Original subtitles

The winning heir

will secure their father's position as the next King.

If you wish to change Emmaly,

one way to do it

is to win the Competition.

I'm glad

Ramil is putting more effort into practicing than he used to.

Let Mira be my coach.

Or I'll withdraw from the Competition entirely.

I would like you to paint a portrait of me.

Do you like me?

Do you like me as much as I like you?

Ran,

do you think it's even possible

for a royal to renounce their title?

Of course,

but only if they've come of age

and are capable of making their own judgments.

I don't want the theoretical kind of answer.

Just say it like how you would as an ordinary art teacher.

In that case,

maybe it would've been better not to be royal at all.

No royal rules,

obligations,

or heavy responsibilities.

That's true.

When you're not royal,

you'll be just an ordinary person

living peacefully.

Then power won't matter.

But if you must have it,

you should use it with justice

for the benefit of everyone.

You're right.

If I ever have more power than I do now,

I'd want to use it as fairly as I can for everyone as well.

Whatever you choose to do

and whoever you become,

I'll be by your side.

The Royal Competition is less than a week away.

The first round is a test of wit.

There's a good chance the questions will ask for opinions

rather than factual knowledge.

So I've prepared some questions for you.

[The Royal Competition: Test of Wit]

The breeze today stirs more than the leaves.

It brings with it wishes of good fortune to this land.

Seeing Your Majesty so joyful,

I believe your health is improving day by day.

I have faith that once the Royal Competition concludes,

Khanin will bring the throne to Tharin.

It's been a long time.

I've been waiting all this time for this day to come.

You have borne much hardship for your own clan, Your Majesty.

I humbly offer my heartfelt congratulations beforehand.

Great.

That's great.

That's the best wish.

I shall accept your congratulations ahead of time.

The first round, which allows public voting,

should not pose any difficulty for Prince Khanin.

His Royal Highness has been cherished by the people.

He is sure to win.

Indeed.

Introducing this additional round

is meant to benefit him.

But as for the archery round ahead,

why would you consent to Prince Chana's demands, Your Majesty?

What do you think?

Well...

From my humble consideration,

might this be...

to prevent favoritism toward the Assavadevathins?

At times, power is needed to subdue people,

yet kindness toward them

also helps keep their hearts at peace.

By letting Ava, a woman, participate

and adding a competition that suits her strengths,

it shall keep Ramil in check.

However,

wouldn't this put Prince Khanin at a disadvantage, Your Majesty?

Wirun,

you are intelligent.

Still,

you've never held power before.

Giving hope to people

is such an irresistible temptation.

Ava's talent lies in archery,

but she'll never beat the male heirs in fencing.

So that's how it is.

I am merely of lowly status

and could never hope to have such wisdom, Your Majesty.

What a truly wonderful day this is.

Let's head to the hall, shall we?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Royal Highness,

are you feeling stressed?

I gave you a complete makeover!

That hair is so cute, neat, and elegant.

Let's have some tea.

Tea...

Tea...

Don't get too worked up.

Just stick to what you've learned.

I've checked around.

Everything's alright.

It's really happening now.

I'm afraid...

that I might mess up.

You've got this, Nin.

We've prepared so much together.

Don't worry, okay?

What if...

Whatever the result may be,

I'll always be right here.

Your Royal Highness,

try not to worry too much.

Have some tea to help calm your mind.

Seems like you're more worked up than me.

Oh...

Gosh...

There's no tea left.

Oh, well...

I'll get you another cup.

Gosh,

this isn't better.

Don't worry, my dear.

Just do your best.

Khanin,

though our time together has been short,

please never doubt my love for you.

I have loved you since 22 years ago, and I still do.

Before,

I kept it quiet,

not wanting to make you feel uneasy.

But now,

you're very strong and dignified.

I couldn't be prouder.

Thank you, Father.

I understand your reasons,

and I'm deeply grateful that you understand mine, too.

It's nearly time.

You should be ready.

Give it your all.

Yes, Father.

Come here.

Stay focused.

[First Round of Royal Competition: Test of Wit]

Today marks an important day,

one that the Emmalians have eagerly awaited for three months

since the official announcement.

Finally, it's time for the first round of the Royal Competition.

By "first round,"

I mean the rules this time differ from previous Competitions.

The first round will have the competitors answer questions,

testing their vision and wit,

with each answering one question.

Very soon, we'll get to see the princes and the princess.

In the meantime, allow me to introduce the heirs from the three regions

who will be competing today.

[First Round of Royal Competition: Test of Wit]

Having a day off feels freaking awesome.

Exactly.

It's so we can all watch this.

Watch who's going to be our next King.

It doesn't matter, though.

At the end of the day, we have to handle the issues ourselves.

Yeah, I think so.

You think so?

Yeah.

June,

want some water?

You should've told me.

Our country is privileged to host the neighboring country

- of Bhujar. - Hey, Jay!

Check this out.

[First Round of Royal Competition: Test of Wit]

That's...

Prince Calvin has come to witness our Royal Competition.

Shit.

Are you serious?

You don't know who I am, do you?

- I do. - So you know I'm a prince?

Jay!

Jay...

Jay!

So you took a prince to the protest?

That's freaking dope.

Whoa.

I think...

Jay probably just found out about it, too.

[Arm: That Calvin who joined the protest is a prince?]

As His Majesty values the voice of the people,

he's decreed that this round be decided by the Emmalians

through public voting.

Voting?

That's never been part of it.

It's just voting.

Who knows what goes on behind the scenes?

The time is now upon us.

I hereby declare the Royal Competition of Emmaly

officially open.

And the first to answer the question is

Prince Ramil Bhuchongpisut.

Please stand on the designated podium, Your Royal Highness.

The question for Prince Ramil is as follows:

Could you identify some long-standing issues in our nation

that have been overlooked

and failed to address?

Please share your answer with the people, Your Royal Highness.

That's not the question from the committee, is it?

It is not, Your Majesty.

I shall look into it immediately.

It is too late now.

From here on,

just make sure nothing else goes wrong.

Yes, Your Majesty.

In my view,

every issue in Emmaly matters

and deserves to be addressed.

But if I were to choose one that remains in the shadows,

it would be...

a family-related issue.

The numbers from last year may seem small,

only four to five thousand reported cases,

but this is not about statistics.

It's about people.

Domestic violence,

often aimed at women and children,

leaves lasting wounds on both body and mind.

That was a stupid thing to do.

But it's a misguided notion,

ingrained over time

and passed down through generations.

They were taught

it encourages discipline...

You'll remain silent?

And obedience.

In truth, it has caused generations of pain.

It damages confidence,

creates all kinds of trauma,

and isolates them from society.

When a person is denied the chance to grow into their best self,

the nation loses a part of its future.

I truly believe

children are the future of our nation

and of this world.

And that is why...

this issue must be addressed.

Thank you for your answer, Your Royal Highness.

Next,

Princess Ava Davichmetha, please stand on the podium.

If you could change one law in Emmaly,

which law would you choose to amend, Your Royal Highness?

For generations, the laws of our nation have been written by men,

which led to some being unjust toward women

and gender-diverse people.

While we have achieved marriage equality,

deeper understanding is still lacking in other areas.

Stop asking so many questions.

A woman is training you.

Don't you think those two clans will laugh at us?

I would propose laws to ensure equal pay,

increase political representation for women...

We have adhered to this tradition for generations.

You must understand that women do not have the same rights as men.

And promote greater participation of women

in government and international organizations.

Our education policies should also be reformed

to eliminate gender bias.

Why are there only male vendors?

None of them are female.

In Meenanagarin,

it's believed that the husband should provide for the family

while the wife is responsible for the housework.

With these reforms,

Emmaly will move toward a fairer legal system,

one that protects women's rights in the long term.

Thank you for your answer, Princess Ava.

Next,

it will be the question for Prince Khanin Assavadevathin.

Please come to the podium.

If given the opportunity,

what strategies would you recommend

to stimulate the economy of Emmaly?

Our nation, Emmaly, has so much to offer

from its fascinating culture

to its exquisite cuisine.

Personally,

I've always had a fondness for Davin spaghetti sauce.

With its food, culture, and traditions, Emmaly has great potential

to grow its soft power on the global stage.

Nin...

You've raised him well.

Thanks.

I think...

he surely misses you a lot.

Emmaly is also home to four regions,

each with its own unique charm.

I personally love Bhuchongpisut, an ancient city,

for its deep historical roots.

I also love the nightlife in Davichmetha,

when joy fills the city.

I love how welcoming our nation is.

The people are friendly

even to someone like me, a prince.

And the sea of Meenanagarin

is so breathtakingly beautiful.

Most of all,

what touches me the most is the lantern procession in Assavadevathin,

a tradition that honors the beliefs and the way of life of our miners,

the backbone of our economy.

By connecting with the people throughout Emmaly,

I've learned that

our nation's greatest treasure

is its kind,

welcoming people,

who embrace visitors from around the world.

If we promote local culture through thoughtful campaigns

and ensure the revenue goes back to local communities,

empowering them to support themselves,

we can truly strengthen our tourism economy.

But before implementing any economic strategies,

we must first address a pressing concern.

The dust pollution caused by mining in Assavadevathin

has harmed Emmaly's air quality for years.

By solving this issue immediately

in tandem with enhancing the economy,

we can enhance both economic growth

and the nation's quality of life.

Thank you.

Thank you for your answer, Prince Khanin.

[First Round of Royal Competition: Test of Wit]

And with that, all the competitors

have completed their answers to the three questions.

We are now entering the voting.

All Emmalians, you may now cast your votes

for the royal candidate of your choice.

Prince Khanin's answer

was lit.

Someone in power finally said what needed to be said.

I'm glad.

Jay...

Jay!

Jay!

What's wrong?

Uh...

I'm glad, too.

The princess truly showed empathy toward women.

I'm voting for her.

Yeah, she nailed it.

I liked the education policy reforms.

I prefer Prince Ramil, though.

He seemed to really understand family issues.

Still, it looked like

Prince Khanin understood Emmaly's problems on a bigger scale.

Exactly.

I think we should vote for him.

Right.

[Wow, Prince Khanin even mentioned the pollution issue]

[He spoke about the dust problem we've been calling out]

[I'm sure he's getting many votes; that was a great answer]

Three,

two,

one,

the voting has officially ended.

The votes from everyone all across Emmaly

have been counted and recorded.

It's now time to announce

the competitor who has received the highest number of votes.

The competitor with the most votes is...

Prince Ramil of Bhuchongpisut!

I offer my sincere congratulations to His Royal Highness.

However, the Royal Competition is not yet over.

Two more rounds still lie ahead.

The next round

will be an archery competition, taking place in Meenanagarin

in just three days' time.

Seems like the people really adore him.

Congratulations, Rachata.

I humbly offer my congratulations, Your Royal Highness.

No need to feel down, Brother.

I know you've always had strong public support.

It's just that...

perhaps they connected more with my answer.

Your words...

sound almost like you're insulting us.

Come on, Ava.

Don't be so harsh on me.

What's it called again?

Consolation!

I'm only consoling you.

The Competition is still ongoing.

I don't think this is the right moment to do so.

In fact, if our answers

truly bring about solutions to the nation's issues,

it serves the people's best interests.

There's nothing that needs consolation.

Khanin's right.

I agree with him.

Why am I getting ganged up on?

That couldn't be.

The three of us have been rivals for a long while.

That's right.

I'll see you in the next round.

May I have a word with you?

I truly admire your courage

in answering the question the way you did.

The way I did?

You spoke out about the issues in Assavadevathin.

It had to be said by someone.

The more powerful our voice is,

the more we must use it.

You've also done a wonderful job speaking up for equal rights.

It was my own experience that gave me the courage to speak up.

And now that I have said it, I feel like a weight has been lifted.

I may have lost this round,

but I may not the next time.

I'm not planning to lose, either.

Did I handle Ramil's words well?

Father,

I did it.

That's enough to make you happy?

I believe...

it feels like a promising beginning for us.

Obviously.

I did it with my own hands.

You?

Can't imagine you winning anything.

Who do you work for?

His Majesty the King!

He was sent by the King, Your Royal Highness.

That old man

is always up to lowly deeds.

The only way for us to survive

is to win

and reclaim our glory.

It could be risky.

I don't care, okay?

Get the vote rigging done discreetly.

No matter what,

Ramil's votes have to secure first place.

I've set a ladder up for you.

Father, you mean...

All you have to do

is to get to the top.

No mistakes allowed.

Do you understand, Ramil?

Yes, Father.

I appreciate you walking with me.

I have to.

My friends were pretty loud, though.

They were annoying you, right?

I'm sorry.

I didn't say that.

Being around people is actually fun,

and our home's usually pretty quiet.

Come on, cut the drama.

I'm totally fine.

You're the one feeling down.

I brought you out for a walk

to get some fresh air

and hopefully feel better.

[Calvin: Can we talk?]

Was that from Calvin?

Wait, no.

It's Prince Calvin, right?

Yeah.

Why?

Now that he's a prince,

you don't want to talk to him anymore?

I don't know.

I don't even know how I'm supposed to feel.

Just go clear things up with him.

It's just impossible, no matter what.

Jay,

if you guys don't talk,

nothing's gonna get better.

If you don't want to talk to him,

just tell him straight up.

It's that simple.

Seriously?

Someone like me,

telling him to leave me alone?

Jay,

life is unpredictable.

We never know when we'll meet again,

or if it will be the last time.

Either way, go sort things out with him.

Let's take a look at this news.

It began with a video

that recently surfaced online.

The video shows a pollution protest taking place.

What stands out is the presence of Prince Calvin of Bhujar

walking among the protesters.

Jay!

Jay!

Can I come in?

Is June not home?

She's in her room.

Can I sit with you?

There's something I need to explain.

What's there to explain?

It's just that...

you...

Actually, no.

I can't even talk to you like this anymore.

Can we just talk like before?

I'm afraid I cannot, Your Royal Highness.

That would be improper.

Are you saying...

you're just gonna walk away from me?

We were never meant to meet this way...

Your Royal Highness.

Don't do that, Jay.

I didn't even deserve...

to hear the truth from you, Your Royal Highness.

Honestly,

I really meant to tell you.

After the protest,

I'd like to talk to you.

At the protest?

Yes.

But with everything coming up...

I'm here today to apologize.

And to bid farewell.

I've been commanded to return to Bhujar.

I'm sorry.

I'm truly sorry.

It is beyond my place to accept your apology, Your Royal Highness.

We should not meet ever again.

Please take your leave.

I said,

Please take your leave.

Ava...

[A day before the archery competition]

I am certain now,

so I rushed here to tell you.

What is it about, Father?

According to my sources,

Rachata rigged the voting last time,

so Ramil won that round.

[The Royal Competition: Archery]

Welcome to the second round of the Royal Competition.

This round features an archery match.

The competitors from all three clans are now ready to compete.

I've set a ladder up for you.

All you have to do

is to get to the top.

It is not fair anymore, Ava.

You must do whatever it takes to win this Competition.

If you wish to change Emmaly,

one way to do it

is to win the Competition.

If all competitors are ready,

I shall now declare the archery competition

officially underway.

Three,

two,

one,

begin.

Do you not trust

His Majesty, Your Royal Highness? [Meet me in Assavadevathin]

Join me in this.

Do it for Khanin.

I lost him once,

and I cannot bear to lose him again.

Please send me Coach Joe's profile.

The GPS...

In this freaking country,

everyone's just hungry for power.

[Prince Khanin is in danger]

♫Let love be our guide,♫

♫Let our hearts unite♫

♫From now on, I'll let my heart decide♫

♫If the world won't take our side,♫

♫I'll leave their voices far behind♫

♫From now on, it's you and I♫

♫Forget the rest, place your hand in mine♫

♫Let love be our guide,♫

♫Let our hearts decide♫