Original subtitles

You may be excused.

I’ll escort you to the Crown Prince's palace.

Can’t you see that he is about to pass out?

I’m okay, Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Where have you been after making a scene...

Wait...

Did you go to rescue Eunuch Hong, Your Highness?

Are you hurt, Your Highness?

-Ask one question at a time. -Your Highness--

Starting tomorrow.

Then we will get going, Your Highness.

I’ll see you later at the Crown Prince's palace.

Your Highness--

JAHYEONDANG

Chief Kim.

You're hurt because of me, right?

This is my job. It’s not your fault.

Don't say it like that.

I know you care a lot about me.

You saved my life.

You even stayed up all night taking care of me when I was sick.

I told you already that it was not me.

Who else could it possibly be?

The only people living in Jahyeondang are...

How did you know

that I got separated from my mother?

I was dreaming of the night I parted with my mother.

Chief Kim.

I don’t know why,

but being here again

makes me feel so comfortable.

You once said

that nobody likes living in the palace.

But once you find someone you can trust with your heart in here,

the place becomes bearable.

I guess I did.

You must be tired. Get some sleep.

Chief Kim,

I’m worried.

I think I’m starting

to really like this place.

What is wrong with...

Eunuch Hong!

Sir.

What brings you here, sir?

I need to check something.

Pardon?

Are you hurt anywhere?

I’m doing fine, sir.

Were you worried about me?

I was. I hope you don't make me worry about you ever again.

You are very special to me, Eunuch Hong.

I am?

You’re the only eunuch that made me run around like a madman.

You and your jokes...

I'm glad to see that you’re all right, Your Highness.

Byeong-yeon told me

that you played a big part in bringing the Qing Dynasty’s investigation censor.

That matter was important for me as well. I just gave them a little nudge.

It must have been important enough to go against your grandfather.

You are saying you only did it for your interest, aren't you?

That is right, Your Highness.

I’ll get going, sir.

Your Highness, I cannot help but wonder

what makes you laugh so hard.

Don’t you find it funny?

Why does His Highness care so much about that particular eunuch?

I have never seen him caring for his subjects.

No wonder people are spreading the rumor

that he likes men.

What did you say?

That’s pathetic.

Did you say his name is Sam-nom?

Yes, Your Highness.

That little...

My apologies, Your Highness.

Do you expect me to drink this

after being disgusted by your gagging?

Please forgive me, Your Highness!

I’ve been sick lately, so--

No need for excuses. Take her out of my sight!

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness...

Forgive me, Your Highness. I beg you, please...

Your Highness!

Are you sure this is safe?

Wild ginger can make you all swell up.

That’s exactly how it works.

If you use a small amount, it makes your wrinkles disappear.

It gives you a round forehead, and nicely fills up under your eyes, too!

It’s a method that can be used

to utilize poison to one’s advantage.

And this man here is Do-gi, the master of poisons!

Have you all heard?

The furnace is being heated up a lot these days.

The weather is warm.

Why is it being heated up?

Exactly. Nobody is expected to go to the furnace room these days.

That’s why it’s a perfect place for a secret meetup

for a lonely eunuch

and a court lady.

In secret, they...

What do they do?

We wasted too much time. It’s getting late!

-Are you not leaving? -We should go!

-You're leaving? -Bye!

Finish your story!

Maybe they...

Maybe...

Do they eat meat by themselves?

Her Highness was already annoyed by the rumors floating around.

On top of that, the court lady gagged

in front of Her Highness.

But His Majesty

hasn't visited the court ladies’ residence for years.

If it was not His Majesty...

It must have been one of the royal kindred or the guards.

You never know.

I've seen some eunuchs who managed to get the thing working again.

The subjects who work under the Queen

must be quite aggravated right now.

Her Highness has ordered everyone to get to the bottom of this.

Even the eunuchs are not clear of suspicion.

We will run the drug test again

on every single eunuch.

That is a wise decision, Chief Eunuch.

We need to stop this crazy rumor about us eunuchs once and for all.

What about the eunuch trainees?

Why have you not touched your meal, Your Highness?

The Crown Prince does not eat anything that has not been tasted.

FOOD TASTING: CONFIRMING IF THE FOOD IS SAFE TO CONSUME

I see. Why isn’t there anyone here?

I will go get somebody.

Perhaps you can do the job.

Come closer and have a seat.

Do you want me to taste it, Your Highness?

The food is safe, Your Highness.

It's salty.

It's too fishy.

My goodness.

He's still fussy about food.

I don't want to eat it. You can have it.

Please think about the effort all the court ladies put in and have some.

If you don't want it, I will ask them to take it out.

-Is anybody-- -I will eat it, Your Highness.

I will eat it.

Here.

How can a small person like you

eat this much of food?

Your Highness,

my grandfather once said

-a scholar should never hesitate to ask-- -All right.

Go ahead and ask.

Well...

You have asked me to stay by your side,

and I'm not sure what you meant by that, Your Highness.

What do you think? It's just how it sounds.

I simply want to keep a eunuch I favor close to me.

What is so strange about that?

I see. That's what you meant...

You are already five steps behind me.

Pardon?

I'm here, Your Highness.

You're back, My Lord.

Is Yun-seong in?

Were you reading?

Yes, Grandfather.

I arranged your marriage with Minister Cho's daughter.

After you get married... After that,

I will make someone from our family the crown princess consort.

What? But I am not ready yet.

Do you think this is about finding a match for you?

Until when will you be so nonchalant?

Grandfather, I--

All you need to do is do as I say.

She's known to be beautiful and clever.

There is nothing for you to worry.

-Go inside. -I don't want to.

Just go inside.

Didn't I tell you we should stop this?

Don't you know that the court lady who got pregnant has disappeared?

That's why I'm telling you I will be more careful.

I'm sick of meeting you in secret like this.

What else could eunuchs and court ladies do?

Everyone secretly dates each other.

Can you tell other people that you like me?

Are you out of your mind?

Doing that could put you in danger.

Exactly.

We'll end up hurting each other.

You...

You coward.

Wol-hui.

Wol-hui.

Wol-hui.

Eunuch Ma.

I didn't mean to look, sir.

You.

You'd better seal your mouth. It's for your sake.

How many did I do?

You did 25.

By the way, Your Highness,

His Highness is almost always surrounded by court ladies, right?

Yes.

He must want to spend time alone sometimes.

Sometimes,

he takes a stroll in the garden by himself.

The garden?

How many did I do?

You girls!

Aren't you the Crown Prince?

Don't tell me you don't remember me.

I remember you.

But what brings you here?

I came to the palace to see Princess Myeongeun.

Did you get lost again?

I was drawn by the beautiful flowers

and ended up here.

It's not a place you can just accidentally end up in.

Did Princess Myeongeun

tell you about the quicker way to get here?

Pardon?

Do you think

I crawled through a doghole to get here?

It's all ruined.

I wanted to give you an impression

that we were fated to run into each other.

"Fated to run into each other"?

My plan has been revealed, so I can't help it.

BOOK OF CHANGES

According to Book of Changes,

while one should rectify their mind and train their body,

they should take a rest when night falls.

According to Book of Documents,

one must understand the difficulty of being complacent

in order to guard oneself against complacency.

So, you are telling me to just rest when I'm resting.

Yes, Your Highness.

If you don't mind, will you put down the book

and take a walk with me, Your Highness?

"There’s no particular reason not to, but I'm afraid I can't."

I feel so humiliated!

And why did he have to smile like that?

He's getting my hopes up.

This...

This is Ma Jong-ja!

Jong-ja! Fetch me some food!

This is Ma Jong-ja out here!

Come out.

I said, come out!

Come out, Wol--

He must be crazy.

What has gotten into him?

Why are you following me?

Are you after Wol-hui? If so, I’m going to kill you.

No, I'm just...

I was worried about you...

You should worry about your own problems,

you fake eunuch--

Are you all right?

You're still breathing, so you're fine.

Man up. This should be nothing.

Chief Kim, I have a question. Can a eunuch and a court lady

ever be together?

It cannot happen without His Majesty’s permission.

I'll pretend that I didn't hear what you just said this time.

You should stay out of this.

Did you hear everything, Your Highness?

-But there could be a way-- -It is against the law.

I am aware of that, of course.

But how can anybody say it's wrong

to have feelings for someone?

You little...

How dare you run away after hitting me in the neck last night?

It wasn't me...

I was trying to stop you from making a terrible mistake.

You can’t just get drunk and barge into the court ladies' residence.

-You even yelled, “Come out”-- -Enough!

What do you really want to do, Eunuch Ma?

Who?

Me?

I can’t do anything.

There's nothing I can do about it.

Maybe I can help you, Eunuch Ma.

Are you trying to get me killed?

What if I have an idea?

You are saying the grain storage at the Famine Relief Bureau was raided,

and Deputy-Minister of Taxation Kim Jang-seok

decided to take responsibility for it and resign?

Yes, Your Majesty. He is supposed to do so as it occurred under his supervision.

I’ve heard that he had a bad reputation for keeping the relief rice to himself,

but such things are not recorded here at all.

Why are you focusing on such minor fault of the deputy-minister

based on some ridiculous rumors from ignorant people?

Do you even know what kind of people raided the bureau, Your Majesty?

Tell me who they were.

Those who were involved in the recent suspicious incidents

were wearing this mask.

They are all

Hong Gyeong-rae’s men.

But he’s already dead!

Right. And that’s why they are so eager

to find his offspring!

Are you saying

that those men wearing the mask are searching for that traitor’s offspring

to make them as their new leader?

I could not tell you before since I was worried about your health,

but it seems like Hong Gyeong-rae's men are up for something.

Capture every one of them!

We can’t let the same thing happen again!

JAHYEONDANG

Chief Kim, are you concerned about something?

You know, sewing helps to clear your mind.

-Why don’t you-- -Be quiet.

Fine. I didn't expect you would help me anyway.

This is not something anyone can do, you know.

I bet you can’t even thread a needle properly.

You’re awesome!

You always prove yourself with your actions.

-Blow the candle out. It's time to sleep. -Wait!

Since you've already threaded the needle...

please do this one, too.

Chief Kim!

-Break it up! -Stop!

-Eunuch Jang... -Stop it at once!

Your Highness.

You are not going to tell me what happened,

are you?

Well, if you don’t feel like telling me...

Should I have the Office of Eunuch Attendants handle this matter?

Or the Royal Investigation Bureau?

Bring the Chief Eunuch and the investigator!

Your Highness!

Some of the eunuchs were talking nonsense, so I...

I'm sure it wasn't total nonsense.

I'm the Crown Prince, and I'm used to criticism.

What did they say?

They were saying...

that Your Highness...

likes men.

How dare they say such a thing about you!

Seriously? That was it?

Forget it.

Do not waste your time on such nonsense.

They say you looked at Eunuch Hong so affectionately as if he's your lover.

I said, forget it.

They said that Your Highness treats Eunuch Hong as if he is your lover.

That's enough! Don't say another word.

You will soon carry out

great responsibilities on behalf of His Majesty.

I could not help it as I was worried it might bring trouble to you.

My apologies, Your Highness.

What is this?

It is nothing.

Tell me the truth!

What are you planning to do?

I will count to three, and you should...

This thing will convey the true heart

without getting anyone hurt.

I warned you not to intervene in Eunuch Ma's matter.

I will not do anything that goes against the law.

It is futile.

Nothing will change even if he tells her how he really feels about her.

No one stretches their arm up, expecting to touch the sky.

Everyone knows that all court ladies belong to His Majesty.

Then?

It's true that it would not change anything.

But how do you stop yourself from falling for someone?

Even though you know nothing will change,

you would want the other to know of your feelings for them.

Getting your feelings out in the open just to make yourself feel better?

That is very selfish.

Is it wrong to confess your love to someone you can never be with?

You must love someone dearly

to be able to let that person go for their own good.

Who knows

if the memory of being loved

can give you the strength to carry on?

Your Highness

would never understand such feelings.

Goodness.

You have to say what you want to say

and you cannot stand losing even to a man.

What shall I do with you?

Why are you bringing that up all of a sudden?

You will be such a pampered daughter-in-law.

I wonder if your in-laws would be able to see you in a good light.

What? A daughter-in-law?

Sir.

I really wanted to come sit under this tree.

Who on earth made you so upset, Eunuch Hong?

I did.

I am the one who makes myself angry the most.

It ails me that I seem to bring trouble to the Crown Prince.

Do you mean that as a eunuch?

Of course.

Maybe it is because you don't belong here.

This robe you're wearing does not suit you either.

Sir.

Didn't you buy this for someone special?

Right.

I was waiting for the day

she can accept this gladly.

Then why did you bring it here?

I really want to...

ask her something today.

Do you not wish to live as a woman?

From Premier Kim?

Do not be surprised.

You are not a young girl anymore.

Premier Kim has a very reliable grandson.

You have not given him the answer yet, have you?

Why? Do you not want to get married?

I am a little baffled as this is something unexpected.

Father.

If I must marry someone,

I would like to marry someone I want.

I am comfortable as I am now.

You can live pretending to be a man, but it is too dangerous here.

You know that, don't you?

I will help you leave the palace and live as a woman.

Could you...

please do that for me?

Since the day I bought this,

I have been wanting to ask you this.

Sir, I am...

I will wait

until you find out what you really want.

THE COURT LADY'S LOVER

The most beautiful flower in Joseon, Do-hwa!

She becomes a court lady only to be the king's woman.

I am Do-hwa.

I really hate an easy man!

But for over 10 years, the king has not visited her.

Instead, Eunuch Wang, who works for the king,

chases after her.

Stop! Do not come near me. Stay still. Do not move!

I did not become a court lady

to date a eunuch.

However, she only has one person to rely on in the lonely palace,

and that is Eunuch Wang.

-She's here. -Is she here?

Where are they going? They're so excited.

The court ladies, who are off duty, are having a gathering.

I heard some eunuch trainees will perform something there.

That is ridiculous. Things are not going well nowadays.

Who are they?

Well, you know.

Is he Hong Sam-nom?

The one who was among the wandering performers.

Hong Sam-nom?

Yes.

At last, the day she will sleep together with the king has come!

However,

Do-hwa can't get Eunuch Wang off her mind.

Hey.

You have been chasing me around, saying that you like me.

Why are you not saying anything?

Why can't you tell the world that I'm your woman?

What am I supposed to do?

A eunuch and a court lady can never be together.

Are you sure you can live without me?

I will see you around.

Both of us are meant to live in this palace forever.

I'm leaving. It will be useless if you regret it after I leave.

All right. Go.

Go and live a good life.

If you stay with me, you will only die.

But...

I want to tell you this before you go.

I wanted to say it out loud in front of all the people.

I love you.

I love you more than anything in this world.

Did you hear that? Now you know how much I love you.

You may be...

one of many court ladies to the king.

But to me, you are my everything.

Now you know.

Is it wrong to confess your love to someone you can never be with?

You must love someone dearly

to be able to let that person go for their own good.

Who knows

if the memory of being loved

can give you the strength to carry on?

What do you think you are doing?

Do you not know what kind of situation we are in?

Who started this?

What brought you here at this hour?

You never responded to my invitation,

my darling Crown Prince.

I took the bait you threw and came all the way here.

Now that things have turned out as you wished,

I am going to take this eunuch with me.

Get him up.

I can't let you do that.

This eunuch trainee

has done something he shouldn't have.

Don't you know

that all court ladies belong to His Majesty?

Please calm down.

It was a love story of a eunuch and a court lady.

All satirical dramas are like that, aren't they?

They even call His Majesty

a promiscuous idiot who gets manipulated by the Queen Consort.

Should we arrest them all and bring them to you?

Crown Prince!

Get up.

Forgive me, Your Highness.

I told you to get up.

His Majesty can't even sleep at night because of the violent mobs.

Aren't you worried about the rumor about you

floating around the palace?

That's enough.

It's a small mistake made by a young eunuch trainee.

If you let your emotions blind you and take this further,

things will get complicated.

Let's go.

Are you all right, Your Highness?

I can easily tell by his eyes

that he doesn't consider him as a eunuch

but a lover.

Your Highness, you have handled it well.

Her intention was to get to Your Highness using him...

Anyway, I'm so glad nothing happened.

I simply want to keep a eunuch I favor close to me.

What is so strange about that?

You will soon carry out

great responsibilities on behalf of His Majesty.

I was worried it might bring trouble to you.

My apologies, Your Highness.

Aren't you worried about the rumor about you floating around the palace?

EUNUCH TRAINING INSTITUTE

What is there for you to be shy about?

Are you teasing me?

You have to pull your pants down for the drug test.

This is so frustrating.

In fact...

Eunuch Seong,

I have something to tell you--

No, you don't.

Hurry up and pull your pants down.

It's...

I am...

I am...

What is it again?

It's nothing.

Someone sent croakers to the palace,

and the Queen would like you to take this to Premier Kim's house.

No, I will take it myself.

Hey.

Why would you go there?

I am the Queen's eunuch.

You seemed occupied.

Gosh.

You should run the test on him.

Do it thoroughly.

I will.

PASS

When did you find out, sir?

When the banquet was held.

I am sorry, sir.

Well, that is that.

Thank you.

Seeing you two that night made me feel better.

Why?

You saved your skin this time,

but even His Majesty cannot ensure his safety in the palace.

Do you understand?

I do.

I should leave if I can.

Straighten your shoulders and look me in the eye.

Your Highness.

This is the proper posture for a eunuch.

I know that.

Has someone scolded you?

Are you told not to walk beside me and make an eye contact?

No, Your Highness.

Then,

I must have upset you.

Your Highness,

you should not be too nice to me.

I can neither be a friend

nor something else to you.

Someone who can neither be a friend

nor something else to me?

A eunuch should stay a step behind you.

I was taught that I should not be closer or farther than that.

You are my person.

Who can decide the distance between you and me?

Please be nice to me

as much as you are to other eunuchs.

I would be thankful enough for that, Your Highness.

It's true that it would not change anything.

But how do you stop yourself from falling for someone?

Even though you know nothing will change,

you would want the other to know of your feelings for them.

Do you not wish to live as a woman?

I should leave if I can.

Were you looking for me, Your Highness?

I lied to you.

I told you to stay by my side,

but I didn't mean it as a eunuch.

Then why...

did I say that to you?

To sort this ridiculous mess out,

every night

I questioned myself,

and I finally found the answer.

Your Highness,

may I ask what you are doing?

I am the Crown Prince.

But I am also a human being.

And I am a man.

I am

in love with you.

That is my answer.

No, well...

Why are you doing this to me?

You like beautiful flowers.

I am a man... I mean, I'm a eunuch.

This is not acceptable, Your Highness.

Don't tell me I shouldn't feel this way about you.

You told me before

that nobody can say it is wrong

to have feelings for someone.

Pardon?

I did.

However,

even when it comes to love,

there is always right and wrong.

No one would see this as...

No one would bless...

-No, you should never do this-- -Yes, I know.

But,

I've already decided to love you

even if it is wrong.