No, wait. With a king it is so. [pinches the goblet between thumb and forefinger] Servants have touched the goblet of the King, therefor he will touch it as little as possible. Again.

[Phillippe tries it and the goblet slips from his fingers, crashing onto his plate and spilling onto everything]

I am sorry!

No. No! Do not be sorry! There are no mistakes when you are the King! You must never apologize. The King cares for nothing and for no one.

Is that the kind of king you wish me to be? Or do you say this to me because your son is dead?

[Athos is silent, he shoves back from the table and turns away]

Forgive me, I would never mean to disrespect...

I am not... I am not angry with you. Do you understand? Good. Of course we wish you to be a good king. But first you must pass as Louis, and Louis is cold and cruel. The eyes of this King say that he cares for nothing at all but himself. Your eyes ask too much. You shouldn't care about... about me... you shouldn't care... [his voice breaks] You mustn't ask about my son...