Original subtitles

I tried to hide my feelings from everyone.

That's what I thought I had to do

to keep you by my side.

Is it wrong to confess your love to someone you can never be with?

You must love someone dearly

to be able to let that person go for their own good.

Who knows

if the memory of being loved

can give you the strength to carry on?

This robe you're wearing does not suit you either.

Do you not wish to live as a woman?

Because of what you said, I decided to muster up my courage

although confessing my love to you

could put me in danger or make me lose you.

Don't tell me I shouldn't feel this way about you.

You told me before

that nobody can say it is wrong

to have feelings for someone.

Pardon?

I've already decided to love you

even if it is wrong.

Did something happen?

Chief Kim.

Don't you think you're being rude?

-What did I do? -I mean,

it's rude to ask that question...

when nothing happened.

Really?

I'm sorry.

Chief Kim.

Can I...

ask you a question?

What is it?

From what I heard,

the person whom His Highness cherishes the most

is you,

followed by Eunuch Jang.

So...

has he ever loved a woman before?

Ever? At all?

No.

Not even once.

No?

Not even once?

I'm thinking of allowing you to leave the palace.

I'll get rid of all records of you.

Would you like to leave here and live together?

Yes, Your Highness.

If you go to this place, they'll find you a place to live and work.

Thank you, Your Highness.

Thank you for teaching me

that true love can create miracles.

I hope you live a long and happy life together.

-Yes, Your Highness. -Yes, Your Highness.

Eunuch Ma.

You have to live a happy life together, okay?

You're the 30th couple I have helped.

Don't worry about helping other people fall in love,

and take a good look around.

There is not just one, but two people.

Can't you see?

That is the list of the item writers and the test takers who passed

in the last ten years.

The ones who wrote the questions are from the Kim family,

and the ones who passed the exam are from the Kim family.

They're all from the Kim family.

How interesting.

These are the exam questions

and answers.

EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

How did they pass the exam with such typical answers?

But then again...

what they wrote didn't really matter.

You can easily pass the exam

if you're from a prestigious family.

What are your thoughts on this?

Do you want to know my thoughts as a Kim

or as the Chief of the Ministry of Rites?

I guess your answer depends on such factors.

As a Kim, I must accept the reproach,

but as the Chief of Ministry of Rites,

I must work hard to correct this.

Do you mean that?

If I said yes,

would you believe me?

You'd be in trouble if Premier Kim heard this.

I'll take a look at this. You may go.

Eunuch Hong.

Can you spare me some time?

Pardon?

-I am... -Sam-nom, come here.

Yes, Your Highness.

Thank you, sir.

You're right.

Being a eunuch

doesn't suit me.

I should leave the palace as soon as possible.

And?

I...

I don't want to leave.

It's strange.

No matter how much I think about it, I come to the same conclusion.

I...

want to stay here a little longer.

My apologies, sir.

I'm curious to know

what has made you take the risk

and stay here.

So, you are saying you are going to the temple

to lose weight, right?

Yes.

They say if I eat as the chief monk tells me to for 15 days,

I'll lose so much weight

and my face will shrink in half.

Who told you that?

Is it trustworthy?

THE JOSEON LOVE STORY WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT

I heard it from the one who wrote this book.

The author knows everything about love and relationships.

Can I...

borrow this book?

How may I help you, Your Highness?

It's said that Hong Gyeong-rae's daughter is alive somewhere in the capital.

Have you heard the rumor?

I haven't, Your Highness.

One word from Premier Kim

has worsened my father's anxiety.

This mask

is just like the one we saw

at Premier Kim's feast. You remember, right?

Yes, Your Highness.

I need you to look into this.

Find out who they are and if it's true

that they are looking for Hong Gyeong-rae's daughter.

If so, find out why.

Yes, Your Highness.

If it's true,

we must find her

before Premier Kim does.

It's heavy. Give it to me.

No, Your Highness.

This is my duty, Your Highness.

People are watching, Your Highness.

All right.

I am fine with being out in the sun, so put it away.

Your Highness.

The sun is blazing, so please stay in the shade.

I'm okay, Your Highness.

As a man, I should be able to carry something like this with ease.

-Hun-nam. -Yes, Your Highness.

I like the breeze,

so I'm going to take a nap over here. Don't wake me up.

Yes, Your Highness.

And you, hold this properly.

Understood?

Your hands are small,

but why are they so rough?

That's how all men's hands are.

Right.

Your eyes, nose, and lips

are those of a manly man.

I fell for...

your manliness.

Pardon?

I fear someone may hear, Your Highness.

Please take back

what you said to me.

You should never take back what you've said.

You should take responsibility for it.

Take some rest.

I will read slowly.

Your Highness.

Although you are so kind to me,

I cannot be happy.

Do not think that you know everything about me.

I never said I did.

I only told you to take some rest.

Your Highness,

do not be so good to me.

I cannot help wanting to lean on you,

and it's tormenting me.

Eunuch Hong.

She's the Princess' friend.

Are you Eunuch Hong?

Yes, My Lady.

In conclusion, he's a high-ranked, handsome man.

He's cold-hearted, and he's not interested in

beautiful women like you.

I tried to draw his attention several times,

but nothing worked.

May I ask how, My lady?

When I tripped because of him,

-I asked him to help me back up. -Goodness.

You should've slapped his cheek

as if you weren't interested.

Is that what I was supposed to do?

I cannot help but smile when I see him.

That's not all. I suggested him to go for a walk with me,

but he rejected me at once.

Did you really suggest him that?

I was shameless.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Is there no way for you to help me?

No.

I do not think you need my help, My Lady.

What is the point of knowing everything about love and relationships?

I'm envious of

how you can express your feelings for him.

-You're envious of me? -Yes, My Lady.

I am sure you will soon be able to be with him.

You see, sincerity is very powerful.

Your Highness.

As someone who is being appointed as a regent

before the age of 20,

you must be quite shaken up inside.

However, if you stay strong,

do not be lazy in overseeing political affairs,

and continue to study,

-nothing will... -Hun-nam.

bring you down--

Yes, Your Highness?

Do not beat around the bush.

"Please be strong."

That's all you need to say.

Yes, Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Please be strong.

Thank you.

What about you?

Do you not have anything to say to me?

I do not, Your Highness.

I know you'll do a great job, Your Highness.

The Crown Prince is entering!

His Highness must have been very surprised

after seeing the empty assembly hall.

He has probably entered there with confidence right about now.

I feel so bad for him.

He should not have canceled the regular exam

and replaced it with the special exam written by the King.

He must have figured out that the result has already been decided.

He is making a statement

that he will get in the way of the Kim Family's success.

This exam is to find talented individuals

who will oversee political affairs with the King.

Let him do as he wishes.

He might give up on his own.

What could he possibly do by himself

in an empty assembly hall?

As the ones who lead the royal court for decades,

let's teach him a lesson.

Don't you agree?

The Minister of Taxation

cannot attend the assembly due to acute indigestion.

Supreme Commissioner Kim Su-yong has a high fever.

Oh, no.

Someone even has a skin rash.

How could they be so disloyal?

Your Highness,

shall I send someone and bring them here?

Come on.

Did you not hear?

They're all very sick.

I understand that it is hard for you to take your eyes off me,

but do you not think you are being too obvious?

Pardon?

You look down, Your Highness.

Please have some of these, Your Highness.

Sweets are the best when you feel down.

What would you do?

About what?

If you had to face someone who is difficult to deal with,

what would you do?

If it is someone I must fight against,

I will fight with all my might.

And if that doesn't work...

I would have no choice but to go with the flow.

I will excuse myself, Your Highness.

Your Highness...

You're right.

It's the best.

You have not tried it yet.

I'm talking about you.

Go on and call the royal physician and pharmacist.

EUNUCH WHO MANAGES MEDICINAL HERBS

Pardon?

Your...

We found someone who was close to Hong Gyeong-rae over ten years ago.

We'll check if they know anything about the whereabouts

of Hong Gyeong-rae's family.

Find out quickly.

Find out before those thieves do.

Yes, My Lord.

They're still waiting for someone, who died ten years ago,

to come back to life.

Hong Gyeong-rae must have been an impressive man.

My thoughts exactly.

Whichever side they are on, they are looking all over the place

and making a fuss to find a daughter of his.

"Kim Ui-gyo."

"Kim Geun-gyo."

What's this?

That's the Crown Prince.

Is it really him?

I was worried if I could deliver all this medicine to each of you.

But surprisingly,

you're all here together,

which brings me relief.

Here.

I heard you have acute indigestion,

so I got you medicine that will relieve it.

I hope they work.

Do you not agree?

Your Highness.

Please come inside.

At first, I thought she was widowed

because it was just her and her daughter.

But I heard her argue with someone once in a while,

and a man came to their door

and left bags of barley rice for them.

I assumed he was the father...

but he turned out to be Hong Gyeong-rae.

Have you heard about them after the uprising?

I'm sure they died.

The royal guards searched all around the country

to get the entire family.

They wouldn't have left them alive.

Is there anything else you remember about the daughter?

Well, not really.

She was just a little girl.

She had round, big eyes.

She was pretty.

What was her name?

Let me think.

It began with "Ra."

Ra-on.

"Ra-on."

Hong Ra-on.

I guess there is something special about this house.

All the officials who were too sick to do their duty

recovered so quickly here.

I'm thinking of

holding the royal court in your house, not in the palace.

What do you think?

Please understand that the officials gathered here

to discuss political matters

out of their devotion to Your Highness and the country.

Had it not been for the effort the noblemen put forth,

Joseon would not have lasted for 400 years.

However,

you're ignoring their effort and trying to go your own way.

It's our duty to guide you

and help you take the right path.

I guess

you and I have different concepts

about the right path.

If a red flower blooms

in a field of green grass,

anybody would want to

pick that flower.

"You'll get harmed if you stand out too much."

Is that what you mean?

However,

if you try to pick that flower,

you will have to trample on the grass around it first.

Don't you remember

how much His Majesty regretted it

after the late Queen passed away seven years ago?

Please

don't ignore my loyal advice.

You may come to me whenever you need help.

As people say,

knowing your place

isn't something to be ashamed of.

I am Kim Yun-seong.

I am Cho Ha-yeon.

Were you surprised that I asked you to meet me all of a sudden?

Not really.

You must have your reasons.

Let us sit.

I know I shouldn't be doing this,

but I was so curious about my future husband

that I committed such rudeness.

Has your curiosity been satisfied?

Yes,

but I'm worried.

I am not good enough

to be the wife of a great man like you.

Could you be more specific?

I'm the only daughter in the family, so I'm not considerate of others.

I lack patience.

Oh, dear.

That is bad.

Also,

I enjoy reading more than embroidering.

I know all the dirty stories which you might be surprised to hear.

So my parents

are so worried about me.

Well,

I'm not as upright as the rumor says either.

There is no need for you to worry.

That cannot be true.

What I mean is I get what you want,

so you do not need to worry anymore.

Pardon?

You don't want to marry me,

but you are too afraid of the consequences you will face after rejecting me.

How did you...

By any chance, do you have someone else in mind?

It seems like we both are in the same situation.

What should we do then?

Let's find a way

to break this marriage

peacefully.

My Lord,

please take a look at these.

They are the eternal love bracelets that connect the two souls.

Eternal love bracelets?

If you wear these with your lover,

you will end up meeting her again

even though you happen to part ways with her.

I did not expect that I would see you here, Your Highness.

Why are you looking at me like that?

Did you purposely run into me again?

Pardon?

It is a coincidence for real this time.

Does this mean

that we are actually destined to be together?

She is way too direct.

Do you have any plans for tomorrow?

I'll be at the training grounds all day

for the group training with the palace guards.

Who are they?

I'll jump into them on the count of three.

Please run to the back.

One, two, three.

Are you okay?

I am so glad

that you are safe, Your Highness.

Your Highness,

why are you not asking me about it?

About who was chasing you?

If you could tell me,

I'm sure you would have already.

-Your Highness-- -I want to be alone for a moment,

so you may go.

Byeong-yeon.

If...

I were to trust only one person in this world,

it would be you.

You know that, right?

Don't you remember

how much His Majesty regretted it

after the late Queen passed away seven years ago?

I heard the court ladies talking about it.

They said she didn't pass away from a disease!

Who tried to harm Mother?

Crown Prince!

You should never say such a thing ever again.

Do you understand?

Father!

Please uncover the truth.

Please find them!

Please get those who harmed Mother.

Crown Prince!

Your Highness,

where have you been?

I went to visit someone I miss dearly.

May I ask whom you are referring to?

My mother.

What kind of person...

was the late Queen?

She did not like to be trapped in the palace

and was curious about the outside world.

That reminds me of you, Your Highness.

She also did silly things

that gave the court ladies a hard time.

That also reminds me of you, Your Highness.

However,

she was warm-hearted

and wiser than anyone else.

I could not protect her.

I could not.

That's when I realized

that I must be strong

in order to protect those who are precious to me.

Your Highness.

Were you worried because I disappeared without a word?

You don't need to say anything.

All you need to do is stay by my side

because seeing you cheers me up like sweets do.

What is this?

This was sent from Minister Cho's house, Your Highness.

Your...

He rescued me when I was in danger not so long ago.

If this isn't fate, what else could it be?

I'm going to follow your advice

and confess my sincere feelings to him.

Is my gift not to your liking, Your Highness?

I did not open it

because I did not know why you gave me this.

You saved my life.

That was just by accident.

I have no talent for embroidery,

so I stayed up for several nights to make this.

I cannot stop thinking about you,

and I miss you every day.

Does this mean that you cannot stand

being even a step away from me?

Your Highness,

may I ask you

one thing?

Have you ever

loved a woman?

Yes.

You have?

When? What kind of woman is she?

I'm in love

with a beautiful woman now.

Then,

why are you like that to me?

-That's-- -All day long,

I become happy, angry, and heartbroken because of you.

I have been tormented.

Even though I wonder

your true feelings about me,

am I not supposed to ask?

I'm a eunuch who serves you, the Crown Prince,

but you cannot tell me what to do with my feelings.

I'm a eunuch who serves you, the Crown Prince,

but you cannot tell me what to do with my feelings.

What brings you here,

Your Highness?

Ra-on?

Why are you looking for her?

I mean,

how do you know that name?

Is she the girl whom you found at the lantern festival ten years ago?

I'm not trying to harm her. I'm only trying to protect her.

So please tell me.

Whatever the case may be,

she ran away a long time ago and is not here anymore.

Do you not know where she went?

I don't know. That is why I came here

just in case she would be here.

If others come and ask about her,

tell them you know nothing.

No,

leave this place before they come.

It's dangerous here.

Wait.

Nothing is going to happen to her, right?

What are you doing?

What...

is this, Your Highness?

It's a perfect bracelet for a beautiful woman.

What else would it be?

"A beautiful woman"?

-Whom-- -I told you

that I'm in love with a woman.

And she is standing right in front of me.

Hey.

Are you sure

that you are looking for her to protect her?

Damn it.

Sam-nom.

What did you just say?

Hong Sam-nom.

She's in the palace now.

She was sold off to the palace

because of her debt.

That is what I heard.

Now,

I'll treat you as the most precious woman in the world.

Would you allow me to do that?