Original subtitles

ALL CHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND EVENTS IN THIS DRAMA ARE FICTITIOUS,

AND ARE UNRELATED TO HISTORICAL FACTS

I am so thankful to you in many ways.

When I tried to leave this place,

I was concerned for you.

Because it'll mean I'll never see you again.

ONE HOUR AGO

MACDUNALDU M, DRAGON'S WHISKERS POTATO

ARE YOU ASLEEP?

DRAGON'S WHISKERS POTATO

Yes, I made them.

Are you sure you made them?

Not the Queen?

Her Majesty the Queen was at the banquet.

Then why did you use wild grapes, pine needles,

and peaches for the appetizer?

That is because peaches are in season,

wild grapes will be in season soon, and pine needles are always in season…

Man-bok.

Look me in the eyes and tell me.

DAEJOJEON HALL

Her Majesty wanted to hide the fact that she has helped you.

It is late.

You should come back tomorrow.

Go and get some rest, Brother.

I must hear the reason

why she helped me,

and what she meant when she said she will betray me.

Q N

D G R N E U E E Q N

QUEEN DANGER

We will report it to His Majesty when morning comes.

Will it be all right tonight?

There is no need to be hasty.

It may be a trap.

So there are times she sleeps like a quiet baby too.

I fell asleep.

Have you been watching me the whole time?

How do you do it?

You always worry about me and try to understand me.

Now that I think of it,

you were the first person I met when I came here.

I am so thankful to you in many ways.

When I tried to leave this place,

I was concerned for you.

Because it'll mean I'll never see you again.

Hong Yeon.

My dear Hong Yeon, you must be working out.

You're more buff than I thought.

It must be a dream.

The faces of Hong Yeon and the concubines changed to his face last time too.

Are you awake?

-What the hell is this? -What is wrong?

Who dared to do something horrible to you, My Queen?

Who did it?

You! It was you!

Why did her face turn into yours?

What?

Tell the truth.

What happened between us last night?

How honest should I be?

Tell me everything truthfully. Don't omit anything.

What a peculiar hobby you have.

If so…

Last night, when the white moon lit the pitch-black darkness,

our hands met, and the sparks…

Don't say it!

If you say it, I'll kill you!

This is just the beginning, My Queen.

My Queen.

I somehow feel

like I have been abandoned.

Good grief.

Chief Eunuch.

Hong Yeon!

Hong Yeon!

Where did you sleep last night?

In my room, Your Majesty.

That can only mean Cheoljong and I…

EPISODE 14: DEATH BECOMES HER

It was only a dream.

His portrait was burning, and it all seemed so realistic.

After the shaman died

I could not do a proper fortune reading.

I have a bad feeling.

Lady-in-waiting Han, I need to do a proper reading.

Your Royal Highness, that may cause another disaster.

I know a Buddhist monk.

No one will suspect him, so it is fine.

What do you see?

I see the palace filled with red blood.

Red blood?

Someone will die in the palace today.

Who will it be?

Although I cannot determine who it will be…

it is a woman.

A woman?

Can it be?

It cannot be me, can it?

Write me a talisman.

A talisman to protect me.

I am not a shaman.

But you must have something.

If so,

please give an offering to the Buddha.

I will do whatever I need to do.

I must not be the woman who dies in the palace today.

Good grief!

I couldn't even ask my question to the Queen.

-I must return to Daejojeon Hall. -Your Majesty.

It's all too suspicious

especially the sudden disappearance.

Right.

If I make a record of his appearance myself…

This one.

Yes, this is it.

Should be more distinct.

Yes.

No, this isn’t it!

His face was…

This is his face.

Captain Hong!

Did you cry all the way here?

There, there.

There, there.

How did I not consider that she might not like me?

Why did I bother choosing

between family and love all that time?

The greatest hardship about love

isn't about any other obstacles.

It's about winning the heart of the one you love.

So did she tell you why?

Well…

I don't like you.

What?

Please excuse me.

Maiden.

Tell me the reason, at least.

Why do you not like me?

I…

don't like men who are ambitious.

There, there.

Oh, my. It's soaking wet.

It is typical of love to come to soak your heart,

and make you wet with tears when it's over.

-But… -You scared me.

There's good news too.

His Majesty has recovered.

My prayers have been answered.

I'm sure you've heard some other news too.

Lord Kim Jwa-geun

will be dismissed for that incident.

I like His Majesty and I look up to Lord Kim Jwa-geun too.

But my heart is torn in two…

You've never met His Majesty in person. So why do you like him?

Because he is your best friend.

You are a good person,

so your friend must be a good person too.

You are just…

Were you drawing an octopus?

Octopus?

It's a person.

You mean this?

If you look closely, it's actually good.

So this is the eye.

-It's the mouth. -I see.

It's the mouth?

I even drew the lips.

Fortune-telling is best when it is held in the morning.

Your Royal Highness, Lady Uibin is here.

Oh, my.

Goodness, you look awful.

People might think that the King hadn't woken up if they saw you.

What about the Queen?

I gave up on the bigger use and did what you wanted.

I am sure they found the item in the Queen's room.

His Majesty stayed in the Queen's room last night.

As soon as he recovered?

This incident has made me realize once again

that I will die if I lose His Majesty.

Could the woman who will die today

possibly be…

I want to die.

Should I just kill myself?

That might make me feel better.

I apologize, Your Majesty.

I am so sorry.

I made sure to deny it,

but His Majesty was so certain…

What are you talking about?

What do you mean?

Gosh, I smell something burning.

Who did it? Who is responsible?

Where do you think you're going?

Lady-in-waiting Choi!

I ended up

telling him the truth.

Really?

So you're saying this disaster occurred

because the King heard what you said last night

and came to see me?

That's not what I said.

So all this confusion that I'm feeling

is all because of you, royal cook.

What kind of confusion are you feeling?

You little…

I liked it for sure.

Perhaps more than before.

That's why I'm going crazy!

Why did I like it? That's not supposed to happen.

Doesn't the soul own the body?

Or does neither the soul nor the body own anything?

Are humans just the slaves of hormones?

Your Majesty!

What's with her today?

-Your Majesty! -What are you talking about?

Her Majesty is just being herself.

Why don't I feel awful about it?

Why?

I have to feel awful.

I have to feel horrible about it!

His Majesty the King is here!

Where is the Queen?

Well, she…

My apologies.

She was over there until just now…

Just why is she avoiding me so badly?

Last night, she was like a tiger. Roar!

Can you help me find the Queen?

Yes, Your Majesty.

As you can see, I have much to discuss with her.

Your Majesty.

He must have a lot to discuss.

No. If I meet Cheoljong now, it's going to be really dangerous.

What if my body betrays me again?

Yes, his woman's soul must have taken over my body yesterday.

I only liked it

because I thought he was Hong Yeon.

If I knew that it was Cheoljong…

But still, I liked it.

Am I nuts? Seriously?

Is this how Jang Bong-hwan is going to disappear forever?

Is that what it is?

I STAYED HERE FOR NOTHING JANG BONG-HWAN

-My Queen! -Your Majesty!

-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

My Queen!

My Queen!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

-Your Majesty! -Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Because he openly attempted to assassinate the King,

Lord Kim Jwa-geun is about to get impeached, so…

No matter how much I think of it,

that is not something Lord Kim Jwa-geun would do.

Perhaps he is cornered.

Due to the explosion, Lord Kim Jwa-geun lost everything,

and the King gained too many things.

But still, why would the King risk his life and fabricate the explosion?

That is true.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty.

Are you going to the royal court assembly?

-Yes. -Yes.

Your Majesty, what made you come alone…

-The Queen just… -The Queen?

Your Majesty, are you playing hide-and-seek?

I'm totally good at that, Your Majesty!

Finally!

Darn it, stop following me!

What are you, a security camera? A groupie? Damn it.

Hey, what…

Your Majesty.

-Your Majesty. -I will see you at the assembly.

Yes…

Let us talk about what is right or wrong.

-My Queen! -They must truly love each other.

-My Queen! -They are even playing hide-and-seek.

How childish.

Goodness.

He was almost killed, and now he is playing hide-and-seek?

Yes, I have the concubines.

The guardians of my identity, with whom I've exchanged love through texts.

-Good to see you, Your Majesty. -Good to see you, Your Majesty.

How are you all doing?

Farewell then.

My Queen,

is there a race going on in the palace?

There's no space for us to get in between them.

I know, right?

But they look so adorable together!

Right, I need to recover my identity through texts.

-My Queen! -Your Majesty!

My Queen!

She is not here either.

I have been chasing her because I have something to ask her.

Something to ask me?

But it looks like she is uncomfortable seeing me.

So I should stop.

If she wishes to see me,

I am sure she will reach out to me.

-Let us go to the royal court assembly. -Yes.

So you were here.

You were all over the palace, so I was looking for you all morning.

What is it?

So you were here.

About last night…

We'll tell you on our way.

Let us go.

Where are we going now?

Where to now?

The palace is so big…

Is he gone?

What is he trying to ask me?

Usually in situations like this, a man asks a woman…

"Did you like it?"

Send this to the usual place.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Something's missing.

Lady-in-waiting Choi.

Yes, Your Majesty.

By the way, why aren't you nagging at me anymore?

"You must not run around looking like that, Your Majesty."

You always say that.

I quit nagging, Your Majesty.

What's going on?

Okay, go on.

Yes.

What's going on?

As of today…

I resign from my regency.

With this,

I proclaim that I will rule the country myself.

-Long live the King! -Long live the King!

I will die at this rate.

This anger is shortening my life span!

Shall I tell them you will skip your meals?

Do you actually want me to die soon?

My apologies.

However,

do you mean to say that you wish to have your meal or not?

It is clear you will only see the meal as adding insult to injury.

Do I have to explain

every little detail to you…

Your Royal Highness.

Please calm yourself.

How can I calm myself at this moment?

My political life is practically dead now!

I will get it back for you.

Surely you will regain your regency.

You seem quite confident.

Your father was like that when he was young.

I gave my brother his last chance.

What is this chance you gave him?

It is about breaking the King's heart completely.

If my brother succeeds,

you keep your place for the moment.

Yes.

But you will soon find out that there are limits to using old tools.

The King is not an easy man to deal with.

Do you really think that the explosion was the King's work?

The one who benefited the most is the culprit.

To think that the one enthroned was a dangerous tiger cub.

Your Majesty, congratulations on ruling the country yourself.

Thank you.

While you were away, a letter was sent from Daejojeon Hall.

-From the Queen? -Yes.

When I thought of telling you that I miss you,

I really did miss you.

This will not do.

I knew my last resort would work.

How passionate.

Let us meet.

You are here.

The one to save me from this chaos…

Cheoljong? How did you know that I'd be here?

Because I asked you to come to meet me.

It was a consort who asked me to see her!

Which consort?

I liked the thrill of anonymity,

so I didn't try to find out which one it was!

Anyway, it's not you.

"Sometimes I am distracted."

"I can drown by sinking into the thoughts of you,

so please come rowing to me."

"I have never sent you away."

-Stop! -Do you get it now?

No, I don't know about any cheesy poems like that.

"I might die from calling your name!"

"I might think of you, because I can't forget…"

Stop, everyone can hear you.

It was not written by you, so why does that matter?

We have to have a private conversation, so stay away, okay?

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Are you monitoring me?

Did you monitor my texts?

What are you saying?

You are so passionate in your letters,

yet you ignore me when you see me.

How can you be so cold?

-A misdelivery? -A misdelivery?

Did you think I was someone else?

You were the new source of my hormones?

You were the last hope of my identity?

You were the one whom my heart beats for

every night?

That is why you acted so differently.

Why is it you? Why do you always show up?

You're always there when I open my eyes! You're in my dreams too!

Did you dream about me?

Don't be awkward.

Then there's no going back.

There are many different kinds of dreams. There are horrible nightmares too.

Why did you help me with the banquet?

Was that why you were chasing me?

I thought you'd thank me. I shouldn't have helped.

You told me to curse when I am happy to see you,

and act aggressively when I am thankful.

Since when did you start listening to me?

You are grumpy even when I listen to you.

Just what do you expect me to do?

You said you will do "no touch," but you helped me.

And then you proclaimed that you will betray me.

That's because…

Hang on.

You heard me saying that I will betray you?

I thought you lost your hearing. Was that a lie?

Did you…

even fabricate the explosion?

It was true that I lost my hearing.

My tinnitus happened to be gone when you said that.

Darn it, are you nuts?

-You could've been killed! -My Queen.

Did you have to use such a dangerous method?

You! I said I don't allow you!

Hugging me, smiling, and lying down next to me!

I don't allow you to do all those things!

I don't allow you to not allow me.

I like you, My Queen.

Do you fall in love easily?

How tacky of you to confess because I helped you once.

That is not why.

Then why do you like me?

You are arrogant, reckless, completely selfish,

inconsistent,

and full of flaws.

Exactly, so don't like me!

But I still like you.

Even if you are the one with the most flaws in the world,

I like you, My Queen.

That night…

when I jumped into this lake.

Do you remember what I told you?

You must love me.

I thought only I could protect you.

That's why I said that.

I can help you and be your power only when you love me.

So both you and I can survive.

Was that what you meant?

But…

that Kim So-yong doesn't exist anymore.

The old Kim So-yong died that night.

I will not break your heart anymore.

There's no "anymore" for us.

Because I cannot forgive you.

I'm not the real Kim So-yong.

So we cannot be.

What is it?

Does Her Majesty want something?

-I gave you trouble last time. -Last time?

At the royal clinic…

That was because I gave you poisoned water…

Well,

although you made me sick in the first place,

I thought it would be wrong not to thank you…

I found this on my way.

Just where did she go to find such a beautiful thing?

The assassination of His Majesty?

How could he do such a serious thing all by himself

and suffer from this aftermath?

Lord Kim Jwa-geun has lost his hunch now.

How could you be so greedy as to purloin weapons?

Are you trying to ruin this country?

I thought you said there would be no problems.

Do you think you can make people do what you want

just by giving orders?

Are you saying that you did it for me?

I did my best so you would only know the results, not the process.

I did it for you!

And for the family.

You must be prepared to take all of the blame if the worst happens.

I will give you a chance to make up for it.

Is everyone here?

My lord.

The King's father-in-law has not yet arrived.

I did not summon him.

We're all here because of the King's father-in-law's mistake.

The King's father-in-law secretly made a record

of the wealth of our family.

Thankfully, that record

is in my hands.

As long as I have power,

this item is completely useless. So do not worry.

However…

if I am impeached and lose my power,

I will be unable to keep this a secret.

If all of you protect me,

I will protect all of you as well.

If we protect you,

what are you

going to do with the King?

If we let him be, he will dismiss all of us,

saying that we did not process the impeachment.

There is an organization made to deal with national crises.

The Border Defense Council?

There is no crisis more serious than an incompetent king acquiring authority.

From now on, all political decisions

will be made through the Border Defense Council.

The item is ready.

As you said, we froze water with arsenic in the middle,

so arsenic can flow out as the ice melts.

How long will it take until arsenic flows out?

It may depend on the weather,

but it would take about one tea moment.

ONE TEA MOMENT: TIME SHORT ENOUGH FOR A CUP OF TEA

I see.

But who are you planning to use this on?

When one woman is gone from the palace,

two men who are threatening my place will be broken.

Thank you for enduring it.

I will never forget the mind you harbored when you endured

all that terrible torture.

It is dangerous to stay in the palace

since your identities have been exposed.

Now it is time for you to leave the palace

and go our separate ways.

I promise…

to make your wishes come true.

It's a bit sad.

Come on, which one of you still hasn't…

You are here.

Honeycomb-shaped ice…

in Her Majesty the Queen's beverage?

Yes.

You are only putting ice into it.

Your Royal Highness,

I brought important information.

So please help me.

Just what is this information about?

If you can first promise me that you will spare me…

What do you think you are doing?

Lady-in-waiting Han.

Seeing how a brave, strong girl like you is trembling with fear…

I do not know what it is,

but I will help you as much as I can.

Lord Kim Jwa-geun told me to…

If he was going to like her, he should've liked her sooner.

Then Kim So-yong wouldn't have attempted suicide,

and I wouldn't have been in this mess.

But what's more important is…

that I was certain I have experienced everything

but I actually have not.

What I felt yesterday was…

If the world I've only known felt like soft, cushiony bread,

this was like…

I'm just charmed by it because it's new and different.

Pull yourself together, Jang So-yong!

Darn it! I even get names mixed up now!

Your Majesty.

Come in.

Her Royal Highness the Grand Queen Dowager wishes to do buranchi.

What? At this hour?

I'm not in the right mind to cook right now.

Her Royal Highness the Grand Queen Dowager already prepared it.

Do I just go to Tongmyeongjeon Hall?

I've been running all day, so I'm hungry.

How dare they try to get rid of the Queen?

The ledger ended up in Kim Jwa-geun's hands…

It was found in Daejojeon Hall?

Just how?

I will be going to the palace.

This way.

What are you doing? Hurry up!

Right!

You are always running by yourself!

Gosh, I'm so darn angry because of you, Sir Daengdaengi!

I am honored, Your Royal Highness.

I get to have buranchi with such a wonderful view.

I have a lot of free time after I renounced my regency.

Let us have moments like this more often.

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

A beverage is a must for a buranchi.

The woman who will die in the palace is the Queen?

At last,

I will be getting my revenge, my son.

Today, I prepared ice,

which is even rarer than gold.

It's my first time seeing ice here.

The sun is shining brightly,

so this is the perfect day to drink a cold beverage.

My Queen.

Please…

Please, My Queen!

How dare you!

I have something to tell Her Majesty the Queen!

This is no place for you! Go away!

It is something important!

Dahm-hyang?

What is wrong with you? This could get me killed too.

What do you need to tell her?

Do you know that court lady?

Yes, I see her often in the royal kitchen.

Dahm-hyang, what is it?

You see…

It is…

I am sorry.

I am here to serve Her Royal Highness the Grand Queen Dowager's royal meal.

That would not be necessary as this is a meal for women.

This is my first time seeing you on an occasion like this,

so please forgive me.

I am simply honored.

How is the monitoring of your husband I told you about?

Since His Majesty just woke up, I will work hard on it now.

Ice is rare, so please drink before it all melts.

How does it taste?

It's so refreshing!

It was so nice and cold…

My Queen!

Your Majesty!

How dare you!

What do you think you are doing?

Are you all right?

Yes…

How dare you throw a rock at the Queen?

I am fine, Your Royal Highness.

Imprison that court lady right now!

I will punish her for the crime of impudence!

Your Royal Highness!

Come here.

Dahm-hyang…

She is a court lady I really care about.

I am fine, so please let your anger go.

This is not about you.

She broke the order of Ladies of the Royal Palace,

and she breached the laws of Joseon!

She is just a child.

I am sure there was a reason.

She would not do that without a reason.

If you keep on insisting,

I will charge her with the crime of disgrace

and give her a greater punishment!

Why did you rush here?

Did you know that girl would harm Her Majesty the Queen?

Are you trying to get me involved as well?

It is because you showed up at oddly perfect timing.

Someone who planned treason is accompanying the Queen's meal,

so I rushed here out of concern.

This joyous occasion has been ruined. I will be going to Tongmyeongjeon Hall.

That child who ruined this opportunity will be punished fittingly.

You will take responsibility as well.

So our family will not be dishonored.

What will happen?

They're not going to whip that little girl, are they?

My Queen, are you all right?

Does your tongue feel numb or does your heart beat very fast?

What are you talking about? It's as if…

Let us go somewhere else.

I will go to Daejojeon Hall with the Queen.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Be careful of everything you consume,

from meals to beverages from now on.

Is someone after me?

Kim Jwa-geun and the Grand Queen Dowager tried to poison you.

That can't be.

I didn't do anything.

Are they trying to kill me just because I helped with the banquet?

The ledger was found

in Daejojeon Hall.

The ledger?

So what both Kim Jwa-geun and my father asked me about was…

What's so special about this ledger?

Did you not bring it from your family home?

I didn't even know that existed.

I've never seen it at my family home or Daejojeon Hall.

I see.

Not even deposition, but murder by poison?

Then did Dahm-hyang save me?

Most likely.

That beverage was…

But I drank quite a bit of it.

I will ask that girl named Dahm-hyang in person.

I'll go ask her.

Will Dahm-hyang be okay? She has to be.

Those who wanted you dead would not let her be safe.

You have to save her.

I will do my best.

I did not do anything wrong!

I did not steal this money!

I have been saving up this money to get my sister out of slavery!

Please have mercy.

If I die, my sister would be…

Tell me everything

about this dress ornament.

-Dahm-hyang. -Your Majesty!

Are you okay, Your Majesty?

I should be asking you that question.

Thank goodness, Your Majesty,

that the ice didn't melt enough.

The ice?

Take the criminal away!

-Yes. -Yes.

Take her away? Where?

Your Majesty, you should not be here.

You also know that she's not guilty.

What are you saying?

If she is guilty, she's only guilty of disgrace for saving me.

I do not know where you heard that from,

but you should leave.

What if I say no?

We will deal with that court lady by taking the proper measures.

If you stay here, you will be in trouble too.

Take Her Majesty to Daejojeon Hall.

-Yes. -Yes.

Let go!

I will escort her!

Please leave, Your Majesty.

Causing a ruckus like this

would not help that court lady at all.

Your Majesty.

Dahm-hyang, I promise I will get you out of there soon.

Don't be scared and wait, okay?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty,

it is time to go.

I swear I'll save you.

How dare a court lady throw a rock at Her Majesty the Queen?

This is impudence!

This is not impudence. This is treason.

And her father

did not clear his military service, and also committed treason!

It must run in the family.

You are all overreacting.

We do not know why she did that yet.

The Donghak Bandits believing in Donghak grew in power

and now they are threatening the government.

We must set things right and set an example.

Are you connecting the Donghak Bandits with this?

Daring to throw a rock at Her Majesty the Queen

is an influence of impudent ideas.

How can a five-year-old child court lady have impudent ideas?

I regret to inform you

that there is a rumor about you

being influenced by Donghak during your time in Ganghwa.

So is this your new weapon?

If you keep defending that court lady and do not punish her,

we will be unable to help but think that you are also agreeing

to such impudent ideas.

All it takes to end this

is to punish the court lady.

This should be good enough.

Her Royal Highness the Grand Queen Dowager ordered to deal with it strictly.

Is she lashing out for losing her authority over the government?

How could that lowly court lady ruin this great chance of creating

a vacancy in the Queen's position?

Gosh, why isn't he coming?

Is he doing a good job?

It's usually not a good sign if the assembly is taking long.

-Your Majesty. -Yes?

INJEONGJEON HALL

-Your Majesty! This way! -Okay!

Remember this moment, all of you.

A court lady must not see or hear,

or have impudent ideas in the palace.

If you try to learn Donghak, Innaecheon,

or any other impudent things, you will end up like that.

A child court lady cannot possibly…

Be quiet.

I thought it would be someone greater,

but it is just a child court lady.

Is it too late?

Now you must understand how I feel.

She only tried to save Her Majesty…

That's why they killed her.

Because she got in their way of trying to kill me.

What did she even do?

You told me!

That this little girl was framed for the crimes of people like them!

Why didn't you save her?

It was all for the greater good.

The greater good?

Is your safety the greater good?

Was it not you who said that the world is unfair?

I just stopped a bigger sacrifice with a smaller sacrifice.

Darn it! A smaller sacrifice?

Because she's just a little girl, the weakest one out there?

Incompetency is a sin.

Not having enough power to even save a child like her…

is a sin.

How about a hand gesture that only we know?

Like this.

"What I'm saying now is a lie."

That's what it means.

THE CHILD ACTORS IN THIS EPISODE WERE PROPERLY ENSURED OF THEIR SAFETY

AND FILMED WITH THEIR GUARDIAN'S CONSENT

As of today, I'm the crazy witch of this palace!

I'll make you realize that you messed with the wrong person.

Did you try to eliminate Her Majesty the Queen?

Dahm-hyang…

All in.

What is scary about Kim Byung-in is that

he has power over the Jo Family too.

Let's form an alliance.

From now on, you and I are no longer doing "no touch."

Stop going crazy, my heart.

It's like research or a test.

Want some instant noodles before you go?