Episodio 4

Luigi Federzoni and Giuseppe Bottai seem to have convinced Galeazzo Ciano to take their side in view of the Grand Council but Grandi does not trust the Duce's son-in-law who, after an argument, leaves his office. Umberto II discovers that his wife is carrying out peace negotiations on her behalf and scolds her harshly. The Prince, with the Anglo-Americans advancing, then tries to convince his father to oust Mussolini but the King says his hands are tied fearing that the Duce has convened the Grand Council to change the dynastic line of the Savoy. Italo Niccolai, Furio's son, is seen in the company of Beatrice Grandi, Dino's niece. The hierarch forbids his niece from seeing the boy because she has joined the anti-fascists but the young woman is too in love with her and the two continue to see each other in secret. Grandi is approached by Ingrid Eriksson, a Swedish journalist sent by Winston Churchill to test the waters for his possible position as prime minister in Mussolini's place. Grandi and Ciano then make an agreement: for the post-Mussolini period they will act as prime minister and party secretary. Marcello Petacci finds out about it from a man from Ciano and her sister, now unable to notify the Duce directly, sends the news to Edda through Colonel Eugen Dollmann; shortly afterwards Mussolini's daughter notices her husband talking to Grandi but he downplays the matter. Grandi approaches Italo, telling him not to associate with his niece anymore but the boy does not seem to fear him and also challenges him on a political level. Clara Petacci, after being harshly scolded by her mother for having lost Mussolini, attempts to commit suicide.