In the gripping twelfth episode of "The First Night With The Duke," we are transported back to the tense moments preceding Yi-beon's execution. As an eclipse casts its eerie shadow upon the land, granting Yi-beon an unexpected edge, he seizes the opportunity to turn the tables on his adversary. Rather than terminating the commander's life, Yi-beon demonstrates mercy, sparing his foe's existence. With a swift mount onto his steed, he gallops back towards the sanctity of his home.
Meanwhile, within the confines of the palace, Yu-gyeom and his fellow scholars embark on a bold protest, their voices ringing out against injustice. However, their defiance is swiftly met with the menacing presence of Lee-gyu's men, who encircle them like a wall of steel. Yet, Yi-beon's military forces arrive as a guardian angel, shielding Su-gyeom and his compatriots from harm.
In parallel, Yi-beon confronts Lee-gyu, his strength and resolve proving too much for his adversary. After rescuing Sun-chaek and her kin from peril, he ensures their safe return home. Alas, Yi-beon's duty compels him to remain, standing sentinel over the King and the rest of the Heuksa clan, determined to safeguard their well-being amidst the turbulence.
After Lee-gyu is successfully overpowered, he is promptly taken into custody. Shortly thereafter, the entire Heuksa clam faction falls under arrest as well. Yi-beon, displaying remarkable bravery, visits the King and saves him from the deadly embrace of poisonous incense. However, the King, weakened beyond measure, entrusts the fate of the Heuksa clan into Yi-beon's hands.
With sincerity etched on his face, the King pleads for forgiveness from Yi-beon, his voice quivering as he begs for his own life to be spared. Even the Queen Mother humbles herself before Yi-beon, apologizing profusely and imploring him to rescue the country from its impending doom.
Initially, Lee-gyu stubbornly refutes the accusations hurled against him, despite a witness pointing him out as the mastermind behind the conspiracy. This compelling testimony forces the King to intervene, offering a conditional pardon to the Heuksa clan – their lives would be spared if they confessed. One by one, they cave in, heaping blame onto Lee-gyu for all their misdeeds. The King, keeping his word, grants them a reprieve but offers no further leniency.
The King's magnanimous gesture of forgiveness incites Lee-gyu's rage. He accuses the King of murdering his family in the past, his hateful words cutting through the air like a sharp blade. The King, struck by Lee-gyu's accusations, feels a surge of anger and attempts to end Lee-gyu's life. But Yi-beon steps in, his voice a plea for mercy, urging the King to break the chain of revenge. He reminds the King of his troubled conscience, a constant companion since seizing the throne by force.
Moved by Yi-beon's words, the King relents and sentences Lee-gyu to exile. As Lee-gyu prepares to leave, Yi-beon offers him a glimmer of hope, urging him to view this new chapter in his life as a second chance. Sun-chaek also bids him farewell, delivering Mo-eum's final message to him. However, Lee-gyu's countenance reveals no signs of remorse; it seems he remains locked in the grip of his bitter past.
What Befalls Lady Eun-ae?
In a desperate bid for freedom, Lady Eun-ae attempts to flee, only to be apprehended by Hwa-seon, who ensures her incarceration. Behind bars, she is visited by Sun-chaek, who conveys a heartfelt mixture of disappointment and anguish stemming from Eun-ae's betrayal. Yet, Eun-ae remains unrepentant, shifting the blame onto Sun-chaek for usurping her narrative. The fallout of these events strips Eun-ae and her father of their once-vast fortune.
Years elapse, and Su-gyeom, crossing paths with Eun-ae once more, discovers her back at the orphanage, tending to the children. Touched by her redemption, he decides to extend her a fresh start. Su-gyeom also mends fences with his father, endeavoring to reconstruct their bond.
As for Yi-beon, with all conflicts resolved, he returns his sword to the King, symbolizing his official retirement. The King, once more, offers him heartfelt apologies. Yi-beon's focus now shifts entirely to nurturing his relationship with Sun-chaek.
However, Sun-chaek harbors concerns that their impending marriage might mark the final chapter of their tale. She fears that tying the knot spells the end of their world as they know it. Yi-beon, unable to comprehend her apprehension, persists in his quest for wedding vows. The marital rituals commence, with Sun-chaek's family warmly embracing Yi-beon into their fold. The couple's wedding is a vibrant affair, and Hwa-seon catches the bouquet, hinting at potential love in her future with one of Sun-chaek's brothers.
How "The First Night With The Duke" Concludes:
The narrative branches out into a spin-off, chronicling the blissful union of Sun-chaek and Yi-beon. Time passes, and the couple is blessed with a joyous brood of six children. Meanwhile, in the contemporary realm, Mo-eum revels in her liberty, forging new friendships and embracing a life unshackled by the past.
