The King's Affection (연모)

Just a little bit more. Push.

You are doing great, Your Highness.

Your Highness, you welcomed a prince.

Your Highness?

Twins within the Royal Family are an abomination.

Who will accept a prince

that shared a womb with a girl?

But Father--

I accepted your daughter as Crown Princess

to honor the part you played in putting me on the throne,

so how will you clean up this mess?

If my status is threatened,

you and everyone who sides with me will pay the price with their lives.

I am sure you are aware of that.

Tonight, the only child born into the Royal Family

is the eldest son of the Crown Prince.

No one will know that he was born a twin,

so please let your worry subside, Your Majesty.

Please let her live, Your Royal Highness.

Being born a girl

should not be a reason for her to die.

Please do not take her life.

It is beyond my control.

But she is your daughter.

The daughter who was born on the same day and at the same hour as your son.

The King has already given his order.

And the Royal Family concurs.

No, that is not the case.

What matters more

is her father, the Crown Prince's decision.

So please tell me.

I wish to know what you want.

I am no different.

If it is not an asset to this country…

I will discard it.

Terminate those at the Royal Maternity Directorate.

Without my approval, not a single soul will live to tell the tale.

Identify yourselves!

Lord… Lord Sangheon?

You did well serving His Majesty, Chief State Councilor.

Where is the Crown Princess?

She is in her chambers along with the royal physician.

This is where the Crown Princess recuperates.

How dare you cause a scene!

Enough!

It is a boy.

The eldest grandson of the King

you have been dreaming of.

Where is the girl?

The girl…

died.

The princess stopped breathing seconds after she was born.

Burn it to ashes.

Yes, sir.

Your Highness.

Hurry. Please check on the baby.

Yes, Your Highness.

Burn all bodies and dispose of the remains.

Her pulse is weak.

Please take her to a doctor as soon as you leave the palace.

Yes, Your Highness.

EPISODE 1

Only those who pass the parrot blood test

will be eligible to serve His Majesty.

-That's it! -You can do it!

-Go! -Your Highness!

Look at him charge vigorously.

He surely is a king in the making.

Do you not agree?

Of course.

-Over here! -Stop him!

Get in there!

That is how you do it!

Nicely done!

I said we should go. I'm leaving without you.

Just a second. I almost have it.

Don't blame me when you are scolded for being late.

Hey, I-wol!

Can you give me the ball?

Thanks.

What is it?

Do I have something on my face?

No, it's not that.

How long does it take to fetch a ball?

A court maid who looks just like you?

I'm not making this up. If we had the same hair,

anyone would believe that we were twins.

Aren't I right, Bok-dong?

Sorry?

It's true.

Never speak of this again.

A twin? Why would you say such nonsense?

I was fascinated, that's all.

You'd be startled too if you saw her.

I have heard enough.

How dare a lowly court maid resemble the noble prince.

It's something no one should hear.

Don't you ever mention this again.

Do you hear me?

Yes, Mother.

You clearly told me that my daughter left the Capital.

Yes, I'm sure of it.

The Crown Prince's left guard left her at a small temple outside the Capital.

I must talk to him.

Meanwhile,

I would like you to look for the girl my son saw.

Yes, Your Highness.

His Highness takes after you in his cleverness

and boldness.

His tutors at the institute see it as an honor

to be able to serve His Highness.

There is no need to compliment him for my sake.

From what I hear though, rather than reading books,

you're more interested in playing soccer

and enjoying outdoor activities with eunuch trainees.

Is that true?

If my mentor is correct about my taking after you, it'd be false.

If I didn't take after you, it'd be true.

What?

-You can't. -Step aside!

How dare you barge in here.

Forgive my impudence, Your Royal Highness.

-Take him! -Yes, sir.

-What is the meaning of this? -Master!

Let go of him this instant!

His Majesty has ordered the arrest of the royal preceptor.

What?

The Crown Prince shall now enter.

What is the reason behind the royal preceptor's arrest?

He is the master that your grandson trusts and is fond of.

So please revoke your royal command.

He has been disrupting the Royal Court with his asinine appeals.

Someone like him should not be in charge of His Highness' education.

His concerns for this nation and people

can't surely be viewed as disrupting the peace.

He has slandered me as well as other meritorious subjects

and has desecrated His Majesty's bestowal of merits.

What could possibly be more of a crime?

Regarding his punishment,

I'm truly worried about the shock His Majesty's grandson might receive.

It is why I dare propose

that his quarters be closed until the dust settles.

So be it.

Are you okay?

It's not too late

to change back into your clothes and head back.

Master has been absent for days.

Father and those at the institute will not tell me anything about him,

so what else can I do but seek him outside the palace walls myself?

Couldn't you at least give me back my clothes?

The main gate is right outside.

This is the only way I can make it out undetected.

Boost me up higher, will you?

That's it. Just a little bit more.

A little bit more.

-Down. Let me down. -Sorry?

-Let me down. -Oh.

I hear you have been asking for me.

You're finally here.

We look exactly the same.

Don't you agree?

That's true, but…

Bring the clothes.

But what if someone sees us?

As if that would happen.

Bring the clothes this instant.

Are you still not done?

I don't have all day, so pick up the speed.

Now, hand me your clothes.

Sorry? How could you ask for the shabby rags I wear?

Speak with more of a lower and deeper tone.

-Sorry? -Are they over there?

Halt.

I don't recognize her as the King's grandson's court maid.

She's still in training and only came to run an errand.

I was just showing her the way out.

You may exit right through this gate.

Where is His Highness?

He just exited the gate.

Your Highness, the Bureau of Special Foods

-has brought over some snacks. -Hurry.

They may enter.

We have brought your favorite sikhye and maejakgwa.

Duly noted. You may leave.

Would you like to join me?

No.

I mean, no, Your Highness.

Don't be like that and join me.

No, Your Highness.

It's sweet, isn't it?

I hear the King's grandson sent you.

How has he been?

Doesn't he resent me for leaving

without saying goodbye?

I was concerned, not angry.

As if you'd do anything that would warrant resentment.

Your… Your Highness?

Your Highness, is it really you?

How are you here?

What on earth are you wearing?