Original subtitles

One year after the end of the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1599

Your Majesty.

Where are you going at this time of night?

Your Majesty.

The wind is cold.

Please go, hurry and go inside.

It's good that you came.

It's good that you came, my subjects.

I am holding a banquet for all of you.

Eat a lot.

How much have you been starving all this time due to the war?

Your Majesty.

Attend to him quickly!

Episode 16

Your Majesty, did you have a dream last night?

How did you know that I had a dream?

In my dream last night, I gathered all the starving subjects,

The subjects enjoyed it so much.

Seeing them eat until they were full, I felt gratified.

Today is the day that Your Majesty is giving alcohol and beef bone soup to the people.

That must be why you had that dream.

Do you think many people will come?

Of course, Your Majesty.

Since we posted the notices all over the capitol,

the palace will be overflowing.

That the King himself

called the subjects to the palace to give them alcohol and food...

It has never happened during the preceding Kings' time, isn't that right?

Yes, Your Majesty.

All the subjects will be touched by Your Majesty's just rule.

What are you saying?

His Majesty goes outside every night?

He has already done so several times.

He is taking an herbal medication,

According to the physician, the anxiety problem is difficult to treat.

The King's anxiety got worse because of the war.

For now, I am keeping the underlings quiet,

but soon, rumors will start to circulate in the palace.

That can't happen, no matter what.

Your Highness, the petitionor for the proclamation of the Crown Prince has returned.

Is that so?

This time we must get the approval of Ming, no matter what.

Are you saying that we didn't receive approval from the Emperor of Ming this time either?

Yes, Your Majesty.

This time as well, they have not given their approval because the Crown Prince is not the firstborn son.

Just how many times has it been?

How many more times will we have to send the petition for proclamation of the Crown Prince to Ming?

Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is entering.

Let him enter.

China has once again

refused to approve the proclamation of the Crown Prince.

This is all the consequence of your actions, Crown Prince.

Back then, by saying that the Japanese enemies that remained in the capital city were to be destroyed,

didn't that displease Ming?

That's why they are refusing to proclaim you as the Crown Prince.

Ming is a gracious land that saved Joseon.

That gracious land has refused to acknowledge you as the Crown Prince.

A half Crown Prince that doesn't have the approval of Ming...

How can I put you forward as the Crown Prince?

Your Majesty, the Crown Prince should not be seen as being completely to blame for this.

Yes.

In China, where they also don't have a son from the queen, unless a prince is the eldest,

there is strong opposition from the King's advisers.

Since it is a topic that Ming itself is careful about...

Then are you saying that I must continue to endure this scorn?

Father, because of my unworthiness,

for the sins of upsetting you and increasing the worries of the country, how can I be forgiven for that?

However, Father,

you must observe Ming's true intentions.

Ming's true intentions?

Yes.

The reason why Ming sent reinforcements to Joseon

is because they were afraid that the Japanese would invade Ming as well, isn't that right?

For them, sending reinforcements to Joseon

was a necessity for them.

So then Ming's help is nothing to be moved by,

or to make a fuss about either?

That is not what I'm saying.

I have said it because I am concerned about the relationship between Ming and Joseon.

Assistant commissioner.

What has happened?

Ming did not give their approval of the Crown Prince in the end.

The proclamation of the Crown Prince was not approved this time either.

You had a minor position in the royal observatory a few years ago.

Now you became an assistant commissioner, the highest position in the royal observatory.

However, the Crown Prince is still unofficial.

Could there be a more humiliating time?

It is all thanks to you, Lady Kim, that I have risen to this position.

You know how difficult it is to give such a high rank position to someone who's not from a noble class.

You must not forget this favor for the rest of your life.

Prince Jeong Won The father of Prince Neung Yan, who became King In Jo in 1623

There's no arguing it.

The two of you are my masters for life.

Masters, you say?

Then, Jeong Won must become the Crown Prince

and become the King.

There was a time when I said this to you, Lady Kim.

You have the facial feature that bears the future King.

His Highness Prince Jeong Won will realize your lifelong desire.

This is the place where I used to always take walks with Prince Sin Seong.

In the end, your hyung was not able to step foot in the capital city,

he ended up dying in that cold and harsh place.

The ones who made your hyung that way

are Princes Im Hae and Gwang Hae, who stole the position of Crown Prince.

Although I was young back then, how can I forget Hyungnim's grudge?

Wait and see, Mother. I will

take back my brother's position as the Crown Prince, which was stolen.

Isn't this a skin of a tiger?

Yes, Father. It's a tiger that I caught myself in Ham Gyeong Province.

You personally caught a tiger?

It was very big and fierce, so it was difficult.

But since it will suit you greatly, I brought it to you.

You don't drink nowadays and did not create any trouble, right?

I am the first born of this nation.

I cannot make you, who already went through a hard time, worried.

The Ming dynasty did not approve the Crown Prince.

If I appointed you as the Crown Prince, this won't have happened.

It was all because I was lacking.

Since the Crown Prince is doing well, there will be good news, Father.

Royal Father, I'm not the old Im Hae from before.

Wait and see. I will take back

my position as the Crown Prince.

His Majesty is coming!

What happened? Didn't I tell you to put up notices in Hangul

where the subjects can see easily?

Yes, Your Majesty. We did that, just as you asked.

But why don't I see any subjects?

In a party where the king is hosting, not one person came?

Your Majesty! It's the subjects!

Welcome.

Your Highness, because you killed the enemy 5 years ago,

my son survived.

Is that so?

Yes, Your Highness. Your kindness will never be forgotten.

I wanted to visit you at least once

and give you a bow.

That's enough.

Today is an event which the King especially arranged for you,

so say your greetings to the King.

Crown Prince! The reason why we came here today

was to say our greetings to you.

That's right! We came here to greet you.

Please receive our bow, Crown Prince.

Crown Prince!

Crown Prince, you didn't purposely call them out, right?

What are you saying now?

Look, stop it and eat this ox bone soup that His Majesty prepared.

This is food that His Majesty prepared for you.

We don't need it! We will not eat it.

We did not come here to eat the ox bone soup.

We came here to thank you, Crown Prince!

Thank you, Crown Prince!

Thank you, Crown Prince!

Prince...

Yeong Sin, the commanders of the Righteous Army are coming tomorrow.

Is the preparation for them going well?

Yes, don't worry.

Prince Im Hae is here to see you.

Hyungnim?

Sit down, Crown Prince. You have to sit at the head.

What are you doing? Get me a cup of tea.

Oh, yes.

I came here to visit in case you were worried about what happened just now.

Don't think too badly about it.

It's all because of the seeds that Father sowed.

Do you know how many subjects you saved during the war?

It's obvious for the people to act that way.

Why are you like that?

No, I'm happy that you are comforting me like this.

How dare they refuse the food that the king prepared!

The subjects do not want to treat me as their king.

They ignored and ridiculed me.

They came here to see the Crown Prince, not me!

Your Majesty, the citizens will turn their back

if they have food to eat

and a comfortable place to sleep.

So you want me to forget what happened today?

That's not it. There isn't a big problem with the subjects ...

But there are people who are whispering bad things to the subjects.

Who are those people?

I am thinking of going outside the palace to observe directly the subjects' sentiments.

The fact that you are understanding what I am feeling is commendable.

No, I will go myself.

Chief Eunuch.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Tomorrow, I am going to secretly go out with him so prepare.

Don't worry. I will take care of His Majesty.

General! General!

Oh my!

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- Eat this. - Thank you.

Oh, it's the commanders!

The general is coming!

General! General!

General!

Crown Prince!

Welcome. You guys worked hard coming a long way.

I'm happy to see you. Get up!

You guys didn't change a bit!

Have you been well?

Are those people all the Crown Prince's people?

Yes, that's right.

Aren't they rude?

They are treating the Crown Prince as if he is their lord.

Get up, the solders of Joseon!

Let's protect the country together!

After not seeing you guys in a long time, it seems like I went back to the past.

But this drink...

Even after I returned the capital city and tried many different drinks,

I've never seen a drink better than the one I drank at the scene of war.

Is it just the drink?

How about the rabbits we caught on our way?

Sleeping at night on top of the grass

was very comfortable.

This person, really.

You said that you were sick of sleeping on grass!

My back!

Let's have a toast.

At the royal court, they are discussing who they will select

for awards and merits to record.

Becoming a vassal of merit won't compensate

the numerous lives of the volunteer soldiers who died

and every single drop of blood that you guys shed.

However, I'm happy that you will be remunerated for your effort now.

We don't need to be recognized as vassals of merit.

Don't worry about it.

No, we don't need it.

Of course! Of course!

Now!

His Majesty is waiting for you.

Why is he looking for me so urgently?

Go inside.

We won this war because I requested reinforcements from Ming.

The subjects must know that.

Your Majesty, did you look for me?

Chief State Councillor, I've ordered to install the Office of Meritorious Investiture

and recommend the people to be vassals of merit, so we can appreciate their efforts.

Why isn't there any news, even if it's been a year?

I'm sorry, Your Majesty.

We're in the middle of examining all the generals,

ministers and commanders of militia, but

it's a very huge task, so we did not finish yet.

How long are you just going to discuss this?

Bring me the list as soon as the sun comes up tomorrow.

I have to let the citizens know as fast as possible

who to thank for contributing to this war.

Yes, Your Majesty. I accept your command.

Office of Meritorious Investiture

Wouldn't it be the King who requested reinforcements to Ming and the Ministers who followed the King.

The ones who led this war to victory was as expected, His Majesty

who asked for help from Ming and the officials who assisted His Majesty.

I guess

we'll have an increased number of guards

who escorted His Majesty to recognize.

Shouldn't we have more military leaders and volunteer soldiers

who actually fought in the war?

If the military leaders who fought, risking their lives are not worthy of recognition, then who?

Did we say that we wouldn't include them? Of course we should.

Yi Sun Shin who died in the war not too long ago,

Kwon Yul, the leader of the volunteer soldiers Gwak Jae Woo, Lee Jung Ahm.

We should also include Kim Shi Min who contributed at the battle of Jinju.

Yi Sun Shin and Gwak Jae Woo...

Would His Majesty be happy about it? Gwak Jae Woo...

is not on the king's good side.

Yi Sun Sin is the most appreciated person.

Of course we should put Yi Sun Sin's name on the list.

For now, let's put him on the list.

However, the king will decide.

This is the list

of the meritorious subjects who escorted you to far away Pyongyang and Uiju

and those who deserve the military order of merit, who fought the enemy on the scene.

Kwak Jae Woo?

Who is this man?

Do you not remember?

He is a commander of a militia who did many deeds.

I do not remember him at all.

Even with generosity, Yi Sun Sin

and Kwon Yul are the only people who are worthy.

There is no one else who is worthy of the order of merit.

The Crown Prince is a first-class order of merit?

What did he do for me to give him the order of merit?

Your Majesty, you can just not include the people who do not belong,

so don't be upset.

It's only the Ming soldiers who deserve credit for defeating the Japanese invaders,

and Sin Seong and Jeong Won also escorted me, so put them on the list as well.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Since Yi Sun Sin was a general who became a casualty of war; include him on the list.

Also, include Won Gyun.

Are you talking about Won Gyun?

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Is this all?

There are only eighteen people, from people who risked their life and fought, who will get the military order of merit?

There are much more meritorious subjects who escorted His Majesty.

He is too much.

In the year of Imjin, when the war broke out, the volunteer soldiers wouldn't have risen

if it wasn't for the General Kwak Jae Woo.

How can you exclude such an honorable man from that honorary list?

He should have been put in,

but it's more outrageous that your name is taken out.

I did what I had to do, as the Crown Prince.

The countless people who helped me deserve the order of merit!

Your Highness! Where are you going?

I am going personaly to tell Father.

Well, what do you want to say?

Father, while picking out the vassals of merit,

why were the generals of the Righteous Army taken out?

It's because they do not deserve the recognition.

Father, I saw the generals of the Righteous Army.

I am the witness.

I saw with my own eyes how

the solders went to battle, no matter what was happening,

how much blood was spilled to protect a palace,

how many Japanese invaders' throats were cut and how many sacrificed themselves.

I know

that you pity the people.

But we are determining the people, whose names will be left [written] in history for their legacies.

Those soldiers that you're referring to only followed the backs of the Ming soldiers.

Have they ever taken off an enemy leader's head or

taken down an enemy's camp?

Leave.

How dare you ask to put the names of the people

whom I have never heard of before?

The people are the ones who protected the land and saved the country,

not the Ming Dynasty.

What?

Did you say that you have to pick out who will stay in history?

Then, in ten, twenty, or a hundred years!

What will the people in this nation learn after seeing this?

Will they want to act bravely, if their nation is in trouble?

No.

I only have to find my own safety.

That's the only way to survive. The only way!

It's the way for myself and my children.

The nation will be filled with people who think like that.

What more horrible thing is there compared to this?

Are you saying now that I'm against history?

Are you are acting this way now because I abandoned the people and left, is that why ?

No, Your Majesty.

A half Crown Prince that hasn't been acknowledged as the Crown Prince,

do you dare to think that you have the right to comment on history?

Get out immediately!

I don't want to hear your voice anymore.

As for us, even if they gave us the label of vassal of merit, we wouldn't accept it!

How could the Crown Prince, who braved danger and personally went behind enemy lines, receive such shabby treatment?

The Crown Prince is actually the best of the best vassal of merit!

Prince Sin Seong and Prince Jeong Won are vassals of merit because they followed the King when he fled the palace!

Are you all just going to sit and watch?

Shouldn't we personally make the Crown Prince's merits be known?

Let's do that!

Let's take action!

I agree!

Let's take action!

Let's do that.

Let's do that.

I will add my strength as well.

I agree!

The leaders of the Righteous Army have gathered, and are going to rise up and take action, you say?

They were together in battle crossing the line between life and death.

They are men who are prepared to die for the Crown Prince.

After the war ended, there are too many people who are following the Crown Prince.

It will be troublesome if things continue this way in the future.

Is there any way to capture all those men?

Such as charge them all with plotting treason.

While we're at it, if we charge the Crown Prince at the same time of plotting treason,

that would be even better.

That would be the icing on the cake.

What did you say? They're going to stand up and take action for the Crown Prince?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Their behavior that day looked suspicious, so I secretly looked into it,

and it seems that they are going to petition for the Crown Prince to be given the military order of merit.

How can there be such scoundrels?

Didn't you notice it that day also, Your Majesty?

Those men think of the Crown Prince, who is not even Your Majesty the King, as their master.

Also, they are speaking ill of you for taking royal refuge during the Imjin War.

How do you think they should be kept under control?

Your Majesty, although it may seem like just a small discontent at first,

someday it will become an uncontrollable flame.

It is rebellious, Your Majesty.

His Majesty the King!

The Crown Prince contributed greatly to the victory!

How is he not included in the vassals of merit?

Put the Crown Prince as a vassal of merit!

Put him!

Please look at the Crown Prince's deeds.

Please look!

Please put him as a vassal of merit!

Put him!

Put the Crown Prince as a vassal of merit!

Put him!

Drag them away!

Yes!

Why are you like this?

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- Your Highness! - Your Highness!

Is everyone okay?

We are fine.

But Why is His Majesty being like this?!

Even when we were captured by the Japanese invading bastards as prisoner of war, I wasn't this angry!

I apologize, Your Highness.

I'm worried that you will get in trouble because of us.

Is it the time to worry about me?

Why did you guys act so recklessly?

I couldn't hold it in.

I feel so wronged! This is a pure injustice!

We don't care if we are ignored, but they ignored all of your deeds.

We couldn't hold it in.

Those horrific times in the war,

everything that we did all dissipated because of them!

I have a duty of protecting you and the people.

It was what I'm supposed to do.

For the first time, you guys disappointed me today.

- Crown Prince! - Crown Prince!

Crown Prince!

You put Gwang Hae's people, who always got in the way, in jail at once?

You did well.

His Majesty was the one who ordered this.

Aren't you the one who advised the king?

Lady Kim, it is you who have orchestrated this idea to accuse your adversaries of starting a revolt!

A few years ago, you were a mere Physiognomist.

But now, you have become a key political figure. In which the other cabinet members tremble, when they're in your presence.

Although I'm not good at reading faces,

I think I judged a person correctly.

Opportunities don't come often.

Finish this, after paying attention till the end.

Yes.

Did you say a revolution, right now?

Yes, Prince Im Hae.

This case will be concluded as treason as if the commanders of the militias planned to depose the King,

because he unfairly chose the vassals of merit, then place the Crown Prince on the throne.

If I want to be in Father's good favor, I have to be in your good side.

There were rumors going around in the palace.

You are amazing.

This is all for you.

Why are you working so hard for me?

It's because you will become the king.

The reason why the Ming dynasty does not accept the Crown Prince is because he is not the eldest son.

You, who are the eldest son of Joseon, have to be the king.

What should I do?

The Crown Prince has yet to be even recognized and validated for his sovereignty from the Ming Dynasty.

The people who follow the Crown Prince were all arrested.

From what I hear, people are fast to judge. In which they are shouting it as a revolt.

Is that true?

All of this

is because of His Majesty's mental disorder.

Because of his illness, his judgment became clouded.

If Lady Kim catches onto this,

she will use this opportunity to chase out the Crown Prince.

A long time ago, His Majesty wanted this maiden as a concubine.

She was thrown out due to my rejection

because she is a daughter of a traitor.

I must bring her. That may be the only solution to treat His Majesty's mental disorder and to go against Lady Kim.

This is the only method to secure the position for the Crown Prince.

Is it Kim Ga Hee?

How do you know?

She has a deep relationship with the Crown Prince.

What did you just say?

It's the best cotton cloth in Joseon.

It will be hard to find a product like this in other places at this price.

The cotton cloth is indeed excellent.

By the way...

if you are a merchant group,

why would you search through our barracks?

Search them!

Yes.

It seems like they examined this area and drew a map.

They are spies.

Who sent you here?

- Take them away! - Yes!

Hello... whoops!

I guess I came to the wrong place.

Excuse me.

Get him! He's a man from Joseon!

He must be in the same group with them!

What are you doing?

Why!

I'm from a great family in Joseon. How can you say that

the spies and I flock together?

I'm upset.

I just came to sell some ginseng.

- Ginseng? - Yes, it is.

Ginseng.

I brought this ginseng straight from Joseon.

I have a cart full of ginseng.

My servant is standing by the cart outside.

Go check outside.

Yes, Leader.

Run!

Get them!

Stop there!

We are indebted.

You lost all of your valuable ginseng because of us.

How can we pay you back?

It's fine.

They weren't ginseng...

but bellflower roots.

Pardon?

I don't know what you were doing there,

but the cotton cloth won't be enough

if you want to tempt Jurchens.

Long before, Jurchens were crazy about cotton cloth and grain,

but while Ming was getting weak,

they are pretty rich now.

So, whether being a spy or a merchant,

try having some ginseng...

as your main item next time.

I heard even Nurhachi loves ginseng from Joseon. Nurhachi- unified the Jurchens and built Qing

Why are you looking at me like that?

Are you perhaps...

falling in love with me?

Excuse me?

It's not that.

You just sounded like someone I know.

Most scholars of Joseon only think of Jurchens as barbarians.

It's very rare to find a person who's paying attention to Jurchens.

By the way,

do you happened to have

an affianced husband or something?

I see you're independent and even a little violent...

and that makes my heart flutter.

Pardon?

I've got a secret order from Hanyang.

The Crown Prince is in trouble.

I need to go to Hanyang. Oh Gil, stay here

and follow the plan.

I will.

You guys!

Were you men of the Crown Prine?

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Your Majesty!

Your Majesty!

Where is His Majesty?

Yes, that is...

You are serving in the King's quarters. How can you be so careless?

We're sorry. The King ordered us to stay away...

Keep it quiet and search for His Majesty.

Search every corner of the palace quickly. Do you understand?

Yes, Chief.

Royal Father!

Royal Father!

Is there anyone out there?

Royal Father!

Your Highness.

Teacher, how come His Majesty has fainted here?

Quickly call the royal doctor.

It's not that he's fainted...

but he's asleep.

I will take him to the King's quarters.

- Take His Majesty. - Yes, Chief.

Then...

are you saying that my Royal Father is

suffering from an illness that he doesn't know?

It's been a while.

He walks all over the palace at night,

and in the morning, he thinks it was just a dream.

Your Highness...

the King is not the same as

how he used to be. He used to be so brilliant...

but he's anxious now.

He still gets the dream of

the day he left the palace,

of the citizens who were throwing stones at him.

My Royal Father,

is that why

you kept saying that we could win the war

all thanks to Ming?

Is that why

you denigrated the contributions of the Righteous Army?

Your Highness,

have you ever read

Kim Do Chi's face before?

Yes, I have.

But it's so strange.

I can't read his face.

You can't read his face

because there are two images

in his face.

His face has images of a dragon and a snake.

That is his true nature.

However, his eyes. The eyes that hide it's cruel sword,

to whom it's aimed at

is what I don't know.

He knows about the King's neurosis and is using the King.

Please be careful.

Did you say Ga Hee has returned?

Yes.

It seems like she has traveled afar to another country.

You put in a lot of efforts trying to find her whereabouts.

Because she helped me a lot since the time when the Crown Prince was leading the branch court, she is someone to whom I am grateful.

I am thinking of meeting with her soon.

Crown Princess.

Before you do that, I have to meet with her.

You want to meet her in person?

How come you are so interested in her since before?

I am thinking of...

having her as a King's concubine.

What?

Your Majesty, please spare the leaders of the militias.

These are people who wielded swords and spears

while saying I will save your families, I will protect the land.

Unlike the royal forces who ran away, they have saved hundreds if not thousands of people's lives and

have killed the invaders.

They are the one's who have kept your country.

Please, take pity on them and spare them.

They dared to revolt against me.

How can I spare them?

Everything is my fault.

Everything happened because I was arrogant.

I dare to have an irreverent thought,

and they became aware of it and acted that way.

They have done nothing wrong.

You had an irreverent thought?

I thought they were the ones who should be recognized as vassals of merit.

However, I misapprehended foolishly.

Didn't you say last time that I'm going against history?

But now, you changed your mind in the turning of a hand?

How can I trust you?

Your Majesty.

Chief Royal Guards, are you there?

Yes, Your Majesty. You called for me?

Keep the Crown Prince in his quarters.

Make sure that he doesn't step out until the interrogation.

Royal Father!

I am going to investigate this matter more in detail.

So, if I discover treachery,

no matter who it may be, I will not forgive them.

Because of his quick temper,

although he causes some trouble,

he is the kind of a person who won't change his mind because of his loyalty.

This guy will also offer his head for his loyalty.

Well, well. It's him.

His lips are pale and opened as if he's playing the flute.

That means he's really anxious about his life.

Guard.

Drag him out.

Yes, Assistant Commissioner.

I can't do that!

We never plotted any treason.

How can I say that we have traitorous minds?

It doesn't matter if you really have

traitorous minds or not,

as long as His Majesty believes it.

You don't want to die, do you?

If this works, I will make you a vassal of merit.

Just say that you were going to set the Crown Prince on the throne

in front of the King.

The East Palace (Crown Prince's quarters)

Is tomorrow the day of interrogation?

Yes, Your Highness.

They might be executed.

Royal Queen.

It's been a long time.

I heard...

that you've been helping the Crown Prince as a volunteer soldier.

I don't know how deep your resentment is

so that you carry the bow

and run around the battlefield.

It's all in the past already.

Royal Queen, are you okay?

Royal Queen!

Upper Court Lady Oh!

Don't call her.

I...

will die soon.

Royal Queen!

That's why I need you a lot more now.

I need someone who can protect the Crown Prince after I die.

Please become a concubine of the King

and protect the Crown Prince.

Even Your Highness' impending death can't change my mind.

Don't you love the Crown Prince?

Please be a concubine

for someone you love.

The Crown Prince will be falsely accused of treason,

if you don't help him now.

Then he will be deposed

and live a sorrowful live.

Your Highness...

I'm not talking about the distant future.

The Crown Prince is...

confined in the East palace.

Pardon?

Your Highness!

Tell what you confessed last night in front of His Majesty.

Do you understand?

I do...

Did the commanders of the Righteous Army got together at Jinjugak

to discuss treason?

Yes...

that is correct.

What? What are you talking about?

Are you insane? What treason?

What are you doing?

You were harboring traitorous minds and planned to depose the King.

Also, you talked about who you will set on the throne.

Yes, we did.

Who's the person?

It's the Crown Prince.