Original subtitles

BON APPÉTIT, YOUR MAJESTY

Be my companion.

Every morning,

I will make you bibinbap.

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

Do you...

dislike me that much?

It's not that I don't like you.

Then what is it?

Why do you keep turning away?

Look into my eyes.

I...

I have to leave--

You can choose not to leave.

I'm not from this time.

It's not that simple.

So you do not like me.

No, Your Majesty. It's not that.

But...

I must go back.

Back where I come from...

I left my dad on his own,

and I have a career

I've worked toward my whole life.

Leaving that behind to start a new life...

I'm not sure I can do that.

I also don't know if it's right to go so far...

to stay here.

Very well.

I understand what you mean.

If you insist on returning,

give me your word.

Just as you came here out of the blue one day,

promise me...

that you will come back to me.

What if...

I want to come back but can't?

If you wish to come back but cannot...

In that case,

I will find you...

by any means.

Your Majesty.

I'll just come back to you.

In return,

promise me something.

Promise me

that you won't be a tyrant.

Am I still a tyrant to you?

Please don't smile at me like that.

Let me forget you and go home.

Let this wind stirring my heart die down.

Please.

I will wait.

I believe that you

will be able to come back.

LETTUCE

TWO SPOONFULS OF GOCHOJANG ONE SPOONFUL OF BATTER

What was this dish called?

Gochojang batter...

No.

Fiery bibinbap?

Chang-seon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Look at this.

CHANG-SEON CHIEF EUNUCH OF ROYAL FOOD

Is it a hwajodo?

HWAJODO: A DRAWING OF FLOWERS AND BIRDS

It is a dish made with seasonal vegetables

mixed with the chief royal cook's gochojang and batter,

topped with wild flowers called bibinbap.

It was the first dish Cook Yeon made me.

It sounds immensely appetizing.

It does, does it not?

I drew all the food Cook Yeon made for me.

BEEF BURGY YAWN BRAISED IN WILD GRAPE RICE WINE

The bibinbap on the last page

is something I would like to make for her one day.

But I cannot seem to remember the name she gave it when she made it.

The dish seems to carry a special meaning.

What would you name this dish?

The chief royal cook greatly misses the hometown

she left behind.

So how about a name that reflects that?

How does "hwanseban," meaning "food that brings one home," sound?

"Hwanseban"?

Are you saying she will leave if she eats this?

Forgive my misspoken words, Your Majesty.

Please do not take it to heart.

I will wait.

I believe that you

will be able to come back.

Oh my, miss.

Why are you out here so late at night?

- Gil-geum. - Yes?

Did you have a drink with His Majesty?

No.

The thought of going back just weighs on me.

Going back?

SEO GIL-GEUM AN ASPIRING ROYAL KITCHEN COURT LADY

To the future?

Did you finally find Mangunrok?

I think I will soon.

Oh no, already?

Is that why you are here, unable to sleep?

Gil-geum.

Yes?

Are you really going to come with me?

You mean, to the future?

I should go. Yes.

But you're settled in the royal kitchen now.

Are you sure?

Well, to be honest,

I am not entirely sure.

I am afraid to go to a new place,

and I am worried too.

I thought you said I was all you needed.

Of course I cannot do anything without you.

That is also true.

So what? Are you coming with me or not?

Since you have not found Mangunrok yet...

That's true.

We can talk about it again once I find it.

My word!

Miss, what is that?

- A shooting star! I've never seen one! - A hooting star?

There's no air pollution here, so you can see it so clearly.

There is no air what?

- We have to make a wish. - A wish?

COURSE N° 11 SOY MEAT GUJEOLPAN & EGGPLANT PIE

GRAND ROYAL QUEEN DOWAGER'S BANQUET

- To your stations! - Yes, sir!

So you're saying

the Grand Royal Queen Dowager can't eat meat?

That is so.

She has not eaten meat at all for a while.

But it would not be right

not to serve meat at a grand event for royals.

But then we cannot serve what Her Royal Highness does not eat.

Then we won't serve any meat.

What?

Do you even know what a jinchan is?

It is a banquet to celebrate Her Royal Highness' seventieth year

and to wish her a long and healthy life.

And you are saying you will not serve meat for such an occasion?

You and your nasty temper.

This is her first banquet. It is only natural she does not know much.

In that case,

is there something that is not meat but is like meat?

Do you truly think there would be such a thing?

Something that isn't meat but is like meat?

Yes. There is such a thing.

Something that isn't meat but is like meat.

- There is something. - Is there really?

Soy meat.

- Soy? - Soy?

Yes, soybeans.

All right, shall we get started then?

The killer dish of the banquet.

Soy meat gujeolpan and

eggplant pie.

Eggplant...

GRAND ROYAL QUEEN DOWAGER INJU YI HEON'S GRANDMOTHER

I wish you a long and healthy life, Your Royal Highness.

Thank you. I shall live for many years.

I will live to see you get wed, Grand Prince Jinmyeong.

Yes. I hope you remain well and strong until I have a son.

I shall do just that. You may sit down now.

Step aside.

You may not enter.

Your Grace!

How dare you force yourself in here?

Your Royal Highness.

Her Grace Consort Kang has arrived.

What is this ungraceful behavior?

I apologize.

I came to pay my respects on your banquet day,

but I had to intrude as Court Lady Kim would not permit me to enter.

Please do forgive me, Your Royal Highness.

You wench!

It has come to light for all to see that your court lady

colluded with the female physician who tried to harm Grand Prince Jinmyeong.

How dare you set foot here?

You are utterly shameless!

I swear, Your Royal Highness,

I have never done anything to anger the heavens.

I only wish to pay my respects

to Her Royal Highness for reaching her seventieth year.

I humbly ask for your permission.

How dare you still--

That is enough.

You cannot hide the truth forever.

It is only right that you remain in your chambers

until the entire truth is revealed.

However, as today is a joyous occasion,

you may stay as long as you cause no trouble.

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

I did not do anything to be ashamed of,

but I will do as you say.

I truly wish you a long and healthy life.

Everything is ready, Your Highness.

GRAND PRINCE JESAN SUPERINTENDENT OF SAONGWON

And the Inner Palace Guards?

We have replaced half of them with rebel forces

under the pretext of training for the rainy season.

REBEL FORCES: THOSE SEEKING TO DETHRONE THE CURRENT KING FOR A NEW KING

What about Yi Jang-gyun's family?

His spouse and children are held at our base in the mountains,

and they are being watched by armed men.

If Yi Jang-gyun were to betray us,

can his family be eliminated without a trace?

Yes, Your Highness.

I gave the order to eliminate all of them

if things go wrong.

And Salgoji Forest?

All preparations there are also complete, Your Highness.

Today marks the beginning

of a new Joseon.

Let us make our way

to the banquet.

Your Royal Highness.

Grand Prince Jesan has arrived.

Oh dear.

I appreciate you making the long journey here.

I am truly honored and moved to hear you welcome me so.

To wish you a long life and good health,

I brought a sipjangsaengdo.

SIPJANGSAENGDO: PAINTING OF TEN NATURAL ELEMENTS SYMBOLIZING LONGEVITY

I feel an ethereal aura come off it,

as though the painting is alive and breathing.

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

Well,

I made a small mistake during the cooking competition

against the Ming cooks.

Please forgive and forget my shortcomings,

and just like this painting I have brought to wish you a long and healthy life,

I sincerely hope you stay with us

for many years to come, Your Royal Highness.

I appreciate your precious painting.

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

However, the mistake made during the competition

was far too shameful to let slide.

We almost lost the right to harvest our ginseng, did we not?

Therefore, you should be held responsible.

I believe it is right that you step down

as Superintendent of Saongwon, Office of Royal Meals.

Show His Majesty and the court officials

that you express remorse for your actions.

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

I will do as you say and keep your words in mind.

Your Majesty, please send everyone away.

All of you, leave us for a while.

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

What is it?

The inspector court lady of Jahongwon, who was apprehended,

took her own life.

She took her own life?

She was already dead when the prison guards found her.

A knife shaped like a binyeo, hairpin,

was found stuck in her neck.

This matter is to be regarded as gimu.

GIMU: AN IMPORTANT MATTER THAT MUST BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL

Inform the chief prison guard and the other guards

to ensure that word of this does not leak for the time being.

And inform the Chief Royal Secretary

to find out more about the court lady who took her own life

and to investigate everyone she was acquainted with.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Do you not believe me?

Why did you do it?

If you wish to punish me,

bring forth the evidence.

Consort Kang.

Just how far will you go?

What do you think?

Soy meat gujeolpan?

I am seeing it, but I still cannot believe it.

My gosh.

Who would think of making meat with beans?

Did you call this eggplant pile?

It's a pie. Soy meat and eggplant pie.

- Oh, a bye. - That's vegan too. It's plant-based.

I am truly satisfied and pleased with these dishes.

What did you say this was? "Pea gone"?

Come on, Mak-jin.

It is called "begone."

As in, animal ingredients be gone.

Anyway, it means you can cook food that is tasty and nutritious

even without meat from animals.

Look at you, Cook Min. I'm impressed.

You remember exactly what I said.

- Let's go down now. - Yes.

Miss, you dropped something.

It smells sweet.

I smell licorice and a hint of jakseol.

What is this?

It's nothing.

- Gil-geum. - Yes, Cook Eom.

It's chocolate I made for His Majesty.

My gosh, that keen nose of hers

even smelled the licorice and green tea in this chocolate.

Your Royal Highness.

We wish you good health and happiness on this blessed day,

and offer this ceremony to you.

- Your Royal Highness. - Your Royal Highness.

- May you live a long and healthy life. - May you live a long and healthy life.

Thank you, all.

You may all be seated

- and enjoy the banquet. - Let us all sit.

Your Royal Highness.

To wish you a long and healthy life,

the Jahongwon dancers have prepared a performance for you.

Very well.

I shall watch.

Your Majesty, the jester Gong-gil has arrived.

Everything is ready, Your Majesty.

Let us go.

Cook Yeon, come here for a moment.

This gujeolpan is unlike what I used to eat.

What meat is this?

It's meat made with soybeans.

I was told you haven't been able to eat meat lately,

so instead of meat,

I used plant-based meat to make the gujeolpan and eggplant pie.

Meat made with soybeans?

Soybeans?

Yes.

And "pile"?

How truly marvelous.

This definitely smells of meat.

I cannot believe it is made with soybeans.

You are not playing tricks with real meat, are you?

Look at her picking on me again.

What do you take me for?

I'll take that as a compliment for how well it's made.

I see the cooks have put in a great effort.

I could wish for nothing more, seeing everyone enjoy the food we made.

Your Royal Highness.

I wish you eternal peace and good health.

Your words are like medicine to me.

May you also remain safe and sound for a long time.

Meat made with soybeans...

But it tastes just like meat.

Go ahead and enjoy the food.

Your days of showing off your cooking

will end today, you wench.

It is a shame His Majesty is not here to try this food.

Do you not agree?

You are right.

He would certainly enjoy it greatly.

To commemorate such a joyous occasion of wishing Her Royal Highness

a long and healthy life,

His Majesty has personally summoned a group of jesters

to perform a dance.

The following performance

is a lion dance by a troupe,

said to ward off evil and bring in great fortune,

after which comes the Cheoyongmu.

His Majesty, you say?

Then let us watch if you can summon that blessed energy.

Play on!

Gods of heaven and earth!

It is the Imsul day of the Month of Sinsa in the Year of the Blue Monkey.

Today, we celebrate Her Royal Highness' day of birth.

The entire court and her family have gathered here

to offer their best regards!

Please enjoy our performance.

You must be Gong-gil, the jester favored by His Majesty.

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

I wish you a long and healthy life.

It's His Majesty.

Is that...

His Majesty?

Yes, Your Royal Highness.

His Majesty has prepared this dance

with utmost sincerity and respect

solely for Your Royal Highness.

His Majesty has prepared this dance

for me, you say?

His Majesty's filial devotion is truly profound.

His Majesty's movements are not at all different

from those of a performer.

Is that really His Majesty?

How could he perform such a dance at a place like this?

I have not seen His Majesty dance the Cheoyongmu in over ten years.

It truly is an amazing sight.

Is that truly His Majesty?

Your Majesty.

You'll go down in history as a sage king.

SAGE KING: A WISE AND VIRTUOUS KING

Your Majesty.

Express your filial piety while you still can.

Soon, you will become the depraved tyrant, bringing ruin to your own kin.

Please spare us.

How dare you! Do you not fear the heavens?

Do you wish to save your wife?

I have no choice.

Your Highness! For what reason are you doing this?

I am a special royal inspector, carrying out His Majesty's secret orders.

What you are doing is...

Yes.

It is treason.

- Your Highness. - Under the guise

of avenging his dead mother, the king caused the Muin Literati Purge.

He had no qualms about shedding the blood of many,

and you led the charge.

I will commit treason to punish you both.

It is not too late to do as I say.

And if you do, I will spare your wife and children.

The Grand Royal Queen Dowager is smiling.

Does this mean there will be peace in the palace?

Grandmother.

Flowers may wither, yet spring always comes.

I wish you live a healthy life

for many more years to come.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

I wish you always shine bright like the sun

and bring light to the nation and its people for many years.

Principal Drafter Yi, what brings you here?

Now is not the time.

I said no!

Commander!

Have you forgotten?

I am Special Royal Inspector Yi Jang-gyun, who received His Majesty's royal command.

The Grand Royal Queen Dowager's banquet is currently taking place.

Come to His Majesty's quarters in the evening.

Yi Jang-gyun?

Let him through!

SHIN SU-HYEOK COMMANDER OF URIMWI

His Majesty must never see

the draft of the historical record!

And did preventing that

cease his madness?

Did it bring a reign of peace?

Your Majesty,

I am Principal Drafter Yi Jang-gyun, of Hongmungwan, Office of Royal Decrees.

I brought the case I found upon your command.

Yi Jang-gyun found the case?

- Case? - What case?

- What did he find? - What was he sent to find?

Yi Jang-gyun?

What is this?

It is the draft of the historical record

you commanded me to find, Your Majesty.

It is not the draft kept in Sago, History Archive.

It is a private draft, bearing the truth with the scribe's commentaries.

A draft?

What's happening?

It can't be.

Open the case.

Something's not right.

Don't look at it, Your Majesty.

Is this truly...

Yes, Your Majesty.

This draft holds the truth

concerning the deposed queen, who was poisoned to death.

It's the Gapshin Literati Purge.

No. I must stop this, no matter what!

Miss, what is the matter?

- Gil-geum. - Yes?

I crossed paths with her while I was searching for the draft.

She is your maternal grandmother, Your Majesty.

What?

My maternal grandmother?

Oh dear.

INTERNAL PRINCESS CONSORT SIM YI HEON'S MATERNAL GRANDMOTHER

Is that woman truly...

Yes. She is Internal Princess Consort Sim, your maternal grandmother.

How...

How could this be?

After your mother was poisoned to death,

the Lady Consort lost control of herself.

Answer me.

Are you Internal Princess Consort Sim?

I do not know.

I do not know anything.

Her Majesty is innocent.

Please spare her.

Please spare her.

Please spare her life.

Please spare her.

Grandmother, do you recognize me?

Your Majesty?

I smell something tasty.

- Court Lady Kim. - Your Royal Highness.

Sit back down, all of you!

I do not think I should stay any longer.

I will return to my chambers.

Your Majesty.

Her Royal Highness does not feel well.

Your Majesty.

Allow Her Royal Highness to retire to her quarters--

I told you all to sit back down!

Chief Royal Secretary!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Read the draft for all to hear.

- However, Your Majesty-- - Read it!

"The twentieth day of the second month in the Year of the White Rooster."

"Consorts Yang and Sung have taken turns in submitting petitions to the king,

stating that the queen's spiteful jealousy is extreme."

"They constantly submitted petitions,

stating that the queen lacks refinement and virtue,

and thus is unfit for her position."

- Your Royal Highness. - Your Royal Highness.

Your Royal Highness.

Your Majesty.

Must you do this?

Read on.

"The seventh day of the ninth month in the Year of the Black Dog."

"The queen scratched the king's face,

which enraged both the king himself and his mother Queen Dowager Inju,

and despite the opposition of many subjects,

several officials, including Han Min-seong,

agreed to have her deposed...

DEPOSED: A CRIMINAL WHO LOSES THEIR TITLE AND IS DEMOTED TO A COMMONER

...and banished to her hometown."

Your Majesty.

How dare you.

Your Majesty!

Please stop!

Keep reading.

"The fourteenth day of the fourth month in the Year of the Black Pig."

"The Queen Dowager made the request

to execute the deposed queen by poison...

THE KING GIVES POISON TO THE CRIMINAL, MAKING THEM TAKE THEIR OWN LIFE

...to the late King Seonjong."

Let me see His Majesty!

Let me see His Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

You can't do this.

Please.

Step aside.

No.

Don't do this.

You can't do this.

Please don't. Please.

Your Majesty!

Grandmother.

Did you truly command

that my mother be executed?

I asked you a question!

Answer me.

Your Majesty.

You can't do this. Please.

Step aside.

You can't.

Don't do this, Your Majesty.

It is true.

I requested it.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

Yi Jang-gyun is a traitor.

Do not listen to him.

A traitor?

The draft may tell the truth,

but when you ascended the throne,

the late king had issued a royal command to keep this matter a secret forever.

And Yi Jang-gyun disobeyed the late king's will.

If that is not treason, what is?

What?

The late king

commanded that this matter be kept a secret forever?

A secret?

Look at this.

A secret.

What is that?

I asked what that bloodstained piece of jeogori is!

That is...

My lord. Please spare my life.

Your Majesty, that is the garment your mother was wearing when she passed.

The draft contains her last words,

wishing for her injustice to be righted.

Is that true?

I asked if that is true!

Yes, Your Majesty.

The bloodstained garment...

my mother wore.

My daughter wore that.

She died a wrongful death.

Lady Consort Sim! How could you?

How could you do this?

Please spare me!

Please spare me!

Please spare me!

Please spare my life.

Please spare my life.

Please spare me.

Please...

What do I do?

What do I do?

Today!

I will set everything right.

No!

No, you must hold back.

If you take revenge now,

you'll regret it forever.

Do you wish to die yourself?

Your Majesty!

- Your Majesty! - No!

Please spare her life!

- Please show your mercy. - Your Majesty!

Your Majesty.

This does not concern you.

Step aside.

No.

It does concern me.

Because...

I love you.

Your Majesty.

Please stop, Your Majesty.

You promised me.

You said you would make me bibimbap.

You said you'd wait.

You promised

to be a good king, not a tyrant.

Your Majesty!

I also implore you!

Please sheathe your sword!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

- Please sheathe your sword! - Please sheathe your sword!

Your Majesty, please put away your sword.

I am sorry,

Cook Yeon.

This tragedy was caused by

neither my mother nor myself.

It was my grandmother

and the late king's concubines.

- Commander! - Yes, Your Majesty!

Block all directions so no one can get out!

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, no!

That's it. His grandmother.

My chocolate.

It might bring her to her senses if she eats the chocolate.

Ma'am.

This is chocolate made with licorice and green tea.

Try it.

Think from a mother's perspective.

Please fathom the heart of His Majesty's mother,

and please

tell us the truth.

Those responsible...

for my mother's death

will not leave this place alive.

That is only right, is it not,

Grandmother?

Your Royal Highness.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

Is this

truly your choice?

Is there really

no way to stop this?

It's all over.

Her Majesty...

took the poison,

and as she coughed up blood,

she cried out toward the sky.

- "May my son..." - ...right my injustice.

May he become

a sage king...

SAGE KING: A WISE AND VIRTUOUS KING

- ...and right his mother's... - "...and right his mother's injustice."

Those were the words she cried out

before taking her last breath.

A sage king...

A sage king?

It is too late for that!

No. It's not too late.

Your Majesty, as your grandmother said,

your mother wouldn't want you to shed blood.

Your Majesty!

Please have mercy!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

- Please have mercy! - Please have mercy!

- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty!

- Please have mercy! - Please have mercy!

- Please have mercy! - Please have mercy!

Father!

How could you leave me with such pain?

Why...

did you kill my mother

and put me on the throne?

Why did you make me king?

Why?

Your Majesty.

Do not follow me!

I wish to be alone.

Mother!

Hurry.

Yes, Crown Prince.

Look how much you have grown, Crown Prince.

Mother...

Your Majesty...

All that I did to avenge my mother

turned out to be directly against her wishes.

Everything was in vain.

Your mother

didn't want you to be remembered as a tyrant.

Have you ever

wished for the death of a family member?

There was a time

when I wished for my father's death.

He had deposed my mother and executed her.

All through my life since then, I was unable to forgive

or understand him.

Just like how they drove

my mother to her death,

I wanted to kill my father's subjects

and all who were involved

in deposing and banishing my mother.

But what then?

That won't do you any good.

That wouldn't help your mother

or anyone else.

Promise me.

Promise me that you'll never think like that ever again.

Are you that worried about me?

Of course.

Because your pain...

brings pain to me as well.

It's true.

I heard you.

You don't believe me, do you?

I said I heard you.

Our plan ended in failure, Your Highness.

The sly chief royal cook ruined everything.

We should not have let her live.

What do you say we do now, Your Highness?

We now have no choice

but to get blood on our own hands.

Tonight,

we will set the second plan in motion.

Grand Prince Jesan.

I suspected as much,

and it indeed was you who devised what happened today.

I see you came in search of death.

What shall I do, Your Highness?

We cannot shed blood here.

You will not get away with this.

It is a shock

that His Majesty was searching for the draft of the historical record.

I could never have foreseen this.

Should we not devise a plan of our own?

It is our fault for putting His Majesty on the throne

despite what happened to his mother.

However, we cannot sit back and watch anymore.

Inform everyone

to gather at my residence tonight.

- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.

Did you truly command

that my mother be executed?

I asked you a question!

If His Majesty is looking for the draft

with the knowledge that we were involved in her death,

would it not be so that he can oust our Han family?

What...

shall I do about this?

Your Royal Highness, what should we do now?

You saw His Majesty's madness earlier.

I am so afraid.

However, His Majesty put down the sword in the end.

What will happen the day he takes it up again?

Must we sit and wait for him to kill us?

To be honest, I am also afraid.

However,

did you not notice when Jinmyeong lost consciousness,

and even earlier today?

His Majesty heeds Cook Yeon,

even in situations where he loses his temper.

Perhaps we should put our hopes in her.

Then should we take this chance to get rid of Consort Kang

and make Cook Yeon the queen instead?

That is a good idea.

His Majesty listens to everything Cook Yeon says.

It is merely my opinion.

You are not to say a word or do anything

until the Grand Royal Queen Dowager summons us.

- Understood. - Understood.

GANGNYEONGJEON

Your Majesty.

Didn't you think what happened earlier today was odd?

What do you mean?

That man, Yi Jang-gyun.

Why did he interrupt the banquet the way he did?

Everything from what happened to Grand Prince Jinmyeong

to Yi Jang-gyun showing up today just feels strange.

It's as if

someone wants you to lose control.

It cannot be.

Whoever is behind this,

it's obvious that they don't want you to be a sage king.

But you should remember what your mother wanted

and be a sage king.

I lived my whole life to get revenge.

Now that I have given that up,

I do not know where to start.

I am lost.

No matter how much I think about it,

there's only one solution.

Do you have a good plan?

There must be a great deal

the Grand Royal Queen Dowager couldn't say.

Why don't you give her a chance?

How, exactly?

I have a feeling

that I was sent to this time period to become a chief royal cook

to do exactly this.

How about...

Are you telling me...

to dine with my grandmother?

Yes. Before you drift further apart.

It's best to talk about things you normally wouldn't over a meal.

You should make peace with her.

I am not sure...

if I could eat anything in her presence.

However,

I shall try.

Really?

You said it yourself, okay? You can't take it back.

Then I'll serve today's seoksura, evening meal,

to Her Royal Highness' quarters.

Oh, right.

Your Majesty.

So much has happened lately that I forgot to tell you this.

The Ming cook Tang Bailong asked me to relay a message to you.

Tang Bailong?

Yes.

- "The edges of objects..." - ...are always harder to see,

and when you sleep, be sure to lock the latch securely.

That was the message.

What does that mean?

It sounds like a riddle, but I'm not sure what it means.

Anyway, I'll see you later at Her Royal Highness' quarters.

I'm late, aren't I?

- Miss, are you all right? - Chief Royal Cook.

Sorry for making you worry.

Goodness, how could you be so fearless?

Our chief royal cook is as brave as a man.

So is everything sorted out?

Come on. Can you not see she is back?

Everything must be settled.

It'll be hard to believe,

but everything went well.

All right.

We have to start preparing the seoksura.

We'll be serving the meal

to Her Royal Highness' quarters tonight.

Are His Majesty and Her Royal Highness dining together?

What? Is that true?

Yes.

Tonight's seoksura

is reconciliation rice noodles.

Very well. Cook Min, get the rice.

- Yes. I will go right away. - Then I shall make the broth.

- Cook Sim. - Wait for me.

I will get the hakdok.

HAKDOK: A TOOL USED TO GRIND GRAIN

A massacre of any kind right now will lead to a revolt,

and His Majesty will be dethroned.

But if His Majesty reconciles with his grandmother,

history will change.

Let's start with that.

Why does Grand Prince Jesan

summon me and my son at this hour?

I wonder if Song-jae is here already.

What about the Chief State Councilor?

His faction is meeting this evening.

I am certain they are planning to overthrow His Majesty.

He did see His Majesty run rampant with fury.

There is no way he would ignore that.

We should execute our plan without delay.

Is Salgoji Forest set up?

The Chief Royal Secretary is there as bait, as you instructed.

Was the secret letter delivered to the Commander of Urimwi?

Yes. The Chief Palace Guard delivered it to him.

We just have to capture the chief royal cook

before going to His Majesty.

He will be helpless by then,

like a mouse in a trap.

Tonight, His Majesty's hunting ground

will become his own grave.

Let us commence

the heavenly decree given to us to change the world.

He has arrived sooner than expected.

Let the greatest traitor of our time,

Im Seo-hong, meet death first.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Majesty! Treason is underway!

Your Majesty!

Treason--

Oh dear. Who is this?

How did you enter the palace without your official attire?

Well, I shall be on my way.

Who is this now?

Song-jae.

Please be safe.

Do you have the chief royal cook?

I have already sent some men.

Oh my goodness!

- Are you okay, Gil-geum? Are you hurt? - I am fine.

- Oh dear, what a waste. - Leave it! You'll cut yourself.

- But... - Leave it and step aside.

- I am sorry. - They say breaking a plate is bad luck.

- How clumsy you are. - Did you hurt yourself?

I apologize.

It's fine.

Is everything else ready?

It is ready.

We are finished as well.

Chief Royal Cook, come on outside.

Why would a palace guard come here for you?

A palace guard?

What is this about?

Your Majesty.

If I dare comment on the matter,

your request to dine with Her Royal Highness

was a wise decision.

Is that right?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

It is an urgent message from the Chief Royal Secretary.

An urgent message?

The assassins who attacked us at Jang Chun-saeng's residence

were former military officers from the border,

and he found their base in Salgoji Forest.

He is asking for troops to be sent to subdue them immediately.

What?

The rebels are military officers?

Is Song-jae in Salgoji Forest right now?

Yes, he is, Your Majesty.

These despicable traitors...

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Right State Councilor, what brings you here?

I bring bad news, Your Majesty.

The chief royal cook was taken by a band of rebels

to their base in Salgoji Forest.

What? They took the chief royal cook?

- Are you certain of that? - Yes, Your Majesty.

She was abducted in the backyard of the royal kitchen,

and this hat was found there.

How...

How could this happen?

"The edges of objects are always harder to see,

and when you sleep, be sure to lock the latch securely."

That was the message.

Commander.

Let us head to Salgoji Forest.

Make preparations immediately.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I will save the chief royal cook

and subdue the band of rebels myself.

Do you find it strange that I am adorning myself at this hour?

No, Your Grace.

A special guest will be coming tonight.

I must prepare to welcome them.

Who goes there?

His Majesty...

His Majesty has lost his mind!

Your Majesty?

In the end,

have you chosen the sword?

Are you truly resolved

to slay your own grandmother?

Your Royal Highness.

Who...

Who are you?

If you deposed the queen,

you should not have put her son on the throne.

That is precisely what brought forth this disaster.

Grand Prince Jesan?

Have you caught on at last?

So in the end...

you have stirred up trouble.

I should have seen through your mask when you pretended to be

an utter fool who knew nothing.

Why would you cause such madness?

Do you ask because you truly do not know?

I am restoring this nation to its rightful place.

It deserves to be ruled

by a sage king who will bring peace, and not by a tyrant.

A sage king?

Who do you mean?

You are the one wielding the sword!

Are you not the tyrant now?

Your Royal Highness.

It is time for you

to take responsibility for your actions.

This is for putting

the deposed queen's son on the throne!

His Majesty...

will see to it...

that you pay for your actions.

It is His Majesty!

His Majesty is crazy!

His Majesty has lost his mind!

Where is Lord Sung?

He awaits your command at the king's quarters.

Let us begin.

It is a beautiful night!

Who are you?

Who goes there?

Fire!

Court Lady Choi!

Your Majesty...

GANGNYEONGJEON

BONGDEOKGUNG FALLS

TWO HOURS AFTER REVOLT

What is that?

It looks suspicious.

I will inspect it first, Your Majesty.

- It is the Chief Royal Secretary. - Your Majesty!

Stand guard.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Your Majesty.

Your Majesty.

No, Your Majesty.

You must get away from here.

Your Majesty, you must go!

No!

- Your Majesty! - Keep still.

It is a trap set up by Grand Prince Jesan!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, you must take cover.

It is a trap! Protect His Majesty!

Kill them all!

Song-jae...

- Song-jae! - Your Majesty!

- This most treacherous subject of yours... - No, Song-jae!

- strived to be loyal to you. - Song-jae!

And in so doing, meets his end.

- No, Your Majesty! - Song-jae!

- No! Song-jae! - We must go, Your Majesty!

- No, Song-jae! - You must get out of here, Your Majesty!

- Song-jae! - We must go, Your Majesty!

- Im Song-jae! - Your Majesty!

We must go, Your Majesty!

You must get away.

Your Majesty, you must get out of here immediately!

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty, I will clear the way.

Please hurry and take cover!

What's going on?

Jeez, my head hurts.

Gong-gil?

What in the world is going on?

The red headbands on them tell me they have taken over this place as well.

Let us get out of here first.

What on earth is happening?

And why did you bring me here?

If you do not get away now,

His Majesty will fall into greater danger.

What?

I won't go until you tell me what's going on.

Wait. Gong-gil!

Gong-gil!

Who goes there?

Hurry! Follow me!

You've got to be kidding me.

Cook Yeon, hurry!

Who goes there?

Cook Yeon!

Red headbands.

Swords.

Is this

a revolt?

What about His Majesty?

What happened to him?

Cook Yeon.

You, above all,

must be safe.

BON APPÉTIT, YOUR MAJESTY

So that is what this was all about?

I see you wanted to be king, Uncle.

Congratulations.

We must save His Majesty, no matter what.

Will you please help me?

Heon!

Cook Yeon.

If you do not come alone,

the chief royal cook will die.

I wanted to settle things with you once and for all.

Do not do anything foolish.

Go. Go, now!

-Your Majesty! - No!

Subtitle translation by: Jennifer Jean Lim