Original subtitles

(This drama is a work of imagination based on historical figures.)

(It may include fictitious details and psychological description.)

So what I am asking...

is for you to become my royal concubine.

Royal Guard.

- Yes, Your Majesty. - Are you fond...

of a woman's heart?

- Pardon? - Forget it.

Your Majesty.

A woman's heart.

I am an expert at that.

What do you want to know? Please ask away.

Well...

A way to...

be liked by a woman.

Or how to...

Nevermind.

Your Majesty.

I got married not too long ago.

I followed around my wife day and night...

and asked her to marry me,

but she would not give me an answer.

If she did not like the idea of it, she should have just said so.

You are right.

- So? - At first,

I thought looking cool was the top priority.

So in front of my wife, I drew my sword...

My apologies, Your Majesty.

I drew my sword, wielded it,

and also hit the bull's eye with arrows.

But she got scared and ran away from me.

Why would she? So what did you do?

One day, I hurt my hand...

- while training the soldiers. - Yes, you did.

I could not dare show such ugly sight to my wife,

so I started avoiding her.

But suddenly,

and I tell you suddenly, she started showing interest in me.

Once, she came up to me and asked,

"Have you eaten yet?"

I replied, "I have not because of my hand."

And so she started feeding me gukbap.

And another time, she asked, "Did you wash your face?"

"My hand..."

"Because of my hand, I could not," is what I told her.

"Goodness, look how dirty you are,"

is what she said as she washed my face for me.

Gosh.

Do you get it, Your Majesty?

What on earth...

Your Majesty.

In front of a woman, you must pretend to be weak...

and vulnerable.

Stimulate her sympathy...

and she will act kindly to you.

Wait.

- Pretend to be weak? - Yes.

- And vulnerable? - Yes, Your Majesty.

Is that true?

I will put my life on it.

- Pretend to be weak? - Yes.

And...

Royal Guard.

- They are rebels. - Catch them alive.

Understood, Your Majesty.

Attack!

(Episode 13)

We had a mishap in the palace.

The rebels attempted to harm His Majesty.

- A mishap? - Rebels?

Is His Majesty safe?

Fortunately, he was saved from disaster.

There is a search order.

The rebels have not escaped from the palace yet.

Search the area in pairs.

- Yes, my lady. - Yes, my lady.

Let us go together.

Hurry up.

The mishap that occurred today...

has nothing to do with you, right?

Why do you ask such an obvious question?

If you do not trust me, I will be disappointed.

Did you hear that?

What? I did not hear anything.

Something moved over there.

We should go back.

We should take a look.

Stop it.

What if there really is a rebel?

It is only the two of us.

- We are searching for rebels... - Hey.

We are not soldiers.

We should only pretend to find them.

Or are you asking for death?

See that?

There is nothing here. We should go.

Royal Guard.

Yes, sir.

Arrest the criminals.

Yes, sir.

Arrest them.

Yes, sir.

How dare you try to harm the King...

as a court maid of the King's Palace.

- Drag her. - Yes.

Drag her.

Are you going to be okay?

What do you mean?

You lied about your background.

Why does it say you are the daughter of Queen Hong's butler?

Your father was a military officer.

My father passed away in 1762.

Was he the Crown Prince's guard?

Did he serve the late Crown Prince?

The day the Crown Prince was locked away in the rice chest,

all of the late Crown Prince's guards died.

They suffered disgrace for treason...

by leading the criminal to the wrong path.

My mother could not bear it.

She soon followed my father.

Is it okay to tell me?

What if I tell the head court lady?

Then you might lose your life.

I doubt that.

I know you.

- Do you? - Of course.

You are Wol Hye who used to play on the swings...

and fly a kite with me when we were young.

We were worry free back then.

I miss those days.

Do you not want to go back to that time?

Sounds good. I have made up my mind.

On what?

I may not be able to go back to the time when I was innocent,

but I will protect you and that memory.

Wait here.

Duk Im.

Duk Im.

Are you here to be interrogated?

You look fine.

I can tell that you are loved by His Majesty.

Wol Hye.

Can you pull my hair back?

I cannot see well.

It is better.

They treated me so roughly.

You have committed a crime. You deserve it.

Were there rebels...

in the bushes?

Why did you save me?

I just wanted to.

What? Am I not allowed to do something on my own?

Am I not allowed to rescue the girl who lived next door...

when I was young?

You are just an ordinary girl,

but for some reason, I can never hate you.

Some people are like that.

The person everyone likes...

and wants to keep by their side.

Outside the palace,

that would benefit you,

but in the palace...

Well...

Would that benefit you?

The more people want you,

the more harmful it will be for you.

Goodbye.

Where is the taste testing court lady?

I heard she is being questioned by the Royal Secretary.

What matters is that I am safe.

You do not have to be upset because of those rebels.

Your face reminds me of a dog at a funeral.

How can you put it so harshly?

That was mean, Your Majesty.

Good. I would rather see you angry.

It is better than seeing you with a long face.

Shall we make a bet?

Pardon?

The loser has to grant the winner a wish.

By wish,

are you fine with any?

Do you want to do it?

Yes, Your Majesty.

So it seems you have a wish you want me to fulfill.

Actually, my friend was a court maid at the King's Palace,

but she was dismissed when the previous king passed away.

If I win the bet,

I want her back in the palace.

- Is that all right? - Yes.

I see you are already happy.

But there is no guarantee you will win.

What will you wish if you win, Your Majesty?

The question I asked you before.

Give me your answer to it.

Instead, you can make a bet...

on anything you want.

What do you say?

Stone skipping.

It is a small game the people enjoy playing.

I know what it is.

Have you played it before?

A couple of times...

when I was little.

I chose your rock for you.

Maid.

That stone will not do.

When skipping stones,

a flat stone like this is better.

Your Majesty, let me demonstrate.

Look.

Did you see that?

- I have, so step back. - Yes, Your Majesty.

I will consider the first try as practice,

so try skipping one.

Go.

Let us both take three turns to decide the winner.

Yes, Your Majesty.

- Royal Guard, go find my stones. - Yes, Your Majesty.

What are you doing?

Go find your stones.

This is His Majesty's.

This one!

Come on.

I have collected the best stones.

Please start.

You go first.

I won!

I won this time.

Is the court maid you are asking for Kim Bok Yeon?

How did you know?

I have occasionally seen you together with her.

You were always laughing,

and I always felt...

as if what belongs to me was being taken away.

Are your friends...

more important than me?

You won the bet, so I will keep our promise.

Your Majesty.

- Bok Yeon! - Bok Yeon!

Guys!

- Have you been well? - No.

Why are you crying?

- I even came wearing this. - You really did.

- It is the one we bought you. - It is.

- It is pretty. - It suits you.

I put on all of them.

Bok Yeon!

Goodness.

We missed you.

Your Majesty, with your grace,

I was able to reunite with my friend.

I am sincerely grateful, Your Majesty.

You seem very happy.

I am.

Just grind the ink stick.

Your Majesty.

Have you found who is behind the rebels?

I am glad to hear that.

I hope you eradicate and punish the source of evil.

Then I have to kill them all.

Do you think I should kill them?

You cannot forgive evil who try to harm...

Your Majesty.

The royal secretary wishes to see you.

Bring him in.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I said I will decide at the Royal Office tomorrow.

It is not something to postpone.

I am ready to beg you face down all day long...

if you do not grant royal sanction.

You are aware...

that there is no way out.

You must kill Prince Eunjeon.

(Prince Sado's child of a concubine, Jeongjo's stepbrother)

I do not need tea. You may leave.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Duk Im. Is everything okay?

Bok Yeon is back. Are you not happy?

I am happy.

But I am also scared.

I...

made a mistake today.

A mistake?

I was excited to see Bok Yeon after a long time.

I wanted to show off...

that I am grateful of his grace...

and that I am worried about his safety.

So I told him to kill all the rebels.

What is wrong about that?

That sounds about right.

Prince Eunjeon was one of the rebels.

His Majesty has to kill his brother.

I recommended His Majesty...

to hurry up and kill his brother.

Duk Im.

You did not know.

I must be careful of what I say...

in front of His Majesty.

Sometimes it is suffocating.

Criminal Hong Jung Yeo shall come out...

and receive the royal command.

I have been...

hearing a lot about you lately.

There is nothing you cannot do...

with the King's support.

Things have changed.

What about you, sir?

Do you regret what you have done?

Of course,

I do.

When the King was a Crown Prince,

I should have killed him.

Even if I had to brawl...

and gnaw him off like a dog,

I should have killed him.

I ended up like this...

by planning for the future and by trying to be smart.

What?

Do you not think you would end up like me?

Do you think your power...

will last forever?

I know...

I was only able to come this far with His Majesty's support.

Perhaps one day his support might end.

However, do not worry.

I am getting prepared...

just in case.

Yes.

I will watch...

if it goes as you planned in the underworld.

But in my opinion,

we will...

meet sooner than you think.

Look, Duk Ro. I mean,

Hong Guk Young.

The King is...

scarier than you think.

I know...

His Majesty better than you do.

There are things you only see from the distance.

Goodbye now.

I am here to watch my relative...

leaving.

I will leave now.

Your son died in the place of exile.

I thought I should tell you myself.

So I asked you to come.

Did you...

kill him?

Yes.

I killed him.

I killed your son in your place.

Your son saved you. You should be grateful for it.

You may leave now.

You must...

show respect to His Majesty before you leave.

My son had sacrificed himself to save me,

so I will not discard my life lightly.

Your Majesty!

Be careful please!

Your Majesty!

His Majesty is greatly drunk.

No... I am not...

Yes, sure you are not.

- Your Majesty! - Oh my!

My...

I will call a physician.

Your Majesty.

Gosh.

Gosh...

Is it not Duk Im?

You work hard until late.

Lady Seo, you also work late. Thank you.

I will...

Let me...

Thank you.

- Royal Guard. - Yes, Your Majesty.

You worked hard today too.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I will give a...

present for you all.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Yes, let's see...

Let me see...

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Let's see... What do we have...

Here...

Go make some honey tea.

Lady Seo.

To be honest, today...

Duk Im.

Where are you going?

I am giving you a present.

Sit closely.

Here.

I have prepared a present for you all.

Cherish it as a family treasure.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Here.

Thin...

and long...

- Lady Seo. - Yes.

How are my art skills?

It is the best I have ever seen!

Even the great artists will cry upon it.

Among all the masterpieces...

None is better than this.

- Is that true? - Yes, Your Majesty.

Then this is for Lady Seo.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Now,

- Royal Guard. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Do you not want one as well?

I surely do, Your Majesty.

Then I shall draw something...

that looks exactly like you.

Here...

There!

This is for you.

What is this, Your Majesty?

How is it? Does it not look exactly like you?

Oh my...

It looks exactly like me.

You...

are quiet today.

I will draw one for you as well, Duk Im.

Here...

There!

How are my art skills?

I dare speak truthfully...

I heard the great artist of Joseon has great skills,

but not as much as you, Your Majesty.

Sure does!

Is that true?

- Yes, Your Majesty! - Yes, Your Majesty!

Then I shall give this to Duk im.

Here you go.

Your Majesty! This makes me envy her.

Please draw one more for me.

Your Majesty! Please do not favor Duk Im!

In that case, for you two...

I shall draw just one more.

- Yes, Your Majesty! - Yes, Your Majesty!

I will go make the honey tea.

Okay.

I shall draw a picture that resembles you two.

Thank you, Your Majesty!

Here, this is for the Royal Guard.

Oh my...

This is surely great!

Here... Give this to the Head Eunuch.

Yes, Your Majesty.

His Majesty has executed Prince Eunjeon today?

Among the rebels...

Prince Eunjeon's name was mentioned.

Hence, His Majesty had no choice...

but to allow the execution.

His Majesty had spent nights trying not to have...

his brother killed.

I wonder how sad he is now.

Your Majesty, the others...

I sent them away as I wish to be alone.

I suspected you gone as well.

Drink this.

Are you in pain?

You should not say that.

You are the one who gives me pain the most.

Why do you avoid me these days?

You also do not come to the library.

I am busy these days...

Are you avoiding being with me alone?

Are you afraid I might ask for your answer quickly?

Recently, I am...

the same as others.

What do you mean...

I fear myself just as others do.

Are you not afraid of a king who kills his own brother?

Is it uncomfortable to stay beside...

a man who kills even his own family?

Why do you say that?

Then why do you look at me with such eyes?

Because you seem to be in so much pain...

You seemed to be in pain ever since you got the throne.

You don't look comfortable a day.

I want to do something for you, but I can not do anything.

I also feel helpless day by day.

I wish I was rather a swordsman.

Then at least I will be able to protect you.

Don't make me laugh.

I have many swordsmen.

You know well...

that is not what I want from you.

You are unlucky today.

It is just...

you and me.

You are drunk.

Whatever you say today,

you will not remember tomorrow.

As you said,

I won't remember anything tomorrow.

If it is a night that I won't remember,

would it not be okay to do whatever I want?

Even if Your Majesty forget, I will remember. So please...

Okay.

You will remember.

That is your punishment.

What punishment?

What did I do wrong?

You dared...

to push me away.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Did you say you're announcing a spouse order?

There is no good news from you.

I will be ashamed to see the late King if this continues.

I should choose a royal concubine to continue the royal bloodline.

That is what I should do.

I decide...

who to put next to me.

Then appoint someone as a royal concubine.

Is there a woman in this country that you can't have?

There can't be a woman who refuses your heart.

Leave...

my business to me.

This is not only your business.

This is my, queen dowager's business.

It is your business to accept the woman...

that I pick for you as a royal concubine.

So...

does it mean that you will choose without discussing with me?

Did you discuss with me...

when you sent my brother to exile?

When you were just a Crown Prince,

I have done you a favor.

But as soon as you got on the throne,

you quickly forgot about the old days.

You're the Majesty of this country,

but Internal Court is my job.

So do not dare...

to interfere.

I will choose a woman who suits you the best.

- Head Eunuch. - Yes, Your Majesty.

Where is mother?

Why did you ally with queen dowager?

When the King...

tried to kill my siblings and nephews,

I wished queen dowager to be on my side.

So I didn't oppose to her spouse order.

I had no reason to as well.

The spouse order is just a show.

The royal concubine is already chosen.

Who is she?

Is it Hong Duk Ro is sister?

Royal Secretary is a loyalist, so it is good for you.

That loyalist...

met my mother without my permission.

Is that why you made Hong Duk Ro meet queen dowager?

Hong Duk Ro is from the same Hong family as you.

You must have been happy to make this happen.

- Your Majesty. - Yes.

Everything went as you wished.

A daughter of a noble family is my Queen.

The new royal concubine is also from a noble family...

and from the same Hong family as you.

Are you satisfied now?

Your Majesty.

I know why you're angry.

You have someone...

in your heart.

Do you know who I called when the Royal Secretary came?

Sung Duk Im.

I called her.

I asked her...

to support you by your side as a royal concubine.

I'm sorry Her Highness Lady Hyegyeong.

I do not wish to be a royal concubine.

Did...

she really say that?

Your Majesty,

if you wish, I can force her to be a royal concubine.

I like her,

but you are my son who is more precious than my life.

What do you want me to do?

Your Majesty, is this the book you're looking for?

The book was just an excuse...

to call you here.

I want to ask you something.

Did my mother call for you?

Did she ask if you would be my royal concubine?

- Yes. - And you refused?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Why do I...

have to hear this through my mother?

Whether you said yes or no,

you should have come and told me.

Why are you afraid?

No matter how angry I am,

what can I do to you?

What is your reason to refuse to be a royal concubine?

Everything I have will disappear.

I do not understand.

Say it in a more understandable way.

If I become your royal concubine,

I need to give everything to you...

and I will have nothing.

All humans are the same.

If you give everything to someone,

you will want to receive everything as well.

But you are a person who can not do that.

To you it is just adding...

an unimportant woman to your daily life,

but my whole petty life will change.

I will not be able to go back to my old life ever again.

I am afraid...

of losing.

Does it mean that you are afraid of losing my heart?

No.

I am afraid of losing myself.

I will put this off for a while.

I said I will put this off.

I did not say I will forget about it.

You are going through a lot.

- Are you doing fine? - Yes.

That is good.

You are here.

His Excellency. Have you heard the announcement?

Queen dowager made an order.

I know that.

It is about choosing a royal concubine.

Do you know the most promising candidate?

That is obvious.

Royal Secretary, welcome.

You are looking good today.

Chief State Councilor.

Hello.

Choosing a royal concubine is Internal Court's business...

so I prohibit the topic to be spoken here.

Continuing the bloodline of Your Majesty...

is the issue of the safety of our country and the royal family.

How can we consider this topic as the Internal Court's business?

It is choosing my royal concubine,

but the authority is with queen dowager.

Is there any other choice than accepting queen dowager's choice?

If you are a loyal servant, of course you should not interfere.

Your Majesty,

I, Sim Hee Won...

have one question.

Go ahead.

I still...

do not know the big picture of yours.

You are always in the library...

and you are close to...

concubines sons.

I am sorry,

but what use are they?

Your Majesty, what are your plans for the future?

There are several things that I want to remove...

and three things that I wish to achieve.

I am not the greatest King.

Three things seem to be too much.

I think two are enough.

Now that I think about it...

Two things are too much as well.

Achieving one will be enough.

It is water control.

Water control.

Is it to control water?

Reducing the damage caused by flooding and drought...

by building up all kinds of banks.

Your Majesty, water control can be...

done by the Repair and Bank Department.

No.

I think...

there is nothing more important than water control.

There is nothing more urgent than that too.

So let's discuss water control today.

I would like to hear your opinion about this.

I am sorry.

I have nothing to say.

Are there any other opinions?

I was worried that you would not come.

We are choosing your woman...

so you should be a part of it.

It is you.

- My Queen. - This is good.

I felt lonely recently.

Can you read a book for me from time to time?

If you wish, I will choose court maids who are good at reading...

and send them to your palace.

I like this one.

Since she likes you, go ahead.

Yes, Your Majesty.

My King,

I am feeling dizzy.

Could you help me walk?

As a grandmother, shall I interfere in your business?

It is not wrong to wish for something.

Now you are a King.

You may be greedy.

If you want anything, you may force them...

to give it to you.

I do not understand what you mean.

I want you to know...

that I can help you at any time.

I only wish to be a good King.

I do not want to spare my time on personal matters.

Then you should try harder.

I do not see your accomplishments yet.

You killed your grandfather,

your aunt's stepson,

and your own brother.

I understand that you have struggled very hard...

to survive.

But about your accomplishment?

I am not sure.

I do not see any.

As you all know,

Queen Wonbin has become His Majesty's concubine.

Queen Wonbin has to learn the royal customs first.

Court Lady Kwon has left for Sookchang Palace...

to teach her.

While she is gone, the King's palace must stay safe and sound.

Do you understand?

- Yes, my lady. - Yes, my lady.

The royal secretary is unbelievable.

He was on a roll,

and now he made his sister a concubine...

and became the King's relative.

You always praised Master Hong.

Do you finally see who he is?

He is just one greedy and scary man.

Do not insult my master.

He is no longer your master.

He is a royal secretary with great power.

Do you know he killed dozens of people for treason?

He even arrested innocent court ladies and tortured them.

Kyung Hee.

You should stop.

Lady Sung?

Queen Wonbin.

It is you.

I have always wished to meet you again.

Look.

I kept the perfume pouch you gave me.

My brother told me about you from time to time.

He said you are a nice person,

and that I can trust you.

Queen Wonbin.

Your Highness.

Your Highness. Where are you?

His Majesty is going to Sookchang Palace tonight.

Yes.

His Majesty will not come back tonight.

You do not have to stay like that.

Here. I have a gift for you.

What is this?

I have fresh cotton inside.

It is very cozy when you hug it.

You should hug it and sleep leaning against the wall.

Thank you, my lady.

Waiting for His Majesty all night long here...

is only my duty.

So...

Do not think about anything else.

I must get used to waiting.

I am merely a court lady who serves the King.