Original subtitles

THE FOLLOWING FICTIONAL DRAMA IS BASED ON HISTORICAL FACTS

Go ahead.

Father!

Chae-kyung.

Why are you here? Why did you come back?

I told you not to come back no matter what happens.

Is this why you wanted us to leave so quickly?

They gave rice to poor people.

All they did was expose the corruption based on the information they received.

Even if they had any plans after that,

they didn't get anywhere near putting into it action.

They said they're disbanding.

If I didn't do that,

His Majesty would have felt betrayed and been devastated.

His Majesty crossed the line.

But you're siding with him only because he's your king.

Is this because of me?

Was this planned to get me and the Prince to return?

Chae-kyung.

Sir, we're in trouble!

Grand Prince!

-Chae-kyung. -She's the wife of a traitor.

Arrest her.

-Traitor? -Hands off!

What happened, Grand Prince?

Hands off of her now!

Lock him in the Uigeumbu prison,

and bring the princess to the office.

Yes.

-Grand Prince. -Stop.

-Grand Prince. -Let me go!

Don't trust them. I've done nothing wrong!

Grand Prince!

Chae-kyung.

-Chae-kyung! -Let go of me!

What is this all about? What are you doing to us?

The Prince just tried to kill His Majesty.

You'd better watch your voice.

Do you understand now?

-Take her away. -Yes.

-Brother. -Your Majesty!

Rebellion!

Goodbye,

my brother.

You're trying...

to kill me.

Are you going...

to kill me by any means?

You didn't keep your promise.

You'll pay the price for that.

Don't trust them. I've done nothing wrong!

Your Majesty.

Is this the price that I had to pay?

Is he all right? What happened?

Your Majesty,

what happened to you?

I heard you were attacked. So I came here right away--

And what?

Do I look... better than you expected?

It's all because no one succeeded in capturing Grand Prince.

So I provided...

clear evidence and a reason

to imprison him.

Your Majesty.

No, you didn't--

Now you can't say you need more evidence or a reason

to punish Grand Prince. Am I right, Jwauijeong?

Why...

are you looking at me like that?

Why are you giving me that contemptuous look?

How come you, of all my servants, look at me like that?

Are you feeling...

better now?

I don't want to speak with you. Get out of my sight.

You lied to me and didn't fulfill your responsibilities.

So you'll be held accountable.

Resign from your post and stay home.

You won't be able to leave your house without my permission.

Your wish...

is my command.

I need to go to Uigeumbu right now!

Queen Mother.

Please. They won't allow anyone to enter.

Who dares to stop me? Who dares?

Queen Mother.

It can't be.

It's a set-up.

He'd never do such a reckless thing.

Your Majesty. Please forgive him.

Your Majesty! Please don't kill him.

He's your brother!

Please have mercy on him.

Of course, traitors have to be punished--

You are trying so hard.

No one is listening.

King's order?

Now you're wielding a sword in front of me.

It excites me.

Rebellion! Grand Prince is trying to kill His Majesty!

How was it? Did you like my trick?

Do you want to know...

why I'm doing this?

I needed a reason for killing you.

I wanted to show all the people,

that I killed you...

so that no one will ever talk about you around me.

I needed a surefire way to get rid of you.

You cannot cover the sky with your hands.

Do you think you can erase my existence?

How can you be so cruel?

How! I'll never...

never!

forgive you.

Forgive me?

That's funny.

Who says you'll have a chance to forgive me?

You are going to be dead soon.

You'll be hung, drawn, and quartered

first thing tomorrow morning.

Sure you have to kill me.

Otherwise,

I will kill you.

You haven't changed a bit.

You're just a powerless prince who can't do anything.

You still think you can beat me with your fierce stare and yelling?

How many times do you have to die before you grow up?

Your Majesty, you did a great job.

-Grand Prince should've been brought-- -Chae-kyung.

Where is she?

She's in the office.

How is she doing now?

She looks lost.

She has not moved from that position since last night.

She won't even have a drink of water. She spits up everything.

Your Majesty.

You have no right to behave this way being the wife of a traitor.

Until I forgive you or decide to kill you,

you can't choose to die or live.

Your Majesty.

That's the punishment I'm giving you.

I'd rather be killed.

That's too easy, isn't it?

After you watch your husband die,

I'll think about it.

Tomorrow, in front of the Soeui gate,

he'll be quartered.

Your Majesty.

What?

Are you gonna ask me to save him again?

Your Majesty...

I married him because you ordered me to, and now I'm a traitor's wife.

You can't say...

you're free from any responsibility for what has happened.

So please...

don't let him die

for the sake of me and my family.

If not, three generations of our family will be killed.

Because I married him, my family and I...

will be enslaved or killed.

Right. That makes sense.

I'm also to blame.

What should I do then?

If I send him to exile,

he may return like he did before.

I'll stay with you...

for the rest of my life.

If I am held hostage by you,

he won't attempt anything recklessly.

Hostage?

Until you feel safe,

I'll stay with you...

even if it takes forever.

What if you betray my trust,

and escape or...

he comes to rescue you?

I don't believe you anymore.

I can't trust you,

I must take this a step further.

Okay,

I'll cut his tendons.

If I cut his tendons,

he'll be crippled forever.

He won't try to rebel.

Your Majesty...

This punishment is given to thieves.

It's perfect for Yeok, right?

He tried to steal what is mine.

My throne, my people...

and my life.

If you don't like it,

I'll have to kill him.

Please don't kill him.

I see.

How can he survive such a harsh punishment?

Cutting tendons.

Is he going to...

be crippled?

We should get him out.

The King may suddenly want to cut his throat, not his ankles!

It's not a good idea.

The Princess and Queen Mother are still there.

We must find a way...

to save him.

Chae-kyung.

Your Majesty.

My wife has done nothing wrong. Please...

send her back inside.

She's your wife.

That in itself is punishable.

So she needs to see what the consequences are.

She won't make the same mistake again.

Your Majesty!

Brother!

It is too harsh on her, please!

Please...

Go.

-Go! -What do you want?

I'll stay here.

She said she wants to stay.

Lee Yeok injured His Majesty.

It is indeed a serious crime,

but it's impossible to impose the death penalty on him

since he's the son of the late King and a royal family member.

Instead, his ankle tendons will be cut.

Proceed.

Prince, you must hold out.

I must watch.

That way, I'll never forget.

I'll remember what happened today.

I'll remember your brutality.

The pain the Prince is feeling.

My foolishness.

Criminal Lee Yeok,

from now on, will be not allowed to contact anyone in the palace.

Lee Yeok's wife shall remain inside the palace

until his loyalty to the King can be proven.

Grand Prince will be deposed from his position.

His bloodline will no longer be royal.

His family will never be reinstated.

Are you feeling better now?

Yeok, do you know where you are now?

Home.

My home.

By the way,

where's Chae-kyung?

At her parents'?

She's in the palace.

She's been confined there.

She agreed to stay there

in return for saving you.

Who saved me?

Why?

-Yeok. -Yeok.

Princess, I'm Eunuch Song.

His Majesty sent these.

Leave them and go.

Wait.

Did anyone else try to contact me?

My father, mother...

or...

Grand Prince.

No one did.

Chae-kyung.

Are you awake?

Chae-kyung, how did you get here?

You were injured. How can I not come here?

The wound is healing well.

That's a relief.

It can't be.

Take another look.

It still hurts a lot.

It's not your ankles that hurt,

but your heart is aching.

To heal your heart,

you must get me out as soon as possible.

Are you...

going to continue leaving me alone?

You're not alone.

We're together now.

Because you're dreaming.

We're here together like this...

because you're dreaming now.

No.

So...

I hope you get better soon.

No, don't go. Chae-kyung. No.

Grand Prince.

Good morning.

Did you have a nightmare again?

Your body is recovering...

but your heart isn't.

Here's your breakfast.

Why are you looking at me like that?

You...

must hate me.

I made her suffer.

Sure I do.

I really hate you.

I'm not good at lying, but..

you're the only one she trusts...

so I should trust you too.

Eat.

We bribed the executioner not to cut his tendons.

It may take some time for him to recover,

but he'll be able to walk.

Yeok.

I saw Yeok...

in my dream again.

Sure... I killed him...

as always.

You know how stubborn he is.

I killed him so many times, but he keeps coming back.

If you know how to get rid of him, let me know.

Otherwise, I'll be dead soon.

It's all my fault.

Five years ago, and now...

I was the one who made him die.

I told you I won't be your mother anymore,

but I trusted your words that you wouldn't kill him.

At least then, I wasn't...

just his mother...

but...

your mother too.

However...

you broke that trust.

You tried to kill him, and now what?

You'll keep losing...

your beloved people because of your doubt and brutality!

You'll live in isolation and in pain forever!

If you want to live,

shut your mouth.

I trusted you when you said you wouldn't kill him.

At least then...

I wasn't just his mother

but your mother too.

My mother?

No.

You've never been my mother.

You've always put him first.

I should spare my mother's life.

Your Majesty, did you want to see me?

Bring the girls...

that put my mother to death!

Right away.

Since that day,

he turned into a monster.

Beat them.

Your Majesty!

What are you waiting for?

I told you to beat them up.

Your Majesty.

No one dared to stop his brutality.

A blood bath throughout the palace.

My mother died after drinking poison that you gave her.

Officials became concerned that the country would perish.

The people...

lost their country...

and their King that was supposed to protect them.

You must be scared.

Since he killed Jung and Um who supported deposing his mother,

Queen Mother won't be safe anymore.

You're crossing the line.

Why are you telling me such things?

What do you mean?

I just wanted to drop by to have a little chat with you,

and let you know what's going on. You must have been lonely.

I didn't ask. Don't ever come here again.

But she's Grand Prince's mother.

I thought it was appropriate to tell you what happened to her.

She is also the King's mother. How can you--

How come...

you still don't know about the King?

Don't ever...

think of asking him to spare Queen Mother.

He's changed.

Please...

try eating.

My father said home-cooked food is tasty thanks to my Mom.

He said it's not her cooking, but her love for her family that makes it tasty.

I hope you feel the same.

I hope you enjoy the food because I made it for you.

I...

miss her so much.

Grand Prince.

No. They can come in. Just sit here.

So, any updates?

You can't even imagine.

He killed the people involved in deposing his mother,

and now bribes are coming like--

That is not what he is asking about.

Then what?

Not much progress.

The Princess is still confined in the palace.

She can't go out without the King's permission.

They keep watch over Queen Mother.

I heard she's been sick--

She's been through a lot.

She has become weak. It's not serious though.

Lee Ki-hong, the minister of Jeolla sent this deer tail.

This chicken is from Choi who was promoted

-to fourth rank. -Kim.

How's Yeok doing?

Yes, I was told he's trying to get used to his condition.

I should've checked on him.

I was being thoughtless.

Go to him.

See how his legs are...

and how he walks.

I want to know.

Your Majesty...

did you get bored already?

I know you sent him to me.

Why is it so hot?

What is that? Is it a rat?

Or is it a ghost?

Oh, you speak.

Become King as soon as possible.

If you become King,

you'll keep your people safe.

To me,

to us...

the King is nothing more than a murderer...

and an incompetent leader who tortures his own people.

You were right.

There is no hope for the King.

I'll kill him with my own hands...

and put your soul at ease.

His Majesty has arrived!

Your Majesty.

How's everything?

Do you like this place?

You know those servants outside.

You'd feel more comfortable around them

rather than those you don't know.

I can't face you the same way I used to.

Thanks for your help.

I'll come back tomorrow.

His Majesty has arrived!

Your Majesty.

Sit.

I'll come later.

There are 2,000 guards that include royal messengers,

palace guards, and armed bodyguards.

Four to five hundred of them work nights,

and 100 of them guard the King nearby.

They're the best.

We will face them last.

Ouidochongbu is on our side, I'm sure.

Among the 12 commanders and 25 deputy commanders,

half are close to my uncle and Minister Sung.

But our problem is the military.

We won't be able to fight them even with help of Ouibu troops.

Then we have to draw them out.

Out of the palace,

outside of the city.

I'll come again tomorrow.

Do you...

have anything to talk about?

No.

Then why do you come here every day?

Is it out of anxiety?

Are you afraid Grand Prince may have come here?

How could he come here?

He can't even walk.

It just feels... different...

that you're here with me. That's why I keep coming here.

I cannot help but come every single day.

I didn't know how to react, so I ignored it.

I couldn't look...

into your eyes.

If you did have feelings for me,

you should not have let me marry him.

Then at least we...

could've been friends and family to each other.

If I didn't, would you not have married him?

Rather than you two longing for each other without getting married,

it'd be better for me for you to hate each other,

and be mad at each other.

But Your Majesty...

Unless you have business with me, I hope you don't come here so often.

It's hard on me.

I feel uncomfortable.

Do you feel...

uncomfortable around me?

Yes.

Why?

You're going to kill me at the end of the day.

Why would I kill you?

If something goes wrong with you, I'll be killed because I'm your family.

If something happens with my husband, I'll be killed because I'm the Princess.

I'll be...

half dead and half alive whether I like it or not...

for the rest of my life.

So please...

don't place any expectation on me.

A dead heart is the only thing...

I can give you.

The only thing you can give...

is a dead heart?

I'm waiting for Grand Prince, sitting here half dead.

When he comes back,

I'll have a decision to make.

Who will I die for.

The shell guys sent these letters.

Yoo Bin, Lee Gwa, and Kim Joon-son, sent to Jeolla Province for exile,

are planning a rebellion with their troops.

What's wrong?

Rebel troops are coming to Hanseong.

Are they targeting His Majesty?

Officials that fell out of favor with the King and were sent into exile...

have colluded with local magistrates to gather men.

They are headed toward Hanseong.

They're going to kill His Majesty and take over the government.

How many days will it take for the troops to reach here?

Several days. A week at most. Perhaps three or four days.

Not enough time to defend ourselves with the troops we have.

This will lead to...

a civil war. Don't you think?

There will be a bloodbath in this city.

So before that happens,

don't you think we should make a decision?

We'll all be removed from our positions

if we don't move quickly...

to stop the troops from coming.

His Majesty is not feeling well today.

So today's meeting is canceled.

If you have an urgent matter to discuss, you can talk to me.

But how can we report to you?

Well...

let's see if you can discuss national affairs

without going through me.

This is why there is a rebel uprising.

Did you just say rebel uprising?

Yes.

There are signs that rebel troops are being formed in local cities.

This city will soon be under attack.

Doseungji,

you'd better hurry.

Hand it over.

Rebellion?

"People are being exploited by corrupt local officers.

The provincial governors colluded with

a minister in the palace by the name of Im..."

I'll talk to His Majesty.

The King doesn't have to be informed of these petty things.

Uncle.

You're here, Myung-hye.

Did you handle everything as planned?

Yes.

What are you worried about?

You must have heard about the rebel uprising.

There are more troops than we thought.

We might be in danger.

To poor people, rich and noble people are all the same.

You don't have to worry about that.

I think Grand Prince's strategy worked.

Before deceiving your enemy, you must first deceive your allies.

Grand Prince, how did you hide this plan from me?

Pretend you still don't know about it.

Grand Prince.

Over 1,000 people are gathered for the rebellion across the country.

If they reach Hanseong, Ouibu troops will join them.

Then the troops will outnumber the royal guards.

People who are scared of them will run for their lives.

-The palace will be left empty. -That's right.

And then,

we'll sneak into the palace and find the king.

You and Sung, use the Ouido troops to prevent the guards from coming in.

Buy me some time to force the king to surrender.

But why did you not tell us?

Well...

I didn't want anyone to betray me.

Do you think people involved in treason will not be swayed along the way?

We're doing something no one dared to do.

Of course they'd be scared.

We will all die if anyone betrays us.

So...

I'm trying to let them know they might...

get killed by the rebel troops

if they don't participate.

Then they'll focus on this only.

Everyone puts...

his own life first.

You're going to keep this a secret until it's over, right?

Yes.

We must not fail this time.

The future of Joseon is on the line.

In my case,

I've got my family.

Do you understand?

I'll keep that in mind.

Your Majesty, Jwauijeong sent a letter to you again.

Wait.

Bring it to me.

Grand Prince.

How are you ankles?

Do you have meals regularly?

His Majesty has arrived!

Today, I came for a reason.

Jwauijeong sends me letters every day.

Probably asking...

how I'm doing and offering me advice.

No doubt, in an effort to appease me

because he's worried about you being confined here.

So if you don't want his efforts to be in vain,

I would like you...

to read these letters to me.

Your wish is my command.

"Do you remember this note?

When you were a kid, you created this invitation for your birthday."

SPECIAL INVITATION, I DON'T NEED A GIFT BUT...

Read this.

"Your Majesty, I've seen the moon's rings several times.

The best one I saw from Gyeonghoeru.

I miss the time we shared a drink together under the moonlight."

Read this one.

"Your Majesty, evening flowers are often used to stop nightmares--"

Enough.

He's terrible at writing. I can't stand this.

What is with that look?

You're not happy to see me?

Are you ignoring me?

My husband is a criminal.

How can I wear fancy clothes and expensive accessories?

I'll bring your gifts myself.

Father.

What should I do now?

I'm in awe of your unwavering loyalty to His Majesty.

I don't understand why he turned on you.

I lied to His Majesty.

How can you say that I'm still a loyal servant?

That's not right. His Majesty lied to you first.

You saw the late King's secret note, didn't you?

Deputy Chief!

I don't want to hear such things.

Leave.

Because of his greed,

his people are dying every day.

For the future of Joseon,

it's time to decide.

I made up my mind.

We will oust the tyrannical ruler and name Prince Jinseong the King.

What?

Are you really going to do this?

You'll be forced to make a decision.

It'll be more difficult for you.

You'll have to choose...

between your sister and daughter.

If you don't know what to do, let me ask you this.

Will you die as a servant...

or are you going to live as your daughter's father?

If you choose your daughter, don't do anything suspicious today.

If you do,

it will alert the King of our plans.

I shall take that to mean you are against us.

She's your only daughter.

Don't you want to save her?

-How did it go? -We're all ready.

The troops are deployed at Gwacheon.

We got only one day. Myung-hye will join us tonight.

Perfect.

Let's get going.

Are they carrying gifts for the king?

Not vigilant at all.

No one would dare steal from Im or the King.

They are arrogant.

Better for us.

Stop.

Show me your pass and list of goods.

Let us pass. Doseungji is waiting for us.

We have a job to do.

Of course. And we have to give what we have to give.

Here. I appreciate your service.

Go!

Wait.

You. Are you--

What is taking so long?

Can't you be quicker?

Let them pass.

Right away, sir.

Pass!

Who are you?

Mother.

Yeok.

I'm sorry to have kept you waiting.

You have me now.

-How did you find-- -Yes, I found this. Put this on my finger.

It fits perfectly.

Who are you?

Chae-kyung.

It's me.

I'm sorry I'm late.

You forgot the way I touched you?

Follow me to the palace.

Attack!

How would you take care of others when you can't take care of yourself?

I warned you before. I can kill you anytime I want.

Even if it means death, I'll get it!

I'll get it all back to normal.

How did you make it this far without guts to kill me?

Can we be happy together?

We will be...

happy together.

I should've killed you.

Let's just die together.