Original subtitles

Wait.

Where have you been? I've been looking all over.

What? Where do you want me to go?

Stop prattling and just follow me. Do I have to spell it out?

I'm glad to see you're safe.

If you'll excuse me.

Master.

It's been weighing on my mind all this time.

All the suffering you went through because of me, and my concerns for your safety.

May this...

be the last time we meet.

Hurry up!

May this be the last time we meet.

Where have you been?

And they say a leopard never loses its spots... Seems like they were thinking of you.

A royal here to pray for His Majesty's recovery...

ends up meandering the market in the company of monks?!

Doesn't your repute concern you in the slightest?

A few words of reproach and you begin wailing?

You expect to get out of this with a few tears?

And at your age...

Will you stop?

Your Highness.

It's a list of personnel changes for the boards of military affairs and punishment.

Should you accede, the vice secretary will proceed with the appointments.

I had already deliberated upon the matter with His Majesty.

So fret you not, and benevolently consent to it, Your Highness.

And when was that?

On what day and at what time did my father ever consent to this?

Your Highness...

If this uncle of yours still elicits suspicion,

I suggest you question chief royal eunuch Jeong on the matter.

But you do seem rather agitated as of late, if I may say so.

I can certainly commiserate over your concerns for His Majesty, but compose yourself.

Your Highness.

As you wish, Uncle.

Having you at the Royal Secretariat fills me with resolve.

I am devoting myself to honor your generous appointment,

but my ineptitude precedes my every effort.

As does your modesty.

I worry that Her Highness' wanton remarks might influence the crown prince.

Outside the palace?!

Does moving outside the palace at this juncture make any sense whatsoever?

You would oust me from the palace whilst my father suffers such woeful ailments?

Oust you?!

We can no longer defer your departure just because of his ailments.

I shall not set foot outside these quarters.

And in turn brazenly renege upon our long-standing mores?

If those who should lead the populace by example show such disdain for the law,

what ordinary woman outside these walls would feel obliged to abide by it?

Even whilst residing outside the palace,

you can always pay visit to His Majesty and comfort him whenever you wish.

But why now?

Wouldn't that oust the last protective bastion His Highness could count on?

First he appointed Shin Sukju of the Hall of Worthies to vice secretary,

and now he's even trying to stifle His Excellency and me with lower appointments.

What is next, I wonder...

Using royal decree as a pretext to bring harm upon Your Excellency?!

Before it is too late, you must halt his spurious advance.

Will you just sit back and witness him ravage the court?

If there is no other solution, getting the army involved...

That is exactly what they wish for.

It is no time to make such heedless decisions, so observe prudence.

Uncle!

Agang!

Where have you been? Didn't you even miss me?

- Have you been faring well? - Yes, Young Master.

It's a great relief to see you in such good spirits.

Forgive me for causing such concern.

My father and Seunggyu?

What brings you here?

I see your brother called you here out of concern for me.

He shouldn't have bothered.

I came back to be by your side.

It sounds like music to my ears, so I must be truly getting old.

Father.

Your wish to help is certainly commendable, but what could a lecturer do?

There will come a time when you can aid our cause, so await that day with patience.

Yes.

How insensitive of me.

Why would you say that...

He risked his life because of me, so it's only natural he'd be resentful...

But still, why is it so disheartening?

Who would that be?

He looked like he had so much to say...

Why not talk, then...

I never saw him feel so distant before.

- When did you get back? - Let's save the greetings for later.

So what's the matter?

Doesn't wielding that sword in my face mean something is troubling you?

Ohh Ohh... You could just cordially ask whether I enjoyed my stay.

What is all this grumbling?

I see you're in good spirits, given your jesting mood.

I've heard the news about Jong.

He's become Royal son-in-law just as he wished.

They're leaving the palace today.

He's been wildly boasting about his departure ever since.

How about you, then? No proposals from anyone?

Proposals?

You little... I see we've got some!

Whose daughter is it?

What proposals...

Let's visit Jong together, shall we?

Today Her Highness will leave the palace.

Head to her residence before she departs.

Wouldn't that prove your father's sincerity to everyone?

But my presence there might not be welcome.

You're the only royal Her Highness has shown affinity with,

why wouldn't she welcome you there?

Visit her frequently and continue being the close companion you've always been.

Yes, Mother.

You needn't worry, Father.

I will enjoy a vibrant and happy life.

We shall also find conjugal harmony and soon bless you with a grandson, Sire.

Your Highness.

May happiness bless you, Sister.

Your Highness. I hope you'll pay us frequent visits.

I will.

Sister...

Are you leaving already?

Become a strong and just ruler for us all,

Your Highness.

What are you doing here?

I came to honor your departure.

So that you could join your father in trying to bring me distress?

Don't you ever set foot in my residence again.

What is with the sudden cold front?

Go back home.

My Lady...

Your Highness. I shall enter a moment.

Didn't I tell you I don't ever want to see you again? Leave at once!

And yet you dare...

Slap me, if you wish.

Say what?!

If slapping me a hundred, a thousand times, can quell your anger,

I shall take every slap without reserve.

Trying to be sarcastic because of that one slap I subjected you to?

Now you even bandy your father's influence about with the intent of ridiculing me?

I know I am no longer welcome.

But knowing how daunting and distressing this lonesome departure must be for you,

I decided to come in spite of all my hesitations.

I've heard it's what mothers give their married daughters upon their departure.

Had Her Majesty been still alive, she would have devoted her utmost care to you.

I know how inopportune of me this is, but I prepared these with my modest skills.

No matter how unpleasant my presence might be for you,

my concerns for Your Highness will inevitably bring me here again.

So who's that lady?

Lady Seryeong, Prince Suyang's eldest daughter.

Prince Suyang?!

Hey! Over there!

You've finally come?! Come on in, then.

Forget the formalities.

Shouldn't we first greet Her Highness?

Uh?! I... suppose.

Of course.

I will enter a moment.

I'd like to be left alone.

My friends are here.

You'll pardon me for inviting them without first inquiring with you.

So is married life enjoyable?

I'm just overjoyed...

But when it's joy nobody partakes in...

What do you mean?

His Majesty is in critical conditions, and Her Highness still keeps me at a distance,

so it's as if I became a widower without even consuming my first night.

A widower?!

I suspect that whatever you and Her Highness shared outside the palace is to blame.

Jong...

Myeon told me after the wedding.

That the woman you met outside the palace wasn't Her Highness.

It's the price to pay for concealing such monumental secrets, so don't be resentful.

But you know...

I finally found out who that lady is.

What?

What are you talking about?

You know... The one who came looking for you at the capital bureau.

Prince Suyang's eldest daughter. Isn't that right?

Enough... Just shut it and drink this.

I recognized her right away, when she paid Her Highness a visit today.

I wish you could have seen the way this fool looks at her.

Why can't you ever think before you speak?

What's with the sudden outburst... It was just an innocent jest.

If it's because of me, never mind.

When you're infatuated with a woman, there's no stopping you.

Our clans were merely discussing a betrothal.

Betrothal?!

But can we let our fathers' issues get in the way of our friendship?

I will earnestly congratulate you no matter whom you marry.

What brings you here?

The Royal son-in-law is a dear friend of mine.

A dear friend?!

We share a peculiar fate, indeed.

Allow me to humbly apologize for any quandaries I might have caused you.

What would be the use of that now?

Still, even if our betrothal is no more, you must never forsake His Highness.

I shall bear it in mind.

Take your leave now.

Jong will become the best spouse you could wish for.

Did you come here hoping to see her?

Should a chance encounter bring you together once again, just ignore her.

It is the only way you will avert a dire tragedy for the both of you.

It is all over between us.

You sure can be benevolent...

You still want to go there after all she subjected you to?

I won't ask you to come, so give it a rest.

I wouldn't have come, anyway.

I'll get going.

Your Highness.

Are you not awake yet?

Isn't tending to her spouse's hangover a woman's...

Her Highness has vanished!

What are you talking about? Her Highness has vanished?!

She's nowhere to be found, and both the carriage and her attendants are gone.

She likely went to the palace, then.

Without a word?

Take Jong and head to the palace.

I will check the premises.

But what if we don't find her at the palace?

Think what will happen if they find out she disappeared...

a mere day after her departure!

Let's just go, for starters.

What else are you doing here?

Am I not asking you a question?

I'm here to see Her Highness.

I don't know what brings you here, but you can't meet her now.

Your Highness.

Must you really go all the way there without a single guard?

The Royal son-in-law went to check whether she visited the palace,

so we soon shall get word.

And she would visit the palace not a day after her departure?!

She would never do something to bring further distress upon His Majesty.

Do you know where else she might have gone?

Considering you were one of her closest confidants, should you not know that?

You were close enough to impersonate her,

and yet you don't know that much?

Maybe...

Do you have anything in mind?

But it is so far away...

I will make sure to bring back this horse.

And when would that happen, at this rate?

Your Highness. How shall we proceed?

Are you telling me I would have to ride in those men's company?

Yes.

So Your Highness... let us just return.

If he finds out you vanished without a word, His Majesty will be concerned.

So I'll consider that a sign of approval, and turn back the carriage.

Let us go.

Thank you for riding with me.

I shall go on by myself from here onwards.

What is this?

For the seat.

Still dauntless as always.

- How did you... - We must ascertain Her Highness is safe.

Listen.

Have you perchance seen a noble damsel riding a carriage?

A carriage?

Not on this boat, but I cannot vouch for all the others.

It is so far from here, I wonder if she really went all the way.

Perhaps we shouldn't have even come.

It still won't hurt to see for ourselves.

Here... Get off.

Her Majesty's tomb?

She's not here. I guess I was mistaken, after all.

Weren't you ousted from the palace by Her Highness?

But seeing how fervently you're looking for her, you must bear no resentment.

I wasn't ousted by her, I actually...

But heed my words, no one must ever learn of this.

He still thinks of you as nothing more than a paltry court attendant.

I don't know why you were ousted, but have you managed to find new dwellings?

It's... at a temple...

Are you lodging at a temple?

So that explains those monks...

I suppose it's near those swings, then.

It's right behind.

Did you enjoy impersonating a princess?

I trust inveigling me in and out of the palace was quite a sight to behold.

It was never my intention to belittle you.

It might have been inopportune of me,

but I cherished every moment we spent together.

And I wanted to personally make amends for what I did to you.

To sincerely apologize for all the suffering I brought upon you.

Do not delude yourself.

I would have done so for any other woman.

Then...

Were you the kind of man willing to stake his life for "any other woman"?

So those moments spent together didn't mean much to you after all.

Let us go back now.

Where have you been?

It's nothing that should concern you.

Have you not considered what concern seeing you vanish without a word would bring me?

I wouldn't delude myself into thinking that the alms of providence...

accord you the right to comport yourself as if our wedding was legitimate.

If anything is not legitimate, it's these capricious whims of yours.

Capricious whims?

Is this the kind of demeanor befitting someone whose mind should be captured...

by His Majesty's ailments?

Princess Gyeonghye was like a piercing throe that never goes away,

but seeing her ousted from the palace feels like ridding myself of an aching tooth.

Don't you agree?

Now that Her Highness gained such a reputable spouse,

she should devote her most earnest efforts to serve him.

But I wouldn't chant victory quite yet.

Only when we rid ourselves of Kim Jongseo will our ordeals come to an end.

You have a guest.

Father, it's Myeon.

I invited him.

If you pardon the impudence...

Don't even mention that word.

Come on in!

His Highness is slightly inebriated, so escort him back home.

He is a skillful officer, so you can entrust him your safety.

I'm truly grateful.

I feel like I gained another son today.

How is Her Highness feeling?

I wonder if she was fatigued, seeing as she's already fallen asleep.

- But she's all right, I hope? - Yes.

What is that?

She went all the way to Her Majesty's tomb just to find you.

Seems like she knew how fervently you wished to go there.

She came back earlier this evening.

That's a relief.

I must thank you for accompanying me on this long trip.

I merely did what I had to.

Then, if you'll excuse me...

I am convinced you would be a most becoming son-in-law,

but my daughter can be heedless to a fault.

She nonchalantly rides horses in spite of being a woman,

unconcerned of how many bruises it might cause her.

When it comes to tormenting one's mother, she knows no peers.

But I hope you will still hold her dear.

Yes.

You fill me with great resolve.

And here we are, safe and sound.

A maiden like you so heedlessly parading the streets at this hour?!

Forgive me.

See? What did I tell you?

Heedless to a fault, is she not?

Seryeong, take a good look.

Is he not a formidable specimen?

In due time, you shall join him in conjugal ties.

It might have been inopportune of me,

but I cherished every moment we spent together.

My Lady... Are you already awake?

My heart was in tumult...

Let us go pray at the temple.

Again?!

Sire...

You must recover.

Brother Suyang.

Meseems Princess Gyeonghye's departure is what is afflicting him.

- Prince Anpyeong -

I would like to escort him to Her Highness' residence.

Are you perchance ignoring the fact His Majesty could not even walk?

It's all right...

What could possibly happen?

Should anything befall you on the way, without any physician by your side...

Being trapped inside these walls is suffocating.

If such is your wish, we shall endeavor to grant it.

Father!

Sire.

I shall leave you alone a moment,

so that you can converse in peace with Her Highness.

Father.

I am safe and sound as you can see.

Sire.

There is one ulterior motive behind my venturesome decision to escort you here.

It is for there is someone who fervently seeks audience with Your Majesty.

My being a royal precluded me from joining politics on mere principle,

but he was the one who convinced me otherwise.

The only thing adorning my pate is a crown of ineptitude.

The same which blinded me into so spuriously mistaking your earnest fealty.

I am mortified, Sire.

But forgive me if I only repent for my inexcusable lack of fealty...

once Her Highness and the crown prince will be free from harm.

Look at me, Your Excellency.

Forgive this inadvertent father for entrusting my children's safety upon you.

I don't even deserve to face you.

What are you saying?

Your humble servant shall eagerly devote his life for your cause.

Must I really take heed of what my heart wishes for?

Open the gates! Hurry up and open!

You should wear your ceremonial garments.

I was sent by His Highness Prince Anpyeong.

He would like to convey you that His Majesty's conditions are critical.

Should His Majesty perish, there will be no way to avert Suyang's regency.

His Highness also wanted to convey this to you.

Father.

It's His Majesty's summoning tablet.

[Left State Councilor] [Kim Jongseo]

So those moments spent together didn't mean much to you after all.

Is the edict ready?

All preparations are complete.

Every man from Board of Military Affairs to Royal Palace Guard must be warned.

Make sure to threaten them with treason should they act in vain.

Yes, Your Highness.

Brother...

Sire!!

Sire!

Sire!!

Sire!

Suyang is here by your side!

May you open your eyes and behold your brother...

Sire!

Ho... Hongwi...

I am here, Father!

Father...

Father! Fa... Fath...

Father!

Father...

Sire!!

Sire!

Your Highness.

Do not lose courage.

An edict will be issued.

I shall take all burdens upon me, so remain by my side as I guide you.

Uncle...

All the royals and courtiers are awaiting you.

Regrettably, His Majesty perished without leaving a will.

But as his rightful heir, His Highness issued an edict.

"I, Crown Prince Hongwi,

knowing how my young age precludes me from deliberating upon state affairs,

hereby earnestly entrust my eldest relative Prince Suyang with..."

Speak no more!

This is no matter for you to interfere in.

His Majesty left behind an edict he entrusted upon me.

If Your Excellency could read it for us all...

[Kim Jongseo]

It was personally handed to me by His Majesty, as the second eldest.

So read it before all royals and courtiers convened here today.

"I hereby...

appoint Kim Jongseo as Left State Councilor,

who together with the state council he presides over,

shall watch over the crown prince."

As long as providence blesses me with clarity,

no royal shall ever interfere with our state affairs again.

Any and all defiance shall be paid for in blood.

Kim... Jongseo.

If demise is what you wish for,

I shall make your wish come true.