In the ninth episode of "The First Night With The Duke," the narrative resumes with Prince Yi-beon and Sun-chaek's family in a frantic search for her, while she finds herself confined in a dilapidated cabin deep within the forest, accompanied by her captor. The hustle and bustle of the soldiers combing the area for Sun-chaek piques the curiosity of those around. News of the commotion eventually reaches Prince Lee-gyu, who, rather than lending a helping hand, mocks Prince Yi-beon's predicament. Conversely, Su-gyeom offers words of encouragement. Eun-ae also catches wind of the developments but strives to maintain composure amidst the turmoil.
Inside the cabin, Sun-chaek pleads for her life with desperation in her voice, but her kidnapper remains unyielding, revealing that he has been tasked with her assassination by a benefactor to whom he owes his very existence. Unfortunately, he refuses to reveal the name of the mastermind behind the scenes. Nevertheless, Sun-chaek manages to wriggle free and stabs her assailant in the leg, fleeing towards the town's drum which she pounds relentlessly.
The resonant beats of the drum alert Prince Yi-beon, who arrives just in time to rescue Sun-chaek from being strangled by her attacker. As consciousness slips away from her, Sun-chaek implores Prince Yi-beon not to take the man's life. Respecting her wish, he instead captures him with the intention of interrogating him further.
Once Sun-chaek loses consciousness, Prince Yi-beon carries her back to her family home. Her relatives breathe a sigh of relief upon seeing her, and the physician assures them that she is in good health, merely fainted from shock and that some rest will suffice for her recovery. Ho-yeol, grateful and relieved, invites Prince Yi-beon to stay the night and share a drink. Over their beverages, Ho-yeol expresses his gratitude and apology to Prince Yi-beon, wholeheartedly endorsing their marriage now that he is convinced of the prince's commitment to protecting Sun-chaek.
As the night deepens, Prince Yi-beon is haunted by a nightmare, dreaming of losing Sun-chaek. He awakens drenched in sweat, only to find comfort in Sun-chaek's presence. Confiding in her his fears of his enemies targeting her, Sun-chaek reassures him that the blame does not lie with him. She emphasizes her willingness to share his burdens and bring her good fortune into his life.
The prince then returns the bracelet that Sun-chaek had lost, a gesture of intimacy and care. However, unbeknownst to him, Sun-chaek is gripped by terror at the thought of Prince Yi-beon continuing down his path of violence. The harrowing events of the previous night have shaken her faith in him, casting a shadow over their burgeoning relationship.
Elsewhere, the kidnapping saga dominates every conversation, leaving no room for other topics. Suspicion falls heavily on Do Hwa-seon, yet she implores her father of her innocence, prompting him, out of prudence, to confine her to the serene confines of the temple. Meanwhile, Su-gyeom's suspicions turn towards Eun-ae after recognizing Sun-chaek's assailant as the same man he once witnessed meeting with her. He pays her a visit, and her seemingly genuine concern for Sun-chaek melts his guard. She offers him tea and kindly asks him to wait while she prepares snacks for their mutual friend. Together, they contemplate a visit to Sun-chaek. However, as Su-gyeom waits, his eyes fall upon a stack of questionable papers tucked beneath Eun-ae's table, causing him to abruptly excuse himself. Left to her devices, Eun-ae visits Sun-chaek alone, her act of camaraderie bordering on theatrical. Her real intent is to mine as much information as possible about Sun-chaek's attacker, while subtly planting seeds of doubt in Sun-chaek's mind, suggesting Hwa-seon as the perpetrator.
Elsewhere, Prince Yi-beon and his guard encounter a dead-end in their pursuit of the attacker. Despite their promise of clemency, the man remains defiantly silent. Desperate, Prince Yi-beon pursues an alternate lead: the letter that lured Sun-chaek into danger. This trail leads him to Eun-ae's father's corporate domain. Tragically, before he can delve deeper, the king summons him.
At the palace, the king convenes with Prince Lee-gyu to voice his concerns about China. His obsession with gaining China's favor is palpable. Prince Lee-gyu counsels him to prioritize trade relations with China and offers his assistance. The king deems this solution superior to the advice offered by his ministers and Yi-beon. He considers seeking his people's approval a futile endeavor. As Prince Lee-gyu exits, he encounters Prince Yi-beon, continuing his taunts unabated.
The king, still reeling from Prince Yi-beon's unauthorized use of soldiers, doubts his loyalty. To assure the king of his fidelity, Prince Yi-beon vows to undertake any task commanded of him. The king presents him with a hit list and mandates its swift execution. Though saddened, Prince Yi-beon complies, duty-bound to obey the king's whims.
Later that night, Eun-ae cunningly orchestrates the attacker's extraction from his confinement, feigning benevolence by pretending to aid in his escape. Yet, in a swift reversal, she plunges a blade into his back, revealing a conspiracy that had long been brewing within her. Her patience had been a strategy, a silent countdown to her ascent. Yet, Sun-chaek's unforeseen actions upset her meticulously laid plans, igniting in Eun-ae a relentless determination to secure her desired path at any cost. Through a vivid flashback, the truth unravels: it was Eun-ae who had cruelly propelled Sun-chaek into the pond. As she flees the grim scene, fortuitously bumping into Prince Lee-gyu, he proposes an alliance. To forge her trust, he assists her in disposing of the fallen figure, their unholy pact sealed in the shadows.
The following day, Deok-joong initiates preparations for Sun-chaek's wedding, imparting wise counsel on the intricacies of matrimony to her daughter. She also gently urges Sun-chaek to visit the temple, to seek blessings for a joyous union. him, and he drifts into nostalgic reverie.
Lee-gyu weaves tales of his parents and his cherished memories intertwined with Sun-chaek, astonishment etched on his face when she fails to recognize him. Masking his suspicions, he maintains composure, eventually pleading, almost childlike, for the solace of sleeping in her lap. Yielding to his vulnerable plea, Sun-chaek succumbs to slumber, the two lost in a world where past and present blur indistinguishably.
Regarding Prince Yi-beon, he dutifully executes the king's commands, terminating the life of the former prime minister, who harbored deep connections with the deceased monarch. Despite the man's pleading, begging for just one more day to witness his daughter's wedding, Prince Yi-beon remains unmoved and carries out the sentence.
Upon awakening, Sun-chaek and Prince Lee-gyu find themselves strolling back home side by side. As they venture through the bustling streets, they encounter a gathered crowd and, to their astonishment, discover the lifeless body of Sun-chaek's assailant. Sun-chaek is overwhelmed with shock, while Prince Lee-gyu offers her his soothing presence. Enter Prince Yi-beon, who catches them in this emotional turmoil, prompting Sun-chaek to rush into his embrace for refuge. However, Prince Lee-gyu subtly stirs the mob, casting aspersions on Prince Yi-beon as the perpetrator.
Back at their abode, Sun-chaek's gaze falls upon the telltale stains of blood adorning Prince Yi-beon's sleeves, leading her to confront him. Her inquiry strikes a chord of offense in Prince Yi-beon, who demands to know if she still places her trust in him. Sun-chaek, unwavering, appends that she desires no more bloodshed on his hands and pleads for clarity, hoping she has misconstrued the events surrounding her attacker.
