Original subtitles

Did you already know?

Yes.

Did you know then too?

At the flower garden?

Did you not say anything

to make a fool out of me?

JAHYEONDANG

Hong Sam-nom.

She's in the palace now.

She was sold off to the palace because of her debt.

I'm sorry.

However,

it wasn't because I thought less of you.

First, I was annoyed.

But then, I was in joy. After that...

Well, I just couldn't say it.

When I was seated in a palanquin,

you walked on foot.

When I walked,

you followed holding the heavy parasol.

I sit on silk

when you sit on dirt and soil.

How could I tell you that I liked you as a woman?

I'm a eunuch who must attend to your needs.

I was doing my job.

However,

it's not how a man should treat his lady.

Now,

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

I'll block the wind

and sun for you.

I will treasure you.

Could I do so?

That's right.

I am a woman.

However,

I've never lived as one.

You can from this day on.

No.

I shouldn't be here.

I'm sorry for doing something

I shouldn't do.

I was a disservice to you--

I'm not blaming you.

I'm blaming me for not realizing sooner.

-So-- -Your Highness.

I'm needed back at the office.

I should get going.

JAHYEONDANG

Now,

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

That's right.

I am a woman.

However,

I've never lived as one.

JAHYEONDANG

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

If that's true,

we need to find her

before Premier Kim does.

We need to find her first.

She'll be the glue that brings the group together.

What would you say that for?

You know I like you the most.

JAHYEONDANG

Chief Kim, you seem worried.

I'm not.

But I have a question.

Ask away.

What did you do before you became an eunuch?

Didn't I already tell you?

I was a wandering performer.

What about before that?

I lived with my mother.

What about your father?

I heard he passed away.

It was when I was little.

I don't even know his name.

That's why

I only remember my mother.

It must've been tough.

Why are you suddenly asking about my past?

Do you still

like it at the palace?

Sam-nom.

What's this rubbish you're speaking of?

We're busy as it is now that the prince is too.

I apologize.

I guess you stuck around long enough.

Can't you take it anymore? Do you wish to be transferred?

What? We can't leave his spot vacant without the prince's approval.

I'd love a chance to fill that vacancy.

Could I get a taste of it too?

You clueless bunch of idiots.

At his first assembly,

none of the government officials attended.

See? What did I tell you?

I told you that becoming a regent could

lead to his demise.

Eunuch Seong!

You heard him.

Your behavior can also bring disgrace to our prince.

I'll keep that in mind.

Your Majesty!

The regular examination taken every three years

is the only opportunity for scholars to achieve fame and prestige.

Please let us take it as per schedule

and have us display what we've been studying.

Please reconsider, Your Majesty.

-Please reconsider! -Please reconsider!

The scholars who have been studying for the exam are devastated.

Can't you feel that?

Crown Prince,

is there not a way to console them?

We opened up the path.

The door at the end should be opened too.

How can it be fair if the results are already decided?

Your Highness...

Do not forget

that your decision effects many people’s future.

CROWN PRINCE'S PALACE

I haven’t seen Eunuch Hong in a while.

I have been wondering that myself.

You used to be so nice to him.

What made you change?

Is he deliberately not coming here, because of me?

Seems so.

He’s busy running around elsewhere

volunteering to do grunt work.

So...

where is he now?

Go hide. I’ll go find you after counting to ten!

One...

Your Highness.

Are you out of paper and ink?

I brought more.

I see you’re playing hide and seek.

I can wait here. Go hide!

I’m coming now!

Your highness, please come out.

Where are you, Your Highness?

Eunuch Jang told me everything.

You were planning to run away?

Yes.

Can I ask why?

I deceived everyone in the palace.

And you found out about everything…

I don’t know what to do.

I just can’t…

Can’t you see?

I just want you to take a step, get closer.

Not as a eunuch, but as yourself.

Your Highness, you’re the one who can’t see.

How can I...

a sinner, who deceived so many people

make another excuse to stay by your side

other than being a eunuch?

That is...

-Your Highness! -Your Highness!

Your Highness!

You’re still searching?

I asked Her Highness to come out many times

but she won’t come out.

Where did you see her last?

-Your Highness. -Your Highness!

-Your Highness! -Please come out!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

-Your Highness! -Your Highness...

Your Highness.

Your Highness?

Your Highness! This is Eunuch Hong!

Your Highness!

Your Highness! Your Highness...

Are you okay, Your Highness?

It must have been terrifying for her.

She couldn’t even cry out for help...

At least Eunuch Hong was able to find her.

I am so relieved...

She used to be a chatty kid

before...

The most frustrated one

would be herself.

At least she got much better

after you taught her how to write, and read letters.

THREE YEARS AGO

I am only going to write it once, so guess what it is.

This time

I’m going to write your favorite season.

She still

doesn’t remember anything about that day?

No.

It must have been too painful for her to endure the fever for days.

Maybe she decided to erase the memory

to protect herself...

Yun-seong.

Where do you think you’re heading?

The palace.

The palace, you say?

Don’t you know everybody has been avoiding the palace

to teach the Crown Prince a lesson?

That’s exactly why I’m going.

How dare you!

Yun-seong...

Are you worried about His Highness as a friend?

I believe His Highness made the right choice.

I see.

You may think that way now. That it’s right to be fair.

However

being fair, is not always the best for the people.

I’m afraid I cannot agree with that.

The growth of our family

has nothing to do with making people’s lives better.

If there are two strong parties

do you think they’ll be well balanced?

No, both will always fight over power.

Politicians must not be in an equal relationship with the people.

They must hold on to the power

and lead the people from above.

Is that the reason why I have to marry

the Minister of Public Administration’s daughter?

That is right.

I refuse to do that.

Please revoke that decision.

I wish to marry someone I like. I don’t want my marriage

to be a part of some power game.

Then I’ll be going, Grandfather.

Her Highness saw me visit the bookstore in Unjongga

so many times

that she lent me some books for me to read.

You love to read, so I’ve heard.

But that’s not the only reason why

I visit the palace.

What do you mean?

That person I mentioned before...

He is here, in the palace.

You’re actually very close to him.

It’s the Crown Prince!

Why aren't you saying anything?

Did I catch you off guard?

Yes, I guess I'm a little surprised.

He would only nonchalantly give me short answers though.

I'm tired of coming up with more excuses.

That. I remember seeing it.

When shared by two people,

it will bring them together again someday.

I didn't know it held such a meaning.

You received a gift not knowing what it means?

Whoever it is, she must be as reckless as I am.

It takes quite a woman to give this to a man.

Now,

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

There. Try this.

I'm good at this.

It's your turn.

How long do I have to be a boy?

Keep your voice down.

Until I'm ten? 20?

Until I die?

Ra-on.

Now is not the time.

I told you to wait a while longer.

But what for?

When will I know why?

Will I actually die not knowing?

I see you heard that the royal court is a mess.

That's right.

You canceled the scheduled examination.

Scholars from around the country

start and end the day swearing and cussing at you.

That's what I hear.

Will you still hold the special examination as planned?

SPECIAL EXAMINATION: AN EXAM HELD BY THE KING

The battle has begun.

You'd look weak to back down now.

This is what my grandfather used to say.

"Argue with your spouse with an intention to win,

and you'll be the demise of your family."

That's what he said.

What does that have to do with anything?

Your initial goal was

to rectify the errors of the state exam

and appoint outstanding individuals.

But what about now?

What's your goal?

Is it to win

or is it to make a difference?

Well...

Following your initial goal is never easy.

Princess Yeongeun, it's Eunuch Hong.

I came here to talk about me,

so you can tell me to leave.

When you don't feel like talking,

you can always communicate with me with your hands.

Do this when you agree

and do this...

Forget about it.

You don't have to answer any of my questions.

You see,

I have a lot of secrets too.

I don't know what's bothering you,

but I think I can understand how you feel.

I do because

I feel trapped too.

While forced to stay hidden,

I live in worry that

someone might open the door

and figure out who I am.

When will we be able

to open the door and come out of our hiding places?

What's it like to be back here, Premier Kim?

Every office is on emergency duty,

but it's awfully quiet here.

Did you summon me to ask how I feel?

I will hold the regular examination as scheduled,

so please attend the assembly.

Do you mean it?

Why would I lie?

I only suggested the special examination

to tell apart

the outstanding individuals as it's supposed to.

It wasn't my intention to cause trouble with the government officials.

Your Highness.

Only thinking of your goal

and making ends meet with temporary solutions

can never be an appropriate measure.

If you're willing to make wiser choices

and adhere to principle,

the officials will join you at the assembly

and assist you in any way they can.

Don't worry.

I will do what the officials want and hold the state exam

adhering to principle.

Here is your test!

WHO DOES JOSEON BELONG TO?

Wait...

All rise for the Crown Prince.

Here is your test!

Is this a joke?

How will you persuade one who objects just to object?

There's no right answer.

Just persuade me with your own words.

I will await desperately for the fresh and various thoughts

that will brighten Joseon's future.

You will begin.

You've been

able to avoid me wherever I am.

You know me better than anyone else.

If you are really determined to hide from me

I won't be able to find you.

Many watch your every move

and listen to everything you say.

If you're with me,

you'll never be able to feel at ease.

Then how about this?

I'll be just as frustrated

if I'm not with you.

Your Highness

when I served you an a eunuch

I felt like I was able to be of help

even if it was just a little bit.

However

everything is different, now.

I’m scared.

What if I cause you trouble

or hurt you

in any way

by trying to get closer to you?

I know it’s a lot to ask

but if you allow me to leave the palace

I will forever be in your grace.

I’m sorry, Your Highness.

Are you sure that is what you want?

Do you mean it?

Yes.

I can move mountains for you.

I have thousands of things that I want to do for you.

But this is what you're asking me to do?

You’re asking me to let you leave, so you can run away from me

and live elsewhere for the rest of your life?

Yes.

Fine.

You may be excused.

THREE YEARS AGO

Someone’s coming?

What were you trying to give the Crown Prince?

Why do you ask?

Do you have something you need to hide?

If you think killing me

will stop the truth from being revealed

then go ahead!

Even

if I die...

I well never

leave this place.

I will reveal...

what really happened...

to the Queen.

I will...

-Your Highness! -Your Highness!

-Your Highness! -Your Highness...

What? Is she okay?

Yes, Your Highness. She is doing okay.

I need to see her.

By the way

why did you go there, Your Highness?

There’s no need to answer, if you don’t feel like it.

I was just wondering, that is all.

You once asked me,

"When will we be able

to open the door and come out of our hiding places?"

I should have...

pretended not to know.

I was not aware that you wanted

to run away from me.

If I knew that beforehand...

I wouldn’t have debated with myself, about what I should treat you as.

I would have just...

wanted you...

to stay by my side, as long as possible.

I guess I was being too selfish.

I apologize.

Good night, Your Highness.

But even so...

won’t you consider

staying by my side?

Don’t go anywhere else.

Stay here.

For me.

You’ve come such a long way, Young Master.

Passing the state exam! This is truly a miracle.

Dal-bong.

I don’t know if I can do this without you.

You just have to avoid one person. The mongmyeoksan...

Her, Her Highness doesn’t know my face.

It'll be, It'll be fine.

You need to be, be careful at all times.

Okay, okay.

Give me a hug.

-You go this way... -I’ll go...

-That way... -Here...

-So you... -Okay...

-Your Highness! -Are, are you alright?

I'm fine.

I feel like I have seen her before.

She doesn't seem lovely at all with her harsh angles.

A lady should be as gracious as

Princess Myeongeun.

-What is wrong with you? -I'm off.

Sir...

The examination was a success.

You changed the questions on the day of the exam

and provided the final policy question.

POLICY QUESTION: EQUIVALENT TO A MODERN-DAY ESSAY

Even with all the changes I made,

seven out of 33 who passed

were from your family.

Your family was able to turn out so many talents fair and square.

I'm impressed.

To hear you highly praise my family

makes me shed tears of gratitude.

I'll make you a promise.

From this day forward,

I will adhere to principle,

not tolerate expediency or corruption,

and appoint only those

who show skill and talent.

Did all the officials return to their places?

Yes, Your Majesty.

They all

made an appearance for today's assemblies.

SANGCHAM, JOGYE, YUNDAE: TYPES OF AUDIENCES

That's good to hear.

Chief Eunuch,

why do you think I became such

an incompetent king?

It's because I had no one.

I had no one to help me.

I'm truly sorry, sir.

No one in this palace is

truly on my side.

No one from the council, or the ministry.

Not even those of the three offices.

They're all loyal to Premier Kim.

I can't let my son be of the same fate.

We need someone.

Someone that is loyal to him.

Chief Eunuch.

Prepare a royal marriage for the crown prince.

Princess, where are we going?

Princess?

Princess!

I appreciate the written and spoken language you taught me,

but I like Eunuch Hong's signs even more.

When everyone learns of the signs you agreed on,

you'll no longer need these notes.

We'll be able to communicate even without them.

Could you teach them to me?

I...

like...

you.

Actually,

I love you.

So please...

What can be the sign that tells someone

to not leave?

How about this? Here.

Don't leave.

Don't leave.

And stay by my side.

And stay by my side.

Your Highness.

What do you mean by this?

I'm telling you to give me space.

Yes, of course.

When will we be able

to open the door and come out of our hiding places?

But what for?

When will I know why?

Until I'm ten? 20?

Until I die?

Until you're able to take care of yourself.

When you're old enough to not need me anymore.

You can live as a girl then.

Won’t you consider

staying by my side?

Don’t go anywhere else.

Stay here.

For me.

Mom,

aren't I strong enough now?

I've made it through

the 10 years you've been gone.

I'm now strong enough to look after

myself.

My Lady,

what should I call you?

I'm Hong Ra-on,

Your Highness.

Hong Ra-on...

Ra-on.