Original subtitles

THE REMARRIED EMPRESS

I was hoping you might stay a little longer.

Such a pity.

As lovely as that would be,

my coronation will soon take place.

The first coronation of an unwedded queen.

There is nothing wrong with being unmarried.

You will govern your country well.

That is what truly matters for a good queen.

Yes, but my uncles...

I'm afraid they do not recognize my birthright.

They each think their son ought to be the one taking my throne.

And my sister's at the palace on her own.

I'm concerned for her.

We support you.

The Eastern Empire is on your side.

We have faith in your authority.

That means so much to me.

I would like to propose a solution.

Which uncle is making the most difficulty?

The worst is Grand Duke Berg.

Might I request

that the Grand Duke posts his son to us as an envoy?

An envoy?

There are three different kinds of envoy.

First, there's a commissaire,

sent on official duties.

A pardoned envoy,

smuggled abroad in disgrace.

Then the pawn,

a hostage envoy, as leverage.

That's the one we need.

Grand Duke Berg's son is perfect.

The Duke will not be able to do you any harm, Princess Circe.

Thank you, my friend.

How can I repay this kindness?

Be a good queen,

and make your country thrive.

Thank you.

I'll do as you say.

I will always be your supporter,

political ally...

and be your friend.

Then I am lucky.

Your Majesty,

Prince Heinrey is asking to see you.

Is the Prince here?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Your Majesty!

What has brought you here?

I thought you might be finished with your duties around now.

Am I right?

Yes, I am finished.

Then, could we take a walk together?

It is so vast at this palace.

I would very much enjoy a tour.

Perhaps you could show me one or two of your favorite places.

I would love that.

I was just deciding

where I should take you.

I was looking at that painting.

Is it you as a child?

How did you know?

So you've always liked birds, I suppose?

Is Queen well?

He's very well.

It seems you are not sending him anymore?

I will come instead of sending Queen,

so we can see each other.

If you have grounded my favorite bird,

then perhaps

I shall have to reconsider being friends.

Isn't your birthday quite soon?

How did you know that?

As it's just after the new year, and that time is hectic,

I heard you often spend it quietly.

I wanted to share your birthday with you.

So I extended my visit here.

Um... um... uh...

I didn't mean just the two of us.

Uh, we could...

we could ask Circe, McKenna, and a few other friends.

We could have dinner together.

Why not?

How perfect.

The year would begin on a happy note.

I'd like that.

Wonderful.

Your Majesty?

I think you should step inside for a moment.

There's a message from His Majesty the Emperor.

Hmm?

Do you think the dust will settle, Lante?

Well, Sire...

Our future generations deserve a strong empire, Your Majesty.

A poor relationship between the Emperor and Empress

is not in the kingdom's interests.

"Dearest,

"come to think of it, your birthday is coming up soon."

Did His Majesty ask you to read it out like that?

Continue. Continue the message.

In your voice.

"We have grown somewhat distant as of late,

"and I thought perhaps, to reconcile,

"we should go to the Imperial Villa for your birthday.

"Empress...

"What are your thoughts on this?"

How should I reply?

Tell me what to say, and I will deliver it to His Majesty as faithfully as possible.

Your Majesty, you also wish to restore

your relationship with Her Majesty, do you not?

Everything I do, she fights against.

You have to know that you hurt her, Your Majesty.

You must also consider the feeling of major betrayal she has.

I know you covet our reconciliation, and I have reached out to her.

I'd be surprised if she agrees.

In fact, I believe that her pride will obstruct her.

She won't consent to this proposal.

So, what did she say?

"Your Majesty's request...

"was received.

"It is accepted."

Yes!

I'll be needing a gift!

I'll find the perfect present!

Wait, I have something in mind.

Your Majesty!

I bought a gift to give to Navier a while ago, in fact.

Since her birthday is close to New Year.

It was a nuisance keeping it stored,

so that works.

Wouldn't you say?

Yes.

I will coordinate the schedule for your trip to the Imperial Villa.

Please do so.

It was a hard decision to make.

You did the right thing.

So much has changed.

I cannot know if this time together

will ease the awkwardness between us.

However,

I am this country's Empress.

It is my job to show my country

that we are both united.

We are still husband and wife.

I'm positive the two of you will be reconciled.

I shall make every preparation.

Know that your stay will have nothing missing.

It's one of Queen's feathers.

When you heard I was writing to you, I hope you weren't disappointed.

I was overjoyed.

I wanted to share your birthday with you,

so I extended my visit here.

Why not?

How perfect.

The year would begin on a happy note.

Wonderful.

Queen!

Ah!

It has been so long!

Have you been keeping well?

My, how I missed you.

I wonder if you missed me?

I see you brought no letter with you today.

Isn't your master compassionate?

You're here because I said I missed you!

What's that fragrance?

Is that Heinrey's scent on you, Queen?

I have to write a letter now.

A hard one.

I have difficult news for your guardian.

Heinrey has made me feel less alone.

He showed me what true happiness is.

"I will not be able to keep my promise to spend my birthday with you.

"His Majesty asked that I spend it at the Imperial Villa with him...

"...and I have agreed.

"I am sorry."

You're not really thinking of giving all these jewels to the Empress?

Are you?

I had believed it was a game in the beginning,

since that is what you told me it was.

I can see why you're attracted to her.

She is charming and beautiful.

But now, take a look at the state she's left you in, Your Highness.

I'm concerned by it.

A hot air balloon, and now jewels too?

What on earth are you thinking?

Oh, have you been crying?

I'm not crying. You're crying.

You were crying.

No, I wasn't.

Your throat just trembled.

And I can see that your eyelashes are still wet.

You've made your eyes puffy and red.

I have not.

Well, I might have a walk and some air.

Majesty!

I am told you're taking Her Highness to the Imperial Villa

to honor her birthday.

Are you about to depart?

That's right.

You're so sweet.

Also...

you look so, so handsome today!

It's unfair, don't you think?

That the Eastern Empire's ruler is also such a handsome man?

Silly thing.

Take Rashta with you as well.

I do think Rashta should also be there to honor the Empress.

Charming.

But not this time.

We would like to celebrate on our own.

I thought you might.

Majesty!

Do not have too much fun with her, and come back soon.

Your Rashta will be waiting for you.

We... we shouldn't be late.

indeed.

Take care of yourself.

Let's depart!

I was panicking for a while that Her Majesty might refuse.

It wasn't romantic enough at all.

Just a letter read out loud. Not even an apology?

Please don't get me started.

Even just to get the word "reconcile" put into that letter,

oh, believe me, I really had to beg.

Listen...

We must get this to work.

Hmm? Hmm?

-We'll make it! -Hmm.

Do you...

recall our first visit here?

I recall your motion sickness.

You were just a child.

And only a mere princess as well.

So sweet.

Do you still feel poorly?

Are you all right?

Oh. I'm fine now.

Take them.

I promise you'll feel better.

Go on. Just put this leaf in your mouth.

Ah.

That's better, thank you.

I wish we could come here again.

How would we find it?

We could leave a sign.

Like what?

Hmm.

Let's plant a tree.

How?

We can plant the seeds.

We'll have one each.

One for me.

The other for you.

Are these really our little trees?

They are.

They have grown so tall.

I did often think of our trees.

I thought they would be lost.

I have ensured these trees were taken care of since then.

My lady.

There's a guest here for you.

I am not seeing anyone.

But, Ms. Rashta--

I told you.

Send them away.

He swore if you won't see him now,

then you'll regret the consequences.

Consequences?

Who dares to say that to Rashta?

You're looking almost like a noblewoman.

But I know what you are.

Why...

did you come...

How did you gain entry here?

I think...

it would be better for these girls not to hear us.

Ah.

Is this trinket made of real gold and amber?

Let me see.

You should not treat me so wickedly, should you, Rashta?

This is your doing.

When you got caught, they removed my eye.

Hmm.

And yet for you...

I've been keeping your secret.

Your precious golden trinkets

would never be enough to pay what I'm owed.

So don't make that nasty pouting face.

Hmm?

Do not place your hands on me!

His Highness will not forgive you.

Right.

And what does His Highness really know about your history?

Does he know you gave birth in secrecy to another man's child?

And does he know that you abandoned your poor child like an old doll

and scurried away?

I bet not.

Abandoned?

What on earth do you mean?

How dare you lie when you took my child and killed it!

Shh!

You threaten me with the baby's existence,

but all I have to do is deny it.

It's a worthless threat when we both know there's no child.

Your child is alive.

I do not believe you.

As lowborn as he indeed was...

he is still my grandson.

You believed that I would kill the child?

You... you said he was dead.

You even said you...

that you did it yourself.

Not really.

You don't know whether you want your boy dead or alive.

So which one is it?

You don't believe me, do you?

Shall I show you?

Oh my...

I'll be here again soon to see you...

so have something to give me.

If you don't have money,

then your jewels will do.

Cheerio, my dear.

Ms. Rashta! Oh no!

Are you all right?

What do we do? Fetch some water!

Who is it?

I have a message.

What is it now?

It's Ms. Rashta. She has suddenly fallen ill.

That's it?

She is suffering from chills and a fever,

so the Imperial Physician decided to treat her.

Go and tell the Physician that he did the right thing.

If she gets any worse, report it to me without delay.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Tell me...

Do you suppose she's feigning it?

That may be.

But the physician, he would not have sent a message if that were the case.

You're right.

I know he will be treating her well.

Do not worry.

Just enjoy being here with the Empress.

Hmm.

Mmm! This smells delicious.

And it looks it, too!

You taste it first.

-How is it? -It tastes lovely.

When Your Majesty cooks anything, I could just keep on eating until I burst!

I'm serious!

Do come in, Your Majesty.

It smells delicious.

It's like something my mother used to make.

When I was very young.

Well, Her Majesty has made this dish all by herself.

It looks divine.

Doesn't it?

I enjoyed hearing your laughter.

While I was making this,

I had a little something to drink.

I feel a little tipsy.

I thought perhaps you looked a little flushed.

It's pretty.

Let's go to Plevor together,

to the observatory.

I thought you'd want to go there.

It's all arranged.

Is this a present?

It's so beautiful.

The yellow jewels were quite troublesome to find.

But I know you love them.

I need you.

I missed you...

Rashta.

What did you say?

Navier, what can I say?

It was a mistake.

Get out.

Hup!

Ms. Rashta is critical.

She got worse rapidly.

When does it end?

When it rains, it pours.

We're leaving.

To the palace.

Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Please do not leave, I entreat you.

Your Majesty!

I'll leave the Empress the royal carriage.

That's the limit of my kindness.

Hyah!

Rashta.

You're back.

What is going on here? How could anybody get so ill this quickly?

Well, I... Your Majesty,

I'm sorry.

I heard Ms. Rashta could not eat properly,

grew dizzy, and collapsed.

I was so terribly alarmed that I came to see her at once.

In spite of my efforts,

her condition left me too concerned,

so I called the Imperial Physician.

I am...

very unwell, aren't I?

Uh...

I needed to verify this,

so I checked twice to be certain.

What is it?

My congratulations.

Rashta is expecting.

She will have a child.

A child?

The pulse is not yet strong,

but I can feel it clearly.

You're with child, my dear.

Good heavens!

I have brought news for Her Majesty the Empress.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

What now?

I just heard about this.

That mistress is pregnant.

-Rashta? -Yes...

Rashta.

Hold on.

What about Navier? Where is she?

Has she come back yet?

Does she know about this?

Rashta is with child.

Is she?

Do you expect me to be joyous?

The child is my firstborn, even if they're not a royal.

I do not expect your congratulations. However...

Next month, I would like you to commence a payment increase for Rashta.

Her allowance must reflect that she is a mother.

I shall.

Your Majesty...

What is it, Eliza?

Prince Heinrey is here.

He's requested to see you.

There's something important he wants to say.

Will you show him in?

I was thinking you might need comforting today.

I thought a hug could help.

Is that all right?

That's what friends do.

They always look out for each other.

Mmm. It is all right.

You bastard!

THE REMARRIED EMPRESS