Episode 7 of "The First Night With The Duke" kicks off with the King erupting in laughter upon learning of the Queen Mother's ordeal orchestrated by Yi-beon. Embarrassment washes over the Queen Mother, prompting her to feign a sudden illness, her mind racing with anxiety over whether Yi-beon will honor her confidentiality or spill the beans to the King.
The narrative shifts as the King summons Yi-beon, eager to uncover how the prince manipulated the Queen Mother to scuttle his arranged marriage. Yi-beon's steadfast refusal to divulge the secret irritates the King, who then demands that he postpone his wedding. The prince, however, stands firm in his refusal. Yi-beon vows to handle the situation personally, reassuring the King that he will bear no burden of worry.
Elsewhere in the palace, someone shoves Sun-chaek into a pond. Fortunately, Yi-beon arrives just in time to rescue her, whisking her away to his quarters. In the intimate sanctuary of his abode, Sun-chaek pours out her unwavering love for Yi-beon, leading to a passionate night of lovemaking. Lost in the prince's warm embrace, Sun-chaek neglects to return home, spending the night with him. As dawn breaks, she prepares breakfast for Yi-beon, whose appreciative gesture includes consuming every bite, despite its less-than-stellar taste.
Ye-wool arrives to fetch Sun-chaek, urging her to confront Ho-yeol's wrath. Rather than offering a heartfelt apology, Sun-chaek whimsically suggests her father expedite his blessing for her engagement. Soon after, Yi-beon makes an appearance, seeking to convince Sun-chaek's family to sanction their union. Ho-yeol refuses to grant his blessing, while Deok-jeong attempts to navigate the tensions as a mediator.
Her brothers, too, stand firm against the prospect of marriage, convinced that their lives will be bound to serving Yi-beon solely due to his princely status. Yi-beon's persistent pleas only serve to escalate the tension, as Ho-yeol relentlessly rejects him. Meanwhile, across town, Hwa-seon bursts into a fit of rage upon realizing she has been duped by the prince. The abrupt cancellation of the prince's marriage selection casts a shadow of disappointment over Eun-ae's father's heart. Wounded by his father's harsh words, Eun-ae decides to channel her energy into charitable endeavors for the children.
The following day, Sun-chaek confronts Hwa-seon, convinced beyond doubt that it was she who had pushed her into the pond. With a stern warning, she advises Hwa-seon to be cautious of her actions. These recent occurrences have only stiffened Sun-chaek's resolve to secure her position as the leading lady. Despite Hwa-seon's vehement denial of any wrongdoing, Sun-chaek remains unconvinced.
Su-gyeom pays a visit to Yi-beon, expressing his profound gratitude for the cancellation of the prince's marriage selection. Yi-beon, in return, offers him insightful advice on how to capture a maiden's heart. Their conversation eventually shifts to the impending return of Prince Seong-hyeon, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative.
Through a poignant flashback, we uncover a rift between Yi-beon and Prince Lee-gyu, caused by Yi-beon's decision to pledge allegiance to the king. Haunted by the desire to avenge their parents' demise, Prince Lee-gyu harbors a bitter resentment towards Yi-beon. Su-gyeom, sensing the undercurrents of仇恨, fears that Prince Lee-gyu's vengeful intentions towards Yi-beon remain undiminished.
The narrative shifts as Prince Lee-gyu returns to his homeland, greeted by a royal emissary sent by the King. By sheer chance, he encounters Sun-chaek, unbeknownst to him their childhood companion and the subject of a forgotten betrothal pact.
As twilight descends, Yi-beon finds himself troubled by the weight of his impending engagement. His loyal head servant, sensing his turmoil, urges Yi-beon to cherish the present and create lasting memories—a luxury Yi-beon has seldom afforded himself. The following day, in a grand gesture, Yi-beon rents out an entire market, transforming it into a whimsical setting for a date with Sun-chaek. They revel in joyous conversations about their shared future, dreaming of a dozen children running around.
Love blossoms elsewhere too, as Su-gyeom visits Eun-ae, their time together a harmonious blend of companionship. Their evening crescendos into a shared meal, only to be abruptly disrupted by an unseen intrusion—Su-gyeom's father, who forces his son to leave without explanation. Eun-ae, her heart sinking, is left bewildered and hurt by Su-gyeom's sudden disappearance mid-date.
Meanwhile, Yi-beon temporarily steps away to gather flowers for Sun-chaek, leaving her momentarily unattended. It is during this interval that Sun-chaek crosses paths with Prince Lee-gyu once more, heroically coming to his aid when he is set upon by bullies. Their conversation flows warmly, until Yi-beon returns, his mood instantly soured by the sight of Prince Lee-gyu engaging Sun-chaek with such evident affection.
The episode concludes on a tense cliffhanger, with Yi-beon and Prince Lee-gyu locked in a stare so intense, it seems as though their glares alone could incinerate the air between them. Indeed, if looks could kill, the atmosphere would be thick with fatal intent.
