

After breakfast, I will tell you of another agenda for the day.

Very well, monsieur de Crillon, you have your instructions.

It is of utmost importance to me that full order be maintained in the streets today.

Understood, Your Majesty!

It will be your personal responsibility to ensure this.

Glad to serve.

This should be all, you may leave.

His Highness, the duke of Anjou!

Your Majesty, le Comte de Monsoreau is here to pay his compliments to you.

Thank you, monsieur, I appreciate your visit.

Especially after you were so grievously wounded, were you not?

Yes, Sire.

I was told it had happened on a hunt?

Yes, Sire.

Sire, would you not like - after we all confess and receive communion, of course-

...that le Comte de Monsoreau leaves to prepare us a good hunt in the forests of Compiegne?

-What, do you not know that tomorrow..? -I know of nothing, Your Majesty.

But if Your Majesty wishes to inform me..?

I just wanted to say that, as I will spend this entire night in prayer...

...in the Monastery of St. Genevieve, it is unlikely that I will be ready to hunt tomorrow.

Although... Monsieur de Monsoreau may depart.

If there will be no hunt tomorrow, there will be one the day after.

Have you heard, count?

Yes, Monseigneur.

Your Majesty.

Bonjour, messieurs. I am particularly pleased to see you on this day.

One day more, Sire.

-What? -But fortunately only one!

Yes, fortunately! We will kill them.

Are you trying to achieve my banishment? Why?

Why indeed?

Yes, why?

Is it not Chief Huntsman`s duty to prepare hunts for the king?

I understand now! I understand what is happening here...

Today is the eighth and final day of the respite you asked me for!

And it is more convenient for you to have me sent to Compiegne rather than fulfill your promise!

Be very careful, Your Highness!

-One word from me tonight, and I... -Be quiet.

I am fulfilling my promise.

How?

Have you received the official orders to depart for Compiegne?

Yes, damn it, not without your input!

Well, all will hear that you are leaving to prepare a hunt.

What does it matter to me?!

But you will not depart and will hide next to your house...

Then, certain that you left, a man will appear.

The man whose name you wish to know!

The rest I leave to you.

As far as I remember, I promised you nothing else.

-Well then, if it is true... -Yes, all true - you have my word!

You are wrong, Your Highness.

I have far more - your signature!

I do remember that!

I swear by all saints...

Everything is going well!

What is going well?

Monsieur de Bussy will not fight tomorrow.

He will not?

I guarantee it.

Who will prevent him?

Does it even matter who? If monsieur de Bussy will not fight.

If he will not fight, you will receive everything I promised, my dear friend!

Messieurs and mesdames, we will depart for Saint-Germain l`Auxerrois now.

Will we proceed to the Abbey of St. Genevieve afterwards, Your Majesty?

Of course, brother.

Count on it, Your Highness!

Messieurs, you will not believe that I...

Guards, follow me!

Monsieur de Crillon, this is a rather difficult day for you, is it not?

Alas, yes, monsieur de Monsoreau. Forgive me, I am on duty.

Good day, messieurs.

Forgive me, may we have a few words in private?

-I am at your service. Forgive me, messieurs. -My apologies.

Dear count...

Please allow me to give you a piece of advice.

Advice? I am listening.

If I were you, I would leave Paris at once.

Leave Paris? Why?

I may only say one thing...

Your departure from here could help you avoid some major inconveniences.

Which major inconveniences do you mean, count?

What?! You do not know what is about to take place?

No.

I do not.

-A nobleman`s word? -Bussy`s word!

This cannot be true... that the duke of Anjou would not tell you anything!

Dear count, the duke of Anjou only confides in me in matters one could mention aloud.

I will even add - mention aloud to nearly everyone!

Well then - I am not the duke of Anjou!

I love my friends not for my own sake, but for theirs!

And I will tell you, dear count...

The allies of the duke of Anjou and messieurs de Guise are preparing to dethrone the king.

I belong to the duke of Anjou.

He may dispose of my life and my sword.

The king holds no love for me, and never misses the chance to say or do something unpleasant, but...

...tomorrow - and this I will tell to you alone as well -

...I will attempt to humiliate Henri de Valois in the person of his favourites.

Does this mean... you knowingly accept all consequences of your loyalty to the duke?!

Yes.

Damn it, have you no idea where this might lead you?!

I do. But I know when to stop, count.

Regardless of my personal attitude towards our king, I would never raise a hand against the Lord`s anointed!

May others do it.

And I will stay with the duke of Anjou for as long as he has need of my rapier.

Why do you refuse to understand that the duke of Anjou is a traitor and a coward?!

Out of jealousy or fear he would be prepared to betray his best friend, his most loyal servant!

I beg of you, count - listen to this friendly advice, leave Paris behind!

-Leave the duke behind! -I would like to ask you something, count.

Why do you not leave the duke of Anjou yourself?

Because...

Because, due to some matters pertaining to my honour, count...

I will be forced to remain near... this man for a while longer.

Have you taken the decision, Monseigneur?

Yes.

Should Bussy come with me and help me achieve victory with his support...

...what will it matter to me, the winner, what this Monsoreau decides to do or say?

-You might be right! -But should he abandon me...

...then I owe him nothing!

Well then... Due to matters pertaining to my honour, count...

...I will remain with the duke as well.

Messieurs!

My lady! Oh!

How lovely, simply wonderful!

Oh Lord... I have always known you were a beauty, but today!

I just cannot... You are a queen!

-Oh, the dress suits you so well too! -Well, thank you but it is quite enough...

-We will be late! -On my way, being quiet...

Not saying anything... Beauty, such a beauty!

You will be the most beautiful of all repentant sinners today!

I am ready, monsieur.

This dress does suit you extremely well, madame.

But you will have to change into the plainer one you wear at home.

But... You said that we were to attend the ceremony in Saint-Germain l`Auxerrois today!

The circumstances have changed.

The entire court will be there. I am a lady in waiting, after all...

...and must be where my queen is!

I must depart for Compiegne today to prepare a hunt on king`s orders.

I must leave at once.

As I cannot accompany you during the ceremony, I consider your participation in it an impossibility.

To tell the truth, all those public displays of repentance by the king...

...seem even more sinful to me than his wildest orgies!

-Gertrude! -Yes, monsieur?

Help madame to change.

And prepare my hunting attire as well.

Yes, monsieur.

Gertrude!

Yes, my lady.

As soon as he leaves...

Run to Remy and give him this note - he must bring it to monsieur de Bussy at once!

Of course. I will tell him!

Do not worry, I will fly there!

Monsieur le Comte...

A letter.

It must be by her - to inform him that her husband will leave Paris shortly.

In the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit... Amen!

Amen!

It appears that our religious devotion is of little interest to you, monsieur de Bussy.

As you are dressed as if for a ball while your king is wearing a coarse robe.

Have you seen? What happened to them?

Could it be that repentance worked its wonders on that riffraff?

Unlikely, Monseigneur!

They are too well-bred to try to cut my throat in a church - there is another place and time for that.

I am most certainly reassured now, Bussy!

Monseigneur, we will be waiting for you at the gate.

-Monseigneur... may I speak to you? -Is it urgent?

Extremely so!

Could you not say it during the procession? We will walk together, after all.

No, Your Highness, as it is your permission to leave you that I must ask for.

Why?

Monseigneur, I must participate in a certain event tomorrow that will without doubt extremely please you.

But today I would like to withdraw to my house in Vincennes and spend the day alone.

Will you not join me even in the Monastery of St. Genevieve?

No, Your Highness. But only with your permission, of course.

Will you truly not take part in the procession, when the entire court, when the king himself is there?!

Your Highness, I would like to have all day to myself.

Wait, but what if I should suddenly need my friends?

Monseigneur, as you will only need them to raise swords against their king...

...I must insist even more for you to release me.

You are abandoning... me then?

Your lord and master!

Monseigneur, I have no Lord except...

...for the one to whom my last confession will be addressed.

But you do know that a throne of my own is at stake here!

And you are still leaving...

Your Highness...

I have expended a lot of effort on your behalf until now.

Should the Lord will it, I will do even more for you in future.

But... do not ask more of me.

Very well.

I release you.

Go, monsieur de Bussy.

So Monseigneur... Have you passed your sentence on Bussy?

He sentenced himself.

-So he will attend the rendezvous? -Yes.

-This evening then... -This night.

Monsieur de Monsoreau has been told as well...

Told of the rendezvous, yes, but not of whom he will see there.

So you did decide to sacrifice your Bussy.

Yes.

Yes, I did decide! I decided to have my revenge.

I am only afraid of one thing in that regard...

That Monsoreau might rely only on his own strength and cunning.

And that Bussy might escape his grasp.

Do not worry, Monseigneur!

Is your sentencing of monsieur de Bussy... final?

Yes.

I swear by our Saviour! That patronizing man...

...took my will and imposed his!

He took that woman from me as well and made her his.

He is not a mere mortal - he is a lion in human form!

Rather than being a master to that lion, I am no more than a custodian...

Yes, Aurilly. His sentence is final and without reprieve.

In this case, you have no reason for worry.

Should he escape from Monsoreau... He will not escape from another!

-Who is that other? -Do you command I name him?

Yes, I command it.

This other is monsieur d`Epernon.

I will explain everything, if you wish, Monseigneur.

Gertrude, I am so looking forward to this night!

I cannot wait, and yet I am afraid...

A strange disquiet I cannot explain.

Yes, I can imagine what state monsieur de Bussy will be in tomorrow morning!

Have you forgotten he has to fight in a duel?

But his opponent is only monsieur d`Epernon!

All is well then!

What is the matter with you, Gertrude?

Why are you crying?

You should be merry as I am, your Remy will accompany monsieur de Bussy!

-You think? Remy will not come! -Why not?

He does not love me anymore.

-Well, we can make things right again. -How?

I will ask monsieur de Bussy and he will order Remy to marry you.

No, my lady.

Love can`t be forced.

Monsieur de Bussy!

O Lord, what a surprise!

My compliments!

I am glad to see you, count!

I am glad to see you as well, madame.

But it looks like you are leaving Paris! Are you?

Yes, I am indeed leaving, count.

I suspect that, following today`s events, many heads will roll and the Bastille will acquire new residents.

I would rather not be one of them.

You are making me worry, madame.

What will happen today?

You will know very soon.

All in its proper time!

And where are you headed, madame Gabrielle?

There are some individuals of power... who would be honoured to harbor me.

In any case, I wish you a pleasant journey, madame.

Thank you.

Count... Had you not been so arrogant and unyielding...

I would maybe have given you some information you might consider useful.

But nothing in this world is for free.

Go!

Translated by Grafinyademonsoro on Tumblr