King Louis XIII is dead. The Duke of Lorraine's army has assembled on the outskirts of Paris, ready to install Gaston on the throne with Grimaud's financial backing. Treville learns that the king has appointed him as regent rather than the queen. With French forces tied up in the war against Spain, he knows that Lorraine could seize the city before he can bring in reinforcements, and resorts to diplomatic means to quell the threat. He disbands the Red Guards and instructs Athos to hide the boy king while he negotiates with Gaston and Lorraine. Athos entrusts Louis to Constance and Sylvie. But Marcheaux and the Red Guards defect to Grimaud, giving him allies within the city. And he tasks them with finding Louis.
Treville carries this episode. He previously refused a place on the king's council because he felt himself suited to being a better soldier than politician. But here, he shows that he has a talent for diplomacy and misdirection. He knows that while Gaston, Lorraine, and Grimaud are allies, they're not united:
- Gaston wants the throne, and would have a legitimate claim if the young king dies before he matures. But he has no troops of his own and is thus dependent on Lorraine's forces to seize the city.
- The Duke of Lorraine wants independence from France, and has the troops to occupy the city until Gaston agrees to this. But he was previously bankrupt, and is thus dependent on Grimaud's substantial resources to fund his army, which means he's in debt.
- It's not exactly clear what Grimaud truly seeks to gain beyond a return on his investment, but he's basically the man financing the whole plot. But it's clear that both Gaston and Lorraine look down on him because he's not noble himself.
Treville uses this to play them off against each other. He offers Gaston a royal pardon and invites him to the Louvre to visit his brother while he lies in state, during which time he offers him a lavish palace and a substantial stipend. While Gaston is at the palace (and apparently sees the Dauphin being spirited out of the city), Treville meets with Lorraine and offers to draft a treaty which guarantees independence if he agrees to pull his forces back. It's only a matter of time before the two dukes are giving each other some serious side-eye as Treville runs rings around them.
Of course, not everything goes according to plan. Queen Anne is naturally angry with Treville's appointment, especially when he hides her son without consulting her. When he specifically instructs Athos not to involve Aramis in his plan, it's only a matter of time before they need to keep secrets from each other. When the queen learns that Louis is in Constance's care, she commands her to return him in a move which almost gets him captured by Marcheaux.
While disbanding the Red Guard probably wasn't the best move, it does offer some satisfaction; Marcheaux, being the smug prat that he always was, mocks Athos and Aramis over the decision. They respond by supporting it, as they "get paid to kill traitors". However, Grimaud is able to capture Louis and d'Artagnan, threatening to undo all of Treville's plans.
The climax provides some great action, but a truly poignant cliff-hanger. So much happens that you think this could work as the finale, but there's one episode left to go...
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