Original subtitles

THE REMARRIED EMPRESS

"I will name the bird 'Queen, ' but remember, he is male."

You're a male bird?

Wonderful

I heard that you would eat fish, yet you haven't touched it

So perhaps you'd prefer some sort of insect?

How about we try…

caterpillars or flies?

Thank goodness

I'm quite afraid of insects

OFFICIAL DOCUMENT OF THE IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD MISTRESS CONTRACT

I heard that a lot of birds like their feathers patted

Do you like that, too?

You're adorable

How can you name a male "Queen"?

What are you talking about?

Weren't you out scouting like you were supposed to?

Did you wander off somewhere else again?

No. I was out scouting

Scouting…

into another woman's heart again?

No, no, just the Imperial Palace

You shouldn't say that

Sire, please,

I really need you to be more careful with how you act!

You can't ever forget the fact that you are the first in line

to the throne of the Western Kingdom

"I wish I could be like Queen and fly the skies

"I wonder how the world would look from so high up

"Even majestic mountains and the boundless sea

"would seem small from such heights

"How trivial and insignificant human worries and sorrows would become

"when you're soaring through the clouds."

OFFICIAL DOCUMENT OF THE IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD MISTRESS CONTRACT

EMPRESS NAVIER ELLIE TROVI

Her Majesty, sire

She's signed the contract that approves Ms. Rashta as your mistress

EMPEROR SOVIESHU TROVI VICTOR EMPRESS NAVIER ELLIE TROVI

We'd usually hold a banquet to celebrate the registration

However, it coincides with the New Year's Ceremony

I'll meet the Empress soon

I'll talk with her

- Proceed - Yes

And what shall we do about the request from Lady Albani?

Are you saying His Majesty took the side of his mistress so blatantly?

Yes, right in front of Her Majesty

and with all the ladies-in-waiting

Oh my. That puts the Empress in a very awkward position

It wasn't just awkward It was humiliating

You look even more beautiful today, Your Majesty

I'll do that

She told me she called you "sister."

It was only later I realized

how disconcerting that must have been for you

She only called you that

as she thought I would feel more at ease if she got along with you like family

Isn't she innocent?

Let us begin

Yes, Your Majesty

Lady Albani had demands, I presume?

Did she want recompense for sponsoring Ms. Rashta?

Nothing is ever free in this world

Tell me…

Did you grant a pardon for the Grand Duke, Your Majesty?

Out of the question

I returned their family crest and estate in Lucevan, which I had seized

As for Rashta's banquet, we shall do as you wish

Then we shall abstain, Your Majesty

With so many important guests in attendance,

the ceremony will not be eclipsed by scandal

I agree with you

It is the grandest festival of the Imperial Palace,

and also a day for us

Please smile, Your Majesties

"A mistress cannot be entered into the imperial family register,

"the same for any child born to her."

"They cannot obtain the rights of imperial royalty."

What does that mean though?

It's saying that if you had any children,

they cannot have the title "prince" or "princess," I'm afraid

- Even if the child is royal? - Yes

Even if you give birth to a child who looks identical to the Emperor,

Eastern Empire laws require the descendants of a mistress

to be managed in a separate genealogy

You may receive an allowance

But only whilst you're under contract

Therefore, once the contract ends,

if it isn't renewed, you must leave the Imperial Palace

Are you saying the contract can end?

Typically, the contract is renewed every two years

… Here

- Would you excuse us? - Yes

Here

MISTRESS CONTRACT

Now, just here,

beside Her Majesty's signature is your name

You cannot… You're…

You're illiterate

RASHTA ISHKA BOTULIN

This is how your name is written

Rashta

Ish… ka

Boo…

tuh…

RASHTA ISHKA BOTULIN

…lin

You are all done

I'm sorry…

Can you give Ms. Rashta and I some time alone, please?

She'll have questions about life in the Imperial Palace

and may have concerns

that she can only confide to another woman

This is different from what I hoped

I heard I won't have a celebratory banquet due to the New Year's Ceremony

I thought His Majesty would at least be here

and celebrate with me and show his gratitude

With the New Year's Ceremony so close, His Majesty is indisposed

Also, look at the contract

He can keep me around for two years, then throw me out once he grows tired

Rashta, now see here!

Don't you understand

that from now, you're a daughter of Botulin House?

Being thrown out, now that you're one of us, will never happen

I say so

These are black diamonds Aren't they lovely?

They are only for the women of Botulin House

Here

Congratulations on becoming His Majesty's woman

I will set a suitable date for a banquet in your honor, Ms. Rashta

Keep your chin tucked in,

lift your chest, keep your back straight,

and your gaze forward

I will turn you into a noble lady,

who is suited to His Majesty and his way of life

2,000 fireworks,

5,000 packs of cigarettes,

300 casks of whiskey, 400 boxes of caviar,

200 horses and 50 carriages

As for meat… beef, mutton, and chicken

And finally, we have 5,000 kegs of beer

Thank you

See that it's well prepared for our subjects to enjoy,

as well as our guests

Yes

It is today that Laura's punishment ends, is it not?

- Yes - Yes

Our other engagement, the dress fitting, you can postpone it

I will prepare to fetch Lady Laura

Sister!

Good day, Your Majesty

I was just on my way to see you, my lady

I have something to share with Your Majesty

My adoptive mother gave me caramels

They're so delicious I thought you'd like to try a piece

Your Majesty…

why do you have such a scary look on your face?

I do not want you to bring me things

And also…

refrain from visiting me

It's not as though we are on such terms that we enjoy seeing each other

Then we can try and get on good terms. I…

I'd like to become close friends with Your Majesty

There's no need to act this way

When the next mistress arrives,

you can become close with her instead of me

"The next mistress"?

But of course

There will be others once he's done with you

If you just wait a little,

you will make plenty of friends

The previous emperor had eight mistresses

With that many, you can play the ball game that's popular among the citizen class

Wouldn't you enjoy that?

Your Majesty!

Your… Your Majesty

You stayed strong

You did so well, Laura

I'll be okay

I'm here as you requested

What is it?

Your lady-in-waiting…

the one who was punished…

Daughter of a Marquess

And her name is Laura Tallital

I heard you went

and took her…

My lady-in-waiting…

suffered for five whole days

Did you really have to do that?

How does it make me look

if you go out of your way to care for someone I punished?

Instead of going to the prison to fetch her…

you should have cast her out of the Imperial Palace

She was only punished for my sake, Your Majesty

It would not be right if she were banished

Besides, her actions made sense

She merely defended her Empress

So you will take her side to the very end?

Those ladies are under my authority

They should only have to answer to me

How dare you defend the person that humiliated Rashta?

And you said such spiteful things to that poor girl who knows nothing

Why have you changed so much?

I was spiteful?

I heard you told Rashta that I would take another mistress

Historically, the emperor never takes one

He takes as many as he pleases

Have you forgotten your promise…

that you would never take one yourself?

You said that you would not embarrass your empress as the previous was

and let me suffer

You say Lady Laura humiliated Rashta

Was it not the same humiliation to condemn her to prison?

She is my lady-in-waiting

Your Majesty only chose to punish Laura

to flaunt your command in front of your mistress

Anything to please her

You'll even send the daughter of a noble house to prison

It was performative power

- Enough! - I'm now laughingstock

You say I've changed?

Lady Laura has borne the brunt of your harsh actions…

and it has brought disgrace on her family

Your Majesty, it isn't me…

but you who's been changed

You've returned

Where's Lady Laura?

We are taking care of her as you asked, Your Majesty

So please, do not worry

In your chamber, there's a gift for you

It arrived today, from Duchess Trovi

From Mother?

"To Her Majesty the Empress

"I had very much wished to attend this New Year's Ceremony and see you

"However, I decided that I must be patient for a little longer

"I found myself recalling the very first time

"I made clothes for you before you were born

"Back then, even the smallest piece of fabric

"was enough to wrap around you."

Little one…

Your mother will make sure you look lovely

"It was true before you came into this world,

"and remains so now

"You are my most darling treasure

"I hope this dress will bring Your Majesty great comfort and bravery

"The Duke also sends his regards

"Whenever he misses you, he gazes upon the olive tree you planted."

"That tree now casts quite a big shadow

"My beloved Majesty

"Please take courage!"

"To my beloved younger sister, Her Majesty the Empress

"We fought another small battle today

"We are clearing out the remnant forces,

"so we may be able to move up the peace talks

"If these talks make progress,

"the greatest threat to the Eastern Empire may disappear

"Your Majesty, I heard the news about the Emperor's mistress

"Our parents were deeply shocked as well, but they seemed concerned only for you

"I believe in you, Your Majesty

"I know how strong you are

"If only I were near you,

"I would have beaten that rascal until he was black and blue!

"I will come to see you soon, Your Majesty

"Until then, please stay well."

Oh!

Wow!

Ooh!

Look there!

Careful, don't damage the flowers

Hurry now!

Why would he walk backwards like that?

It's dangerous

We've allocated 110,000 krang for the foreign delegation banquet

and 50,000 krang to enhance the military band

for the commemorative parade

That sounds perfect

Thank you for your work

Your Majesty, we've received a request for you to welcome a delegation

It's the Western Kingdom

The Western Kingdom?

Yes, it's Prince Heinrey

COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING

OF THE EMPIRE NEW YEAR'S CEREMONY ADDITIONAL BUDGET DOCUMENT

It is my honor to meet you,

my queen

I'm also honored to make your acquaintance, Prince Heinrey

You must be tired after your long journey

You should rest here in the palace until the New Year's Ceremony begins

The Eastern Empire's Imperial Palace is renowned…

for its great beauty

I'm certain you will like it

I'm already…

enamored by it

Why are you staring so intently, Your Highness?

Please avert your gaze

I'd like to welcome Princess Circe of the Southern Kingdom

and Grand Duke Kaufman of the Kingdom of Luipt

What has you so preoccupied, Your Highness?

Whoa!

This…

Whoa!

Whoa!

This palace is just…

so huge and lavish!

Wow!

This… this is from that place!

Wow, the Eastern Empire really is a bunch of thieves

taking the spoils from the war and putting them on display

as if they had always belonged to them

Isn't that too much?

Wow!

Don't you think so?

… Your Highness?

Your Highness!

Are you going off somewhere again?

I'll return soon

Where are you going?

There are too many eyes!

Your Highness!

Where are you going?

Where are you… Seriously?

You're coming back from meeting the delegation

of the Western Kingdom, aren't you?

Please, do tell them

Is he really as beautiful as they say?

I heard one of the maids in the South Palace

was so overwhelmed by his beauty that she fainted

Oh, she fainted?

Oh!

Is he that beautiful?

He was the most beautiful person

that I've ever met

Such chiseled features!

His appearance made me question if he was even human

Did it really?

… what's his voice like?

Yes?

Out of everyone I've spoken to…

his voice was the most lovely

A man like that…

I'm not at all surprised that rumors surround him

Even if he just stands quietly and keeps to himself

Oh, he has a beautiful voice, too?

That's too much!

I think we should be wary of Prince Heinrey

He's very dangerous

I mean, one maid fainted

And you must have heard what happened to that other maid

Queen!

If he's responded so quickly,

then surely your master is almost here

"I have arrived at the Imperial Palace Can you guess who I am?"

Wait, he's with you?

Where's your master?

Is he among those guests?

I do not know who you are

But tell me, do you know who I am?

- Come on, hurry up - Yes, sir

Yes, over there

Please, it is so very late

Go to bed, Your Majesty

I hope the rain ceases before the morning

Come now

You are the one who must shine the brightest in this palace,

so you cannot stay up late

Is the South Palace comfortable for the guests?

They are all in high spirits

and seem to have no intention of calling it a night

They're still drinking, my lady

- They are? - What I've heard

is the ladies are pining so ardently over Prince Heinrey

They say they have formed ranks

Those who have exchanged words,

those who have made eye contact,

and those he has smiled at

I think what the ladies really want to know is

who the prince will dance with first

So which lady do you think is most likely?

There are talks of Duchess Tuania, others say Princess Circe

There are divided opinions

Although I'm sure they're all thinking the same thing

They all wish he'll walk over to them,

take their hand and dance the night away

What a dream!

Good night, Your Majesty

Oh, my goodness!

Oh, good heavens!

It's raining so hard

Did your master really make you fly here?

How long have you been waiting?

Are you all right?

"Shall we make a bet? Whoever finds the other first wins!"

"If it is a bet, what will you wager?"

I cannot do this

I'm not sending you outside in this weather

Why don't you stay here tonight?

You will return to your master when it stops raining

I find myself wondering what your master's like

Is he sweet and clever, like you?

Come to think of it, Prince Heinrey…

He has eyes as purple as yours

I'm already enamored by it

You are so pretty, Queen

Good night

Begin

Good!

Very good so far

Slowly. That's it

Keep your balance

Oh!

Very good

Now we'll try without the book

There. Bup-bup-bup-bup-bup

You need to walk slower

Like this?

That's right

You should always be mindful of the maids' strides

following behind you

Slowly, so the maids can follow…

What are you doing?

No, don't match your stride to theirs

If you aren't quick enough,

then those lowly creatures will step on your dress

Then how exactly should I walk?

They should match what I do

You should walk in a way

that never lets those following you relax at all

That way, they never forget that you are their mistress

This is hard!

Well, yes, it should be hard

How are the writing lessons?

Reading is a little easier,

the writing is…

Well then, it looks like you will continue your lessons

during the New Year's Ceremony

I'll be tired after all the parties I'll attend

Listen

Relax your eyebrows. Shoulders straight

Chest up, too

Chin

Corners of your mouth

Next. Yes, your gaze

Well done

Beautiful!

Now, ladies, a busy day of preparation is ahead. Understood?

Of course. We've begun the preparations already, Countess

- Ta-da! - Ta-da!

Countess?

Do you think Rashta will also be at the ceremony?

I suppose she will attend

As the girl is now…

a daughter of the Botulin House

His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress

As you know, I played a part in the war of a Hundred Years

I loyally followed my predecessor

It was so cold that even the strongest liquor froze

The horses turned to ice in death

The frost…

rendered the bread impossible to chew

The cold armor clung to our skin so tightly

that we could not even prize it off

The cold armor clung to our skin so tightly

that we could not even prize it off,

and only the hot blood of our enemies could melt away the biting cold

And only the hot blood of our enemies

could melt away the biting cold

When the Hundred Years' War ended,

peace fell upon us all

And yet,

our swords and our shields, they have not rusted at all

This peace eternal

can only be protected by readied armor and a blade that shines

A blade that is ready to be drawn at any moment

And I…

will preserve and defend our empire

and we shall see that this strength and peace lasts

for 10,000 years

I share this glory with you

Join me!

Long live His Majesty the Emperor!

The Emperor!

Long live Her Majesty the Empress! The Empress!

It has been a long time, Lady Albani

- Lady Albani! - Good to see you

Nice to meet you

I was hoping I could dance with Rashta first

After all, our only rehearsal was to this piece

I'll see you later

Your Majesty

What do we do?

She seems to be following what she was taught well

What a clever little thing

Majesty

It's all right

Like this

McKenna

What's with the flower?

There are many eyes watching here

My goodness!

For the Empress?

Are you a good dancer, Your Majesty?

THE REMARRIED EMPRESS