Original subtitles

THE REMARRIED EMPRESS

I heard that you were injured

I trust you've been treated?

I was supposed to see the physician,

but he was summoned by you, Your Majesty

It was for my shoulder

He examined it

Isn't it strange?

This table feels longer today

Very strange

How is questioning the assassin progressing?

It's very serious,

but you've been reticent

It's still ongoing

And the runaway slave?

How did you hear of that?

Walls have ears…

more so with all the walls in this palace

I don't know what you've heard about it,

but I was just aiding her,

because she was gravely hurt

That's as I suspected

Because you have always been a compassionate ruler

She might have had her ankle broken by that trap without us

Poor little thing

Since you sent the Imperial Physician, she'll be well soon

Send that girl to my palace

I will care for her until her wounds are better,

then she'll be sent back

Enough about that

It's our time to dine together on our own

Let's talk of other things

Women can enter the royal palaces…

if I grant consent

As you know, this law stands for all women

A serving girl,

a courtier…

a mistress

A serving girl…

a courtier…

a mistress

Yes

We cannot break our traditions

If a mistress needs your consent…

then listen…

that is what I ask you for

I forbid it

Everybody, leave us

That hunting trophy Your Majesty brought back

is a slave

She's not a trophy, she is a person

She's not a slave, she's Rashta

She has a name, you know

You say that Rashta's her name

No surname, I take it?

Do you even know what house she's from?

If you take in a girl like that, there'll be no end to the gossiping

Do not go any further

You must expel her now

It really doesn't matter what her surname is

Thanks to meeting that poor young girl,

I felt my heart flutter at last

"At last"?

How could you tell me such a thing?

I never thought a feeling like this could take hold of me either

We should not be bickering about this

It will only make things worse for us

There will be nothing that changes between you and me

No matter what happens,

you are my only wife

That image of "you and me" will be a facade

Our laws must be upheld and respected by all

The presence of slaves is strictly forbidden in the palace

If you want to make a mistress of her,

then emancipation must be sought

Without evidence, I will not approve it

If you won't grant approval…

then I'll just create a new law

Your Majesty, perhaps you should reconsider

the matter of Ms. Rashta

Being a slave means that she or one of her ancestors

committed a crime grave enough to warrant a life sentence

And what's more, since she's a runaway,

she couldn't possibly be eligible to be reviewed and granted emancipation

If that is the case, I'll change that law as well

We don't know if she was kidnapped by slave traders,

or she may well even be the daughter of an aristocrat,

or a child who lost her way

Why would you be so blind

as to think she was enslaved for committing a crime?

You saw her face, Marquess Lante

I ask you,

could a slave have such beauty?

Thanks to meeting that poor young girl,

I felt my heart flutter at last

Your Majesty,

you'll catch a cold like that

Leave it

I don't feel cold. I'm fine

Your Majesty, I'm here!

His Majesty commands your presence

Did your master do this?

You said you'd ensure

I was never put through suffering again, Your Majesty

Did you mean it?

You slave brat. How dare you?

Damn it!

I'm a shit, am I?

Take that! Son of a bitch!

- Wait a minute - What's that?

- What? - Master, I think he's dead

You… you should've told me sooner

I've been beating a sodding dead man

- Let's do the rest tomorrow - Yes, sir

Take this arsehole and string him up in the square

He'll be a lesson for the runaway bastards

God's sake!

Be quiet, or I'll give you something to cry about!

And why haven't the men caught that bloody girl?

They should have come back

I'm sure they'll get her back, sir

- So you say - Quiet!

I think the bounty hunters are coming!

Oh, good!

They're here at last!

Oh, it's the Emperor's men

What's this?

Whose men?

Are you Viscount Lotteshu?

Yes, I am

Sir! I'm sure this is a misunder--

The men you sent entered the palace hunting grounds

and attempted to assassinate the Emperor

It can't be My men weren't there

They confessed that they were paid by you!

This must be a hideous mistake

I just sent the men after a runaway slave

to capture her and to bring the woman back

- You bastard! - Stop there

You know who's addressing you?

Your… Majesty

Please! It must be just a… all a kind of awful mix-up

I know of your kind

Your father, his father, and his father as well

Your lot has bought and sold people for generations

And while my army and I shed our blood in the war,

you vile creatures grew fat,

chasing after the scraps of death

Did you not take children

and then trade them as slaves with outlawed pirates?

Ah! Oh no, my lord, not ever, my lord!

I… I just wanted to catch the girl

I'd already signed a contract

It was with a tavern in the port city,

but because that ungrateful bitch ran away, I lost…

Open your eyes

Do you know what this is?

A slave contract, my lord

No, it isn't that at all

It is evidence in fact

Every one of your crimes is written on it

I could punish you for any one of these offenses, could I not?

Yes. Every crime I've committed is on that page

What should we do with him?

I think you should decide

Do not be afraid

I'm right here with you

Now I think this bastard should be punished

I could make him into a slave,

or I could have his arms and legs torn off his body one by one

I gladly accept any punishment

Even if you tear off my arms and legs,

it won't erase my crimes, Your Majesty

But… But…

if I have one wish…

my Rashta…

No, no, not mine. I mean, Lady Rashta!

I want to ask for her forgiveness

Rashta

Never let that name pass your lips ever again

Disobey me, and I will have your entire family erased

Yes, I understand

It will never pass my lips again

Mark him in some way to remind him of this always

I trust you slept well?

Where is this?

What is this?

This chamber is the Rose Room,

which will now be yours

It's lovely

Do you really mean this room is all for me?

If you need anything, or if you're not comfortable,

just tell these maids-in-waiting

It's our honor to serve you, my lady

Go and tell His Majesty she's awake

Yes, sir

Now?

Oh. Now!

I really love it, Your Majesty

You're better now you've rested?

You can leave us

I brought you a gift

You've been so… so generous

It's a dream already just being by your side, Your Majesty

It's true

Thank you

What is this?

A slave certificate

The one signed for you

SLAVE CERTIFICATE PURCHASER: VISCOUNT LOTTESHU RIMWELL

SLAVE NAME RASHTA

Your… Majesty

You are no longer

a slave to anyone

Let this erase the past

It's all gone now

Lady Laura! Viscountess Verdi!

- Did you hear? - What?

Apparently, His Majesty entered the Rose Room

but he has not come out since Monday

Once any man's mind is lost to a lover…

…he's beyond help then

Laura!

I didn't say who I meant, did I?

Just observing

Well, there's that story

that the Rose Room has been cursed, isn't there?

- Did you know? - It's cursed?

They say it was cursed by the old Late Dowager Empress

Knowing what a womanizer the late emperor was,

the rumors were always certain to go around the whole court

Yes, but, out of all those girls,

I'm sure the Rose Room's never had to house a runaway slave

You behave!

Lady Laura, you be careful

Do you want trouble?

His Majesty has proclaimed we'll be punished for saying those words

We mustn't be caught saying "runaway slave."

You… babies

Runaway slave! Runaway slave!

Honestly…

what am I supposed to call a runaway slave,

if not a runaway slave?

She's not a slave, she's a commoner

From what I hear, His Majesty summoned the girl's master

and had him beaten to a bloody pulp

Shh!

The rumors that she was a runaway slave are not just idle talk

Rashta's not bound as a slave

His Majesty has said she's not, and it must therefore be true

- Yes - Yes

This is the list of guests Your Majesty will be receiving

Please pay special attention to my guests from the Southern Kingdom

Yes

That's the Western Kingdom

Why is the Emperor not welcoming their king?

We have made adjustments,

as Prince Heinrey, the king's younger brother,

will be attending in his stead

But no need to feel burdened by that

Rumor has it he is far from capable of discussing affairs of state

Yes, I've heard reports

He's been famous for quite a lot of exploits, sir

Yet, the power and wealth the Western Kingdom holds

is in no way inferior to our own

We must not forget its importance

Yes, Your Majesty

So will we finally see

this prince we've heard about?

The rumors can't all be true

His dreamy eyes can draw you in just like magic

I heard he's a real ladies' man, and a total narcissist,

and they say that he hangs around with some pirates as well

The stories I know about Prince Heinrey are rather different

Would you tell us what you know of him, please

Of course. Thanks to Sir Kosair,

in the West, there were just a few Springwater Bandits

and they entered the Western Kingdom's lands

They raided a border village in the Western Kingdom

Get over here

Trample them!

But then,

Prince Heinrey and a single attendant,

who were just about to cross the border,

happened to encounter them

Who are you?

Me?

I'm Heinrey of the Western Kingdom

Well then…

What would you like to drink, sir? It's on me

Oh, no alcohol, please

One glass of milk, thank you

So he took down 30 men?

Prince Heinrey did? All by himself?

Plus one other

His attendant

He's even good at fighting, too!

Oh!

Oh! Is that a bird? Where's it going?

Oh! What's it doing here?

Oh! Goodness me!

- Oh my! - Oh!

What's this bird doing here?

I know this bird. We've made friends

Right?

What kind of bird is this?

At the hunting grounds I swear I saw a similar bird

It has to be quite rare

How fascinating

It looks like it's used to human hands

Its feathers are well cared for, too

He's friendly

Hi, little one

Oh!

So, the bird just prefers Your Majesty, then

You came with another letter today

Who has been sending letters?

It's a mystery

We're so curious

Please, would you read it to us as well?

"I am a guest on my way to the Eastern Empire

"to attend the New Year's Celebration

"I chanced upon a field of beautiful purple flowers on my journey

"and decided to rest there for a day

"Now my 'fate' is safely making its way toward its objective,

"so please be reassured

"Lastly,

"do you know the name of this flower?"

Wisteria, I'm certain!

There's a field of Wisteria near Mons Harbor!

Your Majesty's family is from Mons Harbor, isn't it?

Hello

Did you come all the way to give me this?

You've come quite a distance

Look at it gulping down that water

Its journey must have been difficult

What country do you think this guest is from?

Is it that good?

Everything in the palace tastes so wonderful

The fruit,

the chocolate,

the vegetable soup,

the meat and the cookies…

Even the water's perfect It's so delicious! It's so fresh!

What do you do with yourself while I am away?

Mostly, I think of you

And the view is lovely

I've been enjoying watching people from the window

I wonder what they've said when I see them all laughing

Those elegant ladies…

They make such pretty expressions

Do they all learn about expressions, too?

Of course

You mean it?

Rashta wants to learn as well

No chance

Why no?

You don't need to learn anything

You're already lovable

just as you are

Is the Empress nice?

Is she always smiling?

"The letter brought by the bird

"carried the fragrance of my childhood

"The flower is called wisteria

"It needs a certain soil and climate, so it cannot be grown in other regions

"To the accidental 'fate' that sent me such a beautiful memory…

"my endless gratitude."

If a noble young lady is like that,

how elegant Her Highness' expressions must be

Is she always smiling?

I imagine her being so beautiful and so refined

If you get a bit bored,

why don't you go outside and play in the garden?

Can I do that?

Yes, of course

Lante said to me, "Make sure you don't roam around outside."

Oh, did he?

"P.S

"Come to think of it, the bird's eyes are the same purple as the flower petals

"What is the bird's name?"

Is the Emperor going to spend the night with that woman?

And you let his staff know

that it is my cycle's fertile window?

Yes

Well, never mind

If you'd like to get changed,

the maids-in-waiting can help you

A little later

Please, allow me, Your Majesty

My daughters still ask me to brush their hair

when they pay a visit

since my hands attend to Your Majesty

They may be older now,

but they are still very precious and sacred hands

This is so soothing

Tell me…

You've been with your husband a while Are you still in love?

We do still love each other

I've never felt this before

I've found myself wondering…

is the Emperor who I truly love?

I had never felt…

certain about his love for me,

though he gave me no reason to question it

And yet…

my heart's been aching

An unexplored passion can make fire…

then it burns out all the more rapidly

Besides, she cannot even be accepted into the Imperial Palace

Your Majesty, think of it as though it is just a fleeting cloud

Isn't that just great, Mother?

Oh, dear! They say she was all excited,

spruced up and waiting for her husband,

who had gone to…

…crawl into another bed with a different girl!

Oh, good heavens! That haughty bitch is about to share her husband,

not even with a commoner, no, it's even better, she's just a slave girl!

So…

what's the mood like in the palace?

Inside, she's furious

And, Mother, there's not a thing she can do

With her sense of pride, would she grab the Emperor by the hair?

Or would she scratch his face?

And that would be quite a sight to see!

It looks like His Highness has been enchanted by her

Our plan to get one of our girls in there,

we should put that on hold

You believe he won't just enjoy her for a while,

then dispose of her?

I heard that the truth is he's desperate to formally make her his mistress

so he's trying to change the law

My word!

Her Highness said no person without an identity

could be allowed to stay

And that's still the opinion of the High Justices

Totally opposed

Since she's a slave, she could be moved on without a family?

But perhaps it might not need to change

All I'm saying is we should scratch an itch on His Highness' back

You scratch mine…

Yes. I told her to avoid going out

and coming into contact with people as much as possible, sire

Why's that?

She's new and maybe hasn't learned our rules by now

If she made a mistake and became the subject of gossip, then…

the palace could find itself in a tough position

There are no rules or any etiquette to teach a slave-born nobody, then?

I should say, you still have some visitors and appointments, sire

Are you ready?

Your Majesty, Lady Albani has requested an audience

What business has she here?

Bothering His Majesty with her grievances again?

Please enter

Yes, of course

A messenger came from the East Palace

His Highness hopes Rashta will get a registration as his mistress quite soon

What on earth has happened?

We all thought she could never be registered as a mistress

REQUEST TO REGISTER RASHTA OF HOUSE BOTULIN AS IMPERIAL MISTRESS

They've requested a review,

now they've met the conditions

A family has decided to adopt Rashta, it says

MISS RASHTA OF THE BOTULIN FAMILY

It's Lady Albani's family

This will mean that she will now be legitimate

Good heavens!

They would do this to make that slave…

Say that I'll sign it

Your Majesty!

If she is in the Botulin family,

there's no grounds for me to oppose it

But it's so…

Let's not let this upset us

Focus on the party instead

We will be celebrating

the Eastern Empire's 100 years of greatness

We don't want to make any mistakes

- Yes, Majesty - Yes, Majesty

Draft the contract clauses

I will discuss it with the Marquess

This is absurd!

What is His Majesty thinking?

Does he really want to reconcile with his uncle's family

to give that girl status?

Lower your voice, His Majesty will hear you

Their intentions are perfectly clear

They will try to milk their association with Rashta for all it's worth

They've got their eye on the throne

They're a threat to the royal family

They prostrated themselves

and swore they would never again challenge His Majesty the Emperor's authority

Do you even believe what you're saying?

His Majesty's authority is so strong

that nobody would ever dare to challenge him at all

And that's what I truly believe

Please, sit down

Albani is ruthless and you have given her free rein

It will be interesting to witness what kind of wickedness she will inflict…

and it's your responsibility

THE EASTERN EMPIRE'S CODE OF LAW

So shall we begin?

Go ahead

Lady Rashta, you must slow down!

You should walk slowly!

If only that bird would come

She needs something to lift her spirits

I know what you mean

Look here,

isn't the weather so lovely today?

Yes, it is

Let's do something fun

We could have a walk and a picnic on the lawn

- That sounds wonderful! - Let's go out. Please?

I just love this sunshine, don't you?

Oh, careful. Please take care!

- Oh! Oh, careful, careful! - Don't tear it!

Mind your dress. Please!

Wow! The weather's really beautiful today!

- I'm so glad we came out, aren't you? - My goodness!

But that's the Empress

I asked the chef to pack one of your favorites!

Will you let me have a clue, or are you just teasing me?

- The Empress? - It is!

You'll have to wait and see!

- Oh! - Oh! Lady Rashta!

Rashta, Your Majesty

Rashta?

She's that sla--

How dare she talk to us?

I was supposed to find His Majesty in the garden,

now I think I've lost my way

We've not been introduced

I'm the one His Majesty has favored and now I stay here in this big palace

I see

I know who you are now

Oh, you do?

I'm so glad

Actually, I have been wondering when I should come and pay my respects

What's that?

I did ask His Majesty,

although he just kept telling me I shouldn't worry

What a blessing!

Since we'll be seeing each other often, I can greet you now

After all, Your Majesty and I…

we'll be joined together in this family

Like sisters

What did you just say?

Like sisters

We're sharing a husband, so that connects us

So could I please call you older sister?

You can't

You're saying you don't like Rashta?

This is not a matter of me liking you

In truth,

you became His Majesty's woman,

not my sister, isn't that so?

In any case, you're still…

That'll do

No, I didn't. Wait, just a moment

Don't go!

Your Majesty!

- Lady Rashta! - Goodness. Why, you!

How insolent

How dare you lay your hands on her?

How filthy!

You call a person filthy?

What's the meaning of this?

Now, now, don't cry

Let's go

It's time we left

Wait there

Leave your lady behind

Why, what is the matter?

Just leave her here

What for, Your Majesty?

She's my lady-in-waiting, so you need to tell me why first

Perhaps she is your lady-in-waiting She's my subject, however

She'll be reminded that people like her shouldn't talk so cruelly

She'll be locked up for three days with only hard bread and water

Majesty, that is far too much

That girl tugged upon my dress

These ladies merely stopped her pulling

Empress, you call her "that girl" when she's here

And what of it if she pulled your dress a little?

Do you think that your dress is worth more than a person's hand?

In that case, sire,

my maid could easily come and give your cloak's hem a tug

Perhaps retaliation would be a more just penalty

I trust that you agree?

You're so stubborn that you don't give an inch

How would that be in any way equivalent to this?

It's similar

- No, it's not - Why not?

Rashta is not a serving girl, is she?

Lady Laura is a daughter of nobility

She can't go to prison for this!

Five days

Your lady-in-waiting will serve five now

I'll go

I accept the punishment, Your Majesty

You may go

His Majesty was so incredibly wonderful

I thought my heart would burst back there

Oh, yes, me too!

His Majesty must truly love Lady Rashta very much

That is enough now, you two

I'm blushing

Well, honestly, how could any man not be in love

with someone who's as kind and as beautiful and as pure as you?

His Highness and you remind us of two lovers in a fairytale

That's right

Rashta is just extremely happy!

Every day, I ask if it's all really true

It's real. It's all true

This is a miracle!

And it could only happen because you're the great Lady Rashta!

Did you not see it while we were in the garden before?

The admiring looks in people's eyes

as they turned around to look, struck by Lady Rashta's beauty

- Really - Yes, I mean it!

Everyone was turning round to look

They couldn't stop staring at you

And girls, earlier on, did you spot this?

Her Majesty was shaking terribly with anger

Yes, I did

Although…

this is just for your ears, so keep this quiet,

Her Majesty wasn't as impressive as she thinks she is

Ooh!

That's bad for her

You always find a way to track me down

"The bird's name Is such a thing necessary?

"If you think it is, I would like you to decide."

Why am I crying, you wonder?

Could it be you understood that?

You're so sweet

This is like

my own private little hideaway

I cannot cry anywhere else,

but when I'm here, I can embrace my sorrow alone

You know, this place is my personal secret

So you are the only one who is privy to my tears

You are very kind

Now your name

What would suit you?

The bird's name…

shall be Queen

Your name is decided

As long as…

it's agreeable to your master

That's right

I am the Empress

My role that I shall fulfill

is devotion to my people and their welfare

And I know that my purpose

was never to conquer the heart of the Emperor

I will not be shaken

Nor will I be swept away

THE BIRD'S NAME SHALL BE QUEEN

THE REMARRIED EMPRESS