(Children were filmed under production guidelines.)
(Animal scenes were directed and filmed...)
(under production guidelines along with animal experts.)
"I woke up and found myself in a fairy tale."
I thought that phrase only made sense in books.
That is, until it happened to me.
On top of that, I'm in my favourite novel.
I only have to watch this juicy story unfold.
In such a genre,
there's a common cliche where a minor character...
stepping in at the wrong time messes up the whole story.
Pour me some, will you?
(In previous episodes)
Do not get involved.
The moment I do, life will get way too hard.
All I would like to know is if Cho Byung Moo...
is your father or husband.
Stop!
Have you heard of a cocktail bomb?
By mixing cocktail bombs,
I turned the rich girl's life upside down.
Who are you?
Lord Lee Bun?
What did you do to me?
You are the one who did something to me.
It's not your fault.
You did nothing wrong.
It was the first time a woman had spoken to me that way.
A marriage proposal letter has just arrived for you, my lady.
I cannot get married.
We had our first night.
But now, you are feigning ignorance?
That will not be easy at all.
Once Lord Lee sets his mind to it, he can find anyone,
and he can destroy anything.
There is a separate medicinal herb that would cure her symptoms.
You came for Phyllanthus urinaria.
What is it you want?
I left my bag of herbs.
Get it for me.
You are the first human to fight a tiger...
sent by the mountain spirit.
It must be for the lady you cherish.
This is, without a doubt the love of a millennium.
Love?
This was never mine to begin with.
I just have to help Eun Ae and Lee Bun get together.
Why do I feel so weird about it?
Fire!
Lady Sun Chaek!
What an extravagant way to introduce yourself.
You are indeed worthy of being my bride.
You... You are crazy.
That I am. I am crazy for Cha Sun Chaek.
That is a no.
The last thing I want is...
for my daughter to marry into the royal family.
My lady has contracted the plague.
That's why I'll die all alone, without anyone knowing.
Cha Sun Chaek!
Try to die if you dare.
I will follow you wherever you go.
Why are you going this far for me?
But sharing each other's warmth.
This must be what they call love.
Let us proceed with Lord Lee's bride selection...
by following the three-step screening process.
So he was with me all night long.
(Restricted Area)
What's this?
"A three-step screening process..."
"for Lord Lee's marriage..."
By 3pm today?
I am too late.
(North, East, South, West)
(South, Hour of the Horse)
(1pm)
Try to die if you dare.
I will follow you wherever you go.
Yes.
He risked his life to save mine.
What can I not do?
You are the most powerful character in this fictional universe.
Do better.
Remember.
The solution must be within the novel.
(Every day before 3pm, Cho Byung Moo's guild...)
(brought items for the noble ladies to Yukjo Main Street.)
That horse-drawn cart...
will take me straight to Yukjo Main Street.
Wait!
Please stop!
(Cho Byung Moo's carts, To Yukjo Main Street)
Jump!
I'm really sorry!
- What happened? - My goodness.
- What just happened? - Where did she go?
We have never received...
this many candidates in the history of the Office of Royal Marriage.
Lord Lee must be truly popular.
I guess no woman can resist a pretty face.
Send the candidates inside once their names are on the list.
Sure.
(South, Hour of the Horse)
(Yukjo Main Street)
Halt.
Unload.
What the...
What is happening?
- What is this? - What is what?
What is going on?
Hi, Mom.
The deadline for maiden candidates has passed.
Close the gate!
Yes, sir.
Wait for me!
(Episode 5)
(There Is No Such Thing as "As It Was")
Lord Lee.
Lord Lee!
Where did he go?
You came right in time to eat.
I see you will not go hungry.
I thought you were dead.
I thought I would never see you again.
I thought you had run away.
So I went hunting as if I were hunting down...
my betrothed who had fled.
I see it worked.
I did not run away.
I was here.
(Notice)
Can there be a wedding that the groom knows nothing of?
The Office of Royal Family Affairs was set up,
and they accepted maiden candidates today.
I am not so weak that I must do what I do not want to do.
The royal family follows customs and set procedures.
And you are a member of that family.
You know better than to do this.
If you were to refuse,
what would happen to the maidens who applied?
Marriage is no joke.
They did not wager their lives...
because they had nothing better to do.
That goes for me as well.
I applied also.
The deadline for maiden candidates has passed.
Close the gate!
Wait for me!
(Office of Royal Marriage, Registration)
The Office of Royal Marriage is nothing if not impartial.
Close the gate.
No!
My lord!
- My lord! - Sir!
- Wake up. - My lord.
- Is he all right? - Wake up.
- My lord! - My gosh.
(Office of Royal Marriage)
I was short in time and patience.
I am truly so very sorry!
But I did get here in time.
You all saw me.
Fine. Let us say we accept you for arriving on time.
Where is the letter with the details for you to register with?
Just a moment.
Oh, no.
I must have dropped it somewhere...
as I ran all the way here.
Oh, dear.
Send her away.
No. I must register.
No, wait!
Let me borrow this.
What are you doing?
As you can see,
I am entering my name as a candidate.
A 17th-generation member...
of the Yeonan Cha clan's Munjeol branch...
and the youngest daughter of Chief State Councillor Cha Ho Yul.
The name is Cha Sun Chaek.
The Chief State Councillor?
It follows the required format and was submitted on time,
so there is no reason it should be rejected.
Did I not do great?
What is with that response?
Are you not proud of me?
I thought you did not want to marry.
Just a few days ago,
you tried to run away to avoid the marriage.
That I did.
This could have been your one true chance...
to get away from me.
That may be true.
Then why the change of heart?
I thought you hated me.
I never hated you.
The truth is, I think I was afraid.
Even if you ran away out of fear,
I would have tracked you down.
So why the change of heart?
It was not you I was afraid of, but me.
I was afraid history would repeat itself.
Now is the time to be honest with him.
I should tell him why I was afraid...
to be with him.
You see,
I am not...
as kind and pure as you think I am.
Kind and pure, you say?
I never thought that.
What?
You are even more conceited and snobbish than I thought.
That was you complimenting yourself.
Why would you say that?
All you did was act friendly...
toward a friend's man,
yet you claim...
he naturally fell for you, like a butterfly to a flower.
No, that is not what I meant.
That is how it sounded.
I was aware of your unusual personality,
but this showboating is unwarranted.
Judging from your serious tone,
I assumed you had done something awful.
What I am trying to say...
is that I do not want history to repeat itself.
Despite trying, I still struggle to understand.
The man fell for you by himself,
but he handled it poorly.
How is that...
your fault, Sun Chaek?
You see,
you are destined...
to be with another woman.
Like a story...
and like written fate,
the leading lady should be someone else.
The leading lady?
Thinking back,
that resembles what you called me that night.
The male protagonist.
You are supposed...
to fall in love with Eun Ae.
Could I dare...
to claim her place?
All I am...
is a fleeting side character.
Nameless...
and unwanted.
I made a mess of the whole thing.
It is I who made the choice.
I chose Cha Sun Chaek despite all that.
If I am the male protagonist, as you say,
then you would be the counterpart.
Me,
the leading lady?
It will not be easy though.
The Queen Dowager plays a careful game.
It is no coincidence...
that my marriage is being regarded as a royal union.
There must be a hidden agenda.
I prefer the challenge.
Even if that challenge is the three-step screening process.
If I were to marry,
I would like the royal stamp of approval.
I did not expect you to be so encouraging.
I can do this. Slay!
Slay... Wait, does he know that term?
He would not.
Of course.
Then...
I am afraid it might be hard for us today.
- Pardon? - Filthy and rundown.
It is hardly appropriate.
What is it not appropriate for?
Our second night.
What brought that on?
However, if you are interested,
- I will gladly... - No!
No way. I do not want it.
I will gladly...
No!
(Prohibited)
My gosh!
Are you...
walking that way for me to see?
I will carry you on my back.
As if.
I never asked.
Something startled me.
What?
Why do I feel like you are inching closer to me?
Inching closer?
Says the man...
whose hands on my hips...
seemed highly suggestive.
There is always a reason behind what people do.
You can be quite naughty.
"Quite" does not suit me.
I am more open about my intentions.
Is there no shame in you at all?
Shame is for those...
who feel embarrassed by their own actions.
I, for one, do not get embarrassed.
What use would one have for a doctor...
who is easily frightened?
It does not seem...
like she has the plague.
Are you sure?
The symptoms are similar.
However, the prognosis is completely different.
The pain was unbearable.
She even coughed up blood.
Even so, there is no necrosis or festering.
Above all, your pulse is normal.
It is not the plague.
You must be suffering from something else.
"Something else?"
Recently,
did you take or touch something...
out of the ordinary?
Let me see.
Please think carefully.
I was cooped up in the room.
And then I met with Lord Soo Kyum.
After I visited Lady Eun Ae's house...
I recall meeting a foreigner on the street.
He was a poor soul who got lost while travelling.
I gave him a tour of different places.
"A foreigner?"
Please.
I pray that my dear Sun Chaek returns safely.
Please let my lady return safe and well.
My dear Sun Chaek.
If you are going to stand there and watch us pray,
simply head inside.
A Confucian scholar cannot believe in such mere superstition.
"Mere superstition?"
Sun Chaek is hovering between life and death right now.
This is not the time to nitpick over things.
My lady is right.
No title or social class should matter...
more than a child's life.
If only Sun Chaek could return,
I would grant her any request.
Please.
I will call Sun Chaek "older sister."
Even if Sun Chaek marries before me,
I will not blame her.
I already miss Sun Chaek's...
face and voice.
I can walk by myself.
Please put me down.
Am I hearing things?
As I can hear Sun Chaek's voice.
My goodness.
I am all right.
Please. Just put me down.
People will see us.
Older sister!
- Older sister! - I can walk just fine.
Oh, gosh.
Sun Chaek!
Sun...
You are indeed our dear Sun Chaek, yes?
You made it back alive, yes?
- Father. - Yes, my dear.
My goodness.
My dear Sun Chaek.
You have lost so much weight.
You look much paler now.
The moon has heard our prayers.
Our Sun Chaek is back alive.
Well done. I am proud of you, my sister.
I am all right.
I truly am.
My dear.
But if I may ask why you are here, Lord Lee?
It is all thanks to Lord Lee that...
I have returned safe and sound.
Lord Lee saved my life.
I see.
Thank you.
It is cold at night.
Please come inside with us.
I should return.
It is late.
You should head inside.
Yes, we will. Please excuse us.
- Let us go. - But we should...
- Come now. - He has...
Are you going to leave like this?
Something dangerous might happen...
if we are together tonight.
By dangerous,
what exactly do you mean?
Will assassins or swordsmen storm in?
There are dangerous matters...
unknown to you.
Let us leave.
I am being lenient today.
To visit me this early in the morning.
What is the matter?
I heard about my marriage, which I knew very little about.
It was impossible to wait.
The royal court ladies are in charge of the royal family's marriage.
I am sure you are aware of it.
Strictly speaking, I am not a prince.
Please stop the screening process.
Can you not see...
my sincerity in wanting to find a suitable bride for you...
through the screening process?
I have already found a bride suitable for me.
I am aware of it.
However, a royal family member...
cannot marry someone based solely on personal feelings.
Lord Lee.
You are more naive than I imagined.
If you wish,
you can accept that woman as your second wife.
There will only be one woman in my life.
Do not talk back anymore.
If you do, I will take it as a dishonour to me.
You may leave now.
Please remember.
I respectfully gave Your Highness...
the last chance to change your mind.
- What was that? - Do as you please.
Either way,
the result will be as I expected.
What do you mean by that?
The woman I chose...
will be selected.
Lord Lee?
Lord Lee!
Hearing the magpie crying early in the morning,
I thought I might meet someone.
To think we would meet here, of all places.
You must have visited Her Highness.
Yes, and?
I was also on my way to visit her.
Since you are visiting Her Highness this early,
does that mean you are close to her?
Her Highness adores me the most among the family members.
So you were an in-law.
Lord Lee.
Actually, I have submitted my maiden dossier...
to the three-step screening process.
Lord Lee! If you are free, how about some tea...
A foreigner?
Why all of a sudden?
We might be caught up in something dangerous.
Understood. I will make haste.
And one more.
I need you to watch someone.
"The three-step screening process?"
How could you make...
such a decision without us?
By any chance, did Lord Lee threaten you?
No. I wanted to take part in it.
Please approve of it.
- No. - Approve it, my lord.
My lady. Why are you taking her side?
You promised to grant her...
any request if Sun Chaek came back alive, did you not?
A man should keep the promise he made just yesterday, no?
My lady?
Should you not be stopping that arbitrary girl?
Stop her? No. I will support her.
- My lady? - I gave birth and raised her, yes.
But of all the choices Sun Chaek made, this one pleases me the most.
She found her life partner even before her older brothers,
and decided to participate in the tough three-step screening.
Do you not approve of her courage?
Sun Chaek.
Applying to marry a royal...
is not as simple a matter as you may think.
Are you still determined?
I know what you fear, Father,
but I am positive...
that I would regret not participating.
Let us trust in our daughter.
The Queen Dowager...
got directly involved in the marriage of a royal.
It does not feel like an ordinary screening.
I am concerned.
Do not be concerned.
I am more confident than you may think.
(Cha Sun Chaek, Choi Kyung Hwa)
Cha Clan's Sun Chaek?
Yes.
She is Chief State Councillor Cha Ho Yul's youngest.
She applied as a maiden candidate?
Yes.
That cannot be.
She was quarantined with the plague.
Pardon?
Never mind.
Continue with the current list of candidates.
I will follow your command...
and start with the First Screening.
The woman I chose will be selected.
Is that why he said that?
Chief Administrator.
Yes, Your Highness.
What is it?
I want this screening...
to be different from the previous ones held by...
the Office of Royal Family Affairs.
Would you like to hear my idea?
Yes.
I promise to make the Cha Clan...
and you proud.
Okay.
Watch your head.
(First Screening: Basic manners like walking and bowing.)
(Second Screening: Eating with senior royals...)
(as they test education and etiquette.)
(Third Screening: Test wisdom and character.)
I'm a historic romance drama nerd.
I know all there is about the three-step screening.
I watched and read so much...
that I can rattle everything off with my eyes closed.
My gosh.
You have great handwriting.
Oh, my gosh.
Is the Crown Prince Academy exam ready to go?
Yes.
(Exam Question)
It is pretty to look at as well.
Thank you.
My gosh.
Shall we go and have lunch?
How about a hot gukbap and some makgeolli?
That sounds appetizing.
Why are you not getting up? What about lunch?
I am not feeling gukbap.
Why not? It is so tasty.
How should I put it?
The look and smell of it...
feels somewhat barbaric.
You act so snobbish.
I am not snobbish. It is a preference.
Respect it.
If you wish, Master Calligrapher.
Did you hear the news?
A three-step screening will happen soon.
To find Lord Lee Bun's wife?
Wait.
A screening to find Lord Lee Bun's wife?
What are you talking about?
(Office of Royal Marriage)
Wait. Lady Eun Ae?
Goodness. My lady.
What are you doing here?
My father urged me...
to participate in the screening.
Your father?
Yes.
He even got us on the Hanyang Name Registry.
If Eun Ae participates in the screening process,
we'll be competing against each other.
No way.
Will Eun Ae and Lee Bun find a reason to get together?
There is no predicting what will happen here.
Just in case you get the wrong idea,
I am still afraid of Lord Lee and I dislike him.
I would never even dream of the possibility...
of marrying him as it would be a nightmare.
Are you sure you can get through this?
My father said it was his wish.
You applied to be a good daughter.
You truly are a filial daughter.
I do what I should.
I fear I am getting in the way of your relationship...
with Lord Lee.
- No. - Do not worry.
I am inadequate in many ways and will fail early on.
I wish you get the result you hope for.
I hear the squawking of someone cheap and uneducated.
My lady.
What is she doing here?
Why is she in good health?
You look as if you saw a ghost.
Well...
I am sure you are just as displeased to see me here.
You dropped your fan.
The world is coming to an end.
Even lowborn people think they can attend the screening.
What do you mean by that?
That is way too harsh.
Someone as common as you attended the screening?
I hear the authority of the royal family...
crash to the ground.
I will show you the difference...
between a noble lady and a lowborn like you.
I know I will fail the First Screening.
We do not know for sure.
You can never know until you compete.
What a touching friendship you have.
"Black sesame jelly" is a famous saying.
If you stay too close...
to something dirty, you get dirt on you.
You meant to say "touching pitch makes you black."
"Black sesame jelly?"
Is that a new kind of jelly dessert?
You will regret ignoring my warning.
That Cho Eun Ae girl.
You never know...
what trickery is behind that demure face of hers.
You see what you are.
What did you say?
Stand in one line...
so you can enter in turn.
We should go.
(Office of Royal Marriage)
This rite is a greeting to the Kitchen God...
and signals the start of the screening.
Oh, dear.
Goodness.
That has never happened to the lid before.
Is this a sign?
My gosh.
That small accident...
will save me from worse.
We begin the First Screening!
Her Highness the Queen Dowager...
selected the first assignment.
It is called...
the Triathlon Physical.
- "Physical?" - Women must have...
knowledge, morals, and strength.
A woman marrying into the royal family...
must be stronger than average.
For generations, our countrywomen...
carried cannonballs when we were at war.
They have a history of fighting alongside the men.
And so,
here we have a cannonball.
You must lift...
Lift it...
and throw it beyond that line. Only those who succeed...
will pass this screening.
Who wishes to go first?
This seems impossible!
What do I do?
Would no lady care to attempt it first?
I will.
I am impressed.
Now, bring her a cannonball.
Please, throw.
Pass!
Nicely done.
That was truly impressive.
Now,
in order, go ahead and throw.
Pass!
Fail.
Pass.
Fail!
Pass!
Fail.
Pass!
Of course, strength is all that lowborn broad has.
Fail.
- Pass! - Nice!
Are cannonballs really this heavy?
No, don't panic.
The key to sports isn't strength, but science.
Engage the core,
use the centrifugal force,
and release the ball when the timing feels right.
Pass!
How are you here?
I would not be much of a friend...
if I did not know about your bride selection process.
Honestly, it is upsetting.
A bride selection process you did not even know about?
Hard times lie ahead.
This is a challenge I would gladly accept.
Do not be so sure of yourself.
What will you do if another woman is chosen...
as your bride?
Naturally, I have a way to dismantle the whole selection process.
If that is true,
why are you allowing the screening process to continue?
As with hunting,
there is a right time for everything.
Hunting?
I question why the selection process was proposed to begin with.
That is what I want to know.
Also,
there are just as many bright sides to hardships.
What entertains you?
I expected no less from you.
So this is what you have been watching...
Only the ladies who hit the mark...
will advance to the next stage.
What?
Something is off with that mark.
What a relief.
Anyone could tell something was off with it.
This is unfair!
Shoot until the count of ten,
or you will be disqualified.
Darn.
This environment is harsh, even for skilled archers.
I am afraid this is also in her cards.
Whispers of fate and destiny...
from a cheater?
That is my cue.
Fate and destiny...
constantly change.
Ten!
- I am a descendant of Jumong. - Nine.
- Korea is an archery nation. - Eight.
Seven.
- Lady Sun Chaek must shoot fast. - Six.
Five.
Four.
Do not bother calculating the wind.
Three.
- Instead, overcome it. - Two!
One!
Despite the harsh wind!
Goodness, do not meet his eyes.
- This will suit you. - Yes, I will take one.
Please hurry.
I tracked down the foreigner Lady Sun Chaek met a few days ago.
He appears to have arrived...
at the docks by ship six days ago during heavy rain.
Six days ago?
He spent the day with the lady,
eating at the tavern and visiting the linen shop.
Currently, he is staying at the inn...
recommended to him by the linen shop owner.
I saw no signs that he had contracted the plague.
I am here for my clothes.
You were here before with Lady Sun Chaek, correct?
I will get them for you.
Wait, he is fluent in our language.
The last test of today's First Screening.
Deliver the refreshments to the devoted...
royal court ladies.
Proceed.
My lady. The porridge on the left tray might overflow.
Thank you.
It is slippery here. Be careful.
Yes.
To waste the food carrying...
the blood, sweat, and tears of the people.
Fail.
Don't look down on the toughness I've built from living...
in a hillside neighbourhood.
Fail.
The plates you broke...
are white porcelain that the princess adores.
Fail.
- What? - My gosh.
Goodness.
I guess all experiences are valuable.
That wench.
It hurts.
Are you all right?
We could die before the screening process ends.
(Office of Royal Marriage)
By the way, thank you for helping me today.
Do not mention it.
You have helped me greatly as well.
Don't smile at me like that.
I'm your rival.
I must beat you.
I feel reassured, taking part in the screening process with you.
But I feel uncomfortable.
Our kind-hearted Lady Eun Ae.
I'm sorry.
Why the long face?
You said we should not be discouraged, but give it our best.
Let us work hard until the end.
I wonder if it will have any meaning.
It seems like the bride has already been selected.
You have seen it, no? Do Hwa Sun cheating.
(Office of Royal Marriage)
Goodness.
I doubt there is anyone who does not know that.
The outcome was set from the beginning.
What if everyone becomes sidekicks for Do Hwa Sun?
Good grief.
Thinking about it that way makes me furious.
My lady. Under normal circumstances,
I could not even participate in the screening.
I am an orphan.
No matter how rich my adoptive father was,
he was nothing more than a lowly merchant.
However, while my father devoted himself to building the guild,
the world now permits us to change classes.
That being said, I can take part in the screening.
Lady Eun Ae.
My mindset has changed.
In this world, nothing is set in stone.
Only this very moment exists.
Did I overstep my bounds?
No.
It is amazing.
What you said. "In this world, nothing is set in stone."
It is very impressive.
(Office of Royal Marriage)
Did she do well?
I hope she did not cause any trouble.
(Office of Royal Marriage)
I cannot believe the one I saw was indeed Lady Eun Ae.
Why is she taking part in Lord Lee's marriage screening?
No.
This must be a dream.
Right.
Even Eun Ae, whom I worried about the most,
said this moment was the most important.
Do not feel guilty anymore.
Keep going forward.
Is talking to oneself the current trend?
I am too exhausted to be surprised.
Do not tell me you failed...
in the First Screening so easily.
"Failed?"
I persevered and passed.
You cannot imagine what I endured...
in the competition where Do Hwa Sun had full support.
Look. My legs are trembling.
Really, both Lady Eun Ae and I were flustered.
You know Lady Eun Ae, yes?
- She was at the... - I do not care.
All I care about...
is you, Cha Sun Chaek.
So, regardless of what you are tested on,
you must pass.
Marriage aside,
I will definitely win...
for the sake of my pride.
Prove yourself as the heroine meant to be mine.
Whatever you do to win,
I will forgive it all.
However,
I will never forgive you if you get hurt.
Let us go.
Out of wisdom, virtue, and physical strength,
your wisdom...
will be tested in today's Second Screening.
Inside that purse...
are ten nyang coins.
You have two days...
to increase the value of the ten nyang you received.
That is the task...
I am giving you.
Lady Sun Chaek.
In this world, nothing is set in stone.
That is an impressive mindset.
Lady Eun Ae, you are amazing.
Touched by Eun Ae's words,
Sun Chaek felt more at ease.
It seems as though guilt was eating away at her.
However, Eun Ae's words were not meant for Sun Chaek.
They were meant to awaken her own determination.
("Lord Tyrant's Obsessive Love")
("Lord Tyrant's Obsessive Love," Heads-up, readers!)
(A revised edition is on the way. Show your love and support!)
(The First Night with the Duke)
Lord Lee!
What?
Another encounter.
Does that also count as fate?
Lady Hwa Sun and Lord Lee entered the house together.
What's going on?
Tell me. Is he not up yet?
How dare they disgrace my woman?
I highly doubt this is ideal for anyone.
Make me the fairest lady...
in all of Hanyang.
I will shine the brightest.
Like a leading lady.