Mary Stuart quotes from Reign

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.

Things could change.

Queen Mary Stuart

Well, it isn't your decision, it's your father's.

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.

You must leave immediately. This was an assassination attempt. You were nearly poisoned.

Queen Mary Stuart

By who?

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...

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.

Now's not a good time.

Queen Mary Stuart

Oh.

Next time, you should be announced. My page is there for a reason.

Queen Mary Stuart

I don't understand.

You shouldn't be here.

Queen Mary Stuart

Why do you sound so... are you alone? Are you with someone?

If you are ever going to be the Queen of France, you need to understand something. Kings do not answer to their wives.

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.

Sebastian

To see you smile is to feel the sun, your grace.

Mary

Do you flirt with everyone?

Sebastian

Absolutely everyone.

And once I did that, I'd probably invite you to the harvest festival.

Mary

I'd probably say yes.

And I'd probably try to kiss you.

Mary

And I probably wouldn't let you... at first.

Queen Catherine

Women don't often say no, to Henry. When they do he thinks it's a game. It usually is. But Mary isn't your usual girl. She is Scotland. She is its queen.

All right then. Let's negotiate. As leaders. Shall we start with your desire to protect Bash? You're fond of him, aren't you?

Mary

Aren't you? He's your son. He was protecting me. Bash did nothing wrong.

And you, you shared a bed with him. There are witnesses.

Mary

They're lying. But go ahead, ruin me. I could give a damn about my reputation in France.

In Scotland?

Mary

They will believe their queen.

A queen with blood on her hands who let her lover die? Sebastian ran off with the future king's fiancée. Destroying an alliance between our countries.

Mary

Don't do this.

You want to be treated like a ruler? Someone who can say no? Do you need lives at stake to take this seriously?

Queen Catherine

Henry, you wouldn't.

You'll marry my son Francis and accept our nation's support, as you and your new husband, lay claim to England. Or I will execute my son, my subject Bash, for the treason of costing me England. You can watch him bleed to death on your wedding altar.

I marvel that you could have been brought up at court and still understand it so poorly. For a royal, there's no such thing as safety.

I realize the notion of my being king disappoints you, Lord Hugo.

It did once. But not anymore.

I'm head of the king's Privy Council for two reasons: I know how to manage men and I know how to pick the winning side. In light of recent events; the queen's pending execution and Francis's continuing absence from court... that side is yours.

How lucky I am to have such steadfast support.

If steadfast is what you require, there's only one way to achieve it. Factions need a flag to rally behind, and every young prince with a claim to the throne is another flag. But, if those flags were taken away... perhaps permanently ....

Mary

Are you suggesting... killing the boys?!

I would never presume to make such a suggestion. Those boys are the king's own blood. You asked about safety. This morning's attack was mild.

We are aware of that and share your concern.

There are plots being set on both sides, no doubt... and with deadlier consequences. Sooner or later, blood will be spilled. It's just a matter of whose. Yours and Mary's... or another's.

You're very quiet. Are you warm enough?

Queen Mary

(Chuckles) I just wish that we could go back to two months ago, do it all over. Me in my wedding gown, walking down the aisle to you at Notre Dame.

But instead, we have to come back to reality. That's what you're thinking.

Queen Mary

(Sighs) Politics, backstabbing, murder. Just another day at French Court. Francis, can we turn around and go back to the country house at Anet? Everything we felt there alone, far away from Court. Somehow, our love seems so fragile suddenly.

Things are different now... we're married, the future King and Queen. My mother is no longer an obstacle.

Queen Mary

Mhm...

Nostradamus's prophecy no longer a threat. And Bash is far away in Spain.

Queen Mary

I hope he's safe, and that he finds happiness.

Mary

[Pacing back and forth] Locked in the tower? Did you think that I would slink out of my rooms like a rat in the passage ways?

Not like a rat. Like a defiant Queen. You will be released as soon as your brother has cast off. I told him that we'd follow as soon as we could.

Mary

So you lied.

It is not a lie, when I know that it is safe to-

Mary

[Shouts] It will be too late! [Claps of thunder and lightning] We both know that day will never come. I will not help you with the cardinal if that's what you think.

[Approaches her] I know. My mother and I will do what we have to. We'll find a way. You may hate me right now, but I've done this for you. I love you and I've put you first.

Mary

[Visibly upset] You love a girl, you don't love a Queen, or you would allow me to be one. You are putting yourself and your country first, just as you always have.

That is not true.

Mary

If Scotland falls I will never forgive you! [Claps of thunder and lightning] You will lose my country and you will lose me. I warned you Francis. We are one and the same.

Scotland won't fall. And neither will we.

Mary

I can't hear another word. Get out!

[Exits] I'll be back when you had a chance to calm down.

They're monsters.

Queen Mary

Indeed they are. But they're my monsters now.

Queen Catherine

I miss the girl you were.

Queen Mary

Many will. She was easier to kill.

Leith Bayard

A new government is forming between toasts and whispers. So let's have that drink now.

What's changed? You were in such a hurry when last we met.

Leith Bayard

I wasn't thirsty then. I am now.

Another time. As this hour I am destined to meet another.

Leith Bayard

Aren't you a heartbreaker.

Not at all. Don't you be one either.

Queen Mary

It isn't fair, the privileges we are given. Or the prices we must pay for them.

Queen Mary

I won't allow you, when Francis returns-

Queen Catherine

He will thank me for saving his realm from his very young, naive queen!

My father will free me!

Queen Mary

No, he won't. Because he'll never find you.