Queen Seon Deok
Episode 2
To better represent the characters' past, the drama's first two episodes...
will depict major events from the years 572 to 602 in an abbreviated form.
Right before he perished, His Deceased Majesty clamored me...
to announce that the heir of the heavenly kingdom...
shall not be his second son, Geumnyun,
but the son of Crown Prince Dongnyun,
King Jinheung's grandson,
Prince Baekjeong.
We are gathered before our ruler and king!
Sire!
~ Episode 2 ~
Ehh... How could that be possible?!
- There is no way! - Just do it!
No... all right. Forgive me.
I... am easily daunted.
I know, forgive me.
Anyhow,
would Lady Mishil claim she will marry someone 16 years her junior like you,
and do anything to harm Lady Maya?!
She is more than capable of that.
Ehh... She will not.
She will just return to her abode.
I shall now become His Highness Prince Baekjeong's queen.
Does it dishearten you, hearing I will join in conjugal ties with another man?
~ Sejong ~ (Mishil's husband, 6th Gen. Pungwolju)
His Majesty King Jinheung told me.
That no man could ever have someone like Lady Mishil all for himself.
*Seonggol: Shilla's highest royal caste (having royal blood on both sides)
I merely resent the fact I am neither a king nor of sacred bone*.
Seolwon Rang seeks audience.
Seju!
*Suffix for Hwarang, literally "male" (Hwa+Rang = Flower Men)
~ Seolwon Rang*~ (9th Gen. Pungwolju, Mishil's lover)
His Highness Prince Baekjeong has disappeared.
And Maya?!
We already took care of her.
Find Baekjeong at once.
Unless we have Baekjeong,
neither the Council of Nobles nor the Hwarang will support us.
Yes.
Maya!
You must survive.
I implore you.
Survive!
~ Munno ~ (Gukseon, Hwarang Chief Marshal)
It's Munno!
It can't be helped!
Slay him!
You pointed your blades at me fully knowing I was your Gukseon?!
Quite daring.
Even if you numbered in the hundreds,
think you would be able to contend with Munno's might?!
Drop your sword!
Drop it!
Or I will slit her throat!
Drop your sword at once!
Sire.
Where are you headed?
To Maya's...
I must head to Maya's abode.
I shall head there in your stead.
It shall only be a brief jaunt,
why are you trying to stop me?
Free the way!
Your Highness.
They have nothing on them.
*Avici, the endless Buddhist chamber of hell those committing grave sins pass through
Only in continuous hell* shall I lave the sin I am about to commit.
~ Seorabeol ~ (Gyeongju, Shilla capital)
Sire.
I suggest we hasten and proclaim a Commissioner of the Board of Military Affairs.
We consider Kim Hujik, Sueulbu and Hwamun to be seemly candidates.
*22nd Shilla Ruler, A.D. 437-514
As the great-grandson of King Jijeung*,
I believe Kim Hujik would be a most suitable candidate, Sire.
Proceed as suggested.
Next...
We should appoint a courtier in charge of diplomatic matters...
Proceed as you wish.
- And as for the next issue... - That as well.
Proceed as you see fit.
Sire.
It concerns royal nuptials.
Sire.
Already a half twelvemonth has passed us by.
Lady Maya's sudden disappearance is most lamentable, however...
That of mother of state is a role which shall not remain vacant for long.
I dutifully concur, Sire.
~ Noribu ~ (Head of the Council of Nobles)
In accordance with our heavenly kingdom's traditional mores,
our Council of Nobles must conclude this royal nuptials matter...
by the last day of this month.
Proceed as suggested.
Do as you please!
And I now wish...
it will protect you and our child.
Yes.
I am sure it will.
Sire!
Sire.
*Council of Nobles member
Eulje Daedeung*!
Eulje Daedeung...
~ Eulje ~ (Shilla courtier, Seondeok's future mentor)
Sire.
Your humble servant has returned to the palace.
I am glad you are here.
My gratitude.
Sire.
May you forgive me...
for leaving your side all this time.
Forgive?!
Do not even say that.
On nine out of the ten daedeung of the council of nobles, I have no qualms.
The real issue is Eulje.
Why on earth did you appoint him to the Council once again?
No worries!
You need not fret.
Eulje shall not pose any problem, either.
Did your parley conclude favorably?
Yes.
~ Misaeng ~ (Mishil's brother, 10th Gen. Pungwolju)
Such old roguery would easily sense the wisest course of action.
But...
convincing him could not have been a laughing matter,
how did you manage to succeed?
I accorded him the chance to return to Seorabel,
and closely serve His Majesty.
Only with Eulje's approbation will the royal nuptials gain a just cause.
However,
allowing Eulje to stay by His Majesty's side...
Manifold things have changed in the last four years.
What would we possibly have to dread?!
And is not loneliness what drives His Majesty away from the righteous path?!
Don't tell me...
you already are looking after your precious helpmate, Nunim?!
Brother.
My apologies.
Anyhow, we should hasten and conclude this council parley on unofficial terms.
That would be injudicious.
Injudicious?!
Our best course of action on this matter...
would be to allow all of Seorabel's nobility to witness it,
along with His Majesty.
Why endure such cumbersome...
To make everyone partake in our covin.
And also, to announce their involvement to all creation.
So that His Majesty will flourish his authority upon creation,
all our fellow conspirers will not neglect their cause,
and Her Highness will be officially enthroned.
It is killing three birds with but a single, propitious stone.
In any way!
Can nobody contend with this strategist's mind?!
So, Your Highness.
Let us open this council to the public.
It is an honor and privilege to be accorded the chance...
to accompany you here and witness the open council, Sire.
Would not every and all men feel the same?!
Who would ever wish to engage in nuptials with their own kindred?!
*(Zou Wei Shang) From The Art of War: "If everything else fails, retreat"
I myself would choose the thirty-sixth stratagem*.
My sister she might be, but there is nothing I can do myself.
Even in old age, until the crown and a prince bedeck her,
she is never going to stop.
Just close your eyes,
and think of it as another way to gain a crown prince.
If you do so,
then I shall endeavor to expound on the many pleasures of the flesh.
That is the most flavorsome of creation's wonders!
Yes!
Council of Nobles (Meeting where Shilla nobles deliberate on state matters)
His Majesty seems to be late?!
What if he fails to participate?!
It is an open council,
so it will be hard for His Majesty to avoid participation.
Bringing a new queen by His Majesty's side seems quite laborious.
I concur.
His Majesty deigns you with his presence!
Remove the curtains!
We shall hereby commence our council, Sire.
Lady* Mishil...
*Gungju: Like for Goryeo, title indicating a royal consort
has served the royal crown ever since King Jinheung the Great's reign.
According to this heavenly kingdom's codes and traditions,
should not Lady Mishil have devoted herself to Buddhist practice,
after His Deceased Majesty's demise?!
But her clamoring to be enthroned as new Queen...
would be nothing but an affront against our traditional mores.
However,
after His Deceased Majesty's departure,
Lady Mishil significantly stabilized our internal and diplomatic situation,
and brought an end to the social bedlam afflicting our nation.
Indeed she did.
Not to mention the fact His Deceased Majesty proclaimed her...
*Female Hwarang leader **Holder of the royal seal
wonhwa* and seju**, bestowing Shilla's future legacy upon her.
Should she not continue the great achievements of our former ruler?!
Also, as she previously served royalty,
does not she know better than anyone what it means...
to be at a king's service?!
I believe she possesses enough virtues to represent us as mother of state.
Not to mention the fact...
this is a matter His Majesty has already agreed upon.
Yes.
These are also His Majesty's wishes.
We engaged in bounteous deliberation. Bring the voting tablets.
It is now time we nobles of the council convey our wishes.
As you are well aware, a unanimous vote is required.
Should even only one of us oppose this motion,
deliberation shall continue until we reach unanimity.
Should any daedeung wish to oppose this motion,
may he put his tablet forward.
~ Ban (Opposition) ~
Then,
- with that in mind... - Stop!
Stop at once!
Sire!
Gukseon!
Manifold moons have passed us by, Gukseon!
However!
No one is allowed parlance in this council, except its members.
Gukseon as you may be,
how dare you subject us to this nefarious obloquy?!
May you all rise.
Her Majesty the Queen will deign you with her presence!
~ Maya ~ (Lady Kim, Baekjeong/King Jinpyeong's consort)
Maya!
Maya...
Sire...
Maya!
Maya!!
You are alive!
My gratitude.
I am really grateful...
Lady Maya.
How can you explain all this?
As I was heading to my clan's abode,
nameless personages attacked my carriage.
Who committed such a daring malfeasance?
Lord Munno and I attempted to find out,
but there was no trace of them.
I...
was thrown down a cliff along with Lord Munno,
our arms and legs tied.
Gukseon.
You rescued Maya.
My gratitude.
No.
I was not the one.
You were the one who saved us, Sire.
What is that supposed to mean?
With this, I was able to cut the ropes binding us.
This...
Did this really bring you back to me?!
Not just me.
It also protected our child.
Your Majesty's child, and the sacred bone lineage!
This... this child of ours survived as well?!
You saved him as well?!
Yes, Sire.
How could this...
My gratitude.
My gratitude, Queen!
Hurrah for His Majesty!
Hurrah for Her Majesty!
Hurrah for His Majesty!
Hurrah for Her Majesty!
Hurrah for His Majesty!
Hurrah for Her Majesty!
It is all fruit of your efforts.
I cannot believe this.
I really cannot even fathom it.
My sincerest gratitude.
I did nothing to deserve such praise.
It was only the fruit... of Her Majesty's willpower.
It was not.
I did have the dagger at my disposal,
but if you had not cut the ropes and brought us back on the banks,
this day would have not easily come.
Be it as it may, my protraction was inexcusable.
Which is why you had to endure an infinitude of quandaries,
until you regained your consciousness.
But that willpower of yours never allowed them to take you away.
I was not even conscious, so what willpower would I have possessed?!
It must have come from my womb, it was our child's.
I kept sensing our child wriggle.
I sensed his breaths!
It is a strong child.
He endured this adversity and emerged in all safety!
My child...
I shall overcome all my adversities.
I shall show it to you!
May you aid and support me.
I will do it.
I will.
Even in his very last moments,
His Deceased Majesty was sweltered by wintry sweat,
concerned about the future of this small nation.
Concerned that our feeble, pitiable people...
may fall into slavery at the hands of Baekje and Goguryeo.
And this Shilla of ours he devoted his entire life to...
was stolen by Mishil.
It is now time I take it back.
Aid my cause.
Yes, Sire.
Yes. Sire.
It is a return.
Yours, and that of prosperous times.
I laud your efforts.
Was it this?!
I hear you had a divine revelation at the Jungak,
on the day King Jinheung the Great perished.
So, was it this?
"Mishil shall never become Queen."
Was it not this?!
It was not.
Then...
what was it?
The revelation I experienced,
suggested that unless the seven stars of the Northern Dipper become eight,
no one under the heavens shall ever contend Milady's might.
But I hear there were two revelations.
What would the next one be?
That you would be ruling over all creation.
So was that the reason you looked so perturbed?
He who does not enjoy heaven's mandate but brims with willpower...
can only bring forth destruction and calamity?!
Was it that?
I had a dream.
It pointed at whom shall gain the mandate of heaven.
Was it the fervent desire brewing inside me creating all this,
or...
You need not worry.
"Geo Geo Geo Jung Ji Haeng Haeng Haeng Ri Gak.*"
*One of Laozi's maxims from the Tao Te Ching, the fundaments of Taoism
"Along the arduous and prolonged path shall you gain acknowledgement,"
"Protracted and repeated endeavors shall lead you to enlightenment."
Let us just walk that path.
~ Shilla Royal Shrine ~
Did you spend the eventide here?
Yes.
Why are you obsessing over that title?
You already rule upon all creation, in spite of not being Queen.
Because, even if all creation kneels before me,
I cannot accept that the crown does not bedeck my pate.
You sure are a woman.
Fret you not.
Meseems even the heavens cannot escape your charms.
I cannot speak with certainty,
but surely...
there is something perturbing about Lady Maya's parturiency.
Unless the seven stars of the Northern Dipper become eight,
no one under the heavens shall ever contend with your might.
Your Eminence. His Majesty summoned you to the palace.
How is it?
Both Her Majesty and the royal womb are in healthful conditions.
Really?
Also, as delivery is upon us, we must hasten with the preparatives.
*Sanshilcheong: royal apparatus dealing with pregnancies
Hasten and inform the shrine's chamber* about the delivery,
and escort the Queen there.
Yes, Sire.
We shall proceed as ordered without fail.
Sire.
Upon hearing the propitious news,
the Hwarang have proposed a ceremony to celebrate this birth.
Fine.
We sure shall.
What is the matter?
Is there...
anything of concern?
How can they let all our efforts crumble into the abyss of oblivion...
at the very crucial moment?!
Gukseon, that man has divine providence on his side.
Gukseon, Munno, or whatever his name...
is a hard specimen to tame.
Ehh...
Must we really allow him this obloquy?!
Must we?!
Harming the Gukseon in vain would only bring us grave discomfiture.
Did he not escape from the claws of demise?
Half the Hwarang pledged their lives to the Gukseon.
There is no way to bring him harm, at the moment.
So what you suggest...
is that we should continue enduring this infamy?!
The situation has changed.
We cannot guarantee our success.
He is right.
It would be unreasonable.
Not to mention the unrest the nobles of the council are showing.
A fresh wind of change could always be an option.
King Jinji already experienced that, why not attempt it once again?!
Ohh Ohh!
Careful with your parlance.
King Jinji's dethronement was only possible...
because the Gukseon and the Council of Nobles joined our cause.
And who is denying that?!
We have been following your stratagems all this time,
but what on earth is this?!
Her Eminence the Sorceress seeks audience.
Tell her we shall meet another day,
this is not the time for spiritual whims.
No.
What?
Escort her in.
Yes.
I bid you welcome.
Your Highness.
May you dismiss all in attendance.
Say what?!
Are you telling us to leave?
May you briefly halt.
Sire.
You can no longer follow us.
May you await at the royal chamber.
Sire.
Such are our codes.
Sire...
Never you worry.
I shall count on you, my dear.
Fine.
Let us continue.
Sire.
Sire, don't you worry.
I'll follow her, and do my best.
So would that mean causing a commotion, and distracting the Queen?!
Of course not, Sire!
I experienced many deliveries,
and I am confident I can do well.
Is that true?
I cannot vouch for the rest,
but you can trust me, when it comes to delivering children!
What did you just say?!
What...
did you just say to me?!
That two different pulses grace Her Majesty's womb.
She will give birth to twins.
If you say twins...
Recall the prophecy about our royal family the Hyeokgeose...
*Ruler of the Saro statelet (of the Jinhan confederacy), from which Shilla started
blessed us with during his geoseogan* days?
*"Should the king give birth to twins,"
Eochul Ssangsaeng*,
*"The lineage of sacred bone (royal) males shall forever vanish."
Seonggol Namjin.
No man can escape from this prophecy, Your Highness.
Is it this?!
Is this... the mandate of heaven?!
Don't you worry.
I will do my best!
Will you give birth in my stead?!
Why are you trembling so much?
No! No...
It's not that...
Your Majesty!
Are you all right?
Eochul Ssangsaeng.
Seonggol Namjin.
Eochul Ssangsaeng, Seonggol Namjin.
Ssangsaeng.
Does that mean Maya will give birth to twins?
Nunim!
Nunim...
Leisure permeates your days, meseems.
The queen is already at the shrine undergoing labor.
The Hwarang are in uproar, preparing for the ceremony.
You abandon yourself in musical whims, so are you planning to celebrate this day?
- We should at least devise a plan... - Immediately...
gather everyone.
And also...
discreetly summon the troops.
Troops...
Yes!
Your Majesty!!
Your Majesty!
Sire.
It is a princess.
I was sure it would be a prince...
My apologies, Sire.
Do not even utter such words.
Did not this child bring us back together?!
- But, Sire... - Dear.
Leave the shrine at once.
Yes, Sire.
I laud your efforts.
I really do.
Sire!
Sire... have you seen?
Ohh Ohh!
Why were you hiding?
It's not that...
I was trying to support her so fervently,
but I suddenly lost my vigor,
and I was trying to regain composure down there.
Ahh... I mean, did you see it?!
See what?
Her Highness the baby Princess, her ears.
Yes, it is remarkable!
She has a pretty spot, just like yours!
Is it really like mine?
Did I not always wash your hair, Sire?!
It is exactly the same!
Dear.
It really is.
Yes, Sire.
How could it be so...
What is the matter, dear?!
Dear!
What is the matter, what is wrong with her?!
I s... I see a head.
What are you talking about? A head?!
A...
A what?!
Another child is coming.
What?!
Your Eminence.
It is a nefarious omen, a nefarious one!
- Then... - They're twins!
I was right about there being two pulses.
It must be another princess.
*Two clouds, two negatives, two sisters (the opposite of yang)
In that case, it would be a double yin*!
Double yin?!
Her Majesty went back into labor after the first delivery,
and is about to give birth to the second twin.
Immediately return to her chamber,
and closely observe the developments.
Yes.
Dear! Are you all right?
Dear!
Sohwa... How is the child?
Sire... Sire!
I shall summon the physician!
Clasp those gates!
What?
I must alert the physician.
I said clasp those gates at once!
Now!
What did you just say?
Twins, you said?
Yes.
And what's more, it appears it will be twin sisters.
Twin...
Twin sisters?!
Dear!
If this is indeed the case...
It is done.
Our wish has come true.
Don't you recall the prophecies of the Hyeokgeose...
during the early days of our dynasty?
I sure do!
Eochul Ssangsaeng, Seonggol Namjin.
Should the king give birth to twins, the sacred bone lineage will be broken!
And this can only mean...
that His Majesty's blood line will come to an untimely end, right?!
And whom... whom did this prophecy come from, after all?!
It is over for Her Majesty.
From this moment onwards, we must discreetly...
and rapidly proceed with our plans.
We are waiting for your commands.
You must deliver the child.
What?!
Dear.
Do you know why I am doing this?
You do realize what would happen if royalty gave birth to twins, don't you?!
What are you waiting for? Help her out at once!
I deserve to perish!
Saying I could easily deliver a baby,
that was nothing but a lie!
I would never be able to!
You really don't realize what twins can mean to us?!
I... I know.
But...
Do you wish to see my children perish, and my queen dethroned?!
Stop wailing and help her immediately!
Everyone should be alerted that Her Majesty gave birth to twins.
Of course.
Tell all the Hwarang preparing for the ceremony to gather before the chamber.
All right.
His Majesty might conceal one of the twins to escape from this prophecy.
Deploy troops to surround the premise, and control all escape venues.
Yes.
If he tries to bring out the child, someone will be entrusted with the task.
Maintain close observation on all His Majesty's retinue.
Particularly...
Munno.
Seolwon Rang, I entrust you with surveillance of the Gukseon.
I shall immediately execute your orders.
Milord, you lead the Hwarang here.
So I shall.
Your Eminence, observe movements in and out of the shrine.
Yes.
Nunim.
And what is it I shall be entrusted with?
You must get prepared.
What?!
Should we not congratulate Her Majesty on this propitious development?!
Y...
Ahhh!
Yes! Of course we should!
Be strong.
Sohwa, how is the situation?
Ohh... Your Majesty...
Be strong, Your Majesty!
On the day the seven stars of the Northern Dipper...
will become eight,
someone able to contend with Mishil's might will grace us?!
The Gaeyang*...
*Mizar (girdle in Arabic), sixth star of the Northern Dipper
The Gaeyang...
It cannot be...
the sacred bone child to be born today?!
Dear!
Hold it just a little longer.
Your Majesty...
Your Majesty!
It is coming!
I shall take the troops and look for Munno.
Hasten.
I will take the Hwarang to the exhibition hall.
Yes.
If the Hwarang learn of the twins, they will rise in uproar,
so it would be wise to keep it secret, for the time being.
Don't you fret.
Find Munno at once.
Yes.
You did your best.
Sire.
Her Highness the baby Princess.
This dagger...
shall protect you.
Forgive me.
But...
it is not your parents who are abandoning you,
just think of this as you granting your parents their survival.
Sire...
You surely are not...
You are not...
No way.
- There is no way! - Nevermore!
Shall I let Mishil separate us.
Sire!
You are the only one who can.
Take the child,
and escape far away from this palace.
Sire!
Find the Gukseon, Munno!
He shall not have gone far!
- Is that understood?! - Yes!
I questioned a man who spotted the Gukseon,
and it seems he is heading towards the shrine's chamber.
Sire!
It is me, Sohwa!
I am foolish, easily daunted, clumsy...
I always fall down and hurt myself.
How could you entrust such a crucial task to someone like me?!
It makes no sense!
No sense at all!
I am a fool!
You know that!
There is nobody...
but you.
I myself!
Do not wish to send you away.
You...
have spent more time by my side...
than my own mother.
Sire!!
Sohwa!
I am asking you!
Protect that child for me.
I implore you...
Sohwa.
Sire...
Stop!
Is that not Munno?!
Indeed.
It is Munno.
He is heading for the shrine. Munno?!
What on earth is he trying to scheme?
It's the shrine's chamber!
That is where Munno was headed to.
The Hwarang will gather there, incognizant of the twins' existence.
I leave them to you.
Yes, trail him. Trail Munno and stop him!
I knew it would be Munno.
Munno will be the one helping the child escape.
Mobilize all troops in the palace,
and do not allow a soul to leave these premises.
Yes, Nunim.
Sire... Sire.
- What is the matter? - Your Majesty!
Sire...
Is anything the matter?
Sire!
Sire. May you open the gates.
Sire!
Sire, may you open the gates!
Sire.
Is anything wrong?
Sire.
Give me the child.
You cannot.
Now!
You cannot do that!
Is this not your own flesh and blood as well?!
Sire.
What is the matter?
Sire!
Give me the child.
Sire!! Sire!
Now...
- Sire... - Now.
Sire!
You cannot...
Sire!
Forgive me.
Forgive me, my child.
Forgive this father of yours.
Forgive me.
This is the only way.
You cannot... Sire...
Leave at once.
Now!
- W...hat?! - Get out of here now!
- Your Majesty! - Sohwa! Sohwa!!
Sire! Sire!!
~ On the Next Episode of ~ QUEEN ~*~ SEONDEOK
Rummage the entire place at once and find them at all costs!
Is that clear?!
And you did that for fifteen years?!
You must... rescue this Shilla of ours.
Mother!
Sire!
I am the Gukseon, Munno!
Twins?!
You have never said anything about my father.
Does it embarrass you?
Did he follow my father to my hometown?!
You can't be...
It's here!
Let us return to Gyerim (Shilla).