Original subtitles

A long, long time ago,

there existed the Eastern Empire,

a kingdom where magic was created from the arcane,

a place where the sun's light reached first.

SOVIESHU'S EAST PALACE

Every corner of the Imperial Palace was filled with peace and happiness.

EAST PALACE GARDEN EAST PALACE

Before long, the cold armor of the battlefield

had become a gentle warmth.

My Emperor, Sovieshu.

NAVIER'S WEST PALACE

My Empress, Navier.

The two had become husband and wife at a young age,

promising to be each other's light.

For Navier's sake, Sovieshu had never taken a mistress.

But recently, rumors began to spread that unease was sprouting between them.

This was because there still remained no child between the pair.

The people, too, began to whisper.

Yet Navier and Sovieshu remained as steadfast as ever,

their strength could not be shaken by such words.

Where are you going?

To check the speech for New Year's Day.

Emperor.

How about this for the ceremony?

This would sound good.

My Empress Navier

is pregnant with her first child.

At long last, a baby will be born in the palace

to the royal line.

People, rejoice.

A blessing.

"The cold armor clung to our skin so tightly that

"we could not even prize it off,

"and only the hot blood of our enemies

"could melt away the biting cold.

"Our swords and our shields have not rusted at all."

"A blade…

"A blade that shines."

Hmm.

You're having a little one.

A pardon for my uncle is being discussed.

The consensus is leaning against incarcerating a royal

for so long.

He's the man who tried to seize power right after the death of the late Emperor.

Believe me,

if he's freed, it puts us in jeopardy.

Mmm.

If only we had a child, Empress…

no one would dare challenge for my throne.

Let's go hunting.

Come with me tomorrow.

The hunt begins.

Set up the barrier!

How long has it been

since we did something like this?

I couldn't say.

It must be a while.

But I do enjoy just talking with you.

I'll never forget that first day we went out hunting.

In those days, I was a more accomplished archer than you were.

I'm grateful now.

For what?

You always made sure to catch less than I did.

Held back.

You noticed that?

You shan't get a break today.

Hyah!

Hyah!

Hyah!

Hyah!

Wait.

Ugh!

Whoa.

Oi!

Oi!

- What's the matter, Your Majesty? - Quiet.

Oh.

The bell, now.

What's that sound?

It means danger, Your Majesty. We should flee at once.

-Find the Empress first. -Of course. Ha!

Hyah!

Hyah! Hyah!

Whoa.

Hyah!

-Your Majesty. -Protect the hunting grounds, be careful.

I'll lure it away from here.

Hup!

Where are you going now, huh?

We've got you this time.

- Whoa. - Stay still, damn it.

Stay still. Come on.

Hold still.

Huh?

That bastard, who is he?

Did he follow this wench here?

- Sir, don't go! - Stay still!

- Help me, please! - This doesn't concern you.

- Please help me! - Hey, hey, hey.

Where are you running off to? Ah, shit.

Who are you?

- Your horse looks nice. - Sir, please…

Huh?

I want it.

Get off!

Hyah!

You little…

Whoa.

Her Majesty is safe, my lord.

The assassin.

I want him caught alive.

-Tell the Empress. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Ha!

Who are you?

I am…

Rashta is my name,

noble sir.

"Noble"?

He must have returned.

Your Majesty, I heard three murderers ambushed you.

-You're not hurt, are you? -No, not at all.

I was worried about you.

Is it them on the cart?

And you? I heard you encountered a beast.

I trust you're not hurt?

No, I'm well.

The knights are searching for any others, so head indoors now.

As for the assassins, order silence. Keep all of this quiet.

I will, Your Majesty.

I heard you were hurt, my lady.

The royal physician is here, Your Majesty.

Oh my goodness!

Oh.

Oh dear!

Fortunately, the muscle was not torn, Your Majesty.

It could have been much worse.

Has His Highness not returned?

I'll be told straight away as soon as he gets back to the palace.

Your Majesty, he'll be fine.

Searching for an assassin must take a while.

Assassin?

His Highness has ordered

that no one speak of what happened this afternoon.

Take care not to forget.

Yes, Your Majesty.

-Countess, make sure this is done. -I will, my lady.

Has everybody gathered?

Yes, but it includes Lady Albani.

Albani is here?

Apparently, she intends to petition in earnest

and plead for her husband's release.

Treat her with care.

She is a member of this house.

Understood.

Oh, yes!

Her Majesty the Empress.

Your Majesty.

I trust you're all well?

We heard that you went out on a hunt.

It was marvelous to go riding. I've missed it.

Oh my! Did you get hurt?

I brushed against a tree.

Really, Your Majesty, you're astonishing.

Hunting, of all things!

I heard from Lord Kosair that your son played a great role

in defeating the Springwater Bandits.

Do you mean that Lord Kosair knows of my son?

Of course.

My brother awarded your late son with a medal.

-Oh! -Oh my.

-Oh, good heavens! -Oh my goodness!

Albani, my dear, it's been a while.

It's a real pleasure to be here.

I'm delighted, Your Majesty.

You're always welcome in this court.

Thank you.

I so enjoy visiting you.

Please do let me share in your worries, my lady.

Wouldn't it be better to have no worries at all?

Nevertheless, your devotion is much appreciated.

Hmm.

This may be a rather vulgar topic, but…

I hear Count Yuji was caught having another affair.

Who's the woman this time?

I heard it's some young commoner.

Still, how fortunate that this one's not a slave.

You know, he really never gives it a rest, does he?

Get down.

Your Majesty.

His Majesty the Emperor has arrived safely at the palace, my lady.

Follow me.

Don't hurt me!

I don't wanna die!

You dared to point your weapon at the Royal Emperor.

I didn't know it was him…

You better start talking.

I'll do whatever you order.

Please! Just spare my life!

Who is behind this?

Who ordered you to do it?

Speak if you want to live!

Please, spare me.

Please spare me. Please spare me.

Please, I beg you, spare me.

Please spare me.

Where are you taking me?

WHEN SUCH A CALM DAY WAS GRANTED TO ME,

THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MIND WAS… A CHILD.

If only we had a child, Empress…

no one would dare challenge for my throne.

You should go to bed.

It's getting very late, my lady.

Is there any more news about the assassin?

And has his name been discovered?

Or who ordered it?

I've heard nothing. Shall I go and ask?

No, don't go.

We'll hear more in the morning.

Sleep well then.

How did it go?

The ghastly witch.

Already, all of high society has been filled

with people on the Empress' side.

The sly girl. We should've killed her off 15 years ago.

It was that cunning wench's little schemes

that let that Sovieshu boy steal the palace!

And in my veins, the blood still boils when I think of that day!

Good heavens.

Everyone there praises and flatters and fawns all over her.

And she loves it, that bogus empress.

I'll wipe that smile off her face.

Mother, you should be the one receiving praise.

You and Father should rightfully have the palace,

not those good-for-nothings.

We'll do whatever it takes.

Firstly, we must restore our titles

and get our estate returned.

Understand?

That's our plan…

Mmm?

NEW YEAR'S CEREMONY GUEST LIST

INVITATION TO THE EASTERN EMPIRE'S NEW YEAR'S CEREMONY

My goodness.

-Your Majesty. -What is it, Laura?

Well…

So, His Majesty,

after the hunt, he brought a woman here.

A woman?

Uh-huh.

It sounds like the assassin, does it not?

Oh, no. Not the assassin.

His Majesty rescued a woman after finding her caught in a beast trap.

So, what about this woman?

This is what I've heard.

That His Majesty made a real fuss of her.

He ordered a luxurious bath for her with maids in attendance.

They say that once they took off her muddy clothes and washed her,

she was completely transformed and…

…supremely beautiful.

Now everyone's talking about it, from the attendants to the maids.

Lady Laura.

Uh…

Please continue speaking.

After they cleaned her up, dressed her in fresh clothes,

and brought her before His Majesty…

Well, His Majesty…

Tell me your name again.

Rashta, Your Majesty.

I deserve…

death for failing to recognize Your Majesty,

and yet I have only received

such kindness that I can never repay.

I don't know what to do with myself.

Call the physician and get her treated.

Our physician?

He called the imperial physician for a lowly wench who no one even knows?

Yes!

The Emperor's acting like this girl has him utterly enchanted.

Lady Laura!

Keep quiet and don't be… insolent.

Oh, no, my lady.

It's dangerous. We need to stamp this out.

Has His Majesty ever shown interest in any woman

other than Her Majesty the Empress?

He's always said he'd never take a mistress.

I'd like you to leave.

No, I just--

Yes… My lady.

I must ask, why did he take her?

Huh?

After she was washed, did she go to his chambers?

Did they do it?

I don't believe for a moment

that His Majesty would ever behave improperly,

but the ladies-in-waiting do have a point, Your Majesty.

Perhaps you should speak with him and ask him what he intends to do.

And mention these assassins as well

to find out what really happened.

I will do.

I need to check the fees for New Year's Day,

so please send the Minister in.

Yes.

Go to the Eastern Palace right now.

Find out what's going on.

Something's changed since His Highness returned

from the royal hunting grounds.

Ask for any news of this girl.

Find out every small detail.

Forgive me, I beg you.

Please spare me. Have mercy on me.

This is good.

He's a manhunter?

Yes, that is what they call

those who hunt down runaway slaves or criminals.

They strayed into the hunting grounds while chasing the woman near there.

Can you be certain of that?

We're still questioning him now, although his story sounds credible.

There's a slave trader who lives in an estate just near our border.

According to the assailant,

there is quite a large bounty on the woman's head.

How shall we deal with him, when we're done?

I'll see to it once the interrogation's over.

-We'll decide what to do then. -Yes.

But… Sire… Sire.

You will be careful during your dinner with the Empress, Your Majesty?

-I'll be there. -Ah, but…

Where's Her Majesty?

She wanted to take a short walk. She'll come back.

Did she go on her own?

Well, I'm certain she has a lot on her mind.

She must be thinking about this dinner with His Majesty.

Should we let her go?

I think I know you.

You are just like that bird

who saved me at the hunt.

May I please touch you?

You're a pretty little thing.

My goodness, you're a messenger.

I wonder if you're delivering a letter.

Wouldn't you say our meeting was fate?

"Was fate"?

Hmm.

Your Majesty.

How's your leg?

It's really doing very well now. Thanks to you, Your Majesty.

How did you end up like this?

Did your master punish you for wickedness?

I'm not concerned with that.

I wish to know all that there is.

Such as who you are and where you are from.

WOULDN'T YOU SAY OUR MEETING WAS FATE?

A fate that had lost its way found me,

and now I send it back.

May you reach

the fate you seek.

Trust me, Rashta.

Emperor…

you should know I didn't do anything bad.

I ran away out of fear of being killed.

I was absolutely petrified.

I was getting beaten badly.

And that's my background.

Hmm, yeah.

It's all right.

I understand very well.

Once this injured leg is better,

I'll be alone and thrown out of the palace.

No such thing was said.

It's natural.

This palace is not the kind of place for a lost girl like me.

But I beg you, Your Majesty.

Please do not send me back to the place where my master is.

If I go, he won't stop beating me until I'm dead.

Stop your crying.

I will ensure

you never endure such pain again.

THE REMARRIED EMPRESS