Original subtitles

YEON-SEON

Dam-i.

Is it you, Your Majesty?

Are you Dam-i?

Why did you never tell me?

Why did you not tell me that you are Dam-i?

That is not important

now that we are…

together.

I could not bear to see you get hurt

because of me.

And I did not want you to strain your relationship

with your father even more.

It must have been difficult to look at me

without getting glimpses of the past.

I am well aware

that you also suffered for a long time.

This was a path…

that neither of us chose.

So please do not blame yourself.

I…

looked for you for a long time.

I went to the bridge whenever I visited the Capital.

Despite having a lonely life,

she…

never let it break her and lived her life with a smile.

I wished for that girl…

to be happy…

wherever she was.

It is what I wanted for you too.

Those memories we shared

may have been what helped me endure all these years.

I…

was happy to have met you…

back then.

And now,

you have come back to me.

That alone…

is enough for me.

EPISODE 19

You are like an angel.

Let me see.

It is a bit long on this side,

but that can be fixed by taking it in at the waist.

That will not be necessary.

Pardon?

I do not follow.

You may leave.

-There is something I must tell you. -Allow me…

to speak first.

I have thought about it,

and I wish to break off the engagement.

Agreeing to a loveless marriage…

will only create misery for us both.

I am well aware of the fact that your heart…

belongs to someone else.

And our heart…

is not something we can control.

Especially when it comes…

to loving someone.

I am sorry.

I truly am.

There is no need to apologize.

For I am the one breaking off this engagement.

I will let my father know.

I hoped it would be true love,

but I guess pain was meant to be.

The memories I shared with you will remain as such.

As memories.

In the end, you chose to cause trouble.

Do you not care that it could put His Majesty in danger?

Has it ever been your intention…

to protect and serve His Majesty?

What do you mean by that?

Why did you never tell me that His Majesty is in fact Dam-i?

Did you really intend to kill her?

You killed an innocent court maid

and now you’re going after Dam-i.

What is the path…

you have chosen for your life?

What other crimes have you committed

that I do not know about?

What is it that you wish to hear?

I suffered for a long time because I could not forget

the loving father that you were.

I also wondered meaninglessly

about what it would be like to forget everything…

and go back to how things used to be.

I may not be able to completely forgive you,

but I was at least…

starting to believe…

that I could finally understand you.

There is no need to.

These recent revelations…

only tell me that I must do what needs to be done.

If you must assassinate His Majesty in order to keep the secret buried…

your blade will have to go through me first.

Ji-un.

Why did you not tell me

Lord Changun attacked His Majesty?

His Majesty did not wish to reveal it.

You were following the royal command?

So this is how it will be?

Do tell.

What use could you possibly be to me?

I'll be of help in any way you want, of course.

I have someone on Hyun's tail.

No one will move as quickly as him

when it comes to His Majesty,

so maybe that could be of use to you.

Your Majesty!

Why did you kill Eunuch Cho?

How…

could you even ask me that?

Speak the truth this very moment

and I will at least let you live.

We have evidence that it was you who obtained the sonangcho.

So it would be wise not to play dumb.

Lord Sangheon ordered me

to take Eunuch Cho's life after the late King's death was confirmed.

Since Eunuch Cho served the late King for a long time,

he was at risk of

changing his mind at any time.

Please spare my life, Your Majesty.

Please do not kill me!

Do you know where sonangcho can be found?

Lord Sangheon…

would not have brought in any more after the incident.

It entails too much danger.

As far as I know, Lord Sangheon has the only batch.

You will go to Ganghwa and escort Gyeom back here.

Once my grandfather learns about my inquiries into the poison,

he will go after Gyeom.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will think of an excuse to visit my grandfather's residence

and check the poison myself.

If you go there,

Lord Sangheon will only heighten security measures.

I will go instead.

But it is too dangerous. You cannot do this alone.

Once Eun-seo returns--

You said so yourself

that Lord Sangheon will soon find out.

A covert operation is easier when executed alone.

-But-- -I will not get hurt and leave you alone.

Have faith in me.

Scribe Jung…

If you are that concerned…

would you give me a hug?

Do not worry, Dam-i.

When I was young, a pretty little girl

scolded me for not training in the fighting arts.

If only she knew how hard I trained since then.

I will return unscathed, so do not fret.

Then I will return to the palace

and buy you some time.

What rumor?

Rumor has it that the King was born a twin.

A twin who shared a womb with a girl.

Your Majesty, that is preposterous.

How could you believe such bizarre words?

You should never--

There is no need for you to pretend anymore, Grandmother.

My grandfather let me know the truth yesterday.

That I had a twin sister.

In the year I was born, those working at the Royal Maternity Directorate

were all killed.

To bury the truth about twins being born,

everyone who knew was killed and buried along with it.

Is that true, Grandmother?

How could you have told him?

All I spoke of was the truth.

We could not have kept

a secret of such magnitude from him forever.

You must forget what you just spoke of.

Once people find out that you shared a womb with a girl,

the authority of the royal family will be heavily weakened.

Even worse when they find out what was done to cover it up--

Saji is what they say.

It means that a secret between two

will surely be exposed to others someday.

The rumor has started to spread like wildfire

and it will cause social unrest.

You must stop the rumor from spreading

or it will weaken your position on the throne.

That does not scare me, Grandmother.

However…

what concerns me more

is the hardship you and my grandfather will face

when held responsible for what took place to keep the secret buried.

You both

sacrificed countless lives for my sake

and must be held responsible for such crimes.

But do not worry.

They are nothing more than rumors.

Unless my dead twin sister

comes back from the dead,

the secret…

will remain buried forever.

Of course.

A dead girl coming back from the dead?

If that were to ever happen,

I would gladly shed blood on your behalf once again.

So do not worry, Your Majesty.

Lord Sangheon sends this.

My lord!

Let go…

Let go of her!

Drop your sword.

I must see Lord Sangheon.

-I will explain myself to him. -That will not be necessary.

All he wants is your head.

Tie him up.

Mother, are you all right?

Mother!

-Yeong-ji, Jil-geum! -Ji-un?

Ji-un!

-Get the door. -What is going on?

My goodness.

Was it Lord Sangheon's men?

But why?

He must be aware that I purposely kept His Majesty's secret

from him.

I hear he is in possession of the sonangcho.

If you know where it is,

please tell me.

What do you plan to do with it?

I will expose Lord Sangheon's crimes.

Do you really believe that could be done by finding some poison?

Our family is now in danger too.

So please.

You must tell me where it is.

Court Lady Kim…

Lord Jaeun…

Why are you taking it this far?

Please let us through, Jeong.

Lord Jaeun and His Majesty are close, are they not?

His existence

will only be a hindrance to what I have planned.

One who covets the crown must be coldhearted.

One must have what it takes…

to rise above his family and take their lives if needed.

Are you saying I should kill my own brother?

His Majesty's most trusted eunuch and court lady are being escorted

to safety by Lord Jaeun.

Bring them to me.

Then maybe, I will give your offer some thought.

I am sorry, Hyun.

Resent the fact that we were born brothers.

-Lord Jaeun! -Lord Jaeun!

My lord…

No!

Lord Jaeun…

Consider this my last brotherly act.

Do not…

show your face again.

Move out.

Lord Jaeun!

Lord Jaeun!

You will find it in Lord Sangheon's study.

I hear that it is where valuables are kept.

Search for the blue incense box.

You will find the sonangcho inside.

I see you made it out alive.

Please forgive me, my lord.

I cannot end things this way.

Please give me another chance.

Your error is too grave for me to pardon.

By not being able to properly eliminate the girl,

you have hindered my original plan.

On top of that,

you tried to keep the truth hidden from me.

Then at least…

let my family live.

So you say you are aware of His Majesty's plan.

His Majesty…

will expose the private army you are forming in Yeoyeon

and then pass the throne to Prince Jehyeon.

She hopes to hide her identity as a woman

and abdicate the throne?

Thief!

What is this ruckus?

Is this how you are returning the favor I've bestowed upon you?

Stop!

Father?

If anyone moves,

I will slit his throat!

Get out of here.

-But Father… -Do not complicate things any further.

Leave!

Father!

Scribe Jung?

Scribe Jung.

You owe me, Lord Sangheon.

But this is urgent.

Please let me inside.

This information must reach His Majesty.

Nothing could be of more urgency!

As if someone like you could have urgent news for the King.

If Ji-un does not return to the palace in one hour,

you are to inform His Majesty.

You must…

relay this information.

I am counting on you.

Please let me in. Just this once.

Jil-geum?

What are you doing here?

Chun-saeng!

-Chun-saeng. -What is the matter?

Are you crying?

Hyun!

Hyun?

Hyun!

Hyun…

Please forgive me, Your Majesty.

I was unable to protect them.

Hyun, what on earth…

Bring the royal physician!

Yes, Your Majesty!

Hyun…

What happened?

You and your son…

risked your lives just for this?

You fool.

You said you wanted to protect your family.

Is this what you meant by that?

Since he is the son you so wished to protect,

I will let you watch his last moments.

No!

You should kill me instead!

He has done nothing wrong!

No!

No!

Reveal yourselves!

Any man who stands against my royal guards

will be considered a traitor!

-Your Majesty? -Your Majesty!

What is the meaning of this, Your Majesty?

You took the words right out of my mouth, Grandfather.

How dare you hold my eunuch and commander against their will

at your private residence.

This is clearly treason.

Treason?

You of all people…

dare to say that word?

Yes.

Standing against me, the King,

makes you a traitor.

The King?

And this…

is evidence of that.

What are you waiting for?

Arrest Lord Sangheon and his men on charges of high treason!

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

You are making a big mistake, Your Majesty.

The one who has erred is you, Grandfather.

Am I wrong?

Let's go.

-Your Majesty. -Your Majesty!

I apologize for not coming sooner.

Please do not say that. Are you all right, Your Majesty?

Father, are you all right?

Ji-un!

Scribe Jung!

Goodness, look at you. You look awful.

-Ji-un, are you all right? -What are you doing here?

Your father told me in advance

to escort His Majesty here.

-Commander Jung! -Father!

My goodness.

Father…

Do you really believe you can get away

with treating me this way?

I do.

I have withstood the hardships for this very moment.

You withstood the hardships?

What if I choose to reveal your secret?

What would you do?

You are a traitor

who murdered the late King and framed the innocent.

So who would possibly believe your words?

They would consider it as lunacy

coming from a man who is about to die.

Do you honestly believe that a mere poisonous herb

is enough to reveal the truth?

Yes, I will make sure it is.

A comparison of the poison from sonangcho that you used

and the poison from busohwa that Lord Changcheon allegedly used

will prove that the truth behind my father's death was fabricated.

Royal Physician Seo Seung-gyu who killed Eunuch Cho

will testify to that.

I also have

the ledger that confirms your private army in Yeoyeon

that Officer Yoon died obtaining.

It is more than enough…

to expose your traitorous desires.

My soldiers are on their way to Yeoyeon as we speak.

Every last one of your crimes

will be exposed

tomorrow at the royal court.

I expected no less…

from my grandchild.

I am proud of you, Your Majesty.

He poisoned the late King

and fabricated the evidence

which led to the death of innocent souls.

I hereby sentence traitor Han Gi-jae

to be executed by beheading.

In addition, Prince Jehyeon

who was falsely accused by Han Gi-jae

as well as Royal Preceptor Kang Hwa-gil who was framed and executed for treason

will reclaim their titles

in hopes that this will appease their sorrows.

Let them enter.

You will abdicate the throne?

That is correct. I will be passing the throne

to Prince Jehyeon.

But why?

Where is this even coming from?

That night in the year of Sinsa,

the twin sister

did not die.

GANGNYEONGJEON

She returned to the palace as a court maid

at the age of 12.

After figuring out the truth,

my grandfather secretly ordered her murder,

but the older brother who had swapped places with her…

was killed in her place.

What are you saying?

What on earth are you talking about?

I am…

his twin sister.

Please bear with me until Lord Sangheon's punishment is finalized.

Once I see the end of it,

I will pass the throne to Prince Jehyeon.

If you are to punish me

for deceiving everyone and becoming the King,

I will accept it.

I will leave you and the new King

to come to a decision regarding my punishment.

Your Highness!

-Your Highness. -Your Highness…

Are you all right, Your Highness?

Have you finally come to?

Where is Ji-un?

His Majesty has exposed Lord Sangheon's crimes.

Those who followed his command…

will also be executed.

Bring me fresh clothes.

I will inform His Majesty of my crimes.

As I…

shall also receive my punishment.

Take good care…

of your mother.

The attire suits you, Eun-seo.

You cannot pass the throne.

Please reconsider the proposition you made

to Grandmother.

Get on your feet.

You are the King of this state.

How could you possibly want me to take your place?

My grandfather's crimes have been exposed.

In the eyes of the innocent lives he took,

I am not worthy of this position.

That position…

is rightfully yours.

If you are not worthy of it,

then who could be?

The throne is yours and no one else's.

This is not an order, but a request.

I know you will do right by the crown.

Please see to it that our father's wishes are met.

Your Majesty…

I am here…

to disclose all my wrongdoings.

Are you seeking forgiveness?

I have no intention of forgiving you.

You took the lives of guiltless people

and even killed an innocent girl while your son watched.

You also

killed my older brother

and the rightful heir to this throne.

With your own hand.

That is why…

even execution by beheading

is not enough to pardon your crimes.

I am aware of that.

I heard Lord Wonsan is colluding with my grandfather.

I have sent soldiers to Yeoyeon,

so I am sending you there to supervise.

Nobody knows the land better than you.

Once you complete this task,

I will decide on your punishment.

Yes, Your Majesty.

It is my understanding that you have the girl's body.

I must see her body.

No!

No, Father. Please.

-Why are you trying to kill her? -This has nothing to do with you. Move.

Father!

No!

You asked for me, Your Majesty?

Yes, Bok-dong.

What can I do for you?

I have a request.

Arrange a date for a night with the Queen.

Pardon?

A night with the Queen? What do you plan on doing?

Your father colluded with Lord Sangheon to raise an army in Yeoyeon.

Yes, I am aware of it.

I am also aware of the appeals being made

regarding the removal of my title and my position in court.

Any punishment

will be accepted with honor.

I will do what I can to stop your father

from being executed.

And you…

should leave the palace.

I will say that you succumbed to an illness,

so live a new life away from the palace.

I do not understand, Your Majesty.

Why would you do that for me?

I promised…

that I would tell you everything.

I will tell you now.

I…

am not a man.

Your Majesty, how…

I am truly sorry.

Please forgive me for deceiving you…

all this time.

This is impossible.

This is the reason why I could not tell you anything.

I am a woman.

It is why I could not be your friend…

or your husband.

The guilt weighing me down…

is what kept me from embracing you.

Why…

Why did you choose to tell me the truth?

Why now after all this time?

Why?

You should have kept the secret buried.

What if I use this against you

and blackmail you into excusing my father's crimes?

What if I choose to threaten your life?

Then I will accept it as my fate.

The way I have wronged you

is greater than that.

My Queen…

you are someone I am not worthy of.

By no means does this diminish you,

so any resentment you have…

should be directed at me.

Father…

I hope you are well.

MEMORIAL TABLET OF PRINCE DOHYEON

Are you here to see your father?

Yes.

Did my brother perhaps pay a visit too?

He did three days ago.

Right.

Your brother requested that I deliver this to you.

A LONG FISHING LINE PROPERLY SETS IN THE WATER. ONCE A LONG-AWAITED RIPPLE…

Do you perhaps know where he went?

Forgive me, but that I have no knowledge of.

This is where you were, Your Majesty.

Tomorrow, you will…

pass the throne to Prince Jehyeon.

It is a day I have been longing for,

but I cannot say I am in good spirit.

Maybe I am putting too much weight on Gyeom's shoulders.

I am sure that Prince Jehyeon will do great.

Commander Jung came to see me.

He officially reported his crimes.

I am aware of that.

I apologize…

for I have yet to forgive…

your father.

If I am being honest…

I may never be able to forgive him.

You do not have to.

Especially if it is for my sake.

No matter what you decide to do…

I will not resent you.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, my goodness.

Lord Sangheon has disappeared from his prison cell at the State Tribunal.

What?

Goodness.

How could this have happened?

A long fishing line properly sets in the water.

Once a long-awaited ripple appears,

many follow as they spread out.

This quiet night, the water is cold

and fish are all but biting.

So I come back to shore

with an empty boat filled with my dream.

MOONLIGHT

MY DREAM

It is not the moonlight

but his dream he returns with.

MOONLIGHT, MY DREAM

Subtitle translation by: Hye-lim Park