Catherine craftily coaches Mary to prevent Spanish duke Fadrique of Alba uncovering discovering their unfortunate part in Don Carlos's lasting brain-damaged and exploiting his infatuation with 'pretty Mary' to forge after all a profitable alliance which protects Scotland and disposes his father's embarrassment. Regent Narcisse officially investigates Catherine's presumed poisoning of Francis, but Bash exhumes Francis's intact liver, proving it was a setup, so Catherine's regency is acceptable. Having discovered how Narcisse manipulated her into marrying him, Lola flees to Elizabeth's English court to save her family. Cardinal Morel, who failed to frame Catherine at the urging of a secret party, is murdered, like Narcisse disposes of his too-well-informed court scribe. Scottish Lord Cunningham brings Mary 'evidence' of famine in English-raided Scotland, and that Elizabeth has taken Lola's family hostage and wants Lola to travel to her court in exchange for their freedom. At Catherine's advice, Mary gets engaged to the child-like Don Carlos, who sends grain to starving Scotland for her.
—KGF Vissers