Original subtitles

(This program is a work of imagination...)

(based on historical figures.)

(Episode 2)

It is an animal.

I heard a tiger came to Hanseong...

and killed 12 people already.

It must be the tiger.

Three people died.

Why is not anyone coming?

What are the Capital District Office and Police Bureau doing?

- Chase it. - Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Let us go.

Right Wing Guard, go to the east...

to prevent the tiger from going down to the village.

Yes, Your Highness.

Let us go.

Go.

Your Highness.

He is still alive.

I think it realized we are chasing.

It left the prey he was carrying behind as well.

It knows about humans.

It is a cunning and clever one.

Right Wing Guard, save the man and take him to Medical.

Yes, Your Highness.

I am glad you are back safely.

You left the palace without the King's permission.

Do you know how much I worried?

How is the person taken to Medical Services doing?

He was given treatment but died in the end.

Gather all the guards to chase the tiger from today.

Your Highness, it requires King's permission.

I will submit appeals to His Majesty myself.

I must gain King's permission.

Your Highness!

Your Highness!

How dare you! Are you an assassin?

No, I am just a young maid.

Save His Highness first.

You go in first.

I am afraid of water.

You are even scarier to me.

Do not worry.

I will get him.

Quickly.

- Hurry up. - Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness, be careful. She might be an assassin.

No, I am just a young maid.

Your Highness, are you all right?

- I will... - Your Highness,

- she might be an assassin! - I will help you.

Your Highness, are you all right?

Why can I not take this armour off?

I will help you. Do not worry.

Your Highness, are you all right?

I will help...

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Hold on.

What?

Your Highness!

- Your Highness. - Your Highness.

Are you all right?

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

Your Highness.

You little...

Your Highness.

I have committed a mortal sin.

If you forgive me once,

I will engrave your grace in my bones...

to never forget it.

Please forgive me...

for my foolish behaviour, Your Highness.

His Highness already left.

Pardon me?

His Highness wants you to write a letter of apology.

A letter of apology?

Will that be enough?

Purr your heart into it.

Bring it to the East Palace in three days.

Will a mere letter do?

I still cannot believe it.

That I got to transcribe books with His Majesty's granddaughters.

Sharing desserts like friends too.

By the way, Duk Im is running really late.

The princesses might come first at this rate.

She is supposed to come first.

Duk Im.

Duk Im.

What happened?

Why are you so wet?

Oh, no. Duk Im. What happened?

My goodness. You met my brother?

Yes, Your Highness.

What was your impression of him?

Do you not think he is a fine man?

I cannot dare to see his face.

Right.

Is there anything he said to you?

Actually, I received a punishment for I have sinned.

It is not a heavy punishment.

He just ordered me to write a letter of apology.

A letter of apology?

Duk Im.

If it gets too hard for you, just come to my house.

Understood?

You can come to my house as well.

Pardon?

If I were you, I would have not let Young Hee and Bok Yeon join.

We are close,

but it is true that their handwritings are bad.

You always grant them a favour.

Then you end up staying all night to fix what they messed up.

And you get nothing in return.

Why do you act so stupid?

I did get something in return.

I saw happy faces.

It is nothing amazing. I only let them work with me.

But they are so happy about it.

So? Are you going to keep enduring it?

Kyung Hee.

We are court ladies after all.

We can never leave the palace for the rest of our lives.

Whether we gain a profit or have a loss,

do you not think it is useless?

There is nothing much I can do as myself.

I do not mind even if it is minor.

I want to make choices.

I decided to let Young Hee and Bok Yeon in...

because it was my choice.

Light fires and stay alert.

- Yes, sir. - Yes, sir.

Make sure the king does not hear about this.

Yes.

His Highness is waiting.

Yes.

(The criminal's son cannot be the king.)

Summon the Dongdukhoe.

Your Highness. You should wait until the morning comes.

If you move now, the king will hear about it.

I cannot tell your knowing about this anonymous message...

will benefit you or harm you.

Are you certain of it?

I will find the culprit for you, Your Highness.

It might take a few years or even more,

but I will make sure to find out.

Will you please wait until I do that?

Years is a long time.

(I wish you a long and healthy life.)

I will keep your generosity...

deep in my heart...

for forgiving my great mistake.

I will never forget your gratitude.

I shall return the favour.

Long live the king.

I wish you a long and healthy life.

Good.

It's perfect.

Duk Im.

Can you help me with this?

Sa Wol can't do it.

My lady. When is the Crown Prince...

in the best mood?

I am not sure.

Normally when he talks to his friends...

with some snacks.

Why do you ask?

I am just curious.

Why are you suddenly curious?

Well...

My lady. The head court lady is here.

- Help me get up. - My lady.

Hurry up.

There was nothing special in the morning newspaper.

(The newspaper issued by the government)

The king and the queen went to bed in peace.

However, it seems something must have happened...

in East Palace last night.

The lights were on all night long in the East Palace.

I hope it was nothing.

But I am worried for some reason.

When the men who were on guard all night long return,

the court ladies of East Palace shall report to me.

Yes, my lady.

Have a good day today.

- Yes, my lady. - Yes, my lady.

I have a feeling His Highness is in a bad mood.

My goodness. It is only morning, I already do not feel like working.

Kitty. Good morning.

(I have a question.)

("Extended Meaning of the Greater Learning")

Supporting people is the highest priority.

Supporting people is the highest priority.

Nothing is more urgent than supporting people...

in terms of governing a country.

This phrase from "Extended Meaning of the Greater Learning"...

is the virtue you must keep in mind for the rest of your life.

I will keep that in mind.

Have you ever wanted to be a commoner...

instead of being the Crown Prince?

Never.

Has your Crown Prince title ever felt heavy?

How could I complain when I was destined?

I was born as the Crown Prince...

and read as many great books as I want.

I can also order around many talented people.

The fact I can use my talent solely for this country...

is worth more than anything.

Still, is it not tiring?

There are people who are starving.

How could I possibly complain?

If I complain when I can have precious food in silk clothes,

I am not any different from a shameless petty man.

That is a wonderful answer, Your Highness.

The sky has commanded me,

and I will eventually be in charge of this country's fate.

I shall never hide or run away...

from my destiny.

All the court ladies are scared of the Crown Prince.

They call him the Tiger Prince.

And his residence...

the Goblin's Palace.

But I think he is...

a respectable man.

(Support the people...)

- Are you the librarian maid? - Yes, my lord.

This place is close to where the royal lectures take place.

It might be easy to hear voices too.

Have you seen or heard anything suspicious recently?

Excuse me?

Don't make me ask twice.

Did anyone snoop around the place?

No one was sneaking up?

Who would sneak up on whom?

And who on earth are you?

Who are you to barge in here...

and ask all these questions?

I am...

It's none of your business.

So you're finally inclined to answer my questions.

This is not even enough to bribe a court lady.

Five yang isn't enough?

Of course, I'm worth more than this.

This is the East Palace library.

It may be too old for His Highness to frequent,

but it does belong to the royal Crown Prince.

It applies to me too. I'm just a young maid,

but I belong to the East Palace.

How dare you...

try to bribe the Crown Prince's person?

You are...

the Crown Prince's person?

I said I belong to the East Palace.

What loyalty could a court lady have?

Get out immediately.

What do you think you're doing?

Stop it.

This broom is dirty.

I already know, so stop.

- Get out. - I said, stop.

- Get out now! - I'll leave on my own.

- Now. - Don't touch me.

I'm telling you to wait.

Unbelievable!

How dare you! Do you know who I am?

I am...

I...

I own this library.

He is so weird for someone looking handsome.

What are you doing?

I did give these back to him.

The coins dropped on the floor, and no one reclaimed them.

- So somebody had to take them. - What are you saying?

Stop the nonsense...

and hurry on to Head Lady Cho.

She wants to see you.

But it's late at night.

I'm sorry for summoning you at night.

I have a new transcribing job for you.

It's "Jujadaejeon."

("Jujadaejeon")

Can you do it?

Apologies.

I'm already struggling with the "Greater Learning".

But you're doing a good job.

Well,

it isn't entirely from my skills.

Right, you asked others for help.

Nevertheless, it is your contribution.

I apologize.

As expected.

I find you quite likeable.

The nation's money comes from its people.

If it is wasted...

and thus can not be used for what is needed,

the people will suffer from its aftermath.

That's all for the "Greater Learning".

Please take a short break.

I will be back soon.

(Extended Meaning of the Greater Learning)

(Extended Meaning of the Greater Learning)

You know what?

I'm scared of you.

Is it because that ornament is too valuable for a young maid?

How startling. I didn't notice you there.

I wonder...

how you got that valuable thing.

Leave.

It's no use asking me.

This? After acting all high and refusing to take money from me?

It was foolish of me.

The spy was right nearby, but I was totally off guard.

What are you talking about?

How dare you call yourself...

the Crown Prince's court lady?

Let go of me.

Who are you?

Tell me your name first.

Why must I let a mere young maid know of my name?

Don't look down on me for who I am.

In the future, I could be a senior fifth-rank consort.

Really?

A senior fifth-rank consort?

In the future, I could be a senior fifth-rank consort.

She was a court lady too.

Explain yourself.

Pardon?

Why did you eavesdrop on the royal lecture?

And how did you get the book the Crown Prince studies?

Explain yourself.

Transcription?

It is what the court ladies do for extra money on their day off.

"Extended Meaning of the Greater Learning" of all?

I did not want to transcribe because it was hard.

But it is not like I have a choice.

Did you really transcribe this?

Pardon?

You are not an experienced court lady.

How could a young maid write like this?

(A bowl)

(And serve.)

(Make a bowl and serve rice and food.)

No way.

How could a young maid...

You keep thinking lowly of a young maid.

Who do you think you are?

Is being an official that great?

An official?

No wonder your voice sounded familiar.

You are one of the lecturers that assist the Crown Prince,

are you not?

Yes, I am a lecturer.

What is your name?

My name is Hong Dong Ro.

I am the Crown Prince's teacher.

The Crown Prince's teacher?

You are lying.

Why?

Why? I am his teacher.

I heard the Crown Prince's teacher is very good-looking.

What?

I heard he is the most good-looking man in Hanseong...

that so many women admire him.

Are you disappointed...

to see me?

That is how rumours start.

You must not eavesdrop...

on the Crown Prince's speech.

I will let it slide since I did not find clear evidence.

You better watch your behaviour.

"The most good-looking man in Hanseong".

Hey. Did you just scatter salt on me?

You better open this door.

Now.

What do you think you are...

Salt?

You...

That...

That little...

Your Highness.

Oh, the most good-looking man...

in Hanseong.

- Pardon? - Never mind.

Your Highness.

If I may...

It is the report to the king from Police Bureau.

You should read it.

(A document to report a major event to the king)

No.

What is the point of reading incompetent people's excuses?

You are way too sharp.

East Palace court ladies complain to me...

that they are afraid of serving you.

I do not care what they say.

Will you show them tolerance if I beg you?

Since the master I serve is not in a good mood,

it bugs me.

There is a place I wish to take you.

Is today the day of the court ladies' festival?

In ten days.

They are practicing.

If everyone is hanging out here, who serves the king?

The court ladies took over the maids' duty.

I cannot believe how excited they are.

The eunuch come to watch the festival in secret.

Are you bugged by the court ladies...

having fun?

It is useless.

Whatever. The king has allowed it.

Lady Sung Duk Im will read. Line up.

Line up, everyone.

It is not easy to meet this storyteller.

Lady Sung Duk Im will read. Line up.

Lady Sung Duk Im will read. Line up.

It is not easy to meet this storyteller.

Lady Sung Duk Im will read. Line up.

Line up, everyone.

Lady Sung Duk Im will read. Line up.

The story I am going to read today is...

a tragedy of two brothers...

of one royal family.

"Though we were born from the same mother,"

"why does the king only hate me?"

"The more you grow, my pain grows."

"Because of you,"

"I am no longer needed."

"The more he loves you, the more he hates me."

"The more his love grows, the deeper his hatred gets."

"My young brother. You were..."

"born to kill me."

"Because of you, I lost my father's love."

"I am in infinite despair."

"Because you and I are brothers, we are alike."

"But how can our situations be so different?"

I told you not to come.

However,

I wanted to say goodbye to Father...

before I leave the palace.

Your young son is only here to say goodbye to you.

Do you not know your own child?

I do not know my parents. How would I know my child?

Now, leave.

The king said he will only take you with him!

Grandfather...

will take me only?

Then what about Father?

As long as he exists, I am nothing!

I said he is born to kill me.

No, you cannot.

I said he is born to kill me!

Your Highness.

You are born to kill me.

I said he is born to kill me!

This is it for today's reading.

- Please read more. - Please read more.

- I want you to read more. - Oh, no.

Let us go back.

Yes, Your Highness.

Do you have transcription meetings at night as well?

You earned a lot of money but I guess you still need more.

Why are you here?

I came here because I wanted to be alone.

It is you who is disturbing me.

I see. I will leave you alone then.

Does it bring in much income?

- Pardon? - I mean the folk tales.

(Folk tales are novels passed on by words of mouth among the public.)

People do like them.

I do not like them.

Novels are distractions.

Its purpose is to make you curious...

about what will happen later.

It must be fine for you...

as long as you can make money out of your talent.

Why would you care about the feelings of the listener?

How did you know I read books for others?

Have you been to the maids' residence?

Do you not know you will be in trouble if you go there?

Do not read them.

You should not read books for others.

Who is he...

to tell me not to read books?

Do you not think so?

Duk Im.

It was him who eavesdropped on me reading books in the first place.

You got more work.

Can you do it by yourself?

Yes, my lady.

Tell me if it is hard.

If you do not say first,

no one will notice.

Do not worry.

Duk Im.

If the person you met really is Crown Prince's Lecturer,

you should not speak ill of him in front of others.

- Why? - They might take you.

You might be kidnapped at night...

to be thrown in a well.

By whom?

All right. Draw at once.

- No. - I did not make it.

- What is this? - No.

- I fail every time. - Why is it always her?

- Right. - Let us not do this.

I made it!

You will make it tomorrow.

Duk Im, Young Hee.

I drew it.

I will give water to Crown Prince's Lecturer tomorrow morning.

Water? What water?

He always drinks water at the well over there...

every time he enters the palace.

I will give him water tomorrow morning.

I am so happy.

He is an incredible man.

When he passes by me,

I can feel the spring breeze from somewhere.

What spring breeze?

His words are always so cold.

I cannot believe there are so many maids who have a crush on him.

I cannot get it.

Are you all right, court maid?

I am fine.

We cannot pass here unless one of us moves aside.

I will stand aside. You go first.

Court maid.

You dropped this.

It suits you.

If a man like him were Crown Prince's Lecturer,

I would have understood.

His Majesty.

Crown Prince's Lecturer has come.

Tell him to come in.

His Majesty, I came in answer to your summons.

Come and sit closer to me.

Duk Ro. Crown Prince...

has been submitting appeals every day.

At this rate, he will exhaust his old grandfather...

before he catches the tiger.

And he cannot mobilize his guards...

to catch the tiger.

They are soldiers who are meant to protect Crown Prince.

He cannot send them away.

I will return to the East Palace to deliver your message.

All right. You may go.

Your Majesty, there is something to ask him about.

Three days ago, the lights at the East Palace were on all night.

Oh, right.

Yes.

What happened?

You do not know?

I guess he does not know.

If he does not, who would know?

Or the Crown Prince should come...

to explain himself to His Majesty.

I think I know the answer.

Do you, my lady?

The festival for court maids is around the corner.

It is something I gave permission.

It is an event just for court maids.

But there are many people who watch it secretly.

I think the Crown Prince might have watched it...

all night long.

I also watched the night sky until late at night.

You should have invited me as well.

I will prepare a proper meet up in my palace...

to invite you on the day of the event.

It sounds good.

His Highness wants you to write a letter of apology.

You came to meet the Crown Prince?

Yes.

His Highness is at Jonhyungak.

Go straight this way, and you'll find him.

Thank you.

(Jonhyungak)

His Highness headed to Gyunghyundang just now.

(Gyunghyundang)

He's at Chunghanjung.

(Chunghanjung)

Hey.

Have you ever lived near the pine tree valley?

Wol Hye?

It really is you, Duk Im.

Don't cry over such a thing.

A clumsy young maid tends to be an easy target.

When you officially become a court lady,

the scary hazing will await you.

Hazing?

Everyone goes through it, so don't be scared.

By the way, what were you doing here?

Good going. You already got on the wrong side of your master.

Your Highness, Young Maid Sung is here to meet you.

His Highness has granted you to come in.

Your Highness, I'm here...

with the letter of apology just as you ordered.

How dare you.

His Highness wants you to hand him the letter.

I made a mortal sin,

but you were merciful enough to forgive me...

You're not to read it, but to hand it to His Highness.

Pardon?

(I made a mortal sin, but you were merciful enough...)

This handwriting is...

(Make containers to...)

No way.

Was it you?

The first sentence is wrong.

The next sentence too.

And the next one.

How disrespectful!

Please forgive me, Your Highness.

His Highness wants you to make changes and write it again.

But I don't know when he'll come.

Should I come clean to Lady Seo?

This water is from your usual well.

If you need something, tell me at any time.

What do you want?

I can't afford to waste even a second.

Make it quick if you have something to say.

I just don't know what's wrong about this.

I just don't get why you don't know.

Please teach me, master.

Tigers.

Pardon?

Get me all the books about tigers in this library.

Tigers?

It might take quite a lot of time to find all of them.

Of course, I'll do so.

I made a mortal sin,

but you were merciful enough to forgive me...

Wait.

When did he forgive you?

What?

He wanted you to write a letter of apology.

It means he'll decide whether to forgive you after reading it.

So you need to write details...

about why you rolled down by the pond that day,

and why you ran around in the royal palace like a goby.

Especially, this part.

Don't you want to spare yourself?

This remark is only for His Majesty.

It's disrespectful to use this to His Highness.

I didn't know.

I bet you just used...

all the phrases that sounded nice.

Thank you.

I think I'm getting the idea of how to fix this letter.

Next time, my letter of apology...

might get a pass.

(I dared run around in the palace...)

(I ask your forgiveness...)

(I ask your forgiveness for hurting your body.)

(Your...)

"Your Highness."

(Please forgive me for my foolish behaviour of pushing you into...)

How dare you!

(I dared to hurt the royal body of the Crown Prince.)

That...

(I was mesmerized by the beauty of the secret garden.)

(Turn over a new leaf...)

(Your grace is immeasurable.)

A hundred times.

He ordered you to write the words...

you had spelled wrong a hundred times.

I said it is going to be tough.

Having my pay cut down is much better.

I would rather be caned.

I am sick of writing letters of apology.

What is so bad about it?

It gives you a chance to realize your wrongdoing.

A chance or whatever.

Even a worm will turn.

When I think about the Crown Prince,

I wake up from my sleep.

Will someone who tortures his subordinates so much...

become a good king?

How dare you speak ill of His Highness?

Just take this.

I did not know the map was here.

- Do you know the map? - My father had it.

Never mind.

I needed this map. I am glad you found it.

What kind of map is this to make you say so?

The full map of the capital.

But you can find one easily.

Wild animals' territories.

The Tiger Hunters' route to hunt tigers.

Places where hunting nets and leg hold traps are installed.

It has everything.

It will help me catch the tiger.

I wondered why you were searching about tigers.

Is it because of the tiger that appeared in the capital?

It killed another person yesterday.

If maps can help, I will find more.

Will the training record of Tiger Hunters help too?

Should I say thank you?

Lady Seo.

I am going to talk about something important. Please listen carefully.

Pardon?

The young maid who frequents the East Palace...

because of the letter of apology.

You said she is your student, right?

Yes.

Whenever she comes,

the Crown Prince's cold gets worse.

His sore throat gets worse,

which makes him stutter...

and not be able to think straight.

My goodness.

Have you heard of a cold ghost?

Is there a ghost like that?

Yes.

I think a cold ghost had been following the young maid,

and it is now on to His Highness.

Then...

should I go to a shaman for an exorcism or something?

That is a great idea.

Excuse me.

A cold ghost?

Do you believe such an absurd superstition?

And a shaman?

It is prohibited for court ladies to perform an exorcism.

But the Left Wing Guard said...

Forget it. You may go now.

Yes, Your Highness.

- Come and sit close to me. - Forgive me, Your Highness.

It is true that I talked about a cold ghost, but...

Do not make me tell you again.

This is the map Tiger Hunters used, is it not?

It will be a big help.

You need to check the route with the guards first.

Your Highness, did you receive the King's permission?

I did not.

Will you be all right?

Twenty-seven people died by today.

We cannot wait anymore.

Tell everyone to gather by evening.

Yes, Your Highness.

How would I not regret my mistake?

You could have cut my pay or caned me,

but you told me to write a letter of apology.

It was to give me a chance to realize my wrongdoing.

I am grateful for your boundless grace.

(How would I not regret my mistake? You could have cut my pay...)

(or caned me, but you told me to write a letter of apology.)

Would you look at this.

Write another letter of apology.

The topic...

is the sin of writing a letter...

that looks nice...

but insincere.

She lost it.

Do you have more questions?

No, I don't.

You are working hard to catch the tiger that harms people.

Although you do not have to do it on your own.

If I do not, who will?

Well...

Capital District Office blames Police Bureau.

And Police Bureau keeps talking about Tiger Hunters...

which already disappeared.

People are dying every day, but no one takes responsibility.

So I have no choice but to step up.

You are great.

I mean it.

You are great.

Why are you smiling?

Now that I think about it,

I have only seen you in the library.

What do you usually do?

Well, it is nothing special.

I transcribe a book or read it to people.

I do not sew often because I do not like it.

Do you still read folk tales to people?

I told you not to read them.

What do you care whether I read a book to people or not?

It is my order!

So, why do I have to follow your order?

You are not my master.

Actually, I will be reading tonight.

What?

Today, the court ladies are having a festival.

I will be reading in front of all court ladies.

What? I am on night duty tonight?

It happened that way.

Alone?

I am on night duty...

when everyone else is having fun at the festival?

What do you expect me to do?

It is the Crown Prince's order.

What? Do you expect me to complain to His Highness?

It's gae!

Your Highness.

- Based on the size of the claw... - Your Highness.

Your Highness. The trace of the tiger leads to the palace.

We are going back to the palace now.

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

Follow me.

Sir. What is going on?

What are you doing out of nowhere?

I will explain on the way.

Tell me the reason first.

I know it will be dangerous,

but you are all I have.

Only you can do it.

Pardon?

- What are you... - Read a book.

Please.

Read a book in front of people.

(Special thanks to Do Sang Woo for his appearance)

(The animals were shot safely in the company of professionals.)

(The Red Sleeve)

- A tiger? - Is there a way?

Everything has its right time.

Let's watch the situation for some more.

Then do we wait until all court ladies are eaten by the tiger?

That must be the correct answer.

Help me.

Duk Im. Will we be able to do well?

You need to help me.

I will make sure everyone gets out safely without getting hurt.

I am going to read a book.