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.