I am your father.
Take him out of my sight.
Some secrets bring with them release, redemption...
But others are best buried deep in the earth...
..never to be found.
You were at the heart of this conspiracy?
It was no conspiracy, sire.
As the King's surgeon and confidant,
my father passed the terrible burden to me.
And for your family's protection, I carried it as my duty.
So who is he?
He was a good friend of the King.
And the Queen.
As you know, they were married 23 years
and remained childless.
The King lay with another woman, but it too was fruitless.
It tortured him that he may never produce an heir.
But the Queen was determined to find a solution.
So together, they arranged for your father to share her bed.
So why was he made a prisoner?
He wasn't initially.
But after one son was born, they wanted to be sure...
..so he lay with the Queen again.
But then, with two healthy sons, the King changed his mind.
So they rewarded him with that monstrosity?
It is one thing to know the secret,
it is another to have proof made flesh.
It was decided - no-one should ever see his face.
Who else knows about this?
His fate was agreed by the King, the Queen, my father...
..and the Vatican.
The Church was content to protect the secret, so long...
..so long as France would remain its ally.
But now they wish to destroy me with it.
So what do we do with him now?
We keep him locked up.
*CREDITS*
I have urgent business. You wish to avoid me?
Certainly not. So when do I get an explanation?
Where is the prisoner?
You need concern yourself with that no longer.
I killed three men for you.
And I am grateful. As is His Majesty.
You know as well as I do,
there are certain things to which we cannot have access.
Let me remind you, your duty is to follow the King's orders.
As is mine.
This is not a good time, Cardinal.
Yes. I imagine His Majesty had quite a trying night.
He found it quite enlightening, in fact.
As did I.
I learned a lot about who can be trusted, and who cannot.
If you'll excuse me... I demand to see the King.
There is a strict protocol, Your Grace...
I've been expecting you, Cardinal.
I'm sure there are days you might wish for a life of quiet anonymity...
..like any other subject.
On the contrary, I fear for France if I were not here,
with any number of dark forces conspiring against her.
That is precisely why you should hear my proposal.
All your ambitions can be realised.
Domination of Europe,
colonisation of the Americas, perhaps, one day...
..even leadership of the Holy Roman Empire.
And in return?
From now on, your geo-political strategy will be decided by Rome.
Huh! You see, the Vatican could be His Majesty's greatest ally,
if he will let it.
And with the Pope supporting you as King, why,
that's as good as being chosen by God himself.
There is a flaw in your reasoning, Cardinal.
The Pope may be God's representative on Earth, but I am born of God.
But you and I...
..both know that is not true.
I am who you see before you.
I am Versailles.
And I have all the power I need.
Not if the truth comes out.
I thought we were taking the fight to the King.
We are. But we're going to be smart about it.
We've got to start by getting the people on our side.
How do you know this'll work? Because I have faith in people.
"People in poverty. King in luxury. No to salt tax."
You're looking for trouble? We're trying to change things.
Yeah, and have me locked up, tortured, or worse?
They'll never know where it came from, I promise.
You put me in a very difficult position, girl.
I'm sorry, but it's gone far enough. We have to do something.
The King is squeezing blood from us every
time his horse needs a new stable.
That tends to be true of most kings. Doesn't make it right, does it?
We don't want to be rich, we just want a fair chance.
We want him to treat us with a bit of respect.
And we want the people to know that they're not alone.
Hey, we're all in this together, my friend.
I spend more on taxes than I do on the tools of my trade.
Soon I'll be paying more than I'm earning.
All right.
We'll get you the money somehow. No need.
Some work must come from the heart.
I do not recognise myself.
Neither do I.
I would know you anywhere.
You were a noisy child.
That much I recall.
God has delivered you to us,
and we will ensure your safety and comfort, you have my word.
You must go to him, brother.
I have more important matters to attend to.
What can be more important than speaking to our father?
He's here, under your roof.
You can't just pretend he doesn't exist.
And if he didn't?
We could send him to the colonies.
Let him live out his last days in peace and comfort.
That's the least he deserves.
He jeopardizes our very existence.
He was found once, what if the Church finds him again?
He's our father. We owe him.
I only wish to deal with essential business. Keep it brief.
Excellent news, sire.
Marie-Louise's marriage to Charles of Spain has been consummated.
Congratulations, your Highness.
You must be very proud of your daughter.
Of course. Nothing more important than family, don't you think?
Are there any other matters? No?
One thing, sire. It has come to my attention that an alarming
number of Protestant families appear to be leaving Versailles.
Some have left France altogether.
The Chavagnacs, the Rommillys, the Manns, the Cavanels...
Presumably taking their wealth with them.
Who has granted them permission? No-one, sire.
They're just leaving.
Somehow they have been afforded safe passage.
I want border security reinforced,
with tighter control of everyone leaving our territories.
And if someone within Versailles is helping the Protestants
to leave, I want to know who.
Protestant subterfuge has been discovered,
with many leaving France without permission.
From this moment on, all Protestants of the court
will be confined to the Palace and its grounds until further notice.
Someone has been careless. I have been scrupulous.
One of your "friends" must have talked.
Why would they do that?
Besides, if they knew about you, they'd have arrested you already.
I am the one who's in jeopardy. Hold your nerve, my dear.
And have faith. I am well versed in avoiding trouble.
Why does that not fill me with confidence?
You were missed at mass this morning, sire.
I had matters to attend to.
Something which bothers you?
Do you know who you are?
Of course, sire.
But how can you tell?
How can you know it's not just a fiction?
An invention of those around you.
What if everything you know is made up of lies
and you are not who you think you are,
but who you've been told you are?
Why are you thinking this way?
I thought this place meant the world to me.
But what if I'm wrong?
What if it means nothing?
Versailles means everything to you.
You cannot doubt that.
What is it that is troubling you, my love? Tell me.
Perhaps, when the moment is right.
What can I do for you, Your Grace?
I confess I admire your loyalty to your master.
However misguided.
In fact, it is your dedication that I appeal to now.
I presume you wish your King to flourish and prosper?
That goes without saying.
Then talk to him.
You may be the only one who understands
the deep well he finds himself in.
You must persuade him to accept
the hand of friendship the Church has offered.
As I understand it,
His Majesty is not the one in a position of weakness.
Who do you think we are? Some kind of gentleman's club?
No one man can dictate to the Church.
Of course not, Your Grace.
I have informed His Holiness of recent events here.
If the King does not comply, there will be the most dire consequences.
He needs to understand that this game is far from finished.
Sire, the council is waiting.
Let them wait.
Our troops have taken Strasbourg. As I knew they would.
But it is vital that you decide the next military step,
you cannot leave it to chance.
I won't.
Louvois will know what to do.
And, sire...
Cardinal Leto is urging you to accept the Vatican's support.
You spoke to an enemy of France without my permission?
The Cardinal requested... You, of all people?
I thought I could trust you, after all that has happened.
You can, sire.
My loyalty to you will never waver.
If only that had always been the case.
It is your signature, is it not?
On all the Protestant travel documents?
Impossible. I...
It looks like it, yes. But I didn't sign these!
Then who did? I don't know.
Someone sympathetic to their plight.
You are known to lean in that direction.
But I'm neither a criminal nor a fool.
And I resent your tone, Monsieur Marchal.
I suggest you look elsewhere.
If someone is forging my signature,
I would concentrate on men of low morals with an artistic bent.
All the necessary preparations are in order.
I'll deliver the papers tonight. Much obliged.
That just leaves the grubby question of remuneration.
And that'll teach you to make a bet with the master.
Another client?
Just another unfortunate loser in life's game of chance.
And tell me, what is the game called?
"Escape"?
Your friend Vanel, how's his "business trip" going?
The chocolate-maker from Lyon.
You asked me to sign a travel document
for him to leave the country. Of course.
Last I heard, business was blossoming.
The people of Denmark apparently are... You shut up!
There is no chocolate-maker called Vanel.
But there is an eminent Huguenot by the name of Cavanel,
last seen about a month ago before leaving France.
And your point is?
What if the name on the travel documentation were changed
from Vanel to Cavanel?
And are you aware of the punishment for forgery?
But there is no evidence against me.
Indeed, all the evidence seems to point
at whoever signed the documents.
Your Protestant sympathies are well-known, Monsieur Colbert,
and your signature is the proof.
Remind me again, the penalty for forgery?
Do you think he'll tell the King?
We'll soon find out.
We may be arrested at any minute.
We could get hanged for this.
And you don't seem in the least bit worried!
There's nothing like the whiff of danger to make one feel alive.
What are we going to do?
I see three options.
First, we turn ourselves in.
Second, we make a run for it.
And the third?
We be honest with each other...
..and I tell you how I really feel.
Your timing is far from ideal.
But we're in very deep shit now,
we'd have nothing left but each other.
You are frightened?
Terrified.
You wished to see me, Cardinal?
Yes. I'm worried about the King.
That's a daily challenge for some of us.
You see, I fear for his spiritual wellbeing.
Such matters would be outside my bailiwick.
No-one can deny, the poor man has not been himself
since the Queen passed away.
And if the King is unstable, then so is France.
And this in turn jeopardizes the stability of all Europe.
Your logic is impeccable.
So it is in the interests of us all for Louis to remarry.
I have been lobbying for this myself.
There are a number of possibilities...
He will marry the Infanta Isabella Braganza of Portugal.
Wow!
Louis has secured Spain, this will unite the entire Iberian peninsula
under his aegis.
But would the Infanta's father be amenable?
I will make sure of it.
This is what the Vatican would like to happen,
to strengthen our alliance with France for good.
Providing great benefit to both parties.
See you tomorrow.
Have you seen this?
They've got guts, I'll give them that. Bloody fools.
No good can come from this.
This will only cause more suffering on our own people.
It could hardly be any worse than it is.
Promise me you're not involved with this.
For God's sake. Things are better than ever for us now.
This could jeopardize the business.
Is that all you can think about? Your balance sheet?
I'm worried about you. Well, I can look after myself.
Monsieur Colbert.
What a delightful surprise.
Could I challenge you to a game of hoops?
Most kind, but this isn't actually a social visit.
I'd like to broach a subject of some...
..delicacy.
It's a matter pertaining to the King.
Now you have my interest well and truly pricked.
He's not happy.
Well, that's an understatement.
And while you and I share the intention to have him
happily remarried, I felt we should move our plans on apace.
Do you have someone else in mind?
Isabella Braganza of Portugal.
We've never actually met, but we are distant cousins, apparently.
Precisely why I wished to discuss it with you.
I think it's a marvellous idea,
but I fear His Majesty will not be in the mood at this juncture.
The very reason we should not tell him. Yet.
And so you are aware we do have the
full support of the Vatican on this.
Really? The Cardinal himself.
The Cardinal? And you'll never guess what.
I have already...
Madame. Monsieur Colbert.
If you'll excuse me.
Your Highness. Would you join me for a game of cards?
No, thank you. But I fear I might have disturbed your conversation.
No. Not at all. We were just talking about this and that.
As a matter of fact,
we were discussing a marital alliance for the King.
Even though that might be none of your concern?
The King's future should concern us all. Of course.
But such matters should be discussed through proper channels.
There are so many factors to consider.
It is a process that may take many months, years even.
Not in this case.
We already have the ideal woman in mind.
The Portuguese Infanta, suggested by Cardinal Leto himself.
May I remind Your Highness that His Majesty gave me
responsibility in this affair.
Oh, yes, but being such a staunch Catholic,
you would never question the wishes of the Vatican, would you?
Of course not.
But we mustn't be too hasty.
Perhaps we could send an emissary to see if the King of Portugal
might look favourably upon such a match.
No. I believe His Majesty should meet her in person
and decide for himself. Well, I...
Which is why I have already invited her to Versailles.
Good evening.
To help you read.
What do you see?
The word of truth.
And a good man.
When will I see the King?
I think he's scared of you.
He doesn't wish to see me?
No. Convince him.
He's a very hard man to convince.
Then perhaps you could give him a message.
Of course.
Having trouble sleeping?
I sleep better with you by my side.
There is talk of your remarriage, sire.
Have they nothing better to think about?
Well, it is your duty.
It is a matter that you have to consider.
Not when I don't give a damn.
You are not yourself, Louis.
Something is troubling you.
It pains me to think that you would keep something from me.
Leave me alone.
I don't want it to be this way, but...
..it is.
You will sleep alone again tonight.
Then I will bid His Majesty goodnight.
Evening. Good evening.
You have done the right and honourable thing.
I only want my sister to be safe.
She's young. She doesn't know what she's getting involved in.
You need not fear for her, Guillaume.
The King will respect your wishes.
And I shall see to it that your loyalty will be rewarded.
Is this impudence widespread?
It's hard to say, but I've seen them
in a number of places around Paris.
It must be nipped in the bud. This is treason, sire.
Treason?
Or truth?
Take action as you see fit.
I'll be in my chambers if you need me.
Please excuse me.
What in God's name is wrong with you?
You seem to forget you are addressing your king.
That man I just saw in there was not my king!
What has happened to you? Where is the king who makes decisions?
Where is the king who's building an empire?
- Where is the king born of God? - Perhaps
I'm not the king you thought I was.
Look at me.
I do not know what it is that you are keeping from me,
and I don't care.
What I do care about is your dreams, your ambitions.
You might have forgotten them, Louis, but I will not.
Marchal.
The offending printer has been identified.
The King's reputation is at stake. You must take immediate action.
It shall be done.
All right, see you later. Where are you going?
To visit a friend. No. Not tonight.
I want you to stay here. What?
The King has got wind of this poster business.
There could be trouble for those involved.
How would he know who they are? Look, just do what I tell you.
Oh, my God. What have you done?
Get off!
What the hell's going on? You can't do this.
You've got no right.
You are accused of sedition and treason.
We've done nothing wrong.
You call this nothing?
Take it down.
Destroy it all! That's my life's work!
Bastards! No!
Ah!
No! Let them go.
You defend the voices of dissent? You can't do this.
They're decent, honest, working men.
These men are guilty of treason. They have a conscience.
That's all. What about you? Where's yours?
We've met before, haven't we?
And I showed you kindness.
Now I'm asking you to do the same.
Take them away.
Then arrest me too. I'm as guilty as they are.
Walk away. Now.
You're burning the truth. Is that what you want?
You shouldn't be here.
Neither should you.
This is your fault.
Jeanne, please. You are dead to me.
- Get out of here! - Yeah!
Get away from us! Coward! Go on! Go on! Yeah!
Get out of here! Rise up!
If you won't decide our father's fate, then I'll decide it for you.
He leaves tomorrow.
An armed escort will take him to La Rochelle.
A ship sails for Louisiana in ten days.
And you...
We...
..won't have to worry about him any more.
That's what you want, isn't it?
Sending the prisoner away doesn't get rid of the problem.
It merely relocates it.
You have to let him go.
There is no other option.
If the Vatican gets its hands on him again,
they will use him against me, and I shall drown.
Then you must speak with him.
Our father sends you a message.
He says he can answer your question.
Is this a joke?
It is no laughing matter.
I cannot sign this.
I would be handing over control of my empire to the Vatican.
Precisely. Why on earth would I do that?
Because of the consequences if you do not.
The Church cannot threaten me with war.
No. Far worse.
Excommunication.
His Holiness has given his sanction.
You must accept our terms or be thrown out of the Church.
We could tell the world you are an impostor...
..and the humiliation would be complete.
Louis the Great would be an outcast.
In the eyes of the world and God himself...
..you would not even exist.
Versailles would collapse.
And everything you have built...
..would tumble to nothing.
Your Majesty.
How did you know it was me?
You walk like a king.
Am I a king?
You were born to a queen.
That does not make me a king.
You were king from the moment you took your first steps.
You knew me as a child?
You were like a young stallion.
When you fell, the servants tried to
help you, but you pushed them away.
My brother wants to send you to the colonies.
A carriage is to take you away tomorrow.
It's a risk you're willing to take?
My brother said you could answer my question.
Yes.
What do I do with you?
Look into your heart.
If you know who you really are, you will know what to do.
No!
I don't know who I am any more. You are my king. I'm nothing.
I've been by your side many years, and I know. I have seen.
To be king is beyond mortal endeavour.
And king you undoubtedly are.
Louis XIV, King of France and Navarre.
I'm nothing but a bastard mongrel.
You were born of God.
And your destiny is divine.
Nobody can take that away from you.
Do you really believe that?
With all that you know?
I do.
How can you be so sure?
I have faith.
As should you.
Then I need proof.
Behold the kingdom of God.
If anyone ever needed proof of the Lord's power,
I would bring them here.
Everything dies, and everything is reborn.
Isn't Christ himself proof of that?
Sire, perhaps we should return to the palace.
You told me that my destiny was divine.
Let's find out.
Sire!
*CREDITS*