Act II

The cardinal dies, leaving 23-year-old Louis the plenitude of power. From this moment the queen mother stops calling the shots in the court. The ruler becomes the title King Sun, compensating him the hitherto years of pressure by gaining a full control of the state. He celebrates fruitful, passionate romances and falls in love with new ladies-in-waiting. He also imposes high taxes on his people to build a famous for the time immemorial Versailles – the symbol of France, which was an extension of his father’s hunting palace. Louis puts into prison the world-known Man in the Iron Mask, whom was (as historians dare to believe) diuc de Beaufort – one of the Fronde leaders. Finally he finalises his love to the governess of his illegitimate children – Frances d'Aubigné, the ensuing marquise de Maintenon ( the king knights her and gives her a wonderful estate). The second act finishes in the moment of Louis’s proposals to Frances and the speech of king’s artist Moliere – a specific guide in this breathtaking story.