The King's Affection (연모)

I'm late. Darn it.

Your Royal Highness.

Where has your mind wandered off to?

You couldn't hear me despite my attempts to grab your attention.

I'll be late.

If we're done, I should go.

Did you enjoy your drinks last night?

How could you have let him accompany you instead of me?

I must say I felt left out.

There's no need to feel that way. I'll include you next time.

Thank you.

-Who's conducting today's morning lecture? -I heard that it's Royal Tutor Jung.

Is something wrong?

No.

Five steps, remember?

EPISODE 9

Why did I do such a thing?

I blame the alcohol.

Why did I have to drink so much?

Why aren't you heading inside?

Oh, well…

I was enjoying the fine weather

and the beautiful flowers.

Your Royal Highness, Royal Tutor Jung is here!

NONEO

THE MASTER SAID…

Last night--

I deserve to die, Your Royal Highness.

Alcohol got the best of me

which led to an unforgivable act on my part.

I seek your forgiveness.

Oh…

Of course. I understand.

Pardon?

That's how it is with alcohol, don't you agree?

Everyone makes a drunken mistake at least once in their lives.

So don't be too concerned about it.

We can just laugh it off.

Of course.

You sure are a generous man who understands the effects of alcohol.

I'm not one to make such mistakes,

so I don't know what came over me.

You seemed so stunning under the moonlight and I…

Oh, no… My goodness.

That isn't what I meant.

By the way,

I have something for you, Royal Tutor Jung.

They are candies.

I hope it's the right amount of sweetness for you.

Why would you give me this?

You went through a great deal regarding the envoys.

I seem to only be receiving your help, which is why I prepared a gift.

I hope that it suits your palate.

I see you're back, Royal Tutor Jung.

Did you receive yours?

Receive what?

What…

Oh, good. You received one as well.

This is what His Royal Highness said as he handed it to me.

"You went through a great deal regarding the envoys.

I seem to only be receiving your help which is why I prepared a gift."

How benevolent is that?

His eyes were warm when he told me

that he hoped I would enjoy the candies.

He was also concerned that they may be too sweet for me.

So considerate.

It's the first in 20 years.

It's the first time in 20 years that my hard work was acknowledged.

I can finally understand

why you broke out into a speech to give him high praise.

The sweetness is perfect.

Mine's bitter. Could it be bellflower?

I dismissed everyone at home, so do not be concerned.

I'm curious as to what brings you by, Your Majesty.

Great Lord Changcheon.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Using the Ming envoy as leverage,

Lord Sangheon obtained the development rights in Yeoyeon.

What purpose do you think it will serve?

I don't quite follow.

Yeoyeon is constantly invaded by barbarians.

Under the pretense of tightening security at the northern border,

he will try and grow his army.

-Then… -Build a private army of your own.

One that can stand against his.

You…

have my support.

Your Majesty!

Yeong-ji, eat up.

Why have you been so out of it?

Aren't you going to have any? We'll finish them then.

Sure. Help yourselves.

Don't be like that and eat with us.

They are from His Royal Highness. We feel bad eating them alone.

She's right. Have some.

Guys.

Forget it.

What on earth is this about?

Don't just keep it to yourself and tell us already!

Well…

So it's like this.

Someone I know got drunk

and kissed the cheek of the person next to him.

The one that was kissed didn't seem fazed by it at all.

But the one who did the kissing is upset by that person's reaction.

Because that person nonchalantly brushed it off.

Also, it turned out he wasn't the only one

that the person showed kindness and generosity toward.

That upset him too.

Why do you think that is?

Seriously?

Hold on. Who are you talking about?

You or someone you know?

Someone I know, of course.

Does he…

like that person?

-What? -Isn't that what provokes jealousy?

You want that person to only have eyes for you

and you get upset when they aren't aware of your feelings.

With expectation comes disappointment.

No way.

I doubt it.

From what I hear,

His Majesty left the palace last night

and wasn't back even at the end of curfew.

Eunuch Cho, as his most trusted servant,

you would know why.

I have no clue as to what you're saying.

His Majesty retired to his chambers early

and didn't step foot outside last night.

Again, you choose to play dumb?

Why do you keep doing this to me?

Don't you know I'm one of His Majesty's most loyal servants?

Ten years ago,

you came to me in tears

begging me to save your dying wife.

Have you already forgotten that?

I believe I already paid back my debt in full.

Yes, quite handsomely might I add.

If you hadn't

hidden the letter at the royal preceptor's house back then,

I wouldn't have been able to eliminate those loyal to His Majesty.

If he ever finds out about it,

I'm sure he'll be most touched by the loyalty you displayed.

Why not just tell me to pay with my life?

That I could do hundreds and thousands of times over.

Your life?

You should hold onto that for the sake of His Majesty.

Royal Tutor Jung.

What's wrong? Are you not feeling well?

No.

No, it's nothing.

I hardly think that's the case. You're flushed.

Just tell me. How do you feel?

Describe your symptoms.

Well, you see…

It feels like…

something is squeezing my chest.

Multiple times a day, my heart pounds erratically.

And I'm spacing out all day and I can't think straight.

Wait. They sound like the symptoms I came across in a book.

Is that so? Then do tell us what he's suffering from.

Your face flushes involuntarily

and your mood goes from excited

to suddenly depressed.

Sometimes, you see and hear things,

while a certain someone keeps appearing in your dreams.

Exactly!

-Yes, I knew it. -What does he have?

You're lovesick!

Pardon?

Who is the young lady that is driving you crazy?

What?

There's no young lady.

That's not the case.

Come on. There's no need to be embarrassed.

-Just give us a name-- -Hold on!

I forgot that I needed something from the library.

-I had better get going. -Royal Tutor…

-Royal Tutor Jung. -Royal Tutor Jung!

Royal Tutor Jung!

I'm definitely right.

Who could it be?

Any ideas?

Hey.

You look awful. Is something wrong?

It's nothing.

Nothing's going on. Absolutely nothing.

As if. Unbelievable.

Take a look over there.

They're the dancers for the upcoming banquet

and they've had all the men within the palace gawking at them.

No!

That can't be.

That's not possible. It just isn't.

What do you mean?

What is he on about?

No way.

Find inner peace. Let's read some books.

Okay, let's see.