As Reign Season 3 Episode 2 begins, prison servants strip Catherine of all but her undergarments. She demands to see King Francis and is rebuffed. Queen Mary feels Catherine should be sentenced to death but Francis agrees. He cannot curse his mother as one of his last acts as king. 

As Francis is dying, Mary reveals that she is not pregnant. His plan to secure her future and France's is that she will marry Charles. She doesn't want to go through with it because her love is with Francis. She agrees, knowing it's the best thing for both of their countries.

Elizabeth's court reveals the depth of her treachery in harboring Queen Catherine. Distant kings are threatening to turn against her and there is a need for an English ambassador in France. A member of her council suggests Lord Robert Dudley, Elizabeth's lover, at his wife's behest. 

When Lola takes a bath, she finds a dead rat in her tub. She finds a message in its throat and takes it straight to Narcisse, believing Catherine is behind it. She admits her feelings for him but says that they cannot be together because she will be in danger no matter what.

Mary and Francis meet with Claude, Bash, and Charles to make plans for the future of their country. Bash vows to protect John and Charles laments that he didn't study harder, but he never thought he would be king. Francis excuses Claude and Bash and tells Charles of his intentions that he marries Mary in the event of his death. Charles plans to ask their mother and Francis and Mary refuse to tell him why they hate Catherine.

After their meeting, Mary and Francis discuss whether or not they should tell Charles the depth of Catherine's betrayals. Mary uses that as even more of a reason that Catherine should be charged with treason, but they decide to allow Charles to meet with his mother, after they've had a chance to speak to her first.

Lola goes berry picking in the woods and finds a trail of rose petals leading her to a picnic planned by Narcisse. He uses it to woo her and she convinces them that for the time being, a private affair is best for both of them. 

Francis reveals to Catherine that he's dying and she tries to convince him that she loves him. When he reveals his plan to marry Charles and Mary after he dies, she asks that Charles be sent to her for love and comfort.

Elizabeth handles the issue of Catherine's asylum in England by paying off an Italian woman of court. She plans to keep Lord Dudley by her side by offering him an even better position than the one he would have if he were ambassador to France. When she shares her plan with her most trusted officials, she learns that the lords are plotting against her and know of her affair. 

Charles and Claude talk; she asks that he keep Francis' promise not to force her to marry. He does not agree to her request. Leith overhears their entire exchange, including the fact that Francis is dying. 

Charles meets with Catherine to discuss the threats against him when he becomes king. Charles doesn't want to protect Mary or Scotland, but he does want to protect himself. Catherine advises him to install him as Regent once Francis dies and then makes her his errand boy so she can gather information about the kingdom. Charles doesn't know he's sending a coded message to one of Catherine's allies. Charles does as he's told.

Bash asks Leith to look into a note Delphine left in his chambers. He can't investigate the matter himself and hopes Leith's former status as a kitchen boy will work in their favor. No one is missing in the kitchen and finds that the missing woman has actually gone to elope with her lover. Bash darts off to find the couple hoping to catch them before they are murdered and exonerate Delphine.

Francis and Mary intercept Catherine's message and stop her plot to assassinate the King of Navarre and use it as an opportunity to show Charles exactly what an education from Catherine is.

Lola and Mary discuss Lola's relationship with Narcisse. She hopes Mary will intercede on her behalf where Narcisse is concerns and then Mary tells Lola that Francis is dying. 

Elizabeth's plot to use the Lady Donatella to cover for Catherine's asylum results in the banishment of both Lord and Lady Barlow from court, as well as having their lands and finances taken from them. Elizabeth refuses to send Dudley as an ambassador to France and embarrasses Robert in the eyes of her council.

Mary visits Catherine with Charles so that the Dauphin can confront his mother about her assassination plot. 

Lola confesses her love to Narcisse and tells him that they will find their way to a marriage somehow. Dudley and Elizabeth argue following the way she insulted him in front of the council.

Bash finds the bodies of the lovers dead in a boat, apparently murdered in some sort of ritual. Charles tells Francis and Mary that he doesn't trust Catherine. Leith offers himself to Claude as a protector and friend. Elizabeth sends a spy to England. Mary flaunts Charles' choice to Catherine and threatens to have her put to death.