And now, Henri, please allow me to go to bed.
I had to make a monk drunk today...
And every time I embark on such a task, I remain drunk for a week afterwards.
What? A monk?
Do you mean that worthy brother from the monastery of St. Genevieve, by any chance?
Yes, the very same.
-By the way, you promised him an abbey! -I did?!
Damn it, Henri, this is the least you can do for him... after what he did for you!
So he is still loyal to me?
He adores you!
By the way, my son... The Feast of Corpus Christi is almost upon us.
So what?
I hope you do intend to impress us with a lovely penitential procession?
Of course.
I am a Christian king, and as such supposed to lead my people by example when it comes to piety.
Will you visit four of the main monasteries in Paris, as is your habit on that day?
Yes, same as always.
Will the Abbey of St. Genevieve be one of them?
It will be the last one.
Very well.
Since when have you been interested in religious matters?
I am curious by nature!
And just now my curiosity has been satisfied.
Good night, Your Majesty!
Good night... Chicot.
Based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas (père)
La Dame de Monsoreau
Translated by Grafinyademonsoro on Tumblr
Episode 20
Chicot!
Chicot...
Chicot!
What else could you want?
No, there is no way for me to get enough sleep here.
Life in the Louvre has become impossible!
Rent me a room in the city or I will leave your service!
Cease babbling nonsense!
I have just been informed that the duke`s ambassador is in the Louvre.
-Is he here with a retinue? -Alone!
In this case you must receive him doubling the honors - for he is a brave fellow!
I agree.
Very well.
Let us assemble all courtiers in the throne room.
And I will go... and have myself dressed entirely in black.
Why black?
When having the displeasure of speaking with your brother via an ambassador...
...one must assume funereal appearance!
Well well.
May the Lord support you...
...monsieur de Bussy!
His Majesty the king!
Sire, do you know the name of this ambassador?
Why should his name matter to me?
His name is monsieur de Bussy!
Is the insult not thrice as great?
I see no insult in this.
Your Majesty may not see it... But we see all too clearly!
Show the ambassador in.
So you are here after all, monsieur de Bussy.
I assumed you were far away, in Anjou!
I was there in truth, Sire...
But, as you may clearly see, this is no longer the case.
And what brought you back to our capital?
My wish to pay my deepest respects to Your Majesty.
And... Is this all?
You have nothing else to tell me?
I will add, Sire, that Monseigneur, the duke of Anjou instructed me to inform you...
...that he would depart for Paris with the Queen Mother any day now.
He wished Your Majesty to know that one of his most loyal subjects was about to return.
Bonjour! Bonjour, monsieur de Bussy.
I am extremely glad to see you!
And I you, monsieur Chicot!
How is our dear monsieur de St. Luc faring?
Wonderfully!
At the moment, he and his lovely spouse are taking a stroll through the pheasants` enclosure.
Monsieur de Bussy!
Is this truly all you were to tell me?
Yes, Sire.
The duke of Anjou will have the honour of apprising you of all other important news in person.
Splendid!
Messieurs and mesdames, the audience is over.
Monsieur Chicot!
We must tell you something.
Do come closer.
Pray forgive me.
I am glad to see you, monsieur de Quelus!
Please be so kind as to tell me how... your friends are faring?
Quite badly, monsieur.
-And now I worry... -Yes!
-What is the matter then? -There is something we all think stands in our way.
You could have fooled me, Comte de Quelus!
Are you and your friends not strong enough to remove this annoyance?
Forgive me, monsieur...
Monsieur de Quelus did not use the precise expression...
He wanted to say that not "something" is being an annoyance, but "someone"!
-Is this so? -Yes!
I could swear by anything, messieurs...
The more I look at you, the more your appearance saddens me!
Well, if all points towards someone truly standing in your way, monsieur de Quelus...
Just shove them out of the way!
Same as your friend, monsieur de Maugiron, did a moment ago.
I advised him to do the same, monsieur!
And I hope he will heed my advice!
Monsieur Schomberg, forgive me for not recognizing you at a glance.
You are so pale!
-Maybe you are unwell, monsieur? -To hell with your care, monsieur!
If I am pale, it is from rage!
How?! Is something or someone standing in your way as well?
Yes, monsieur, you are right - someone is!
-And in my way as well, a certain someone! -Your wit has always been a delight, Maugiron!
-Damn it, get to the point, monsieur! -What do you mean, monsieur de Quelus?
He seems unwilling to understand us!
-He does not understand? I will explain! -Shh, no secrets here, monsieur de Maugiron.
You know how suspicious His Majesty gets!
He might think we are gossiping here.
So let him think that!
As for me - I am a German! Call me oafish and rude, but I am honest at least!
And I want to shake the hand of the fellow who left such a lovely signature on your face!
And if I speak this loudly, those who are listening must understand me!
And if they do not, then I...
You what?
Forgive me, monsieur...
It seems you have stepped on my foot.
I felt it, even though I am wearing boots.
Messieurs!
Monsieur de Bussy is clearly a provincial now - no wonder, after his daring escape with the duke!
There is no bow on his weapon...
He is wearing black boots and a beige hat...
Ohh, and the color of the hat feather!
I am delighted by it, messieurs!
Is this perchance a cockerel`s feather, monsieur de Bussy?
Forgive me, monsieur d`Epernon - I did not notice you at first.
You have been hiding behind your friends` backs, as usual.
Also I barely know you, so why would I address you first?
But when I saw you decked out in all this finery, I thought for some reason ...
How great a difference a few days` worth of absence from the court make!
Am I, Louis de Clermont, Comte de Bussy, to measure down to some minor Gascon noble´s taste?!
Let me pass!
Monsieur de Bussy! Your arrival in Paris is rather well-timed!
I am glad to see you as well, monsieur de St. Luc.
Bussy, what is the matter?
I must leave.
You absolutely must come and visit us - right now!
I`d love to hear your expert opinion on an excellent greyhound I bought recently!
Come with me, monsieur. This way!
This is beyond belief!
I insulted him and he did not even bother to answer...
I raised my hand nearly to his face... But he did not react!
I challenged him directly, and he did not react!
And I... I stepped on his foot! No result.
-There must be some reason for it. -Yes. -I know which!
Which?
He understands full well that the four of us would kill him easily...
...and he has no desire to become a corpse!
-That scoundrel! -Messieurs...
What did monsieur de Bussy tell you? I saw your conversation was... highly charged.
-Sire, do you truly wish to know what he said? -Yes.
-I am extremely curious. -It would be better not to hear of it, Sire.
-To tell the truth, he is no longer a Parisian. -Yes!
-Who is he then? -A country bumpkin!
He allows others to pass!
I think I will teach my dog to bite his calves!
But even then he might not notice due to his boots!
Sire... I have a dummy for sword practice. I will call him Bus-sy!
I would go even further, Sire!
Today I stepped on his foot, and tomorrow I will just slap him!
His famed bravery is not worth a dime!
I looked him in the eye, Sire, and understood what he was thinking -
"Enough fighting for my honour, now to preserving my life!"
Messieurs... You dared to treat so ill a nobleman from my brother`s retinue?
-Alas, yes, Sire! -Yes.
And although we were extremely rude... He did not react in any way! -Yes!
Do you still think they are bleating?
I think this sounds more like roaring!
Or rather like meowing!
I knew some people who could not stand the cat`s "meow"...
I suspect monsieur de Bussy is one of them - this is why he left without answering!
You think so?
Let us wait and see.
Nonsense! The servant and the master always match.
If you think that monsieur de Bussy is your brother`s servant...
...you could not be more wrong!
Thank you, dear St. Luc.
I mean for helping me to leave that place on time.
Human stupidity can entertain me for a while, but too much of it - and it makes my blood boil.
Stay calm, Bussy!
Good advice! Calm...
Had they told you even a half of what they told me, you would have unleashed a bloodshed!
But I could not afford to do that.
I am an ambassador.
But now that your mission is over and you may act as a private individual again...
...do you intend to act?
Of course, damn it!
Act how then?
Dear St. Luc, just recently you committed a feat that convinced me of your regard for me.
Not worth mentioning, monsieur de Bussy - or you would offend me!
Although I admit the blow was excellent!
And so masterfully dealt too!
The king taught me this move while I was kept here in the Louvre.
Tell me, was Diana not happy, even a bit?
When is the wedding, Bussy?
The wedding must be postponed.
Why?!
Postponed until the death of monsieur de Monsoreau.
-How?! -Alas, he is still alive.
Alive, St. Luc, and even more vicious than ever!
This cannot be.
But it can. Even more than that... He only thinks of revenge!
He swore to kill you at the first opportunity.
Oh Lord...
Then I am disgraced - I told everyone he was dead!
Not a chance! No one would accuse me of lying!
...I will finish what I started when we meet next!
And if he is this resilient, I will deal eight blows instead of one!
Hush, monsieur de St. Luc!
And now comes my turn to ask you to be calm.
At the moment, monsieur de Monsoreau holds me in a much higher regard than you could imagine!
He thinks the duke must have set you at him.
He is jealous of the duke, but considers myself an invaluable friend.
No wonder... As it was my Remy who saved him from your excellent blow!
Remy?!
Why did he act on such a foolish idea?!
Remy has all the principles of a decent man.
He assumes that as a physician, he must heal people.
Has he gone mad?
In any case, this is most disturbing to me!
I understand. But, as you can see, your favour was only half-done, dear St. Luc.
True! But I am ready to see it through to the end.
It will not be easy, but for you, dear Bussy, I will do anything.
Let us return to Monsoreau later.
I need a favour of a different nature from you now.
As you are an expert on the rules of the etiquette, are you not?
I do not understand what you mean.
Messieurs, I will dine with the queen today.
As for the evening, please be invited to a performance by Italian comedians.
Pray forgive me, messieurs...
I must speak to you.
Where may I do this?
You wish to speak to all of us?
Yes.
Wonderful! I think I understand.
-You came on behalf of monsieur de Bussy! -I will not tell you now on whose behalf.
I must talk to you, plain and simple.
Please name the place where it would be convenient for you to listen.
Nothing would be easier!
What does he want, I wonder...
Let us discuss in peace and quiet.
Yes, let us!
-Should monsieur de St. Luc come here, let him in! -Understood, monsieur de Quelus!
-I do not know of a man less... -I think only Schomberg should speak!
Agreed, only please keep your composure!
Here you go, monsieur de St. Luc!
Monsieur Francois d`Espinay, Comte de St. Luc!
I have the honour to present myself - Gaspard de Schomberg, Comte de Nanteuil.
I have the honour of giving you my regards, monsieur.
I have the honour to present to you Jacques de Levis, Comte de Quelus.
I wished to meet you, monsieur.
I have the honour to present to you Marquis Louis de Maugiron.
I wished to meet you, monsieur.
I have the honour to present to you Jean-Louis de Nogaret de La Valette, Duc d`Epernon.
I have the honour to greet you, monsieur.
Messieurs!
You insulted Louis de Clermont, Comte de Bussy!
He sends to you his compliments and challenges you to a combat to the death.
He requests that you name the day and the hour most convenient to you.
Do you accept the challenge?
Of course we accept it.
It is certainly an honour monsieur de Bussy bestows on us.
Name the day then, monsieur le Comte!
The day does not matter - the sooner the better!
Your hour then?
Morning!
-Your weapons? -A rapier and a dagger.
If these suit monsieur de Bussy, of course.
I assume monsieur de Bussy will agree to whatever you decide in this case.
And... your conditions, messieurs?
Monsieur de St. Luc... does it not seem to you, that if we select the same hour...
...and the same day for the duel, Comte de Bussy would be facing some difficulties!
Of course.
Count de Bussy would indeed be facing some difficulties - same as any other in his position!
When confronted with such brave warriors as you!
But he told me this had happened to him before -
At the Tournelles, in the Rue St. Antoine!
So monsieur de Bussy intends to fight all four of us at once?
-Yes, all four. -Or one by one?
One by one or all four at once...
The challenge is addressed to all of you!
This is quite noble of him...
But, no matter how little each of us is worth in battle - in his opinion, at least...
I am certain that each of us can manage on his own.
We accept monsieur de Bussy`s offer.
But we will fight him one after another, in turns.
No. We do not wish this duel to turn into a murder!
We will cast lots to decide who will fight with monsieur de Bussy.
But what of the other three?
Monsieur de Bussy has enough friends - our enemies!- so that we will not remain idle.
Do you agree, messieurs?
Of course! I would appreciate it if monsieur de Bussy invited on our lovely stroll...
...monsieur de Livarot!
And I would ask monsieur d`Antraguet to participate as well!
To complete the guest list, monsieur de Riberac should join his friends!
Messieurs, I will forward your requests to the count.
But I can tell you in advance that the count is courteous enough to agree to all of them.
Messieurs, then what remains on my side is to express my sincere gratitude...
...on behalf of monsieur de Bussy!
Chicot showed me this lovely tavern once.
I think it is quite cozy here!
Yes, monsieur Chicot is a connoisseur of life`s pleasures!
That table over there, messieurs!
Hurry!
Lay the table!
Here you go, messieurs!
Our best wine!
Monsieur...
Do you remember me?
We met one morning...
You were injured, lying there at the crossroads...
Do you remember now?
Yes.
I remember.
Forgive me, monsieur.
Bussy!
I do not like this look on you!
It is awfully somber.
Was it something I did?
No, all is well.
All is well, friend.
I only regret that you asked them to appoint a day...
...instead of saying "Immediately"!
But count, have some patience!
The Angevins have not arrived yet, damn it! Give them some time.
And why are you in such a hurry to cover the ground with the dead and wounded?
To tell the truth...
I wish to...
...die as soon as possible.
Die?!
Bussy, at your age?! With such a name you made for yourself?
With a beloved like yours? You have gone insane...
Yes.
I will kill all four of them, of course.
And maybe I will get a decent blow for myself...
One that will stop my heart forever.
Where have these thoughts come from, Bussy?!
-You are the happiest man on earth! -You should try being in my position, St. Luc!
The husband everyone considered dead is resurrected!
That damned martyr does not allow her to leave his bedside for a moment!
By all saints - I have not seen her in days, St. Luc!
And you are surprised I am in the mood for bloodshed!
Who could have endured this - no visits for a few days!
Why the hell can you not go to the Rue St. Antoine and inquire about Monsoreau`s health?
You may see Diana then!
You are friends with Monsoreau, are you not?
I feel shame for human intelligence, St. Luc!
That idiot...
...considers me a friend!
-Be his friend then! -I have no desire to abuse the title!
Forgive me, messieurs - would you maybe feel more comfortable in another room?
Thank you. We require nothing.
Yes.
Forgive me...
-Let us think logically! -Let us then.
The main goal of friendship is for friends to make each other happy.
This is how His Majesty defines friendship, and our king is well-educated, a proper scholar!
Monsoreau makes you unhappy...
And if he makes you unhappy, he is not your friend - you are not friends!
And so it follows that you may either treat him with condescension...
...and simply take away his wife.
Or treat him as an enemy - and kill him again!
If once was not enough for him.
You have excellent reasoning skills, St. Luc!
Thank you!
What am I to do then?
Go for a visit at once!
-To visit the count de Monsoreau? -Forget about the count - to visit Diana!
They are never apart, St. Luc!
They are not? And when you were visiting madame de Barbezieux...
...did you pay attention to her huge pet monkey, who was biting you all the time out of jealousy?
Now you have convinced me, St. Luc!
Well then... I think I will depart for a visit to the Rue St. Antoine`s at once!
Dear count, just this morning your Remy promised me...
...that my wound would fully close in less than three weeks!
I would even be able to resume my duties as Chief Huntsman!
I trust his promises, as I have already had plenty of opportunity to confirm...
...that he is a true master in his field!
Let us hope that what he promised will come to pass.
It does seem that the king will have need of your services soon.
I hope so!
By the way... the duke of Anjou is back in Paris!
Yes - and he wished to visit you soon!
What do you mean, in Paris?!
And what of the war, the siege of Angers?!
War?
The war is over, count.
Now you must prepare for hunts, balls and performing comedians!
Ah, does this mean you returned to the capital as a messenger of peace, monsieur de Bussy?
Yes, His Highness the duke granted me the great honour of this mission!
I can imagine how happy the king must have been over this peace treaty with his brother!
I hope you were well received at court - the king must have showered you with favours, yes?
Certainly! The king met me with a sulky expression...
And his pack of Mignons watched me leave with excessively long faces...
I fail to understand why the hell they wanted this peace so much...
...if the confirmation of peace brought them such grief!
I suppose the duke of Anjou must have other intentions in Paris, unrelated to fraternal love?
It is likely.
Beware of the damage to your reputation through close relations with that man!
I know him - he is quite false and disloyal, and would not stop at anything...
-not even treason!- to achieve his goal.
Unfortunately, I know this all too well.
You are my friend, monsieur de Bussy.
And I consider it a debt of honour to warn you.
Just to think of it - the prince, who was always so corteous with me...
...so attentive - is my mortal enemy!
It was him who ordered St. Luc to kill me!
Forgive me... how?!
Yes, you heard right!
You must be wrong, count.
St. Luc is an honourable man!
Also... forgive me, but did you not mention giving him the reason yourself?
You drew your weapon first... And got this wound in an honourable duel!
I am not denying this.
But I am convinced the duke put him up to it!
Trust me, count, I know the duke of Anjou very well...
But, most importantly, I know monsieur de St. Luc.
Take my word for it, St. Luc is fiercely loyal to the king...
And not to the duke of Anjou.
Had you received this blow from Livarot, Antraguet or Riberac, then yes...
It would be a different matter entirely.
But as for St. Luc...
I suspect you are far too honest and noble to have a clear view of courtly machinations!
Should you face any difficulties in future...
...please do not hesitate to call on me for advice or help!
Thank you.
Well well, how do we feel, monsieur le Comte?
You seem exhausted!
You should not spend your resources so frivolously.
I demand that you lie down immediately!
I will call the servants to move you to the bedroom.
Very well, dear doctor!
Dear friend, please do me a favour...
Accompany madame de Monsoreau for a short walk outside.
My wound does not permit me to leave the house, and the countess barely gets any fresh air...
If you insist, I...
...am glad to obey, count.
Louis!
My dearest...
Forgive me, but I will never set foot in this house again.
I cannot lie in such a vile manner anymore.
Which lie? What could you mean?
I only have you...
You are a god to me!
I will endure anything... just to see you again!
Come! Come.
Paris has become unendurable during our absence!
On the way to our dear duke`s palace I had to draw my sword a few times...
...to teach someone some manners!
Whom do you mean, friend?
The boors who were staring at me incredulously!
Antraguet, but those are just a bunch of fools!
They get their inferior manners from the king`s Mignons!
Do you remember when they dashed around Paris shouting "Death to the Angevins!"?
I have not forgotten.
And will remind them at the first opportunity!
But to be able to afford such pleasures, my friend...
...it might be prudent to have a border in the vicinity!
Two would be better!
Please sit, messieurs, do!
My friends, I am glad we are again united...
But I have heard of certain strange rumors in the Louvre.
I cannot exclude the possibility of an attempt on your life here!
Exercise extreme caution!
We have been cautious, Monseigneur!
And, as there is no war, we should probably head to the Louvre...
...and pay our humblest respects to His Majesty.
If we hide, there would be no honour for Anjou in it, would there?
Very well. You are probably right.
Feel free to go.
If you wish, I will accompany you.
Oh, what have I just heard, Your Highness?
You wish to visit the Louvre and be slaughtered there like Caesar in the Roman Senate?
-Bussy! -Here you are, friend!
-I am glad to see you, Bussy! -And I you, Monseigneur.
Why do you intend to go to the Louvre, messieurs?
Well, to play nice with those messieurs and to see what is happening there...
Yes!
Very well...
Let us go to the Louvre!
But we should go alone...
...without you, Your Highness.
Why?
We have no right to take even the smallest risk with your precious life.
I suppose it would be better if you remained here.
You could maybe take a stroll in the garden while giving due consideration to the fate of France?
Very well. Good luck to you, messieurs!
Let us go.
Aurilly!
Have our horses saddled - we will visit the count de Monsoreau now!
At once, Monseigneur!
Wait!
I have been waiting for madame Gabrielle, where is she?
Madame Gabrielle...
I am here, Monseigneur.
My prince, I paid a visit to the court jeweller, as instructed.
And I redeemed the item you requested.
Oh Lord... How lovely!
Yes... The craftsman did not lie!
Here is one of those rarest precious objects which take many years to manufacture!
Monseigneur, I would not recommend you to place any written notes in it...
Why not?
First of all, because le Comte de Monsoreau is certain to examine the dagger...
And secondly, the scene depicted on the blade speaks of your feelings better than words could!
I doubt that you could express with words the intent of the artist...
...who engraved this stunning satyr chasing a nymph with such ardor!
It would be quite disrespectful indeed, my prince!
-Madame, please accompany me. -Of course, Monseigneur.
So, how much longer do we have to wait?
I think the king must have received our request for an audience a long time ago!
I will be damned if we were not made a laughing stock of to this courtly pack on purpose!
You are right, Riberac.
Look at how some of those sycophants dare to stare at us like dumb beasts!
I might explode if I do not find one of the king`s favourites this very moment...
...and do not tell him all I think of him!
You will get your claws in no less than four of them now, Antraguet!
Bussy`s word of honour - you will have an opportunity to sharpen both your tongue and your rapier!
Messieurs...
His Majesty instructed us to tell you he cannot receive you now...
...as he is occupied with matters of higher priority.
We came here to inform you of this... with greatest regret.
Oh, messieurs... It is certainly a regretful occurrence.
But when coming from your lips, it is indeed far less unpleasant!
Messieurs, you are courtesy personified!
And politeness as well...
Would you like to replace the failed audience with a short stroll with us?
Of course! We even intended to ask this of you ourselves.
Be quiet, let them do it!
Wonderful!
But... where should we go?
-Er, maybe... -Count!
In this case, I know of a comfortable corner at the horse market...
Excellent! We will follow you, messieurs.
After you.
"Rain started to fall right before the battle."
"It was not Warwick`s habit to dismount during the battle..."
"He tended to mount a horse after leaving his people in the middle of it..."
"If everything went well, he joined the fighting..."
-"But if it went badly..." -How do you feel, count?
Thank you, well enough.
Then we may continue for a bit longer!
"If everything went well, he joined the fighting, but if it went badly, he was sure to flee on time..."
"This time, his brother marquis de Montague, a knight of great courage, forced him to dismount..."
"... and so it happened that the brother perished together with..."
The duke!
The duke of Anjou!
Yes, it is him!
Translated by Grafinyademonsoro on Tumblr
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