THE FLOWER AND THE SWORD
EPISODE 1
The ruler of Silla Kingdom, King Lee Kang To has just passed away and the palace was in uproar.
The next heir to the throne was Crown Prince Lee Ho Seok born of a concubine but the ministers and the scholars of Silla were against his ascension and were in support of the Queen's son to be the next ruler.
With the help of the Prime Minister Kim and the Crown Prince mother, Concubine Kim Hyeon Yi, He was able to become the king and married the Prime Minister's daughter, Lady Ki Min Sun as his Queen due to his mother promise to the Prime Minister for helping in his ascension.
But his heart was already with a woman, Lady Park Seo Hwa who was his childhood friend from an obscure branch, the least tribe, in Silla and a woman who loved him dearly.
Going against his mother and the ministers after he had become the king, he took in Lady Seo Hwa as his concubine as he couldn't bear being apart from her.
His mother, now the Queen Dowager was furious.
Queen Dowager
Your Majesty... How could you do such a thing? How could you?
King Lee Ho Seok
Mother, I did what should be done.
Queen Dowager
What should be done?
King Lee Ho Seok
The woman who owns my heart was Seo Hwa and you knew this, yet you bargained with the Prime Minister for me to marry his daughter.
Queen Dowager
Why?... Do you expect me to allow you marry that low life woman as your Queen?
King Lee Ho Seok
Mother... Seo Hwa isn't a low life. She was my friend and a woman who stood by me when i was nothing more than a Crown Prince. She is my loyalty and anchor.
Queen Dowager
(slams her hand on the armrest in anger)
Queen Dowager
Your Majesty, You seems to have forgotten who made you King.
Queen Dowager
It was the Prime Minister and I.
King Lee Ho Seok
Which i have repaid you two by marrying her daughter as you suggested, mother.
King Lee Ho Seok
(stands up and said calmly but firmly)
King Lee Ho Seok
Mother, I have always done whatever you told me to do but I will have my way in this.
Queen Dowager
Ha ha ha ha..
Queen Dowager
(then calmly)
Queen Dowager
Your Majesty, It seems like you don't know where you have brought her into.
Queen Dowager
I won't do anything but do you think she will be free from your Queen and her father?
Queen Dowager
You know well what the Prime Minister is capable of doing.
King Lee Ho Seok
(yeah, he knows very well)
King Lee Ho Seok
(But he won't back down)
King Lee Ho Seok
Seo Hwa and I have overcome many challenges together. We will overcome more if any comes our way.
King Lee Ho Seok
(bows politely)
King Lee Ho Seok
Then I will be on my way, Mother.
Queen Dowager
(she stares at him in silence, her lips trembling in unspoken rage)
King Lee Ho Seok
(lowers his gaze, sorrow flickering across his face, then turns and leave)
EPISODE 2
QUEEN MIN SUN'S RESIDENCE
Queen Kim Min Sun
(paces the floor, her face flushed with anger)
Prime Minister Kim
(across from her, sits calmly as though the storm in his daughter's heart were nothing but a passing drizzle)
Queen Kim Min Sun
(furious)
Father, How could you let this happen? The king brought that woman into the palace and gave her the title of concubine and I - his lawful Queen - am left disgraced.
Queen Kim Min Sun
The court mocks me behind their sleeves. Do you know what they whisper? That the king's heart beats not for me but for her.
Prime Minister Kim
(His voice was calm, almost dismissive)
Prime Minister Kim
Do not let the whispers of courtiers rattle you. A king’s heart is fickle; a king’s throne is not. Seo Hwa may hold his affection, but you, Min Sun—you hold the crown. That is what matters.
Queen Kim Min Sun
(turned toward her father, her eyes burning with bitterness)
Queen Kim Min Sun
You speak of crowns and thrones, Father, but what of me? Am I nothing more than a seal upon parchment?
Queen Kim Min Sun
You promised me he would be mine! That by wedding him, I would not only rule but also command his devotion. Yet I am treated like a stranger in my own halls.
Prime Minister Kim
(narrowed his eyes, his voice low and stern)
Prime Minister Kim
Foolish child. Did you believe marriage to a king was about love? I placed you beside him to secure our clan’s dominion, not to win his sighs. If you want devotion, keep it locked in your heart.
Prime Minister Kim
If you want survival—remember that your son must inherit that throne. Endure, until the moment comes when you must act.
Queen Kim Min Sun
(Her lips trembled as she lowered her gaze, clutching the silk of her gown in both fists)
Queen Kim Min Sun
Endure? While she walks proudly at his side, while I wither in silence? Father… I cannot bear this shame.
Prime Minister Kim
(his expression hardened; he straightened his back, his tone as cold as iron)
Prime Minister Kim
Then learn to bear it. Or you will lose more than his affection—you will lose everything.
Mark my words, Min Sun.
Seo Hwa’s presence is not the end of you, unless you allow it to be. Watch her. Wait. Strike only when it will matter.
Queen Kim Min Sun
(softly but laced with venom)
I can't be shamed like this. I will return this wound to her, one day.
Prime Minister Kim
(studied her, a calculating smile tugging at the corner of his lips)
Prime Minister Kim
Good. Let that fire burn.
EPISODE 3
CONCUBINE PARK SEO HWA'S RESIDENCE
At night, his majesty made his way to Seo Hwa residence.
His arrival was anounced.
Court Lady Han
Your Highness, His majesty is here. (from outside)
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
(froze as she was combing her hair but was happy)
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
(she hurriedly stood as the door slid open)
King Lee Ho Seok
(comes in, his stern face broke into radiant smile _ rare genuine, almost boyish)
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
(hurried to him, lowered her gaze and bow deeply)
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
Your Majesty....
King Lee Ho Seok
(But he won't have it. He stepped forward in haste, his robe brushing against the floor as he reached for her hands, lifting her before she could finish the bow)
King Lee Ho Seok
No, not you too. Must you greet me with such distance.
King Lee Ho Seok
Here with you, I am not the king but a man who has longed for this sight all day.
King Lee Ho Seok
(His eyes glistened, unhidden, filled with warm. He gazed at her as though she were the only reason the palace breathed life into him)
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
(smiles as she blushed)
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
Your Majesty, have a seat. Let me serve you tea.
King Lee Ho Seok
(sits on the chair)
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
(pours him tea and sat across him)
King Lee Ho Seok
(sips from the cup)
King Lee Ho Seok
The tea tastes sweeter when it is served by you.
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
You overestimate me, your majesty.
King Lee Ho Seok
(he drank from the cup again, his gaze never leaving hers)
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
(slowly melts away under his gaze)
King Lee Ho Seok
(he sets the cup aside and reached for her hand not as a king commanding but as a man pleading)
King Lee Ho Seok
Stay with me tonight, Seo Hwa. Not as a concubine but as the woman whom my soul longs for.
Concubine Park Seo Hwa
(she allowed him to draw her closer to himself)
The night deepened, the tea cooling untouched on the tray, as the King and Seo Hwa gave themselves to the love they could no longer keep restrained.
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