THE KING'S AFFECTION
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LIST OF COURT MAIDS
YEAR OF IMJIN
"Year of Imjin."
And your stance must be wider.
Who are you?
It's me, Hyun.
Hyun?
YANG SUN-JI
DEOK-HUI
DAM-I
DAY 21 OF MONTH 4, LEFT THE PALACE DUE TO ILLNESS
She left due to an illness?
Does the record specify the illness?
This is all we have on a girl named Dam-i.
Usually, the illness is specified.
But for some reason, there is no record of it.
If I may, can I ask why you wish to know?
Never mind.
DAM-I
The Crown Prince had the book I gave to the girl.
The Crown Prince?
No one can match his anti-climactic ways.
Was that the reason, Your Royal Highness?
I thought it was a dream.
However…
it wasn't…
STAY, LONGING
…a dream.
I will believe you if you say the feelings were momentary.
But…
it wasn't for me.
It wasn't admiration from a subject.
I thought it was my loyalty to you.
But it was affection.
I have a deep affection for you, Your Royal Highness.
Although you're a man and the Crown Prince of this nation,
I…
love you.
Royal Tutor Jung.
We…
cannot be together.
I am the Crown Prince of this nation,
and you are my subject.
I will endure it.
Whatever people say… No.
Whatever you say,
I will…
endure it all.
I don't…
feel the same way.
Whatever you think you felt from me, I ask you to please…
forget about that night.
-Your Royal Highness. -We never…
had this conversation.
EPISODE 10
JASEONDANG
Perhaps,
it might have been better if we had never met again.
If we hadn't,
we wouldn't have had to be in such pain like this.
YEON-SEON
Ji-un!
You should come on out!
Hurry!
What is it?
What…
What brings you here?
You're a late riser.
Can't you see that the sun has fully risen in the sky?
What do you mean His Royal Highness isn't at the palace?
He must know that the Queen Dowager is expecting to see him this afternoon.
He does know. He is aware,
but something urgent came up.
How could you let this happen?
Where did His Royal Highness go?
I must go now and escort him back to the palace.
The Crown Prince went out in disguise to look around.
Naturally, he didn't have a destination.
His bodyguard went with him.
So you don't have to worry.
And I told the bodyguard, Kim Ga-on,
to stay very close to the Crown Prince.
He does everything I ask of him now.
You cannot enter the Crown Prince's quarters today.
Better yet. You should go home for the day.
You went to the market with the Crown Prince today.
Do you understand?
If Court Lady Kim sees you, you and I are dead meat.
What is this about?
Lord Jaeun.
Did the Crown Prince leave the palace?
Well, it's not what you think.
Enjoy.
Aren't you going to eat?
I will.
Right. Hold on.
It's ready now.
But…
what really brings you here?
I doubt you came out for a mere bowl of soup.
I did.
I couldn't stop thinking about this soup.
Do you mean that?
The soup will get cold. We should eat now.
A bag of that, please.
Can you buy this for me?
Sure.
I see. He's grinning from ear to ear.
He looks just like you.
Is that so?
How is your hat today?
Oh. I think it's all right.
I'm glad to hear that.
The flowers have bloomed beautifully.
Yes, indeed.
All right. Does anyone want to try it?
Who wants to try?
-Come on, man. -No way.
-Your Royal Highness. -Hold on!
Come on, everyone. Let's give him a round of applause!
-One, two, three! -Two, three!
Let's give it up for him!
Are you all right?
Everyone, give him a round of applause!
Here I go!
I'm good.
Would you like to try it?
Pardon?
Gosh. That's only for women.
Over here! Someone wants to try out the swing.
What are you doing?
Who says it's only for women?
A fun activity belongs to everyone.
My lord, try it. It's very fun.
-Come on. -Wait. No. I…
Try it.
He's good.
Goodness. I can't believe I got to ride a swing thanks to you.
What a strange experience.
Thanks to you, I got to use up my energy today.
It really was strange.
Must you really have the last word just because we're outside the palace?
Gosh. How could I do that? That's a misunderstanding.
Look.
I see a big bird over the mountain. Over there.
We should stay under the roof over there for now.
Okay.
Your robe is all wet.
You shouldn't catch a cold.
I can shake off the rain myself.
Your Royal Highness, please tell me
the real reason why
you came to visit me today.
Sometimes, I think about how it would be to live a normal life like them.
Laughing as they please
and crying their hearts out whenever they want to.
It's impossible to be true to myself
when I'm in the palace.
I've lived my whole life competing.
I lived to meet expectations.
And I will
have to keep doing so in the future.
People may envy me for being the Crown Prince.
But I envy the people out here.
They enjoy life to their heart's content…
without having to worry about what others think of them.
Why don't you do the same, Your Royal Highness?
You can laugh like today
and cry at times too…
at least with me.
Thank you for everything.
Thanks to you,
I was happy even if it was just for one day.
Your Royal Highness…
I found a better position for you.
I believe taking that position
will be a good opportunity for you.
Are you…
ordering me to leave?
You can criticize me for being selfish.
I will…
soon get married
and have a wife.
This is…
my answer…
to your feelings for me.
It must have been a tough day.
Hyun.
There are days like this.
I know…
because today has been tough for me too.
I suspect you'd have more use for it.
You should give it to the lady that steals your heart.
Did you just arrive at the palace?
Yes, Your Royal Highness.
You were caught in the rain yesterday. Are you all right?
Yes. I'm all right.
Are you headed somewhere?
I must meet with my father to talk about the royal marriage.
I see.
Let's go.
I would like to get married.
I thought we already discussed this.
Your Majesty, the refreshments are ready.
I heard you enjoy chrysanthemum tea around this time of the year.
Your mother also liked chrysanthemum tea.
But…
I had never brewed tea for her.
Do you know why I am against your marriage?
It must be because you don't think I am ready
to take the next step.
I got married when I was your age.
I made a family at a young age.
So I didn't know
how precious it was or how to protect it.
So…
I failed…
to protect my family.
But…
I didn't want you to make the same mistake.
Your grandmother is right
if I only consider your duty as the Crown Prince.
But you are also my son,
so I wanted to buy you some time.
Do you truly want to get married now?
Yes.
I want to get married.
The royal marriage of the Crown Prince
is not the same as the marriage of a nobleman.
It's an important occasion where the fate of Joseon lies.
I'm sure you understand
what this means.
I examined the body three times so far,
but I didn't find anything unusual.
What about the right shoulder fracture you mentioned before?
The height of the fall was over five cheok.
So it must be from the fall after the arrow hit him.
Commander Yoon, a soldier from one of the Five Central Armies asks for you.
I heard we already took statements
from everyone involved with the royal hunting.
Well, I was on extended sick leave due to a medical condition.
So I must have been omitted from the list for testimonies.
All right. What is it that you want to tell me?
The man that was considered the suspect did not have the capacity to kill.
I'm one of the people who are happy to see him dead,
but someone like him couldn't have tried to kill the Crown Prince.
It doesn't make sense.
Shoot.
His shoulder was injured?
Three days before we got selected,
he got into a fight when we were drinking together.
He injured his right shoulder then. So he couldn't even lift a bow.
But he shot at the Crown Prince?
That didn't sit well with me.
Shoot.
Next.
Get ready.
Shoot.
-Who are you? -Who are you?
Commander Yoon. What brings you here?
Where is Kim Ga-on?
He headed to the King's quarters a while ago to see His Majesty.
What did you say? The King's quarters?
I'm Kim Ga-on.
Ask him.
Your Majesty, Commander Yoon asks for an audience.
Let him in.
What brings you here at this late hour?
I have something to report.
But I will wait outside.
All right. Wait a moment.
I heard that you are the Crown Prince's bodyguard.
So how is it? Are you having any trouble?
No, Your Majesty.
I had noticed a tally on your sword
you handed over to my eunuch.
Was it from your betrothed?
TALLY: MADE OF STONE, BAMBOO, OR JADE, SPLIT IN HALF AND USED FOR IDENTIFICATION
It's a keepsake from my late father.
I see.
Continue to do your utmost to guard the Crown Prince.
There was a murder in the Ministry of War just now.
How could there be a murder in one of our six ministries?
Was the culprit caught?
The man who just left, Kim Ga-on.
There's something suspicious about him.
What do you mean?
So His Majesty finally gave his blessing for the royal marriage?
This will impact the fate of our nation.
He knew that the Crown Prince had to fulfill his duty soon.
Did he say anything else?
The selected lady
will be the future queen of Joseon.
As an elder of the royal family,
I will choose the wisest and most benevolent lady.
Do not worry.
Of course. I expect nothing less.
That is why I would like to make a suitable recommendation.
Someone who will be helpful
to Your Highness, the Crown Prince, and me
in our future endeavors.
-How pretty. Where did you get it? -You think so?
-My father bought me this. -Really?
-It looks like mine. -Really? Look at this.
You don't want to be in the selection process?
I'm not ready to participate in the selection yet.
This isn't about whether you are ready or not.
This is for our nation.
I heard that
they already have someone in mind for such selections.
So no one will notice
if I don't participate in the process.
And women who participate three times
will have to remain chaste for the rest of their lives.
I do not wish to lead such a life.
So please do not put my name in the process.
If that's the law, you must follow it.
Don't make me a disloyal subject now.
-So-eun. -Yes?
This is just for your eyes. Come on.
What's this?
The questions for the first round of the selection process.
I want to be chosen, but I shouldn't keep this from you either.
-I'm okay. Put this away. -Are you sure?
Please follow me.
-Let's go. -Okay.
I'm Jeong-hui, the eldest daughter of Deputy Magistrate Moon Jeong-hak
at Hanseong Magistracy.
I'm So-eun, the eldest daughter of Shin Yeong-su,
the Minister of Personnel.
I'm Ha-gyeong,
the second-eldest daughter of No Hak-su, the Minister of War.
I'm Yeon-hui, the second-eldest daughter
of Han Gyu-seong, the director at the Office of Royal Decrees.
A lord gave a test to three women.
The test required them to last a month with just half a bag of rice.
One woman ate all the rice and when she ran out,
she gave up on the test.
And another woman ate the rice little by little,
but she gave up as she was hungry.
And the third woman lasted a month without having to eat the rice
she was given.
What did the third woman do?
She made rice cakes with the rice and sold them.
She then bought more rice with that money.
That is correct.
Then do you think what she did was fair?
Don't you think she cheated?
Well…
Were there any rules that forbade her from doing so?
No.
Then she didn't cheat.
In order to pass the test,
she put her skills in making rice cakes into good use
and did her best.
How could that be considered cheating?
You are So-eun, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel?
Yes, Your Highness.
Do you mean to tell me you want my daughter to be the princess?
When you first started working for me,
do you remember what you told me?
You said you would become a subject who would keep the royal court grounded
without being swayed by any biases or personal interests.
That is what you said.
I do remember, Your Majesty.
My goal still hasn't changed.
-But-- -Now is the time…
that I need you to show me you meant what you said.
Oh, these.
He spared me a few.
My father hasn't come home from his post at the Ministry of Personnel.
I'm aware.
I didn't come here to see your father. I came to see you.
Me? Why?
Our bond seems stronger than I expected.
Had I known that we would meet again,
I wouldn't have lied about my identity that day.
I apologize if you are surprised.
No, Your Royal Highness.
Please forgive me if I offended you in any way.
Your Royal Highness.
Just like your father's character,
I can feel a sense of grace and honesty from this house.
It's a cool day.
Would you like to accompany me for a walk?
When you were ten, what kind of husband
did you dream of from under this tree?
Pardon?
When I was ten and standing under a pine tree in the backyard
at the palace…
I dreamed of someone brave who would come to me
even if the path was long and full of thorns and bumps.
I dreamed of someone
upright and strong.
The Minister of Personnel will help you.
Having him on your side will be
very helpful in your future.
I'm here to ask you
if you would be so kind as to walk that path.
It will most likely be,
either Minister Shin's or Minister No's daughter.
Then do you want to make a bet?
I will bet on Minister No's daughter.
Minister Shin is the symbol of integrity and the leader of Confucian scholars.
Lord Sangheon will never approve of him.
Sure. Then I will bet on Minister Shin's daughter.
Do you think His Majesty will not object to accepting Minister No's daughter
when everyone knows Minister No always sides with Lord Sangheon?
Don't you agree, Royal Tutor Jung?
Royal Tutor Jung!
Is it true?
Did the Crown Prince truly recommend giving you a promotion?
Is it true? So where are you getting transferred to?
Is it the Office of the Censor General? Or the Office of the Inspector General?
Where is your next post?
That's not true.
Come on. Don't keep things from me. Just tell me.
I'm not that petty. You know that. Right?
So which one is it?
Is it a big promotion?
I'm sorry, but I'll head out a bit early today.
Don't be like that, Royal Tutor Jung. Just tell me. Royal Tutor Jung!
Is he looking down on me because he's getting a promotion?
Gosh. My blood pressure is rising.
Royal Scholar Yang!
Royal Scholar Yang.
I'm not sure
if I will meet the expectations.
This is very sudden too.
Do you
have feelings for someone else?
Please forgive me.
As I came all the way here,
I don't think I can give up that easily.
We'll meet again soon.
Why are you here at this hour?
I just left Minister Shin's house.
The woman you were with the other day
was Minister Shin's daughter.
I asked her to be my wife…
despite the fact that I knew that she had crossed paths with you.
I see.
Did you give some thought to the offer…
I made the other day?
If you want, I can recommend a better position.
When I see you…
I want to talk with you.
And that desire gets stronger on days when I see you unexpectedly
like this.
Offering another position
sounds like you're asking me to leave the palace.
Is that truly what you want me to do?
-If it's not-- -It was also…
hard for me to tell you such things.
I thought you of all people would understand me.
I guess I was wrong.
I understand now.
The flowers have bloomed beautifully.
Your lecture isn't today.
I asked Royal Tutor Park to switch our lectures just for today.
Then there won't be a lecture today.
You said…
you wanted my answer.
I will give you an answer afterward
because this will be
our last lecture together.
It means, "One can place the trees evenly,
but the drier parts of the trees will burn first."
"One can flatten the ground,
but the water will spread to the humid side."
"Similar trees will grow together
just like animals of a similar species will band together."
"All things are bound to find their own."
"Therefore, there must be a target board
for arrows to land."
I will be your tutor starting from today. I am Royal Tutor Jung Ji-un.
Then the lotus seed will bloom into a flower soon.
I look forward to working for you until then, Your Royal Highness.
Allow me…
to answer that question.
Like the good rain that falls when most needed,
I will be someone who you can count on.
Just like you were to me when I needed you the most.
I would like to continue to do so by your side.
It means, "The trees must be dense for there to be any to axe."
"And the shades must be dark for the birds to fly in."
DAEHAKJANGGU
Now, tell me…
what your answer
to my offer is.
Could you accompany me somewhere? It won't take long.
Do you remember?
This was the first place we came to after I became your lecturer.
For some reason, that day feels like so long ago.
For once at least,
can't you put your trust in others?
Not for anyone else, but for yourself.
For Your Royal Highness.
Don't distance yourself too much.
It'll only make you lonelier.
I swore to myself I would never come back to the palace.
If I hadn't, I would have regretted it.
The truth is, I'm not the type to stay in one place for too long.
So I plan to go back to the way
I used to live.
I hope you will be happy…
not just for a day,
but every day.
Because when I had no dreams or hopes,
you brought happiness to my life.
I don't think I can accept
a different position as you suggested
because if I stay,
I will keep coming to your quarters.
I might use saying hello to the royal tutors as an excuse.
Or I might use the beautiful tree at your quarters as an excuse too.
If not those,
I might pretend to look for Lord Jaeun at your quarters
when who I really want to find is you.
NOTICE OF RESIGNATION
Please stay healthy, Your Royal Highness.
I hope you won't be lonely.
NOTICE OF RESIGNATION
Subtitle translation by: Won-hyang Son
THE KING'S AFFECTION
How has it been for you? I thought you might be feeling lonely.
Not at all.
The Crown Prince is well, right?
-Jan-i! -Is everything all right?
Why did you kill her? She didn't do anything wrong! Why?
You were able to hold yourself back until now.
But how come you couldn't this time?
I had to hold back for the last ten years.
The Crown Prince is responsible for the death of his uncle.
Please dethrone the Crown Prince!
-Please dethrone him! -If you are dethroned,
the only thing that awaits you would be death.
I will protect you, Your Royal Highness.