- King Henry II: She's on her way.
- Prince Francis II: Mary Stuart, you mean. I heard.
- King Henry II: You don't sound very enthusiastic. You were playmates once.
- Prince Francis II: She had skinny legs, a missing front tooth, and strong opinions.
- King Henry II: I'm sure the other tooth has come in. The opinions you can ignore. Isn't that right Catherine?
- Narrator: Since Mary queen of Scotland was a child, the English have wanted her country and her crown.
- Narrator: She is sent to France to wed it's next king.
- Narrator: To save herself and her people.
- Narrator: A bond that should protect her.
- Narrator: But there are forces that conspire, forces of darkness, forces of the heart.
- Narrator: Long may she reign.
- Nostradamus: [to Queen Catherine] I saw your son's future... his union with Mary. She will cost Francis his life... Mary will bring your son's death.
- Queen Catherine de' Medici: Have your visions altered?
- Nostradamus: No. Mary will bring your son's death. You cannot relent. You must continue to sacrifice.
- Prince Francis II: When you came to my room, I-I shouldn't have said what I did. There were other ways of handling this.
- Queen Mary Stuart: Handling what? Me? You do do realize that we're going to be married someday, don't you?
- Prince Francis II: Believe me, I know.
- Queen Mary Stuart: I know you had a life before I got here.
- Prince Francis II: It's not about that.
- Queen Mary Stuart: Don't you think that we owe it to each other, to our families, to our countries, to give it a chance?
- Prince Francis II: It's not that simple.
- Queen Mary Stuart: Not that simple? What's not simple? We've been engaged since we were six! It's all arranged. How awful must you find me to do this?
- Prince Francis II: It's not you. You're-you're beautiful and clever and unpredictable, but it-it... it doesn't matter. What matters is what's right for my country.
- Queen Mary Stuart: I thank you for your protection last night, but I need to speak with Colin.
- Queen Catherine de' Medici: Speak to your assailant? Why?
- Queen Mary Stuart: Because he is the love of my dear friend. And if there was any misunderstanding, if I sent the wrong message in my joy at the wedding...
- Queen Catherine de' Medici: Take care, child. If anyone knew you were even asking this...
- King Henry II: Catherine, she needs to know.
- Queen Catherine de' Medici: Gossip poisons, too. It can poison a young queen's reputation, her heirs' right to the throne, an entire kingdom.
- King Henry II: You may have behaved foolishly, but you are not responsible for your countryman's actions.
- Queen Mary Stuart: Colin McPhail is my subject. I am his queen, and I demand to speak with him.
- King Henry II: Witnesses have come forward. The boy played a role in an English plot to destroy your engagement and Scotland's alliance with France.
- Queen Mary Stuart: An English plot. You're sure?
- Queen Catherine de' Medici: You must know if he'd been successful in his assault, you'd be unfit to marry our son; to marry any royal. My dear, this was not an action of passion. It was treason.
- King Henry II: But it's all settled now. Colin's been executed.
- Queen Mary Stuart: What?
- King Henry II: He was beheaded this morning.
- Prince Francis II: France is not as strong as you might think, or care, which maybe you don't, but I do. I'm going to be king someday, responsible for my people. And right now, an alliance with Scotland could destroy France.
- Queen Mary Stuart: You don't want to marry me. You don't want this at all.
- Prince Francis II: Things could change.
- Queen Mary Stuart: Well, it isn't your decision, it's your father's.
- Prince Francis II: You don't see him pushing a wedding either, do you? All engagements really do is hold alliances. He's betting we might need Scotland, I'm betting we'll find more support elsewhere. I know it's not what you want to hear.
- Queen Mary Stuart: But you won't love me. You won't let yourself.
- Abbess: You must leave immediately. This was an assassination attempt. You were nearly poisoned.
- Queen Mary Stuart: By who?
- Abbess: Someone with ties to the Protestant throne of England, no doubt. They'll be found and dealt with.
- Queen Mary Stuart: Poor Sister Helen. I didn't know...
- Abbess: That she was your taster? Every meal you've eaten has been tasted for poison since you left your mother's breast. Mary, you are the queen of Scotland.
- Queen Mary Stuart: I brought you something to decorate your swords with.
- Prince Francis II: Now's not a good time.
- Queen Mary Stuart: Oh.
- Prince Francis II: Next time, you should be announced. My page is there for a reason.
- Queen Mary Stuart: I don't understand.
- Prince Francis II: You shouldn't be here.
- Queen Mary Stuart: Why do you sound so... are you alone? Are you with someone?
- Prince Francis II: If you are ever going to be the Queen of France, you need to understand something. Kings do not answer to their wives.
- Kenna: Is that Francis? He's gorgeous.
- Queen Mary Stuart: No, that's not Francis. I know it isn't.
- Lola: Then that must be Sebastian, the king's bastard; Diane's son.
- Queen Catherine de' Medici: Tell me, Nostradamus, what have you seen?
- Nostradamus: I've had fleeting images, but as yet, their meaning is unclear. Perhaps if you were more specific about your concerns.
- Queen Catherine de' Medici: Well, will he love her? Will she love him? How do I control a daughter-in-law who's a queen in her own right?
- Nostradamus: Is that what bothers you? Her power? Or the fact that she's young and pretty?
- Queen Catherine de' Medici: I've just had a vision. I see you, beheaded at my command. Said with gratitude for the secrets we share.
- Nostradamus: Be patient. Answers will come.