Original subtitles

Byeong-yeon.

Arrest him immediately!

No one...

No one move!

His Highness' safety is the top priority.

Make way, all of you!

Ra-on.

It will be a difficult fight.

But I must learn

the identity of Baekwoon Group and the wall that separates me...

from my people.

It is beyond that wall.

The country you dream of,

Your Highness.

Is that so?

I long

to see it, Your Highness.

Then you must help.

Forgive me,

Your Highness.

Byeong-yeon.

I truly believe

Baekwoon Group's ideal Joseon

is no different from yours, Your Highness.

Beyond the wall between you and your people,

and the country you will build...

I long to see it.

Do not withdraw your sword.

The moment you withdraw,

I will lose you.

Your Highness.

Do not withdraw your sword.

That is an order.

Your Highness, I apologize...

for disobeying...

your order.

No.

No.

Stop.

Byeong-yeon.

Move out of the way.

Your Majesty.

Escort His Majesty.

Out of the way, I said!

Byeong-yeon.

Do not forget.

If I had to trust

only one person in the world

without a doubt,

it is you.

Thank you...

for trusting me,

my friend.

Byeong-yeon.

Byeong-yeon.

Byeong-yeon.

May we be nothing

but friends

in our last moment.

Halt.

Why are you leaving the palace at this hour?

Open the gates.

His Majesty's ordered us

to take the prisoner to the Royal Investigation Bureau.

Chief Eunuch.

Yes, sir.

Open the gates.

Traitors! Close the gates!

Catch them!

Hurry.

-Ra-on. -Hurry.

What are you doing? Come on!

I will try to buy you some time.

Chief Eunuch.

What are you doing? Hurry and take them.

-We must go. -No.

We need to go now.

Wait, we just need a moment.

Wait...

Look...

He is an old friend of mine.

Can you let me take him from here?

-I can't... -Wait.

Chief Kim.

A MONTH LATER

Your Highness, are you awake?

Your Highness?

Are you awake?

Your Highness.

Are you awake?

Your...

Your Highness.

Of course you’re not awake.

You’re not even here.

I assume you didn't go to study.

That's fine.

Whatever happens, I’m the one that’s going to be scolded.

Worry not, Your Highness.

Let's go get scolded.

Let's go...

This must be your first time here.

Is it?

I'm always drunk,

so I don't remember.

Come often from now on, okay?

I'll think about it.

The Crown Prince

is not joining the meeting again?

His Highness went against your orders

in the courtyard,

and now he’s not even

taking responsibility in his job.

Your Majesty

what you have there is

only a small portion of a huge pile of letters of appeal

asking the Crown Prince to be dethroned.

I remember saying

not to bring that up again.

But we need to.

Please don’t risk making the situation

worse for the country, Your Majesty.

The Crown Prince is not the one

making things worse.

You kept questioning his relationship with Baekwoon Group,

nitpicking every little thing that he does.

And even made the students

pile up letters about those matters.

That is exactly my point.

Your Majesty.

Everyone has lost

all their faith in the Crown Prince.

He has been visiting the kisaeng parlor

more often than he joins us in meetings.

Your Majesty, please set things right

by dethroning the Crown Prince

and enthroning a new heir.

That is what everyone is asking.

-Please understand us. -Please understand us.

-Please understand us. -Please understand us.

-Please understand us. -Please understand us.

-Please understand us. -Please understand us.

Come again, sir.

-He’s so cold. -He is.

Hey, look.

Come over here!

How is the Prince doing?

He's fine.

I can feel he’s getting stronger every day.

That is good.

He'll soon become the new Crown Prince.

He must stay strong.

That's another virtue to greatly uphold.

Pardon?

Father, what did you...

What did you just say?

Why are you so surprised?

The Crown Prince’s Palace will be vacant very soon.

Be prepared for that.

Are you sure?

Of course.

Soon, everything will fall into places.

Yes, Father.

I’ll be prepared.

It is about

a newborn baby that was sneaked out of the palace recently.

What if that baby is still alive?

Would that change things?

Your Highness, this is Eunuch Seong.

Come in.

Byeong-yeon.

It's me.

Just when...

are you going to answer me?

How is Byeong-yeon?

Is he doing okay?

His wounds are almost healed, but...

Maybe he needs more rest.

He has been through a lot.

He probably needs some time before seeing you.

How about Ra-on?

Any words from her?

No.

Are you disappointed?

No.

It’s better this way.

I’m having lots of fun, aren’t I?

Chasing tails.

I’ve been keeping track of money, land, and all the personal connections

of Premier Kim's family.

I see.

However...

Even if you catch the tail, that doesn’t mean it’s over.

They can easily cut the tail off and run away.

So watch out.

I will. Thank you.

My preparations are almost done.

I hope that

you'll be prepared to take over the new position.

How did it go?

It was...

Your Highness.

What did you find out?

Your Highness.

It seems like

everything the Chief of Ministry of Rites said is true.

Are you sure?

So the baby...

is still alive?

I'm afraid so.

The kisaengs were really taking care of

a baby together.

Being dethroned

is not necessarily a bad thing.

There are plenty of dethroned Princes who lived a long and happy life

enjoying their hobbies, such as hunting.

If you really think about it, that could be a better path to choose

rather than becoming the King.

That does sound very tempting, but there is one thing

stopping me from doing so.

That is you,

Premier Kim.

I cannot leave this court

while you remain here.

Grandfather.

Did anyone follow you?

No, I checked several times. No one followed.

Good.

You did well.

My mother told me.

Is Chief Kim really here?

Is he really alive?

He is still unconscious, but he is getting better.

What a relief.

Thank heavens.

Follow me.

Chief Kim.

It's me, Sam-nom.

Aren't you going to get up and say hi to me?

It must have been tough

to live with secrets.

Is that why you are sleeping for so long?

Autumn will pass soon.

You must wake up

before all the leaves are gone.

Chief Kim.

What does the palace look like

when the snow falls?

The big garden of Jahyeondang

and the low rooftops covered in white snow...

must be beautiful.

It's Beautiful.

Very beautiful.

Chief Kim.

Are you awake?

What a fuss.

You never stop talking.

Chief Kim.

That hurts.

Chief Kim.

JAHYEONDANG

Okay.

As the person with the biggest heart in this region,

I'd like to.

give you my affection.

Do you happen to know the Crown Prince's nickname?

Oh, geez.

What is it? "Flower Prince"?

Crap Prince's Palace.

I knew it! Everyone knows!

Damn it.

Did you laugh?

I just thought he had a problem with his face.

Are you disappointed

because it's me?

No.

I was only startled.

I had a lot on my mind for the past few days.

Is it because of the wedding?

I found out about the lady

who has captured your heart.

I became the Crown Princess consort as part of an agreement.

Now I am asking for something beyond that.

It must sound ridiculous.

That is why

I decided to do what I'm supposed to do.

I cannot bring you comfort like she could,

but I can be your faithful assistant

to help you remain as the Crown Prince.

For I am the one who will stand by your side

until the very end.

Why did you summon me?

Don't you already know?

Soon, when the Crown Prince is dethroned,

my prince and I will become the ruler of this land

and you dare show such disrespect?

Your Majesty.

I mean, dear Aunt.

Although I hate to admit it, the only reason

I looked the other way

was because you are my kin.

I thought you might ask for her at least once.

The child of the King

you brutally abandoned for power.

Shut your mouth.

Confess to your sins.

This is the last chance

I am willing to give you.

Your Highness, there isn't much time.

You must enter the executive office.

Hold on.

Your Highness, Royal Guard Chief Jeong Deok-ho wishes to see you.

So, what happened?

He was caught at the ferry as he was fleeing from the capital.

The man who recruited the assassins

is him.

Now, I'm ready.

Let's go.

Even after all the recent scandal, His Highness shows no sign of remorse.

Judging from his frequent visits

to the kisaeng parlor and furthermore, gambling.

He abandoned his duty and dishonored the Royal Family.

This has to come to a stop immediately.

Your Majesty, the Crown Prince has arrived.

Let him in.

My prince,

did you leave the palace in disguise again?

Yes, Your Majesty.

Where did you go?

Like Minister of Public Administration has mentioned, I was

at the kisaeng parlor and the gambling house.

I was told listening to the people is the key to become a great King.

But I could hear nothing from this palace.

For that reason,

I stayed up all night with the people and listened to their advice.

People you've mentioned.

Are they kisaengs and gamblers?

That's right.

Why do you ask?

Is there a problem?

Your Majesty,

we cannot allow this behavior.

Everyone from the State Council, the Six Ministries, and the three Offices

are asking the Crown Prince to be dethroned.

Your Majesty.

We all ask of you,

to dethrone the Crown Prince and send him into exile.

Please understand us!

-Please understand us. -Please understand us.

-Please understand us. -Please understand us.

I hear what you all are saying.

However,

even if I do get sent off,

I would like to share some stories

that I’ve heard from kisaengs and gamblers.

Would you be interested?

-That was a great meal. -Come again.

How come you've lost so much weight?

Your mother should have been here for your recovery...

"Mother"?

Watch your language.

My apologies,

Your Highness.

Where is the baby?

The baby?

The one that kisaengs are taking care of.

Why do you ask? What does that baby have to do with...

It can't be.

You're not...

Are you?

So, where is the baby?

Someone

from the palace took the baby away

just a while ago.

From the palace?

Crown Prince, what are you doing?

Your Majesty,

will you allow me some time to explain?

Do as you please.

Look around,

and see if there are any familiar faces.

Why does everyone

have their eyes closed?

Why do you think?

Any ideas?

It's because

they're all dead.

Maybe because they said something,

or maybe someone thought they would say something.

Either way, someone tried to shut them up.

But I have to say

I was very shocked to find out

how much evidence that they have left behind.

By tracing the dead bodies from the incident,

I have found out who have gathered, and paid money

to have them ambush the Crown Prince’s Palace.

We’ve already found out that it was Baekwoon Group’s doing.

We will see about that.

Bring him in.

The person who asked to gather the assassins,

is he here?

Yes, Your Highness.

Who is it?

These two, here.

All the paddy fields and silver coins given to these assassins,

where did they come from?

We've confirmed that

they were from the Minister of Public Administration.

These ledgers

were kept in secret.

Your Highness.

This is all

just nonsense.

Answer me!

Who hired these assassins

to make them look like a part of Baekwoon Group?

The Minister of Taxation,

and the Minister of Public Administration.

I have committed a mortal sin, Your Highness!

Minsters!

Is what the Crown Prince said, all true?

Your Majesty!

He has been accompanying with kisaengs and gamblers!

Why do you believe in his words?

I’m being falsely accused!

I would never do such thing!

Are you still going to deny it?

-Lieutenant! -Yes, Your Highness.

Take these two to the Royal Investigation Bureau

and find out everything about what they did.

Yes, Your Highness!

Your Majesty, I’m innocent!

Let go of me! Who do you think you are?

Let go. This is false accusation!

Your Majesty! I am not guilty!

Your Majesty!

Let go of me! Let this go!

This is false accusation!

You said that catching the tail

doesn’t mean that it’s over.

If they’re trying to cut their tail off and run away,

what can I do to stop them?

It is not easy to catch a huge beast with only one shot.

Get rid of its right arm,

and then the left.

You should never let your guard down

until you finally cut off its head.

I have

another thing to show you, Premier Kim.

This court lady

was killed off recently.

I have heard that

she gave birth before dying.

However

I couldn’t find the baby anywhere.

I wonder what happened.

Don’t you

want to find out what happened?

There there.

Little one.

She must feel uncomfortable.

Peek-a-boo!

Peek-a-boo!

Someone

from the palace took the baby away

just a while ago.

The Crown Prince asked for the baby?

Yes.

He said he agreed to

take care of this little baby for someone.

He left the job to the court lady from the Crown Prince’s Palace,

but when I saw the baby, I just couldn’t resist.

So I asked His Highness to let me help.

I see.

Look, Your Highness.

So precious, don’t you think?

Are you feeling okay?

Yes, Your Highness.

Why were you asleep for so long?

I guess I wasn’t ready to face you.

You protected me

and also my beloved lady.

But above everything,

I’m glad that you’re okay.

Sometimes...

Ra-on comes here

and takes care of me.

When everything is done,

I will bring her back to my side.

I will make her happy again

like she was before,

right by my side.

We’re almost there.

And when that day comes,

shall we all...

sit together in Jahyeondang

and have a drink again?

What did you say?

Why should the child be King?

After all,

he is not of royal blood.

How dare you.

Do not disgrace the Royal Family of Joseon.

No disgrace is greater

than to taint the royal blood.

I gave birth to that child.

He is the rightful heir to the throne.

Yes.

You will have to give everything

to fool the whole nation

and take this to your grave.

Father.

The moment you fail

will be your doom.

Premier Kim.

Sit.

Do you think you'll be unaffected?

Tell me,

is that a threat?

I have no choice.

My life

is in your hands.

You took a poor girl

and made her Queen.

But for that same reason,

your life is in also my hands.

I never knew who my father was.

I was brought up by kisaengs and you dared to make me Queen.

Is there any higher treason to uproot the Royal Family

than what you have done?

Shut

your damn mouth.

If you want to get me,

you better come prepared.

I was jealous of you

when I was a child.

No matter how important my family is,

we always have to serve you.

I know.

That is why

I always yearned for friends.

We were friends on the outside.

But still...

We had to bow before you.

Is that

the reason why it turned out this way?

You,

Byeong-yeon

and I.

Why do we have to fight?

I wanted to run away

from my grandfather or the title

as the firstborn of the Kim family.

Believe it or not.

I believe you.

Also, I wanted to

run away all the time.

I will do

what I must.

Do what you believe is right.

However,

I am worried

that I might hurt you.

I am worried

that I might want to protect my family.

So,

if anything happens,

don't feel apologetic.

We both knew...

what was coming.

8 YEARS AGO

Did you see him?

Yes, sir.

I carefully observed every inch of His Highness.

What is he like?

I could read the grace of the Royal Family

in his face.

However,

there is one thing...

What is it? Don't hesitate and tell me what it is.

Well...

I'm afraid His Highness is destined to live short.

Also, I felt this unusual energy

from one of the Crown Prince's friends.

Yun-seong.

Grandfather.

He had a warm heart,

an unyielding spirit,

and all lineaments fit to become a great king.

There was a crane embroidered on his...

If we are to take the crown from the Lee family,

we might as well hand it to the man worthy of it.

Did you ask for me, Grandfather?

Your Highness, Crown Princess consort wishes to see you.

Let her in.

What brings you here at this hour?

Your Highness.

The royal clinic served herbal medicine for your fatigue,

but I heard you abstained from food and drink.

Please, Your Highness.

-Crown Princess consort. -Please,

help me fulfill my duties as Crown Princess consort,

Your Highness.

Your Highness, don't drink it!

Your Highness.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

Your Highness!