1
00:02:44,456 --> 00:02:46,708
<i>A long, long time ago,</i>

2
00:02:46,792 --> 00:02:49,419
{\an8}<i>there existed the Eastern Empire,</i>

3
00:02:49,503 --> 00:02:53,173
{\an8}<i>a kingdom where magic</i>
<i>was created from the arcane,</i>

4
00:02:53,256 --> 00:02:56,176
{\an8}<i>a place where</i>
<i>the sun's light reached first.</i>

5
00:02:56,259 --> 00:02:57,594
SOVIESHU'S EAST PALACE

6
00:02:57,678 --> 00:03:02,432
<i>Every corner of the Imperial Palace</i>
<i>was filled with peace and happiness.</i>

7
00:03:02,516 --> 00:03:03,642
EAST PALACE GARDEN
EAST PALACE

8
00:03:03,725 --> 00:03:07,145
<i>Before long,</i>
<i>the cold armor of the battlefield</i>

9
00:03:07,229 --> 00:03:09,439
<i>had become a gentle warmth.</i>

10
00:03:09,523 --> 00:03:11,900
<i>My Emperor, Sovieshu.</i>

11
00:03:11,983 --> 00:03:12,984
NAVIER'S WEST PALACE

12
00:03:13,068 --> 00:03:15,070
<i>My Empress, Navier.</i>

13
00:03:15,779 --> 00:03:18,949
<i>The two had become husband and wife</i>
<i>at a young age,</i>

14
00:03:19,032 --> 00:03:21,576
<i>promising to be each other's light.</i>

15
00:03:22,577 --> 00:03:27,457
<i>For Navier's sake,</i>
<i>Sovieshu had never taken a mistress.</i>

16
00:03:28,750 --> 00:03:34,339
<i>But recently, rumors began to spread</i>
<i>that unease was sprouting between them.</i>

17
00:03:35,674 --> 00:03:40,178
<i>This was because there still remained</i>
<i>no child between the pair.</i>

18
00:03:41,054 --> 00:03:43,974
<i>The people, too, began to whisper.</i>

19
00:03:44,057 --> 00:03:48,687
<i>Yet Navier and Sovieshu remained</i>
<i>as steadfast as ever,</i>

20
00:03:48,770 --> 00:03:52,524
<i>their strength could not be shaken</i>
<i>by such words.</i>

21
00:04:55,629 --> 00:04:56,963
Where are you going?

22
00:04:57,047 --> 00:04:59,424
To check the speech for New Year's Day.

23
00:05:01,843 --> 00:05:03,678
Emperor.

24
00:05:09,726 --> 00:05:12,145
How about this for the ceremony?

25
00:05:13,063 --> 00:05:14,689
This would sound good.

26
00:05:20,987 --> 00:05:23,406
My Empress Navier

27
00:05:25,075 --> 00:05:27,285
is pregnant with her first child.

28
00:05:29,996 --> 00:05:33,166
At long last,
a baby will be born in the palace

29
00:05:34,251 --> 00:05:35,836
to the royal line.

30
00:05:38,755 --> 00:05:40,298
People, rejoice.

31
00:05:41,675 --> 00:05:42,801
A blessing.

32
00:06:01,736 --> 00:06:05,490
"The cold armor clung
to our skin so tightly that

33
00:06:05,574 --> 00:06:07,951
"we could not even prize it off,

34
00:06:08,493 --> 00:06:10,662
"and only the hot blood of our enemies

35
00:06:10,745 --> 00:06:13,456
"could melt away the biting cold.

36
00:06:14,332 --> 00:06:18,211
"Our swords and our shields
have not rusted at all."

37
00:06:27,178 --> 00:06:28,179
"A blade…

38
00:06:29,014 --> 00:06:30,515
"A blade that shines."

39
00:06:58,585 --> 00:06:59,753
Hmm.

40
00:06:59,836 --> 00:07:01,212
You're having a little one.

41
00:07:34,371 --> 00:07:36,665
A pardon for my uncle is being discussed.

42
00:07:45,840 --> 00:07:49,219
The consensus is leaning
against incarcerating a royal

43
00:07:49,302 --> 00:07:50,345
for so long.

44
00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:56,267
He's the man who tried to seize power
right after the death of the late Emperor.

45
00:07:57,519 --> 00:07:58,520
Believe me,

46
00:07:59,604 --> 00:08:01,523
if he's freed, it puts us in jeopardy.

47
00:08:02,607 --> 00:08:03,608
Mmm.

48
00:08:11,866 --> 00:08:13,702
If only we had a child, Empress…

49
00:08:17,455 --> 00:08:20,041
no one would dare challenge for my throne.

50
00:08:45,942 --> 00:08:47,110
Let's go hunting.

51
00:08:49,821 --> 00:08:51,239
Come with me tomorrow.

52
00:09:05,628 --> 00:09:07,338
The hunt begins.

53
00:09:07,422 --> 00:09:09,466
Set up the barrier!

54
00:09:33,782 --> 00:09:34,949
How long has it been

55
00:09:35,825 --> 00:09:37,744
since we did something like this?

56
00:09:38,369 --> 00:09:39,496
I couldn't say.

57
00:09:40,663 --> 00:09:41,831
It must be a while.

58
00:09:43,083 --> 00:09:45,168
But I do enjoy just talking with you.

59
00:09:45,251 --> 00:09:48,671
I'll never forget that first day
we went out hunting.

60
00:09:49,255 --> 00:09:52,258
In those days, I was
a more accomplished archer than you were.

61
00:09:53,718 --> 00:09:54,803
I'm grateful now.

62
00:09:57,514 --> 00:09:58,515
For what?

63
00:09:58,598 --> 00:10:01,309
You always made sure
to catch less than I did.

64
00:10:01,392 --> 00:10:02,519
Held back.

65
00:10:03,228 --> 00:10:04,354
You noticed that?

66
00:10:06,606 --> 00:10:08,066
You shan't get a break today.

67
00:10:24,874 --> 00:10:25,917
Hyah!

68
00:10:45,979 --> 00:10:47,105
Hyah!

69
00:10:48,148 --> 00:10:49,149
Hyah!

70
00:10:52,819 --> 00:10:53,862
Hyah!

71
00:11:03,454 --> 00:11:04,539
Wait.

72
00:11:26,269 --> 00:11:27,270
Ugh!

73
00:11:31,149 --> 00:11:32,358
Whoa.

74
00:11:50,335 --> 00:11:51,711
Oi!

75
00:11:52,754 --> 00:11:54,464
Oi!

76
00:12:52,438 --> 00:12:54,524
- What's the matter, Your Majesty?
- Quiet.

77
00:12:54,607 --> 00:12:55,900
Oh.

78
00:13:14,877 --> 00:13:16,212
The bell, now.

79
00:13:43,448 --> 00:13:44,449
What's that sound?

80
00:13:44,532 --> 00:13:46,701
It means danger, Your Majesty.
We should flee at once.

81
00:13:46,784 --> 00:13:48,995
-Find the Empress first.
-Of course. Ha!

82
00:13:49,078 --> 00:13:50,079
Hyah!

83
00:13:50,913 --> 00:13:52,498
Hyah! Hyah!

84
00:14:18,900 --> 00:14:19,942
Whoa.

85
00:14:23,321 --> 00:14:24,405
Hyah!

86
00:14:25,907 --> 00:14:27,825
-Your Majesty.
-Protect the hunting grounds, be careful.

87
00:14:27,909 --> 00:14:29,410
I'll lure it away from here.

88
00:14:31,412 --> 00:14:32,955
Hup!

89
00:17:11,447 --> 00:17:12,782
Where are you going now, huh?

90
00:17:14,408 --> 00:17:15,993
We've got you this time.

91
00:17:19,580 --> 00:17:21,290
- Whoa.
- Stay still, damn it.

92
00:17:21,374 --> 00:17:23,584
Stay still. Come on.

93
00:17:23,668 --> 00:17:25,795
Hold still.

94
00:17:25,878 --> 00:17:26,879
Huh?

95
00:17:26,963 --> 00:17:28,089
That bastard, who is he?

96
00:17:28,798 --> 00:17:30,716
Did he follow this wench here?

97
00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:33,052
- Sir, don't go!
- Stay still!

98
00:17:33,135 --> 00:17:35,680
- Help me, please!
- This doesn't concern you.

99
00:17:35,763 --> 00:17:37,723
- Please help me!
- Hey, hey, hey.

100
00:17:37,807 --> 00:17:39,976
Where are you running off to? Ah, shit.

101
00:17:40,059 --> 00:17:41,519
Who are you?

102
00:17:41,602 --> 00:17:43,396
- Your horse looks nice.
- Sir, please…

103
00:17:43,479 --> 00:17:44,689
Huh?

104
00:17:44,772 --> 00:17:46,607
I want it.

105
00:17:46,691 --> 00:17:47,817
Get off!

106
00:17:55,241 --> 00:17:57,535
Hyah!

107
00:18:13,217 --> 00:18:14,510
You little…

108
00:18:30,610 --> 00:18:31,736
Whoa.

109
00:18:31,819 --> 00:18:33,279
Her Majesty is safe, my lord.

110
00:18:40,703 --> 00:18:41,704
The assassin.

111
00:18:41,787 --> 00:18:43,164
I want him caught alive.

112
00:18:43,247 --> 00:18:44,582
-Tell the Empress.
-Yes, Your Majesty.

113
00:18:44,665 --> 00:18:45,666
Ha!

114
00:19:57,238 --> 00:19:58,781
Who are you?

115
00:19:59,865 --> 00:20:00,866
I am…

116
00:20:02,910 --> 00:20:04,578
Rashta is my name,

117
00:20:05,579 --> 00:20:06,747
noble sir.

118
00:20:08,249 --> 00:20:09,375
"Noble"?

119
00:20:35,693 --> 00:20:37,236
He must have returned.

120
00:20:41,449 --> 00:20:44,160
Your Majesty,
I heard three murderers ambushed you.

121
00:20:44,243 --> 00:20:46,370
-You're not hurt, are you?
-No, not at all.

122
00:20:46,454 --> 00:20:48,080
I was worried about you.

123
00:20:51,000 --> 00:20:52,209
Is it them on the cart?

124
00:20:54,628 --> 00:20:56,839
And you? I heard you encountered a beast.

125
00:20:57,423 --> 00:20:58,716
I trust you're not hurt?

126
00:20:59,383 --> 00:21:00,509
No, I'm well.

127
00:21:01,093 --> 00:21:03,554
The knights are searching for any others,
so head indoors now.

128
00:21:04,263 --> 00:21:06,682
As for the assassins, order silence.
Keep all of this quiet.

129
00:21:06,766 --> 00:21:08,434
I will, Your Majesty.

130
00:21:45,638 --> 00:21:47,890
I heard you were hurt, my lady.

131
00:21:59,026 --> 00:22:01,153
The royal physician is here, Your Majesty.

132
00:22:08,410 --> 00:22:09,703
Oh my goodness!

133
00:22:12,832 --> 00:22:14,041
Oh.

134
00:22:14,124 --> 00:22:15,751
Oh dear!

135
00:22:18,712 --> 00:22:22,466
Fortunately,
the muscle was not torn, Your Majesty.

136
00:22:22,550 --> 00:22:24,218
It could have been much worse.

137
00:22:33,018 --> 00:22:34,770
Has His Highness not returned?

138
00:22:34,854 --> 00:22:38,315
I'll be told straight away
as soon as he gets back to the palace.

139
00:22:38,399 --> 00:22:39,400
Your Majesty, he'll be fine.

140
00:22:39,483 --> 00:22:41,527
Searching for an assassin
must take a while.

141
00:22:43,153 --> 00:22:44,154
Assassin?

142
00:22:55,875 --> 00:22:57,501
His Highness has ordered

143
00:22:57,585 --> 00:23:00,379
that no one speak of what happened
this afternoon.

144
00:23:00,462 --> 00:23:02,047
Take care not to forget.

145
00:23:02,131 --> 00:23:03,465
Yes, Your Majesty.

146
00:23:04,008 --> 00:23:06,677
-Countess, make sure this is done.
-I will, my lady.

147
00:23:07,553 --> 00:23:08,846
Has everybody gathered?

148
00:23:08,929 --> 00:23:11,265
Yes, but it includes Lady Albani.

149
00:23:14,476 --> 00:23:15,686
Albani is here?

150
00:23:17,354 --> 00:23:20,566
Apparently, she intends
to petition in earnest

151
00:23:20,649 --> 00:23:21,984
and plead for her husband's release.

152
00:23:25,154 --> 00:23:26,363
Treat her with care.

153
00:23:26,989 --> 00:23:28,574
She is a member of this house.

154
00:23:28,657 --> 00:23:29,658
Understood.

155
00:23:29,742 --> 00:23:31,076
Oh, yes!

156
00:23:31,160 --> 00:23:33,078
Her Majesty the Empress.

157
00:23:34,121 --> 00:23:35,956
Your Majesty.

158
00:23:37,625 --> 00:23:38,918
I trust you're all well?

159
00:23:39,001 --> 00:23:40,753
We heard that you went out on a hunt.

160
00:23:40,836 --> 00:23:42,755
It was marvelous to go riding.
I've missed it.

161
00:23:42,838 --> 00:23:44,965
Oh my! Did you get hurt?

162
00:23:45,549 --> 00:23:46,717
I brushed against a tree.

163
00:23:46,800 --> 00:23:50,054
Really, Your Majesty,
you're astonishing.

164
00:23:50,137 --> 00:23:51,513
Hunting, of all things!

165
00:23:51,597 --> 00:23:54,391
I heard from Lord Kosair
that your son played a great role

166
00:23:54,475 --> 00:23:55,851
in defeating the Springwater Bandits.

167
00:23:55,935 --> 00:23:58,771
Do you mean
that Lord Kosair knows of my son?

168
00:23:58,854 --> 00:24:00,147
Of course.

169
00:24:00,230 --> 00:24:02,524
My brother awarded
your late son with a medal.

170
00:24:02,608 --> 00:24:03,984
-Oh!
-Oh my.

171
00:24:04,068 --> 00:24:05,611
-Oh, good heavens!
-Oh my goodness!

172
00:24:13,744 --> 00:24:16,163
Albani, my dear, it's been a while.

173
00:24:17,706 --> 00:24:19,667
It's a real pleasure to be here.

174
00:24:19,750 --> 00:24:21,585
I'm delighted, Your Majesty.

175
00:24:27,508 --> 00:24:29,343
You're always welcome in this court.

176
00:24:29,885 --> 00:24:31,220
Thank you.

177
00:24:31,303 --> 00:24:33,138
I so enjoy visiting you.

178
00:24:33,222 --> 00:24:36,016
Please do let me share
in your worries, my lady.

179
00:24:37,184 --> 00:24:38,978
Wouldn't it be better
to have no worries at all?

180
00:24:39,937 --> 00:24:43,399
Nevertheless, your devotion
is much appreciated.

181
00:24:44,108 --> 00:24:46,402
Hmm.

182
00:25:00,833 --> 00:25:03,502
This may be
a rather vulgar topic, but…

183
00:25:04,086 --> 00:25:07,506
I hear Count Yuji was caught
having another affair.

184
00:25:07,589 --> 00:25:09,425
Who's the woman this time?

185
00:25:09,508 --> 00:25:11,760
I heard
it's some young commoner.

186
00:25:11,844 --> 00:25:14,346
Still, how fortunate
that this one's not a slave.

187
00:25:16,849 --> 00:25:18,767
You know, he really never
gives it a rest, does he?

188
00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:32,281
Get down.

189
00:25:35,117 --> 00:25:36,201
Your Majesty.

190
00:25:38,203 --> 00:25:41,623
His Majesty the Emperor has arrived safely
at the palace, my lady.

191
00:26:07,816 --> 00:26:08,817
Follow me.

192
00:26:11,278 --> 00:26:12,905
Don't hurt me!

193
00:26:12,988 --> 00:26:14,907
I don't wanna die!

194
00:26:16,075 --> 00:26:18,243
You dared to point your weapon
at the Royal Emperor.

195
00:26:18,827 --> 00:26:20,412
I didn't know it was him…

196
00:26:22,206 --> 00:26:23,540
You better start talking.

197
00:26:23,624 --> 00:26:25,042
I'll do whatever you order.

198
00:26:25,125 --> 00:26:26,335
Please! Just spare my life!

199
00:26:27,753 --> 00:26:29,463
Who is behind this?

200
00:26:29,546 --> 00:26:31,465
Who ordered you to do it?

201
00:26:31,548 --> 00:26:33,175
Speak if you want to live!

202
00:26:48,232 --> 00:26:49,608
Please, spare me.

203
00:26:49,691 --> 00:26:51,527
Please spare me. Please spare me.

204
00:26:51,610 --> 00:26:54,947
Please, I beg you, spare me.

205
00:26:57,950 --> 00:26:58,951
Please spare me.

206
00:26:59,034 --> 00:27:00,828
Where are you taking me?

207
00:27:59,887 --> 00:28:00,971
WHEN SUCH A CALM DAY WAS GRANTED TO ME,

208
00:28:01,054 --> 00:28:02,639
THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MIND
WAS… A CHILD.

209
00:28:07,769 --> 00:28:09,646
<i>If only we had a child, Empress…</i>

210
00:28:11,273 --> 00:28:13,859
no one would dare challenge for my throne.

211
00:28:27,581 --> 00:28:29,041
You should go to bed.

212
00:28:29,124 --> 00:28:30,751
It's getting very late, my lady.

213
00:28:35,672 --> 00:28:37,466
Is there any more news about the assassin?

214
00:28:37,549 --> 00:28:39,885
And has his name been discovered?

215
00:28:39,968 --> 00:28:41,136
Or who ordered it?

216
00:28:43,347 --> 00:28:45,349
I've heard nothing. Shall I go and ask?

217
00:28:46,808 --> 00:28:47,809
No, don't go.

218
00:28:48,477 --> 00:28:49,645
We'll hear more in the morning.

219
00:28:52,022 --> 00:28:53,023
Sleep well then.

220
00:29:15,545 --> 00:29:16,546
How did it go?

221
00:29:16,630 --> 00:29:17,756
The ghastly witch.

222
00:29:17,839 --> 00:29:19,925
Already, all of high society
has been filled

223
00:29:20,008 --> 00:29:21,510
with people on the Empress' side.

224
00:29:21,593 --> 00:29:24,388
The sly girl.
We should've killed her off 15 years ago.

225
00:29:24,471 --> 00:29:26,181
It was that cunning wench's little schemes

226
00:29:26,264 --> 00:29:28,642
that let that Sovieshu boy
steal the palace!

227
00:29:28,725 --> 00:29:31,687
And in my veins, the blood
still boils when I think of that day!

228
00:29:31,770 --> 00:29:33,522
Good heavens.

229
00:29:33,605 --> 00:29:36,692
Everyone there praises and flatters
and fawns all over her.

230
00:29:36,775 --> 00:29:38,902
And she loves it, that bogus empress.

231
00:29:38,986 --> 00:29:40,737
I'll wipe that smile off her face.

232
00:29:43,865 --> 00:29:46,159
Mother, you should be the one
receiving praise.

233
00:29:46,243 --> 00:29:48,245
You and Father should rightfully
have the palace,

234
00:29:48,328 --> 00:29:49,746
not those good-for-nothings.

235
00:29:59,172 --> 00:30:00,882
We'll do whatever it takes.

236
00:30:01,800 --> 00:30:05,095
Firstly, we must restore our titles

237
00:30:05,178 --> 00:30:06,388
and get our estate returned.

238
00:30:07,973 --> 00:30:09,224
Understand?

239
00:30:13,311 --> 00:30:14,646
That's our plan…

240
00:30:14,730 --> 00:30:15,814
Mmm?

241
00:30:52,100 --> 00:30:53,226
NEW YEAR'S CEREMONY GUEST LIST

242
00:31:00,609 --> 00:31:05,614
{\an8}INVITATION TO THE EASTERN EMPIRE'S
NEW YEAR'S CEREMONY

243
00:31:07,991 --> 00:31:09,743
My goodness.

244
00:31:21,171 --> 00:31:23,381
-Your Majesty.
-What is it, Laura?

245
00:31:23,465 --> 00:31:24,716
Well…

246
00:31:24,800 --> 00:31:25,926
So, His Majesty,

247
00:31:26,802 --> 00:31:29,054
after the hunt, he brought a woman here.

248
00:31:29,137 --> 00:31:30,305
A woman?

249
00:31:30,388 --> 00:31:31,473
Uh-huh.

250
00:31:32,641 --> 00:31:34,518
It sounds like the assassin, does it not?

251
00:31:35,143 --> 00:31:37,145
Oh, no. Not the assassin.

252
00:31:37,229 --> 00:31:40,732
His Majesty rescued a woman
after finding her caught in a beast trap.

253
00:31:49,032 --> 00:31:51,159
So, what about this woman?

254
00:31:51,243 --> 00:31:52,994
This is what I've heard.

255
00:31:53,078 --> 00:31:55,664
That His Majesty made a real fuss of her.

256
00:31:55,747 --> 00:31:59,376
He ordered a luxurious bath for her
with maids in attendance.

257
00:31:59,459 --> 00:32:02,462
They say that once they took off
her muddy clothes and washed her,

258
00:32:02,546 --> 00:32:04,506
she was completely transformed and…

259
00:32:04,589 --> 00:32:06,550
…supremely beautiful.

260
00:32:06,633 --> 00:32:09,803
Now everyone's talking about it,
from the attendants to the maids.

261
00:32:09,886 --> 00:32:11,054
Lady Laura.

262
00:32:12,347 --> 00:32:13,598
Uh…

263
00:32:15,183 --> 00:32:16,560
Please continue speaking.

264
00:32:18,937 --> 00:32:21,481
<i>After they cleaned her up,</i>
<i>dressed her in fresh clothes,</i>

265
00:32:21,565 --> 00:32:23,275
<i>and brought her before His Majesty…</i>

266
00:32:23,358 --> 00:32:24,943
<i>Well, His Majesty…</i>

267
00:33:37,182 --> 00:33:38,433
Tell me your name again.

268
00:33:43,688 --> 00:33:45,857
Rashta, Your Majesty.

269
00:33:48,360 --> 00:33:49,527
I deserve…

270
00:33:49,611 --> 00:33:52,280
death for failing
to recognize Your Majesty,

271
00:33:52,864 --> 00:33:54,407
and yet I have only received

272
00:33:54,491 --> 00:33:58,161
such kindness that I can never repay.

273
00:33:58,787 --> 00:34:00,622
I don't know what to do with myself.

274
00:34:30,568 --> 00:34:32,529
Call the physician and get her treated.

275
00:34:53,842 --> 00:34:55,260
Our physician?

276
00:34:56,428 --> 00:34:59,472
He called the imperial physician
for a lowly wench who no one even knows?

277
00:34:59,556 --> 00:35:00,557
Yes!

278
00:35:00,640 --> 00:35:03,518
The Emperor's acting like this girl
has him utterly enchanted.

279
00:35:03,602 --> 00:35:04,978
Lady Laura!

280
00:35:05,061 --> 00:35:07,480
Keep quiet and don't be… insolent.

281
00:35:07,564 --> 00:35:08,898
Oh, no, my lady.

282
00:35:08,982 --> 00:35:11,484
It's dangerous. We need to stamp this out.

283
00:35:11,568 --> 00:35:13,945
Has His Majesty
ever shown interest in any woman

284
00:35:14,029 --> 00:35:15,655
other than Her Majesty the Empress?

285
00:35:15,739 --> 00:35:17,032
He's always said
he'd never take a mistress.

286
00:35:17,115 --> 00:35:18,283
I'd like you to leave.

287
00:35:18,366 --> 00:35:19,868
No, I just--

288
00:35:22,203 --> 00:35:24,080
Yes… My lady.

289
00:35:33,298 --> 00:35:35,008
I must ask, why did he take her?

290
00:35:35,925 --> 00:35:37,218
Huh?

291
00:35:37,302 --> 00:35:39,763
After she was washed,
did she go to his chambers?

292
00:35:43,558 --> 00:35:45,477
Did they do it?

293
00:35:46,061 --> 00:35:47,395
I don't believe for a moment

294
00:35:47,479 --> 00:35:49,898
that His Majesty
would ever behave improperly,

295
00:35:49,981 --> 00:35:52,901
but the ladies-in-waiting
do have a point, Your Majesty.

296
00:35:52,984 --> 00:35:56,780
Perhaps you should speak with him
and ask him what he intends to do.

297
00:35:56,863 --> 00:35:58,865
And mention these assassins as well

298
00:35:58,948 --> 00:36:00,909
to find out what really happened.

299
00:36:03,161 --> 00:36:04,162
I will do.

300
00:36:06,623 --> 00:36:08,667
I need to check the fees
for New Year's Day,

301
00:36:09,292 --> 00:36:10,627
so please send the Minister in.

302
00:36:10,710 --> 00:36:11,753
Yes.

303
00:36:39,447 --> 00:36:41,241
Go to the Eastern Palace right now.

304
00:36:41,324 --> 00:36:42,742
Find out what's going on.

305
00:36:42,826 --> 00:36:44,577
Something's changed
since His Highness returned

306
00:36:44,661 --> 00:36:45,870
from the royal hunting grounds.

307
00:36:45,954 --> 00:36:47,997
Ask for any news of this girl.

308
00:36:48,707 --> 00:36:50,291
Find out every small detail.

309
00:37:00,552 --> 00:37:02,470
Forgive me, I beg you.

310
00:37:02,554 --> 00:37:04,806
Please spare me.
Have mercy on me.

311
00:37:11,980 --> 00:37:13,273
This is good.

312
00:37:18,987 --> 00:37:20,280
He's a manhunter?

313
00:37:20,363 --> 00:37:21,823
Yes, that is what they call

314
00:37:21,906 --> 00:37:24,284
those who hunt down
runaway slaves or criminals.

315
00:37:24,367 --> 00:37:27,203
They strayed into the hunting grounds
while chasing the woman near there.

316
00:37:27,287 --> 00:37:28,580
Can you be certain of that?

317
00:37:28,663 --> 00:37:31,166
We're still questioning him now,
although his story sounds credible.

318
00:37:31,249 --> 00:37:34,377
There's a slave trader who lives
in an estate just near our border.

319
00:37:34,461 --> 00:37:35,670
According to the assailant,

320
00:37:35,754 --> 00:37:38,256
there is quite a large bounty
on the woman's head.

321
00:37:39,841 --> 00:37:41,968
How shall we deal with him,
when we're done?

322
00:37:42,051 --> 00:37:44,012
I'll see to it
once the interrogation's over.

323
00:37:44,095 --> 00:37:45,930
-We'll decide what to do then.
-Yes.

324
00:37:46,014 --> 00:37:48,057
But… Sire… Sire.

325
00:37:50,059 --> 00:37:53,897
You will be careful during your dinner
with the Empress, Your Majesty?

326
00:37:56,024 --> 00:37:57,817
-I'll be there.
-Ah, but…

327
00:38:33,353 --> 00:38:34,354
Where's Her Majesty?

328
00:38:34,437 --> 00:38:36,314
She wanted to take a short walk.
She'll come back.

329
00:38:36,397 --> 00:38:37,899
Did she go on her own?

330
00:38:37,982 --> 00:38:39,567
Well, I'm certain
she has a lot on her mind.

331
00:38:39,651 --> 00:38:42,153
She must be thinking
about this dinner with His Majesty.

332
00:38:44,948 --> 00:38:46,324
Should we let her go?

333
00:39:24,988 --> 00:39:26,531
I think I know you.

334
00:39:26,614 --> 00:39:27,991
You are just like that bird

335
00:39:29,158 --> 00:39:30,535
who saved me at the hunt.

336
00:39:34,205 --> 00:39:35,373
May I please touch you?

337
00:40:00,064 --> 00:40:01,566
You're a pretty little thing.

338
00:40:06,905 --> 00:40:08,281
My goodness, you're a messenger.

339
00:40:09,490 --> 00:40:11,492
I wonder if you're delivering a letter.

340
00:40:28,635 --> 00:40:30,720
<i>Wouldn't you say</i>
<i>our meeting was fate?</i>

341
00:40:32,597 --> 00:40:33,806
"Was fate"?

342
00:40:40,063 --> 00:40:41,064
Hmm.

343
00:40:52,408 --> 00:40:53,409
Your Majesty.

344
00:41:03,127 --> 00:41:04,295
How's your leg?

345
00:41:05,755 --> 00:41:08,967
It's really doing very well now.
Thanks to you, Your Majesty.

346
00:41:24,649 --> 00:41:26,192
How did you end up like this?

347
00:41:27,026 --> 00:41:30,279
Did your master punish you for wickedness?

348
00:41:36,869 --> 00:41:38,454
I'm not concerned with that.

349
00:41:42,000 --> 00:41:43,793
I wish to know all that there is.

350
00:41:45,211 --> 00:41:48,381
Such as who you are
and where you are from.

351
00:41:54,303 --> 00:41:56,305
WOULDN'T YOU SAY OUR MEETING WAS FATE?

352
00:42:02,270 --> 00:42:05,481
<i>A fate</i>
<i>that had lost its way found me,</i>

353
00:42:05,565 --> 00:42:07,233
<i>and now I send it back.</i>

354
00:42:10,528 --> 00:42:11,612
<i>May you reach</i>

355
00:42:12,280 --> 00:42:14,407
<i>the fate you seek.</i>

356
00:42:29,172 --> 00:42:30,298
Trust me, Rashta.

357
00:42:33,718 --> 00:42:34,719
Emperor…

358
00:42:35,595 --> 00:42:37,847
you should know I didn't do anything bad.

359
00:42:38,765 --> 00:42:41,225
I ran away out of fear of being killed.

360
00:42:41,893 --> 00:42:43,978
I was absolutely petrified.

361
00:42:44,062 --> 00:42:46,189
I was getting beaten badly.

362
00:42:46,272 --> 00:42:47,690
And that's my background.

363
00:42:49,942 --> 00:42:50,943
Hmm, yeah.

364
00:42:51,694 --> 00:42:52,695
It's all right.

365
00:42:53,362 --> 00:42:54,739
I understand very well.

366
00:42:56,282 --> 00:42:58,409
Once this injured leg is better,

367
00:42:59,077 --> 00:43:01,496
I'll be alone
and thrown out of the palace.

368
00:43:02,872 --> 00:43:04,207
No such thing was said.

369
00:43:04,290 --> 00:43:05,541
It's natural.

370
00:43:06,709 --> 00:43:10,838
This palace is not the kind of place
for a lost girl like me.

371
00:43:14,300 --> 00:43:16,302
But I beg you, Your Majesty.

372
00:43:16,385 --> 00:43:19,305
Please do not send me back
to the place where my master is.

373
00:43:19,388 --> 00:43:22,016
If I go, he won't stop beating me
until I'm dead.

374
00:43:56,717 --> 00:43:58,177
Stop your crying.

375
00:44:43,764 --> 00:44:45,141
I will ensure

376
00:44:47,351 --> 00:44:49,604
you never endure such pain again.

377
00:45:33,564 --> 00:45:39,237
THE REMARRIED EMPRESS