Previously on reign... Give your baby your name.
I have to open my heart, and our marriage
Will be stronger for it.
You should leave this house.
I can't leave my family.
We found the girl. Her family
Were dying of the plague.
Estelle?
I went to see leith. I have been wondering about your loyalty.
You chose me knowing that I'd loved another.
I didn't know how it would feel.
Will you be back? I don't know.
Little girl: So much suffering.
There will be a reckoning.
(sheep bleating) walk up, walk up. Walk up.
Get back here, riley!
(barking) where are you going, you blasted dog?
Who are you?
What do you want?
For your brother
Henry's christening
The sweets were drizzled in the thinnest layer
Of gold, everything shimmered.
Oh, the children loved it. I remember.
That's what you thought made little claude throw up.
All those gold flecks splattered everywhere.
She was, in fact, drunk on wine.
She's probably drunk in prague as we speak.
What about your other sister for godmother?
Elisabeth, she's a queen consort
Of a good catholic nation.
Exactly. She lives in Spain.
Lola, do you have any thoughts
On who should be your child's godparents?
We've already discussed this with lola.
All her kin are back in scotland.
The choice of godparent
For a royal offspring, even an illegitimate one,
Is more than an honor. We are speaking about
Who would raise my grandson in the event
That neither francis nor lola could.
I've offered
And been denied.
We have a long history of reasons why.
As for the party, I'm not sure
That we need such an elaborate affair.
The church service will suffice. You wanted
To publicly claim your son,
To honor him so that others
Would do the same as he grows up.
This is how it's done.
Well done avoiding the whole thing.
Few queens have ever attended the christenings
Of their husband's bastards. I say that
With growing affection for my grandson.
Don't be angry.
At least not with francis.
When it comes to planning a party,
Catherine dominates us all.
Mary, I've been thinking,
And perhaps what's best is that we're not underfoot.
We've discussed this.
Francis wants to be able to parent his son.
What about the east cottage?
It's on the grounds but separate.
Is that what you want?
To be away from us all?
Wouldn't it be easier for you?
Less awkward? I suppose.
But are you sure this isn't about you?
Have I done anything to make you feel uncomfortable?
I worry that you will come to resent me and my son.
I would never resent a child.
Lola, the time for anger is past.
But you never really got angry with me, did you?
I don't know how you managed it.
And now...
I-it's just my worry for anything weighing on you,
When you and francis are still so new to the throne.
There's a room that makes a perfect nursery,
Bedrooms for the nannies and servants.
You've already chosen the place.
It's a-a stone's throw from the castle.
Adjacent, actually.
Then what do you gain from this?
Some distance.
And this distance, short as it is,
What of your duties to me as one of my ladies?
I...
I suppose, if you want to release me...
You are released.
Mary, I... It's fine.
Excuse me.
So, you're not just here for the christening, louis?
Not this day, though I appreciate the invitation.
How long have you kept a place in the village?
Since my father sold his last spring.
I'm well-known there. People talk to me.
Which is how you heard of this shepherd being menaced.
By horsemen with "hands as cold as ice."
It's the stuff of legends, the kind of story which spreads,
Which is why I thought you should know. Ah.
Did they hurt him?
I haven't spoken with him.
What they did to him or what they wanted is unclear.
But people are afraid.
There's talk of restless spirits, empty graves.
My brother is the king's deputy.
Go with him to talk to this man.
I'd be honored to be of service, your majesty.
Leith bayard, I'm glad you have returned.
I'm sorry for the loss
Of your lands. It could not be avoided.
I assumed as much, as they went to lord narcisse.
We'll share a draft or ten and I'll explain.
As I have no other holdings
To offer at the moment, I'd like to give you a position at court.
You could help my brother. He needs good men
That he can trust.
Thank you, your majesty.
In moments like this, I hope you can call me friend.
These are lovely. Thank you.
The colors of scotland.
We tried for something subtle.
Your side needs to be represented somehow.
Mary would agree.
Is that lord narcisse?
Mary says he's poisonous and cruel.
My word, I know that girl. Her family took me in.
They perished of plague and narcisse took her away in a cage.
In a cage? He said it was to isolate her,
In case she was infected herself.
Estelle, is that really you?
Lady lola.
I nearly forgot you'd met my bride
During your sojourn from the castle with our young king.
And you are?
I'm greer of kinross. This is lady kenna.
Did you say "my bride"? Yes.
We've come to ask the king for his blessing a bit belatedly.
I would have done so in advance of our marriage, but
It wasn't proper, estelle staying beneath my roof.
I honor a women's reputation.
When I learned
We were coming to court, I was hoping to see you.
On the off chance,
I made you a gift.
Ah. It's nothing much,
Just a handkerchief I've fancied up a bit.
Come, estelle.
Her hands were shaking.
She's a nervous little bird.
What got her so scared?
Narcisse or being introduced to the king?
It's narcisse.
"help me."
I've been looking for you everywhere.
I wanted to make sure that you're all right
With my mother's grand plans for the christening,
With everything.
I was just looking at our home.
We had such fun playing here
When we were children. Do you remember?
Of course.
So many places to run and hide.
I learned how to climb in that tree over there.
And you learned how to pitch apples at me
From over the seawall.
It's wide open,
With a gentle slope that could...
Propel one, if you were...
Say learning how to walk.
You aren't...
I am.
It's been some weeks now, but I wanted to be sure.
And I am sure.
I am with child,
Our child at last. (chuckles)
I don't think I've been this happy in my entire life.
How did you manage to keep it a secret from me for six weeks?
I didn't want it to interfere with the coronation
Or the christening.
And it's still very early. Good morning!
How is the happy trinity? No!
Don't come in! Father, mother,
Unborn son.
Oh, I'm hoping for a son.
Plenty of time for daughters later.
How could you possibly know?
I'm familiar with the condition,
And I've had my eye on you.
Your waist, it's tiny as ever, though a bit queasy
Here and there, no? Also,
A few weeks ago I had your chamber pot tested.
It's the usual exam. It's...
Horse urine and wine. It's very reliable.
And yesterday one of my ladies, she was very touched
By your rather joyous embrace at the water's edge.
You've been having your spies follow us.
I was being discreet. I was waiting
To let you be the one to tell francis.
Francis. Mother, I thought that we might keep it a secret for now.
Nonsense. This child strengthens
Mary's position as an heir-producing catholic,
Which, in turn, strengthens her claim,
France's claim, to the throne.
English throne. As long as that protestant elizabeth
Remains barren and unmarried,
You are a better option.
Enter!
T... Uh...
Ah. Skin tonics
From cairo.
And food to help aid
In the baby's development.
And...
Sage to ward off restless spirits.
There are many in the castle after the plague.
Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable.
Tell me again how happy you are.
I don't think I have ever been this... (groans)
Your figure's gonna go to hell anyway, so you might as well eat up.
You are feeding
The future king of France.
I can't believe it!
Oh, this is wonderful.
When did you find out?
I've known for a few weeks,
But I wanted to be sure.
I only told francis today. (giggles)
Champagne?
I wanted to share my good fortune.
A toast. To mary.
May we all be as lucky and fortunate in love.
(laughing) let's get you some more.
Have you heard from castleroy?
Only the most formal and evasive responses to my letters.
I don't know where we stand with each another.
You, however,
You're going to get through this.
You will find love again.
And now that your son
Has been publicly claimed by the king,
You're raised in station.
But no longer one of mary's ladies.
We keep trying to be our best selves,
But it's difficult, given the circumstances.
The child...
What I know people must think.
That you're the king's mistress.
Those who matter know you aren't.
It won't help my chances at marrying again.
Men will be terrified of angering the king.
(sighs) not that I'm in a rush to wed. Except...
It's only through marriage that we have any standing.
Our own homes. Access to money.
And, one hopes,
Some control over our own lives.
I shouldn't complain.
Especially when there are
So many sad stories after the plague.
Estelle's plea for help.
Perhaps her story can have a happier ending.
Thanks, love.
I can't seem to get warm.
You said there were three riders.
But you can't identify any of them?
They were cloaked,
So I couldn't see their faces.
Don't know if they had any.
They rode right out of the storm and grabbed me.
Their hands were as cold as ice.
Thank you.
Go on.
I was sure they were going to kill me,
But they let me live.
They offered me... A gift.
What kind of gift?
A mark,
To protect me and my family.
A mark to help us prosper.
But they wanted something in return.
My faith.
They wanted me to renounce god.
But I said no.
I said no, I swear I did,
And I ran and I ran...
Did you ever see them again? No.
But there's others tell the same story.
The same mark.
The same price.
They wanted my soul,
But I wouldn't give it them.
But what if others did?
What happens to a man without a soul?
What's he capable of?
Oh, lola. You came.
I received your message.
Estelle, I'm not sure I can help you if... Set me free
From lord narcisse.
Why did you marry him?
I'd lost everything and everyone.
With my family dead,
He said that marriage was the only way
To keep our lands.
But since we married...
Yes?
I've heard stories
About the wives before me.
Horrible things.
From whom?
Members of his household.
They say he forced himself on his first wife
So soon after she miscarried that she bled to death.
Oh, my god.
Another wife was found unconscious, repeatedly,
In pools of her own blood.
But has narcisse been abusive to you?
In any way?
We haven't... Consummated.
I've turned him away, so far.
But I'm running out of excuses
And he's impatient.
What will he do to me, when...
You're my only hope.
The most powerful woman I know.
The king's mistress.
Uh... You gave him a son.
If anyone can help me, you can.
Please.
Save me from lord narcisse.
It'll be a beautiful ceremony for lola's child.
So much better,
Now that mary's carrying a baby of her own.
There he is.
Greer, tell me the truth.
Is there any version of this life
Where you and leith could be together?
My sisters need me to make a good marriage,
Their own prospects depend on it.
What if they were as clever and resourceful as you?
What if they found love, a good man, a wealthy man,
And then you were free to marry the man you desire?
I can't be ruled by desire.
It's nothing to build a life on.
Isn't it? You and bash.
If I have to hear one more tale of the two of you
Knocking your bed through the floor.
Well, the floor is made of stone, mercifully. (laughs)
Although we have nearly cracked the bed in two.
You can't underestimate passion.
It's what brought us together.
The king forced you together.
Yes, and then we explored what was between us.
We were forced to be together anyway.
What a surprising journey that was.
My point is,
You are driven by passion, greer.
Even more than me, you are.
You should recognize that in yourself now,
So you're not surprised later
When desire edges out reason.
Estelle fears for her life.
A life that may be filled with the worst form of torture
At the hands of her husband.
Opposing narcisse has become a bad habit,
Dangerous even when we're right.
But, lola, these are just stories, rumor.
If estelle was mistreated,
Then we could intervene.
Estelle has had everything taken away from her,
Her family, her home,
And now she's forced into a life she doesn't want or deserve,
Based on one moment of weakness.
Francis...
Could you give us a moment alone, please?
I understand how you're feeling, I do.
There was a time I thought my life was not my own.
Because you were willing to marry for scotland,
When things seemed impossible with francis.
You were going to wed the son of portugal,
Whom we all knew to be cruel.
Yes. But you didn't.
Because we, your friends,
Did everything we could to save you.
You prove your arguments
With events that never took place.
And now, I fear your happiness
Has come to undermine your compassion.
My compassion is for you.
As it is yours that rules you in this moment.
Your cage is invisible,
But you feel it just the same.
And has it ever occurred to you
That your cage is of your own making?
That the bars formed the minute you decided
To sleep with the man that I love, knowing that
I loved him still? There it is.
The anger I knew you bore me.
How long have you been waiting for it to come out?
For me to lash out at you,
So I would feel as guilty as you should?
But I don't.
I kept your secret.
I protected you.
I have been a good and loyal friend
And what were you?
It was one night. I made a mistake...
It was a choice.
We all make choices.
We don't all have choices.
I don't, not anymore.
Estelle doesn't.
You do, and you always will,
Because you are a queen.
And to a queen, what are the problems
Of one village girl?
Or of a girl who used to be your friend?
Lola!
Don't you turn your back on me.
I am more than your friend.
I am your queen.
Is there something I left out, your majesty?
You were right.
It would be good if you were housed elsewhere...
The better to keep you out of my sight.
I've made arrangements to have you taken
Far from court and narcisse.
You don't know what this means to me.
I know what it feels like to be trapped,
And to have no one to turn to.
Tonight, when everyone's occupied at the ball,
Can you get away and meet me in my chambers?
If we're to succeed,
We must exercise the utmost caution, do you understand?
I do.
I'll be careful, I promise.
♪
If this is your mother's idea
Of a "small" banquet before the christening,
Can you imagine what the actual event will be like?
You look more beautiful than ever.
A common affect, I've heard, when a woman is with child,
But you are uncommonly desirable.
Until I balloon to the size of a plough horse.
According to your mother,
That is also a common affect
Among scottish women.
Something wrong?
I'm looking for lola.
We had an argument and it went too far.
But it's nothing to concern yourself with.
I'll leave you to your affairs.
And the giant butter sculpture.
We spoke with the shepherd,
Who claims that he was set upon by three cloaked riders.
He says they offered protection
For him and his flock
In exchange for his soul. I'm not sure
A man's soul is his to give. Conde smells fraud.
He thinks someone has a mind to spread terror.
Who?
Maybe catholics,
Trying to make protestants reek of the devil.
You think there's more to it?
It's nothing I want to burden you with.
Especially not on a day
When you find out you're going to be
A father twice over.
I heard from kenna, but your mother's telling everyone.
Well, if these cloaked riders
Really are the henchmen of the devil after our souls,
Well, we're all in trouble.
But if they are men, as I suspect they are,
They can be found and caught.
I assume your concern is for his new bride, estelle.
I've heard many terrible things about narcisse.
But I don't know these tales of him brutalizing his wives.
Well, how many wives has the man had?
I believe estelle is his fourth.
It would appear he burned through
The first three rather quickly.
Well, how are we supposed to protect estelle?
Narcisse will not want to part with his new plaything...
Not without a viable alternative.
This ball is as enjoyable as a clergyman's eulogy.
Why aren't the young people dancing?
Not you, of course, in your condition.
Louis, save us
From this dirge.
And why don't you take poor greer with you?
I feel more kindly towards her, as we get closer
To her marriage to that spectacularly rich castleroy.
Now, go.
Oh, look at her, flanked by the dullest cows in France.
♪
Leith. Here you are again.
I realize our paths will cross,
But there's no reason for things to be awkward.
Of course.
♪
I have to go.
Lord narcisse, was your wife unable to join us?
She's in her chamber, getting ready.
Ah. It's as if women were designed
To aggravate their lords and masters.
The king and I were just discussing your recent marriage.
He was surprised to meet estelle.
As was I.
Why is that? We thought
A man of your stature would require a bride
With a far more substantial dowry.
The plague claimed the lives of many noblemen,
Leaving a whole string of lonely,
Landed widows in its wake.
They come to court, seeking a new lord.
Some with dowries to rival my own.
Forgive my rudeness,
My queen, but...
But what is the point
To this line of inquiry?
As you keep reminding my husband and I,
France owes you a significant debt.
One that could perhaps be eased
By our arranging
An advantageous marriage for you?
An interesting proposal.
But I am already wed.
Francis and I would be willing to support
The annulment of your marriage.
My lord, lady estelle is missing
From her chamber and the guard at the door's been stabbed.
Gather our men.
Post guards on the castle gate.
Yes, my lord. I want her found!
Her defiance
Will be the end of her.
Estelle!
I tried to get away, but one of narcisse's guards caught me.
I grabbed his dagger.
I think I killed him!
And they're looking for me.
I'll never get away now.
And I can't go back.
Hurry! We don't have much time. Check every room!
How could you do this?
When I expressly warned you not to?
Do you have any idea what kind of danger
You put yourself in? I had plans to have estelle
Taken out of the castle to some friends in the country.
She would've disappeared and no one the wiser.
Well, that's not going to work now, is it?
Now that narcisse's guards are crawling all over the castle.
You must abandon this course
And give her up for both of your sakes.
No. If narcisse learns
That you had a hand in helping his wife run away,
Your life will be in danger.
He has no qualms about murdering innocents for vengeance.
And you are no innocent.
Narcisse's cruelty
Is precisely the reason I can't
Hand estelle back to him.
Despite what the law says, estelle is a person.
Not a thing to be taken or given.
And besides, it's too late.
She killed one of his guards, and it is his right
To have her hanged for it.
You've done your duty by warning me.
If we're discovered,
So be it.
But I will not abandon her.
Then neither will I.
Come with me.
Safe journey. And good luck.
I owe you my life.
Stop! Open up. Everyone out.
Is there a problem, soldier? Your majesty.
Forgive us. We're under orders by lord narcisse
To search all carriages leaving the castle.
The only people in this carriage are my servants,
Transporting the heart of our late king
To the basilica at saint-denis.
If king francis learns
That the sacred relic of his most beloved father
Was manhandled by common guards,
I promise he will have you put
In the stocks and whipped until you are dead.
So I repeat.
Is there a problem, soldier?
No, your majesty.
Forgive us.
Driver?
Narcisse hasn't sent any guards after the carriage.
I think estelle is safe.
I think after your speech to those guards,
They won't be saying anything to anyone.
Oof.
What made you decide to help estelle?
If narcisse finds out, it'll make things
Harder for you and francis.
You were in danger.
And you are my friend.
Am I a friend you can forgive?
I know you never meant to hurt me.
But I did hurt you.
And you have only been kind and gracious,
Which makes it even worse.
Can you please stop feeling guilty?
And stay with the people who love you.
Stay as my friend.
As one of my ladies so that our children
Can grow up to be as close as we are.
Nothing would make me happier.
Well, there is one thing.
There's been no decision
On a choice for godmother.
I'm hoping it would be you.
I know it puts you in an awkward position.
But there's no one
I'd trust more with my child than you.
I would be honored.
You? The godmother? Are you sure?
Yes. Do you disapprove?
No. Quite the opposite.
It makes me happier than any man,
Any king has right to be.
Are you all right?
Yes. I-I-I just remembered I left
The gift for the baby in my chambers.
You go ahead. I'll be right behind you.
Mary.
What's wrong?
Um, it's nothing.
Well, it's not nothing. I'll get help.
No!
Oh, could you just help me to my rooms.
You need a physician.
No. Tell no one.
You're bleeding.
I'm losing my child.
There's nothing we can do about it now.
No! No one must know until after the christening.
I have to tell francis myself and...
I don't want to ruin things for lola and the baby.
Now is not the time to think of others.
If you consider yourself a friend,
You will not say a word.
To anyone.
Hoc cum dixisset insuflavit
Et dicit eis accipter
Spiritui sanctim.
Where's greer?
I don't see leith either.
♪ what are you afraid of?
♪ I know that you are
♪ keep it in your sights now
♪ and don't let it go far
In nomine filii
Hoc in conspectus multitudinis unxi te...
♪ keep it by your side now
♪ whatever the weather
John phillip valois-angouleme,
First baron of velay.
♪ keep
♪ it together
♪ keep...
♪ on...
♪ keep...
♪ on...
Excuse me, my lord.
Lady greer is here to see you.
Greer?
I wasn't expecting you.
I co... I couldn't wait any longer.
I rode here
All night...
Because I want to marry you.
I know you don't truly love me.
I do. My feelings have grown.
Not the way you love leith.
You want this marriage for what I can offer you—
Stability and security.
I loved you.
And I wanted to protect you.
From ruin.
From your mistakes.
But my hope that I can be happy again
With yvette gone...
I will no longer put my happiness at risk
To save you from yourself.
I was planning to write this to you.
You're welcome to rest here for a few hours,
But then you should return to court.
Lady lola!
What is it? Were you found?
No, my lady.
We delivered lady estelle to the house.
But then
She disappeared.
We found her at the edge of a cliff.
And before we could stop her,
She threw herself down into the rocks below.
She didn't survive.
Could she have been pushed?
Was there anyone with her?
No.
But she saw someone below.
Her parents, she said.
Oh, that's impossible. They died in the plague.
She said
She heard them calling to her.
Your grace?
Your majesty. Your majesty.
Have you seen the queen?
After the ceremony, she...
Didn't look herself.
I didn't realize.
Thank you, louis.
Something's happened with the shepherd.
We need to go back.
Go.
I don't understand how she got away.
Out of the castle,
A cliff in the country.
Estelle seemed troubled.
Afraid.
Perhaps she was fleeing something.
You heard the rumors.
Those damning rumors of my treatments
Of my past wives.
Do you deny them?
Contrary to the reputation
I enjoy, I am not a soulless animal.
There didn't seem to be an excess
Of tenderness between you.
Did estelle tell you that her father owed me
A substantial debt?
I wed her so she may keep her property.
And for yourself?
She was young, and I need heirs.
We both lost family to the plague.
But the difference is that she thought hers had returned,
That they were beckoning her.
She tried to take her life before.
So, I kept her under close guard,
Thinking that I could protect her.
And the rumors of your other wives?
You can't stop them.
I was young when I first married,
A wealthy match my father made.
He pushed us both, relentlessly, to produce an heir.
There were miscarriages.
And yet we kept on trying.
I was 15, I knew nothing of women or their bodies.
A year after she died, my father arranged my second.
A hemophiliac.
The pools of blood.
She faded away before my eyes.
I rarely speak of these things.
You've never been in love.
That is a rare jewel I've yet to see.
God help us.
I remember being cross with my wife, her voice shrill,
The children were crying, they wouldn't sleep.
I was so tired.
I haven't been right since the night of the storm.
The next thing I knew I... I had shears in my hand.
I did this.
I murdered them.
Why?
I said no.
Strip him.
The mark of the riders.
I said no.
I would not renounce my faith,
But they held me down, they...
They took it from me,
They took my soul,
And they let the devil in.
Mary, what is it?
I lost the baby.
Why didn't you send for me?
You seemed so happy.
And I know how much it meant to you.
Not for the realm, for you.
You want us to be a family.
These last weeks, I couldn't help wondering—
Would he have your curls,
Or have your eyes,
Or would he be a blend of us both?
(quietly): It's all right.
Greer, I don't want to be cruel.
You're right, leith and I had a connection.
I don't want to hear about leith.
You need to know why I'm not with him,
And why I never will be.
A friend told me I needed
To be honest with myself about who I am.
I'm not a good partner for leith.
The path he's on, his desire to rise.
I-I can't go on that journey.
Not only because of my family's needs,
But because of the uncertainty,
The possibility that he's only doing it for me.
With you—
I know I'll be happy.
Because I'm rich.
Because I know who you are,
Rather than wondering who you will become.
You are gracious and brave and kind.
You helped my sisters,
Stood up to my father.
You value me.
Not as a prize, but as a partner.
And I worry that if you let me go, you will regret it.
Because I know I can make you happy, too.
I want a union based in something
More than compassion and sorrow.
You want passion.
I admit it— I want it, too.
I can't, I won't live without it.
But we haven't given this a true chance.
I haven't.
Let's see what's really between us.
You don't have to do this.
I want to.
The shepherd is in the dungeon, awaiting your judgment.
The man is barking mad.
The riders didn't collect his soul.
You still think these riders are just men.
I don't know anymore.
It's all nonsense.
The things I saw at that house seemed inhuman.
We were warned, after the plague, of angry spirits,
Staying behind to exact justice.
The wrongs we do, I believe they mark us, they change us.
Sometimes they linger, maybe even take form.
Our father went mad.
No doubt as a result of the multitude of his sins,
And he was killed at another's hand.
There is always a reckoning.
And human or devil, I think the riders play a part.
Dark times are upon us—
Plague, famine, kings falling.
The reckoning has begun.
And blood will pay for blood.
Help us.
Who are you?
You didn't before.
Help us now.
The sage.
I'm glad you're feeling better.
The pain is passed.
And the air is lovely.
But what did you want me to see?
I was thinking about your memories of us here,
As children, and I have my own.
It was mid-June, you were eight.
We stood outside like this, but on the south lawn.
We'd escaped the castle at night,
It had to be dark.
We wanted to see the fireflies.
Every year we'd try to catch them.
You always worried they wouldn't come.
And it's true, some nights they would,
Some nights they wouldn't.
And when they didn't, I would cry.
I never worried.
The thrill for me was in the waiting.
With you.
Look over the balcony.
Francis.
You did this for me?
Fireflies.
The world can be dark, mary,
And uncertain,
And cruel.
The only thing that really matters is
That we face it together.
Whatever the future brings, you are my light.
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Oh, no.