(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
(All people, organizations, locations, and incidents...)
(in this drama are fictitious.)
Lee Seol.
You dare to...
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
Your Majesty!
Your Majesty.
- Your Majesty! - Your Majesty.
Your Majesty.
You must escape.
I will distract them. You should...
Get him!
Scholar Kim.
You are bleeding.
My lady.
Take just five steps back.
Kill him!
(Episode 15)
Your Majesty.
You, guard His Majesty.
- The rest, follow me. - Yes, my lord!
- Search thoroughly! - Yes, my lord!
Over here!
(Garden of Flowers)
I promise.
I will return before sunset.
I will not be broken.
I will come back to you safely.
- Find him! - Yes, my lord!
Lee Seol. If you assassinate the King,
I will have no reason to stand here again.
What are you thinking about?
Why are you here?
I told you to stay out of my business.
Is it not a pity...
to waste all you worked for thus far?
I did not accomplish anything. It was all Mokinhoe's work.
And now Mokinhoe will turn against you.
If the truth comes out,
you will become utterly alone.
That is not new to me.
My life has always been as such.
Let me remain with you, then.
I must...
remain by your side, at least.
Madame.
(Garden of Flowers)
Just like the snow melts,
Lee Seol will perish and disappear.
And that day draws near.
I made you wait.
My heart was already here with you,
but my feet could not keep up.
You are back, and that is what matters.
You did not disappear forever.
You returned alive.
Your Highness. You must get out of here.
Your Highness.
We must capture him at all costs!
I promise you I will never make you wait alone again.
So do not cry.
When I see you cry,
I feel like I am falling apart inside even though...
I am trying so hard to keep it together.
Are you badly hurt?
No.
It is just a minor injury.
Chief Kim!
The Palace Guards let their guard down.
They let His Majesty get attacked!
I am aware that there is no excuse for this.
Are you done treating him?
How come he is not regaining his consciousness?
The arrow was deeply lodged in his pectoral muscle,
so he lost a lot of blood.
His pulse is very weak at the moment.
Now, it all depends on his luck.
It depends on his luck?
Do something.
Bring His Majesty back to life, at once!
If you die such a horrible death,
I cannot go on with my life!
No, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, please open your eyes!
How is His Majesty?
I shall go in and...
A mere assistant magistrate...
seeks an audience with His Majesty without permission?
Now, you do not even care to hide what you are truly after.
Do you not understand the situation?
As you can see,
the sun is setting.
Return safely.
The First Vice-premier said...
not to let anyone enter His Majesty's bedchamber.
The First Vice-premier and the Queen Dowager now side with Lee Seol?
And the Chief Eunuch is helping them?
We should not let the Chief Eunuch anywhere near His Majesty.
If His Majesty passes away...
With the Queen Dowager's announcement alone,
Lee Seol will be enthroned.
He is a traitor who tried to assassinate His Majesty.
Could you let him take the throne?
As long as I am alive,
the owner of the throne will not change.
I am counting on you.
Please protect His Majesty.
The pouch.
You must have accomplished your goal,
seeing how you returned in one piece.
I do not know yet.
My arrow did hit him.
But I should see what is going on once I get to the palace tomorrow.
Take care of yourself first.
Let me see.
- Are you not hurt? - No.
I suppose you are disappointed...
that I returned unharmed.
I am relieved.
I am truly relieved that you returned.
All right.
San.
You two.
I see that you are getting closer by the day.
We cannot call each other brothers,
but we should get along.
Right, younger brother?
He keeps doing this just because he was born a season earlier, Dan O.
- This is wrong, is it not? - I agree with you.
It is a bit much.
San.
You plan to go to work tomorrow, right?
It would look even more suspicious if I suddenly disappeared.
It will be fine.
Are you a warrior?
You have many scars.
I will be off, then.
Thank you.
No problem.
About what happened today...
Please do not tell anyone at Garden of Flowers.
Is that why...
you told me to be treated in the annex?
But we should tell the family...
I do not wish to stir things up.
Things have finally calmed down at Garden of Flowers.
Then tell me, at least.
Who sent the assassin?
If I cannot protect you,
what is the point of keeping it a secret?
I should just tell Dan O...
I am not sure either,
but I believe it was Master Jang.
You mean, Assistant Magistrate Jang?
Why does he...
want you dead?
His son, Jang Hyun.
He was...
my fiancé.
Did you just say...
you were engaged...
to Assistant Magistrate Jang's son?
Yes.
The day before our wedding,
he was stabbed to death.
You could not even lay a finger on Yoon Hong Ju?
That is unacceptable!
She was with a man, and he protected her.
They seemed very close.
I will see you tomorrow,
after the long night, Lady Hong Ju.
His swordsmanship was very impressive,
even though he looked like a nerd.
So he knows how to fight with a sword?
Could he have been...
hiding his real identity?
He hurt his arm,
but he could still make such fast attacks with his sword.
If he were after our heads,
we probably would not be alive now.
Such impressive swordsmanship...
Could he be...
What is the matter, my lord?
Find out everything you can about him.
Forget about Yoon Hong Ju for now.
I must kill him first.
Yes, my lord.
You seem to be in a good mood on this gloomy day.
Is it that obvious?
In two days' time,
I will wed the woman I love.
Lucky you.
As for me, I am stuck in this temple studying.
How about a drink?
Here.
May I ask about that ornament?
You were constantly playing with it.
Is it not adorable?
My fiancée made it to wish me longevity.
She must be worried, seeing how I am a swordsman.
And on top of that, I have a huge mission tomorrow.
I see.
It sure is fascinating to converse with a swordsman.
I am only a low-level officer, though.
(Garden of Flowers)
A warm dish is the best on a cold day like this.
Dan O.
With this, find me a place to live somewhere secluded and quiet.
A place to live? That is quite unexpected.
I cannot spend my life hiding at the annex.
Living somewhere far away...
Hong Ju...
Lady Hong Ju, are you house-hunting...
even before the wedding?
Gosh. Do you like him that much?
You are right.
It would make a nice home for newlyweds.
Are you two already that close?
Close enough to be thinking of marrying Si Yeol?
Why do you ask?
Are you not fond of Si Yeol?
As if.
I am happy if you are.
You have had it rough all these years.
That is hardly true. The burden was yours to bear.
Who knew this day would come? I am delighted.
She wishes to move out?
Hong Ju must want to marry him.
Dan O, what about you?
What do you mean?
San...
His Highness will not reside in Garden of Flowers forever.
I know.
One day, he will take the throne.
What will you do when that happens?
There are too many bridges to cross,
and I have not thought that far.
As of now, I only wish for San...
to achieve his goal unharmed.
You should give it some thought.
It is time you did so.
Goodness.
Why are you suddenly...
telling me this?
You do not have to stay at Garden of Flowers...
if the only reason is to care for your family.
Hong Ju has found a life for herself,
and Ms. Naju has me.
Yuk Ho...
If...
His Highness wishes to welcome you as his wife...
and reside together at the palace,
go with him.
We have not spoken of such things yet.
If you wish to stay...
as the innkeeper of Garden of Flowers,
you will part ways.
The weight of the crown is heavier than it looks,
and the palace walls are much taller than they seem.
Could you...
spend the rest of your life not being with San?
The office is quieter than usual.
Is there an issue within the palace?
- Drag him away. - Yes, sir!
What is the reason for this?
His Majesty was attacked at the hunting ground.
Why did you swap shifts yesterday?
What did you do after taking the day off?
It was to mourn my father at his memorial rite.
Was that wrong of me?
I know you have been conspiring with Chief Eunuch.
Speak only the truth.
Conspiring?
I do not understand what you are saying.
How could a sworn palace guard try to assassinate His Majesty?
My lord.
I heard you summoned me.
Is this yours?
What am I looking at?
It was left behind by the assassin.
What are you gazing at?
I do not know what it is.
You were the one who switched shifts with Kang San.
Yes, my lord.
I am suspicious of his whereabouts.
Relay any and every information you have on him.
We are in search of a traitor.
Lying your way out of this...
will lead you to your grave.
Well...
You see...
Could you spend the rest of your life not being with San?
Kang San as the assassin?
That is preposterous.
If I had suspected anything,
I would have reported him to you sooner.
Maybe you should end the interrogation...
seeing how we do not have any evidence.
First Vice-premier Sin...
is frantically trying to blame the Palace Guards.
If word gets out about this,
the entire unit could be in jeopardy.
Now that you are no longer a palace guard,
I will not see you within palace walls.
Thank you.
If it were not for you,
losing my job would have been the least of my worries.
May I ask...
why it is that you helped me?
I might ask...
why you did not cut me yesterday.
You obviously had the chance.
Because the life I was after was not yours.
His Majesty is at death's doorstep,
but no one is shedding tears of true sorrow.
How dreadful is that?
I did not want to lose a good friend...
by choosing to protect a monarch...
who has lost trust and respect.
(Buyounggak)
I heard the King passed out while hunting.
Is Master Kang safe?
Yes.
How did you hear of that?
This is Buyounggak.
We serve high-ranking officials.
Word travels so fast.
You seem unusually excited.
I am. Now Master Kang...
No.
His Highness can take the throne.
He should.
He has scaled so many mountains so far.
You seem unusually downcast.
Will you not move to the palace with him?
I thought you would be Queen.
I guess not?
What?
The love of a man and woman is like a soft, ripe persimmon.
It is only red and sweet for a while.
In the end, after time,
it falls from the tree.
Ban Ya.
We agreed to be friends, yes?
I guess?
Are friends...
allowed to hit each other?
To secure our friendship.
It is getting late. You should go home.
Go.
I risked losing face as Queen Dowager to come here...
and sit before you because we must prevent the fall...
of the King and government's authority.
It is a disgrace.
The Heir Apparent is not His Majesty's son?
The wicked Royal Consort Park...
deceived the whole court.
Watch your language!
Nothing has been proven yet.
You may be a high-ranking official,
but dare you say the Queen Dowager is lying?
We shall discuss this another time.
We can wait to resolve this...
when His Majesty recovers.
What kind of life did you lead so far?
Why would you want to know that?
Just because.
I was constantly on the run.
I wonder what your life was like.
I was not chased.
But I was abandoned.
I had no home, parents, or siblings.
I lived my whole life not knowing my real name.
While I lost everything,
you also...
Maybe that is why...
I wished for a world in which those with nothing could dream.
I am worried.
The Queen Dowager will be shocked to see us both.
I feel dreadful.
I caused her the pain of losing a child again.
(Chamcheok: When a child dies before their parents)
His Majesty is Grandmother's only living child.
You are her only grandson too.
The one she searched for.
I am not the only one.
There is you too.
Well,
she does not know of me.
You should tell her.
I am sure...
she will want to know how you grew up.
I should apologize first.
It might not work, though.
Yes.
This is...
the sword the Crown Prince treasured.
Yes.
Father left it to me.
I deceived you, Your Highness.
I will willingly accept any punishment.
It is my fault for not greeting you sooner.
Please do not be angry.
I am greatly disappointed and angered by your actions,
but...
you made those choices to stay alive.
You survived and showed yourselves to me.
I will forgive you for that.
Grandmother.
Seol.
I came back...
so late.
Thank you.
For not forgetting to come and see me,
however long it took.
Do excuse me.
I will let you talk.
Your name is Gyeom?
Yes.
I have a lot to ask you as well.
I will see you...
later on.
Are you leaving?
I should make way.
It was never my position to take.
But do keep your promise.
You said you would create a world in which the lowly and poor...
could also achieve their dreams.
You remembered that?
That promise is what brought me this far.
So please make that a reality.
Yes.
I will.
Please take good care of His Highness, my lord.
Are you...
well and healthy?
Yes.
I am.
Seol.
Will you look at me?
For not one moment...
were you in the wrong or responsible.
The King...
just...
paid the price...
for his actions.
I am...
so very pleased that you did not break or crumble...
and found your way back to me.
I apologize.
I am sorry this is how we meet.
You seem to have a lot on your mind.
Does seeing the boys...
remind you of the past?
I did not know then...
how many lives...
I would take and ruin with my two hands.
Do not think about the lives you took.
Think about the lives that you protected.
Right.
I have managed to keep my king safe,
so I can finish my job soon.
Then soon,
I will not be able to see you anymore.
I no longer wish...
to carry a sword.
Si Yeol, are you not hungry?
I heard you did not have dinner.
I brought you some sweet potatoes.
I hope he is not ill.
I am sure he is okay. We should let him rest.
Oh, right.
Do you not have something to tell me?
No, I do not.
Soon, you will leave Garden of Flowers.
Do you not wish to share your future plans...
with me?
My future plans?
She would stop at nothing to preserve...
her sister and Garden of Flowers.
Do you think...
the palace in which she can barely breathe suits her?
No, I do not have any plans.
I should not have asked.
Go inside and get some sleep.
What if someone sees us?
We will talk tomorrow.
Someone might see us.
Why are you staring at me so intently?
Do I have something on my face?
Seeing your face, I am reminded of our childhood.
Your clear skin...
and large eyes.
You were cute.
That day, you looked...
I still remember your grubby face...
and shabby clothes.
How could anyone look put together when they are being chased?
You no longer...
need to be on the run, right?
Yes.
To tell you the truth,
I met the Queen Dowager last night.
Did you get to have a lengthy conversation with her?
You two finally met after so many years.
She quietly held me in her arms.
She did not resent me.
Anyway, what is with Si Yeol?
Something must be up with him.
You think so too, right?
Yes.
What is the matter?
What is bothering you?
What do you mean?
Everything is going well,
but you look frustrated.
Just because I am your shadow,
it does not mean I must always follow you...
or smile when you smile.
That is not what I meant.
This was what you wanted too.
You said you wanted freedom.
"Freedom?"
I should not have started this.
How dare I...
Si Yeol, what on earth happened that...
Please!
Please leave me alone.
Today is...
just one of those days.
When you just feel like...
kicking a stone you see for no reason.
You know, one of those days.
Yes.
I am sure...
you have one of those days too.
What is going on? What is with him?
Do not ask.
He will kick you in the shin.
He will kick me?
I asked you all to gather...
because I figured you should be informed of what would happen.
The four of us founded the Find Seol Gang...
to find Lee Seol.
I must say, you truly are impressive.
You deceived Dan O when you were Lee Seol.
He really is something.
He totally had me fooled. I thought he was the watchman...
Back then, you were dense and could not take hints.
I kept saying I was not the watchman, but you did not listen.
Anyway,
who is the watchman?
Now, I know everything but that.
I know nothing about him either.
I do not know who the watchman is.
I heard he was very scary.
People say he has killed...
Let us not ruin this happy day...
by talking about death.
Over ten.
He has crushed the lives of more than ten people.
That is what I heard.
How is the King?
If he regains consciousness...
Do you think...
the situation could change?
The Queen Dowager is preparing an announcement...
to install a new king.
Once it is announced,
there will be nothing the King can do even if he wakes up.
I am relieved.
You can finally achieve...
what you had set out to do.
I should be there as the leader of Mokinhoe.
I cannot keep fooling them into thinking that I am Lee Seol.
Not yet.
I will tell them myself when the time is right.
Fine. Your opinion is what matters the most.
So? Have you found out anything about Kim Si Yeol?
Every time we tail him, he knows. So we have been having a hard time.
There is an abandoned house in Namsan Village.
I do not know what they are up to, but the innkeeper and scholars...
of Garden of Flowers are all there.
They must be close.
Anything else?
While asking around,
I met a physician who supposedly treated him,
but it did not lead to anything.
Okay. You are dismissed.
Wait.
Go fetch that physician.
I must check something with him.
You saw scars on his body?
Where, exactly?
On this arm, I saw an old stabbing scar.
There was an odd scar on his shoulder as well.
It was small and stumpy...
which could not have been made by an awl or arrow.
Was it close...
to this shape?
Yes, it could have been made by a throwing knife.
I was wondering what could have made it,
and the shape resembles that.
Kim Si Yeol.
Was it you all along?
You murdered my son...
and frolicked with his fiancée?
If you also had not shown up today,
I would have been upset.
Did I make some kind of mistake?
No.
The mentioning of my fiancé...
must have upset you.
My lady.
From start to finish,
I am to blame.
To blame?
- What... - Like you said,
I thought I could forget the past...
and move into the future.
Did you know...
that some pasts are too bloody and clear...
to be erased?
Whatever it is,
we can get through it together.
We cannot be together, not even for a second.
I did not realize that sooner...
being the fool that I am.
Scholar Kim...
Do not forgive me.
Resent...
and loathe me.
You promised not to show your back.
You promised to stay in my life.
I cannot bear it.
I cannot laugh while sitting across from you.
Are you saying...
you have had a change of heart?
Yes.
And that was meant to be.
It seems as though I have located the watchman.
Never let your guard down.
His swordsmanship will exceed that of any known man.
We are at your service.
Yukinhoe is prepared to take your order.
We do not fear the watchman.
Is it his head you desire?
I desire two, not one.
The watchman...
is always around Lee Seol.
Make preparations.
Tonight, we hunt.
- Yes, my lord. - Yes, my lord.
Tomorrow at the morning assembly, I will relay your announcement...
regarding the dethroning of His Majesty...
and the crowning of a new king.
I entrust you with the delivery of my royal instruction.
You are...
to assist the heir apparent with the utmost loyalty.
Thus, the present King...
will be deposed.
Why not hang it from a branch within reach?
I figured my wish would be heard better...
if I hung it as high as possible.
Gosh.
All right.
There we go.
By the way,
I found it.
The small object that shines brightly.
Have you been looking for it this whole time?
Hold on.
How could you have found it, though?
I am well aware that there was no jade ring.
Gosh, you alarmed me.
I thought you had tripped into the pond again.
Here.
This is my future...
and my one and only plan.
(The Secret Romantic Guesthouse)
Not even once...
have you taken my side.
If only you had been a wise king.
Once we eliminate the shadow that protects him,
he will have nowhere to hide.
It is no longer my concern.
I have already given up on my duties as the watchman.
I see that Hong Ju is still unaware...
of whom you killed.
Scholar Kim, please say it is not true.
Dan O, you will always be my home.
I will confess, Your Majesty.
Jung Yu Ha is the deposed heir Lee Seol.