I have to talk to you.
One of your courtiers kicked me in the stomach.
What?
Who was it?
I will call the guards and they will be banished from...
Really?
Yes.
Really!
Careful.
Do you like these? Let me.
So sorry, I...
What are you doing?
I couldn't wait for you any longer
But...
But that's my job.
It's the other way around.
No.
I think a bit tighter. Tighter?
Not so tight
Thank you.
You do know my heart is shattered.
It is with the greatest happiness
that I can announce the Queen is pregnant with our first child.
We'll never get rid of her now.
Not unless it's a girl.
If it's a boy, we're finished.
So?
You have grown two inches
since the 27th of August.
Is that normal?
For a pregnancy of six months,
perfectly normal.
God help us if it's a girl.
We will have plenty of opportunities to have sons.
Please tell that to my mother.
Don't worry about Mama.
You have me now.
I do.
I'll go.
What is it?
Louis.
Is this what they think of me?
Poor Louis.
How dreadfully embarrassing to play the cuckold.
Mind you, Chartres does look impressive.
Extremely!
Well, you know what they say. There's no smoke without fire.
What do you think, Prevost?
I couldn't possibly comment on that filthy smut.
This isn't just about me. This is a grotesque attack on us.
I will deal with it.
Like you dealt with the white doves.
I wasn't in charge of that investigation, Majesty.
Steps were taken, but unfortunately they were not completely successful.
That is why I have asked Maurepas to begin his investigation immediately.
How can I trust him? He wanted to lock me up in a convent
and throw away the key.
We have to put the past behind us.
We must act swiftly,
before the libelle spreads to Paris and to Europe.
Let me protect you.
And how do you propose to do that?
We close the gates.
Nobody enters, nobody leaves.
Not until we find answers.
We'll show this court that we mean business.
Search Versailles.
Go upstairs.
Absolutely outrageous.
You have any idea who I am?
It's amazing.
Get your hands off me.
Your disdain for the Queen is hardly a secret.
Is that a crime?
It's certainly a sign of disrespect.
How far are you prepared to go, Madame de Noy?
The libelle is the product of a warped mind.
My mind, as you're well aware, Maurepas, is far too straight.
The public rooms have been scoured,
hundreds of courtiers questioned, and what have we found?
Nothing.
What do we do now? We move closer to home.
Well, you have no choice.
Very well, do it.
Thank you, Maurepas.
Do you have a moment?
I'm working.
I feel obliged to voice my concern
Do you now?
Your sense of duty truly knows no bounds, brother.
What is it?
It's about the investigation.
Have you even considered the possibility
that Chartres is the father?
Your concern is unwarranted.
Come on. You've seen the way he looks at her.
The question that's on everyone's lips. Tell me.
Is this an accurate depiction of the Duke de Chartes?
Stop that.
It's in the ballpark.
Though I'm not sure the artist captures Antoinette in her best light.
I wonder how she's taking it.
She's not like us.
She's a sensitive soul.
Do I detect an air of wishful longing?
Am I speaking to a man who has fallen in love?
Love is not a word I recognise.
Lust, then.
Primitive, insatiable lust.
Senor, come with us.
What's going on?
Thank you for coming to see me.
Did I have a choice?
I invited you here because you're depicted in the libelle.
Has it caused you distress?
On the contrary, it has lifted my spirits no end.
Do you have any idea who may be responsible?
None at all.
As the heir to the House of Orleans,
wouldn't you benefit from casting doubt on the Bourbon line?
It's not me who calls her the ostrich bitch.
Why aren't you investigating the Bourbons?
I'm investigating everyone.
This is an outrage.
Our pa would spin in his grave.
Ostrich bitch.
Those words first came out of your mouths, did they not?
Dear Lord, have mercy. What will happen to us?
Bugger all, we're not criminals.
But you must admit you said it.
Yes.
No!
We admit nothing.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself, Maurepas.
Without us, you wouldn't be sitting in that chair.
Oh, for which I am immensely grateful, Mesdames.
Nevertheless, I intend to be thorough in my investigation.
Are you responsible, directly or indirectly, for the libelle?
Perhaps inadvertently,
we might...
Be quiet.
Antoinette only has herself to blame.
Are you suggesting that there is some truth in the libelle?
That is all we are prepared to say.
Are you insane?
We can't be seen together.
I only want to know how you are, my love.
They won't give up.
Not until they destroy me.
It will all blow over, I promise you.
Please, please, Chartres.
You can't stay.
Imagine yourself drifting on a calm and sunlit river.
As your body relaxes,
you can let go.
Drift and let go.
Now, turn your thoughts to the source of your distress.
How do you do this?
How do you manage to calm me down,
even in the middle of this nightmare?
It's my job.
When will you stop being so stubborn?
Accept a position in my household.
Hold her image in your mind.
She is a small fly and you can flick her away.
Try it now.
Flick the Polignac fly away.
There is somebody you have to meet, Antoinette.
Well, you're looking extremely flushed. Who is it? I'm intrigued.
Dr Mesmer.
He was all the rage in Paris and now he is all the rage at Versailles.
Dr Mesmer is an impostor.
He is a charming man.
And what do you know about charming men, Superintendent?
Hmm.
How do I look? Oh, don't answer.
I've been eating for Austria.
France.
You've been eating for France.
France.
I'm sorry.
Maurepas has been interviewing Mesdames this afternoon.
Well, I wouldn't be at all surprised
if those vicious old goats were behind this.
They would never do anything to hurt me. You, perhaps.
They would revel in my downfall.
It could be anyone.
Come on, it can only be a member of your family.
And what exactly makes you so certain about that?
It's obvious. To everyone, except for you.
I need to know if there's any truth in it.
Truth in what?
You and Chartres.
Your Majesty. Your Majesty. Good evening.
So, tell me, who's next in the firing line?
I don't want to talk about the investigation.
Oh, what shall we talk about then?
The weather.
Shall we eat?
Yes, let's.
Oh, will you have something?
I am not hungry.
Oh, try this.
It will do you good.
Have another oyster. You're eating for two now.
I need you to keep digging.
She might be hiding something.
Chartres, for example.
Leave it to me.
This will barely keep me in stockings.
If you're looking for financial security,
why don't you take a position in her household?
A position? What do you suggest?
Lady of the bedchamber? Mistress of the robes?
What more do you want?
I will accept nothing that requires me to grovel to the superintendent.
You must be so excited about the new arrival.
We are very happy.
May I touch your bump? I don't...
Isn't it a joy to be pregnant?
When did you last feel it kick?
I can't be certain, perhaps this morning.
What?
Well, I don't feel anything.
No, nothing at all
Are you quite sure it's still alive?
I would have expected better of you, madam.
Bravo.
That was remarkably callous, even for you.
Why should she have a baby if you won't let me have one?
KNOCKING
May I come in?
How are you feeling?
You know, I feel on top of the world.
Please.
Please forgive me.
Forgive you for what?
For accusing me of committing adultery
or for your monstrous family?
Both.
How is life at Versailles, madam?
It can be a lonely place, so far from your own family.
It's been such a difficult time for you.
Pain, suffering of a failed pregnancy.
A strain on your marriage, no doubt.
How is this relevant to your investigation?
There's been talk about some distance between you and Provence.
But still, he is your husband.
You clearly feel a great sense of loyalty towards him.
Do I?
Casting doubt on the legitimacy of the heir
would work to his advantage.
If you suspect my husband, why don't you speak to him?
Oh, yes, of course, how could I forget?
Monsieur is above the law, madame isn't.
Nobody, apart from the king, is above the law.
But only the king can interview his brother,
if he feels there is reason to do so.
I admit, my marriage is not as happy as I'd hoped.
I admit to feeling lonely in this soulless place.
And I admit to the grief of not being able to hold my own child.
But I am not so bitter in my misfortune
to accuse an innocent man.
Why should I suffer the indignity of being interviewed? I'm your wife.
Perhaps it was unwise to upset my brother.
You upset him all the time.
That's different.
You should know that Maurepas was more interested in you than me.
He can't touch me.
Sir, there is news.
What do you want?
Come on then, that's all right. Get off me!
A tip off enabled us to locate the printing press in the town.
I can finally confirm that the court is now clean.
Thank you, Maurepas, thank you.
However, the original is still missing.
So it can come back to haunt us.
Who's behind this?
Oh, no, no, don't take it personally.
Versailles is a snake pit spewing out poison.
The snakes generally end up destroying each other.
If they don't destroy us first.
We must narrow down the investigation.
The Orleans threat is obvious.
Is it?
On the other hand, the birth of a Dauphin makes the crown
slip further away from your brother's reach.
What do you suggest?
We close in on them.
The question of who is responsible looms large in my head.
Provence or Chartres?
I think I know the answer.
This was discovered in your apartment.
Well, obviously it's been planted.
You would say that, wouldn't you?
Whatever you may think of me, I am not capable of this.
My feelings for her run far too deep.
Are you confessing your love for my wife?
I'm pleading my innocence. That doesn't answer my question.
I am not responsible for the libelle.
But the evidence cannot be disputed.
This is the original.
Let me speak to him.
You can't. He has been placed under armed guard.
What is this really about, Louis?
Chartres's guilt?
Or your jealousy?
Does your loyalty to him come before your trust in me?
You owe me an apology.
I have nothing to apologise for.
My apartment was ransacked
What the hell were you playing at?
It wasn't a game.
It was crystal clear from the start your wife's lover was responsible.
One more word about my wife and you will regret it.
How can you be so naive?
Not so naive, actually.
Josephine's miscarriage?
There was never a pregnancy, was there?
If you can lie about that, what else are you capable of?
I refuse to believe for a second that he's guilty.
Chartres is a scoundrel. I know him better than you do
Yes, of course, just like he knew that Mesmer was a genius.
You can tease me as much as you like, it's like water off a duck's back.
You look pretty wet to me. Shut up.
Shut up!
Leave me alone.
Antoinette? Both!
Both of you.
KNOCKING
Thank you.
You know your own mind, Majesty.
I can't change that,
and what do I wish to try?
Please, I need you.
I need your help.
Dr Mesmer, I'm overwhelmed with anxieties.
I don't have the spirit to face them alone.
Oh, but you do.
The Princess de Lamballe was simple to treat
because she's suggestible.
She lacks what I call animal magnetism,
hence her delicate nature.
In your case, it courses through your veins.
Then why am I so terrified?
Because you don't believe in your own strength.
Trust your instincts and you will find it.
You must have told someone! Who was it?
Why would I discuss my fake baby with another living soul?
Because you are a witless, hysterical fool!
Is that the work of a witless, hysterical fool?
You?
Yes, me.
Look at me.
Look me in the eye and tell me, was it you?
No.
Of course not.
But unless you believe me, then what good is a clear conscience?
I believe you.
You know how I feel about you, Antoinette?
Yes.
You merely tolerate me.
SHE SHRIEKS
Push. That's it, push.
Push.
Push. Push!
SHE YELLS UNINTELLIGIBLY
Shh, it's me.
Hold my hand. hold my hand.
Breathe, breathe.
It's OK. It's OK.
It's me, it's me, just breathe.
Please, just keep breathing.
It's all right, just breathe.
Only a few more. Right? Only a few more.
OK, you can push. Push, push.
Push. I don't think I can.
Yes, you can. Come on, push.
Push.
Hold my hand. Come on.
BABY CRIES
Madame.
Madame?
Boy or girl? Boy or girl?
Madame. Madame?
Madame!
Antoinette? Someone do something!
Madame, listen to me. Listen to my voice, madame.
Please.
BABY GURGLES
Is it all right?
He's all right!
Yes, yes.
May I present to you, Madame Royale.
Oh, my God.
My little girl.
Oh, you may not be the Dauphin,
but you are no less precious to me.
She's so warm.
She's so beautiful.
Welcome.
Thank you.
You have brought me great joy.
Good work, Yolande.
To Madame Royale.
To us, our positions are secure.
For now.
I have no doubt one way or another,
you will outlive your brother and become the King of France.
Well, it won't be for lack of trying.
Then I will be your queen.
Dear God! I pray you'll be dead before then.
Try to be your best self, just to amuse me.
We make a good team.
KNOCKING
Come in.
Monsieur. The king has asked to see you urgently.
Hello.
Chartres.
I've been liberated to offer my heartfelt congratulations to my queen.
Louis finally came to his senses.
I am so happy.
Have they found the bastard? Not yet.
I don't believe you.
I give you my word.
It was all her.
I had nothing to do with it.
You are a liar.
I could have you both executed for treason.
Louis...
But I can't do that to my brother.
The court will be informed that a disgruntled equerry was arrested
fleeing with the original engraving.
Thank you.
But don't think for a minute that I'm going to forgive you.
You may still be the heir to my throne,
but you will never play a role in the government of this country.
Do you understand?
Yes.
Yes, sire.
Yes...
..sire.
Get out.
Oh, she's a beauty.
Just like her mother.
My daughter's a Bourbon princess,
from the top of her head to the tips of her toes.
Of course.
Oh, Chartres, you're back.
How did you manage to slip the guards?
Oh, I persuaded them to release me into your custody.
I refuse to take responsibility for you.
However, this little one. Meet Madame Royale's governess.
You trust her with your child?
I trust her with my life.
She is just beautiful.
It's true. It's true.
No, it's not true. No, it's not true.
Yeah. She's got your mouth.
It's unbelievable.
How could she let us down again?
I doubt she was planning to, Ma.
If she's anything like you,
this is the beginning of a long line of Bourbon babies.
We will hold off on Bavaria.
Why?
We can't rely on France to send us troops
until our alliance is sealed.
And we can't wait any longer.
Prussia is closing in on my territory.
We can.
And we will.
When do I get to make a decision around here?
Not until I'm dead.
Mercy has informed me of the new arrival.
I implore you to stop wasting time, Antoinette.
I can't wait another eight years for you to deliver the Dauphin.
I suppose there's a strange sort of comfort
in knowing who your enemies are.
They won't step out of line again.
Oh, my God!
Oh, she's here. Wait!
Ostrich bitch!
Ostrich!
Marie Therese Charlotte de France.
I am delighted that you named the child after me.
But producing a daughter is like producing a mouse.
It counts for nothing in diplomatic relations.
It's time for you to do your duty to Austria, Antoinette.
Ostrich bitch!