Your father conceived a child out of wedlock.
That's impossible. -And that child is Andrés.
Andrés is my half-brother? -And the firstborn.
Look, Belén, our son. -That can't be.
Everyone should think he died, otherwise they'll take him away.
Your new wet nurse.
I know what you did.
Your father won't have many more opportunities to see his grandson.
Alfredo went to prison for me. I can't deny him this.
You can't, but nature can.
I'm sorry, darling, but I won't be able to go with you.
Opium. -I feel so peaceful.
Julio, I need your help.
There are signs of poisoning or intoxication.
Javier Alarcón.
Let's go.
Grand Hotel
Come here, pretty lady. Let me buy you a drink.
Leave me alone. -I can make you very happy.
Leave her alone.
You're not the type of woman that usually comes here.
I'm the sister of Javier Alarcón. -I know.
You being here is like tossing a steak into a cage full of dogs, so get out.
I need to know if my brother was here last night.
Your brother usually comes here every night.
Do you know what time he got here? -No, I have a lot to attend to.
I'm sure nothing escapes you. -Please, get out of here.
If you want me to go, answer me.
If not, I'll provoke a fight.
As you wish. He talked to that man over there. But I wouldn't go near him.
You don't talk to him just like that.
Let go of me. -Sebastián.
You're in luck, but I don't know whether good or bad.
What does a lady like you want from a guy like me?
They told me that my brother was here last night. Was he?
Señorita Alarcón, I assume. -Yes.
Your brother and I did some business together.
Do you know what time he got here? Please, it's very important.
How can I resist such a beautiful woman?
I'm not sure exactly, but it was around eleven.
Thank you.
Lady, you won't leave without a dance. -Let go of me.
Let's go.
Is that where you go to fight?
I assure you I don't do it for fun.
Did you discover anything? -Yes.
Javier was there when they tried to kill Andrés, so he has nothing to do with it.
But whoever did try to kill him is still free.
But it may have nothing to do with my family, as you've been alleging.
I didn't invent anything. The morphine was there, as was the letter.
The morphine. You've seen where it led us.
It's all been a mistake. What you heard about the letter probably too.
And look where it has brought me.
I'd never allow anything bad to happen to you.
Where were you? I spent hours looking for you.
I went for a walk to Cantaloa. -At this time, without telling me?
I have to tell you when I go for a walk? Is that what marriage is about?
No, it is about respect and trust, and I know you're hiding something from me.
Alicia, what's going on?
Everything was fine till we came back. What happened?
You know you can tell me.
Nothing. Nothing happened.
Good evening, inspector Hernando. -Sorry, madam, I'm not an inspector.
Of course, there are no inspectors in Cantaloa.
How can I help you, officers? -We need to talk to your son.
Do you have a warrant? -A warrant?
You're late. Did anyone see you? -What do you want?
My friend has some opium left over.
How much will you give me? -I don't buy, I sell.
Then you won't mind selling me some more.
It will only be an informal chat.
I'm convinced that the death of señor Bakthiari is a tragedy...
that may turn into a scandal if it's pursued the wrong way.
Go ahead, and if you find my son, converse with him just as you wish.
Much obliged.
Don Javier Alarcón? -The police.
Did you set me up? -No, I swear. Take the opium.
Are you crazy? They shouldn't find it on me.
Javier Alarcón? This is the police.
Don Javier. -Here I am. What can I do for you?
We found the body of one of your guests, señor Bakthiari, at the church.
My goodness. I'm sorry. -He had your card with him.
So what? I give it to all of our guests. What are you insinuating?
We believe the consul died of an overdose of opium...
and we suspect that you helped him obtain it.
Me? That's absurd. -Allow us to search your room.
Go ahead.
Won't you come with us?
What are you hiding from your mother? -What are you talking about?
Let's go to your room. -No, you have no right.
Even if you're my son, if you don't let me into your room...
I'll have milady order you to open it, so make your choice.
Get up. -What?
Get up. -Mother, my leg still hurts.
A liar is even easier to catch than a cripple. Come.
Go on.
I'll find it sooner or later, I guarantee you.
What's the matter, darling?
My father died.
'February 10, 1905.'
It's almost a year since Father died.
The 9th of February. I'll never forget that date.
Wait, you can't serve this soup. -But sir...
Didn't you hear me? Throw it out. -But why?
Because I tell you to. Or should I call my mother?
The rest as well. All of it. -Right away, sir.
Dammit. How many have been served?
I advise you not to try the soup. -What's going on?
They shouldn't eat this soup, Mother. -What's wrong with it, don Javier?
I tried it and it's no good.
Let them take it back at once. Don't let this happen again.
Of course not, madam.
They'll serve another first course. And your dinner is on the house.
The next time you want to play the gourmet, not in front of the guests.
You may find it hard to believe, but I care about this hotel.
I don't know what happened. I made it the way I always do.
Whatever it was, just be glad don Javier discovered it in time.
It's your job to taste the food before it's served, not don Javier's.
But don't worry, I won't say a word.
I assure you, doña Ángela, I accept my share of responsibility.
Go on, get rid of that mouthwash. -We don't throw anything away here.
This soup may not be good enough for our guests...
but it will serve to fill the bellies of the staff.
Officer Ayala came for señor Bakthiari. It seems he was in possession of opium.
Belén, what did you do with the baby? -I'm sorry, I was desperate.
But I couldn't do it. -I knew you wouldn't.
The foundling hospital is no solution, but the problem remains.
After nursing doña Sofía's baby, I hardly have any milk left for Juan.
The poor boy keeps crying. -We'll find a solution.
They'll end up discovering us. -Let's go to our room, you're freezing.
We can't go inside. I tried, but they're having dinner.
You want to take the main entrance? Look, he's quiet now. Let's go.
Let's go, my love.
Come.
May I ask where you've been? Belén.
Mother, leave it. Doña Sofía needs her.
She doesn't seem to care, as she went off to the village.
And shouldn't you be clearing the dining room?
Your son had the evening off. I gave him permission.
Lately you've been behaving in a way unbecoming of a son.
And I'm certain Belén has a lot to do with that.
Rest assured, sooner or later I'll find out what you're hiding from me.
There's nothing to find out, Mother.
No, thank you.
Diego.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you. -Did anything happen?
Indeed. A telegram just came in, and I have bad news.
Alfredo's father, the Marquis de Vergara, died two hours ago.
I didn't even know he was ill. -You know how these things go.
Alfredo asks everyone to be discreet about it.
I'll have them pack a suitcase and reserve the car.
My sister must be consoling him and somebody must arrange these things.
Tell my mother I'm sorry I won't be there for dinner.
Julio.
Isabel?
Hello, Inés. -I'm sorry to interrupt.
But I need you to help me. -No problem.
I was teaching her to read. -I didn't ask for an explanation.
Isabel doesn't know how to read? -Don't tell anyone.
It could cost her her job. -You know I'm not like that.
Why were you looking for me? -I wasn't.
But I have something to show you.
I found this half-burned piece of paper in the ashtray in my room.
And remnants of a red envelope.
As you see, I didn't lie about your mother and Diego burning the letter.
I know you didn't lie, Julio, but you were wrong.
The date is still legible, February 10. But my father died on the 9th.
That can't be. -A dead man can't write letters.
I was right. The letter was a forgery.
Are you sure your father didn't write this?
It seems to bother you that my mother and husband didn't conspire to murder.
Is it your father's handwriting or not?
It's just a few numbers. -But it looks like it.
Yes, it looks like it.
There must be lots of documents in his handwriting at the hotel.
Let's compare them and I'll forget about all of this. Let's check his office.
Sir, you have a phone call. They say it's urgent.
Go ahead. -You'll consign the opium at twelve.
If you don't show up, you'll be found dead the next day.
What if your husband comes in? -We'll say you're teaching me to read.
Here it is,Aesop's Fables. My father gave it to me as a child.
The dedication is missing. They tore out the first page.
My father always wrote his name and date of purchase on the last page.
It's not there either. -Wait.
This one's gone as well.
And this one too.
His letters and postcards are gone too. -Any contract signed by him?
There's nothing left.
They destroyed everything your father ever wrote.
Mateo, they're in my office.
Alicia. -Hello, darling.
What are you doing here? -I wanted to get this book.
A children's book. -The first book my father gave me.
It's the death of the Marquis... -It has brought back sad memories.
I wanted something of his, but this is all I found.
Do you know where they stored my father's documents?
What documents? -His paperwork and everything.
I recall how he always made notes in an old diary.
I have no idea, but you know your mother, she prefers to look ahead.
She probably got rid of everything, which is what we all should do.
Of course. Let's go have dinner. -I already ate. I have work to do.
Diego, you're right.
I don't feel well and need to talk about my father.
You knew him quite well. Would you mind going for a walk?
Right now?
It's a beautiful evening. -Sure, let's go.
I look like a peasant.
I can't believe my father is no longer amongst us.
I couldn't even say goodbye to him.
He didn't even get to see his grandson.
Nobody knew he had so little time left.
Come in.
Madam, I come for the baby. -Yes.
If you wish, I'll keep him overnight. -Yes.
The car is waiting.
I'll go with you. I feel better already.
No, darling. One misfortune in the family is more than enough.
Recuperate. I'll pass your condolences on to my mother.
What are you doing?
This is doña Sofía's baby. -As if one wasn't enough for us.
Don't be silly. It's only for tonight.
If they see me with doña Sofía's baby, they'll stop wondering about the crying.
It's true, all babies look the same.
Forget it, they're very different.
Just look at their clothes.
This one will be a marquis. -And Juanito a maître.
My God, Antonio, you'll be fired if they see you like this. Come.
What are you looking at? -Here.
There's nothing there. -Nothing.
Go to your room. -I don't want to.
You'll have four walls to look at. If Ernesto sees you, he'll fire you.
Where are you going? -Alfonso XIII is at the hotel.
I have to congratulate him on his engagement.
He's not here, so no need to bother. -Yes he is, I saw him in the newspaper.
Alright, he is, but he's resting. I'll pass on the message. Now off to your room.
What are you doing? -You can see the sea.
Maybe you can also see the lighthouse.
What an idiot. You have to open it first.
Antonio, go to bed. -And you, keep still.
You can't see anything, because it's night. Come, lie down. You too.
What's going on here? -Nothing.
What do you mean, nothing? -Something has affected them.
Yes, too much wine always does. -They didn't drink. It's something else.
The soup? -I want more soup.
It must have been the soup. -I'll notify the doctor.
What if they're not better by tomorrow? -If needs be, I'll multiply myself by four.
Come on, go to sleep, both of you.
What's going on? Where is everyone? -They're still unwell, sir.
Tell me what it is that makes you cry so much.
That's it, nice and quiet.
I'm glad to find you dressed, Andrés. Please, come with me.
What's the matter? -We need help in the restaurant.
Half the staff is ill. Fortunately the other half is fine.
We'll just have to work a bit harder.
Two or three lumps, madam? -Two, please.
I searched my room but didn't find anything.
Even the photos he signed for me are gone.
You can't erase all traces of a person. Something must be left.
But where? -Who might have something he wrote?
Madam.
It seems we had the same idea.
Who is it? -My father.
He can't have been older than 20. Long before he got married.
'For my adorable Ángela. Villafranca del Bierzo, April 15, 1869.'
The 'e' and 'o', the numbers, the way he connects the 'b' and 'r', all identical.
And this odd way of writing an 'f', so... -Crooked.
When I was little my father told me it was the wind that bent it that way.
This letter is no forgery. On February 10 your father was alive.
Then why do they say he died the day before?
I arrived just after the funeral and saw his corpse in the coffin.
I don't know what happened, but you and I are going to find out.
Who was at the hotel that day? -Everyone.
My mother, Diego, Javier, Sofía.
You can't talk to them. I'll do so. -I'll ask around among the staff.
What can I do for you? -Multiply yourself by four.
Right away.
I wonder how don Carlos would have handled this. They speak highly of him.
He'd have hired extra staff to spare us all this work. He was like a father to us.
How did he die? -They say of heart failure, at night.
Poor man. All by himself, and in a bad state of mind.
Andrés, put away that broom and attend to the trays.
The guests mustn't lack anything, whether the kitchen is clean or not.
When you're done, help the maids with the table linen.
They have their hands full as it is. -Right away.
Why was don Carlos in a bad state of mind?
Julio, the guests like their food hot.
Come on, put some spirit into it. -Yes, sir.
Why are you so late? -I'm sorry, doña Ángela.
I do what I can with these bones God gave me.
Where's your son? -He went to work at an iron factory.
He says it has more future than fishing. As if the sea is going to run out of fish.
One's children never turn out the way one imagines.
One can't choose one's mother either.
You know the problem, Andrés?
When you should be quietly working, you're either talking or complaining.
Or chirping about that wife of yours, who uses nursing doña Sofía's baby...
as an excuse for not assisting her colleagues. But that won't last.
Alright, have a nice day. -Sir.
If you need a strong back to carry fish, I'm strong as an ox.
You'd rather be in the village than at the hotel?
I'm sure the village isn't so bad. The people seem friendly.
Madam, what are you doing here?
I heard part of the staff was ill and wanted to make sure you weren't.
As you can see, I'm not. -Shall I inform doctor Bernárdez?
Thank you, your mother already did.
Ángela, you knew my father very well, didn't you?
He was a good man, but I'm sure you already knew that.
I also know he thought highly of you. -As I did of him.
I wasn't here when he died.
No one had expected it. It happened suddenly, during the night.
The doctor said he didn't suffer. He went to bed and expired like a candle.
I...
We all loved him. Going to work the next day as if nothing had happened...
was the hardest thing we ever had to do.
But I'm sure your father would have wanted it that way. I knew him well.
And he would have liked us to remember him with a smile.
Thank you, Ángela.
Don't mention it, madam.
Leave the hotel? You couldn't have chosen a worse time, Andrés.
If I don't hurry, someone else will take the job.
If you leave like this, they may not take you back again.
Even if your mother is head housekeeper.
I've thought about it carefully, sir. -Alright, if there's no other solution...
pack your stuff and leave the hotel. -What's going on?
Why are you telling my son to leave? -He asked me. It was his own idea.
It seems he wants to move to the village with his wife.
What's this? Why did you dress little Alejandro in those rags?
He vomited. I put these on so I could wash his clothes. What is it, madam?
I wanted to know what stupid idea you put into my son's head.
Excuse me? -To get him away from me, right?
I don't know what you're referring to. -I suppose he thinks you'll follow him.
But don't expect me to stand by and do nothing.
What are you planning to do? -Definitely not tell you.
But I can tell a mother's look at her own child from that of a wet nurse.
You fooled Andrés and everyone else, but not me.
You sold your child to the Alarcóns. I'll prove it.
How would you want to prove it? Do you want to take on doña Teresa?
Now you've given birth, you'll come to see what a mother is capable of.
Come.
That's fine.
Did you know Belén, the wet nurse, is thinking about leaving the hotel?
She didn't tell me anything.
Shall I have her bring the child so you can talk to her?
Ángela, the child's already here.
Andrés, it's madness. And your mother is making me take the brunt of it.
Not for long. I have it all planned. You'll stay a few more days.
I'll fix up the place I've rented from Martín, the fisherman.
You'll be able to rest and the baby can cry all it wants.
As if he didn't already. -It's near the fishery.
It's not big, but it'll be our home.
I don't want you to leave the hotel. It's a good job, better than a fishery.
I don't care about the job, only about you and the child. And this is no good.
You've come to harass my wife again? -Belén, is doña Sofía's baby still here?
I just brought him downstairs. She likes to take him out at this time.
Come, doña Sofía wants to talk to you. -I'll be right down, madam.
That was close. -That's why we have to leave, Belén.
Are you leaving? -It's for Belén, and the baby.
Help them in my absence. I'll come for them as soon as I can.
Don't worry, they'll be fine. But what am I going to do without you?
Get yourself into trouble, I'm sure.
You said don Carlos was in a bad state of mind when he died.
How do you know? -It's just as assumption.
He took me on as his personal servant during his last weeks.
He was very kind to me, without particular reason.
He asked me many things and made me feel very good here.
What happened the day he died?
That evening I brought him up some soup.
I knew he liked to have some before going to sleep.
You can't do that to me. I'm your son. -When did you ever behave as such?
If I don't stop you, you'll ruin our family.
It wasn't a good time, so I left.
I didn't come back. The next morning they told us he had died.
Was he ill? -No, it was a surprise to everyone.
You're sure he argued with don Javier? -Yes.
It made me feel even more sorry that he'd died in discord with his son.
It's normal, he's the firstborn and the future marquis.
But I doubt Alfredo will want the will to be read so promptly.
Which honours him, my dear. -Did you talk to Alfredo?
He must be devastated. It's terrible not to be there at a moment like that.
I wasn't here when Father died. It still hurts me.
One can't foresee such misfortunes. And it wouldn't have altered anything.
Only God could have helped. He decides when our time has come.
What was it like? Father's death. We've never talked about it.
What do you think it was like? Very sad.
If you like, we can talk about it later, at our leisure.
Why not now? We're all here.
I'd like to know about his last moments.
What did he do, what did he say? -I can't be of much help to you, Alicia.
I was in my room, ill. Alfredo was taking care of me.
It was a big shock when I recovered and they told me.
I can't give you any details either. I remember it as a pretty normal day.
Until your mother found him lifeless in his room.
And you, Mother? -Don't cause her any sadness.
It's alright, Diego. It's normal that she's curious. I found his body.
Your father had retired early, and I'd stayed up late, working.
I found him prostrate, immobile. I immediately called Dr Bernárdez.
But there was nothing he could do. He had died of a cardiac arrest.
But he was in sound health. -Not as much as we thought.
Was it late in the morning? Already the next day perhaps, on the 10th?
No, the doctor said he'd been dead for several hours.
And you, Javier? -Me?
Did you see him? -No, I went to bed early that evening.
Excuse me, I have things to do.