Louis welcomes a defeated royal relative to the palace, but with unforeseen personal consequences. Philippe stumbles upon a mystery man. Madame de Montespan finds how to hurt a former friend, the King's prim companion Francois de Maintenon.

Little can be taken at face value as Louis negotiates with Leopold over Spain, the Bastille governor has a sorry tale for Philippe and Sophie surprises Marchal.

A betrayal by one of the women closest to the king has unforeseen consequences, while a graphic revelation results in a fall from grace for another. Philippe gets dangerously close to the mystery prisoner. Reprisals against the protesters in Paris place Fabien Marchal in peril.

Seeking retribution, Louis lashes out at the Parisian rebels though Philippe urges a more reasoned response. Word from Spain casts doubt on Marie-Thérèse's intentions. Sophie's loyalties are tested.

Can Louis' longed-for loving touch help the ailing queen? An engraved blade holds a clue to who Philippe has antagonised. Jeanne challenges her brother's business-minded betrayal.

Louis hopes diplomacy will hide his duplicity as he works to undermine Leopold while winning over severe cardinal Leto.
Marchal helps Philippe learn a family secret, and is troubled by a command from the king.

Has Louis finally learnt the identity of the man in the iron mask?
Cardinal Leto is still determined to use his knowledge against the king.
Fabien Marchal is in pursuit of fugitive Sophie and the young woman he musthug.

Suffering an identity crisis, Louis gets moody, unable to reveal the reason.
Jeanne's protest pamphlets in Paris bring reprisals led by Marchal.

His resolve reinforced, Louis is dismissive of the pain his plans will cause others, be they Philippe or Protestants of all classes.
Cardinal Leto is confident of making the king marry Isabella of Portugal.

Looking to the future, King Louis XIV seeks to reconnect with his people, and reconcile his family.
As some oppressed Parisians plan a unhappy welcome for Louis, has one of his friends become a foe?