I might get hate for this… (don’t read if you can’t respect an opinion)
Plot wise, the purpose of Episode 9 is to make the victory sweeter and to make their bond stronger. Of course, both Hui Ju and the Crown Prince have to experience the downfall first, but come on!! For me, (again, just an opinion), this destroyed their aura points. They were so calculating at the start as to how they can benefit from their marriage but all they seem to be doing now is riding the wave all the people around them are causing. They both got this image from the previous episodes that they are smart and very strategic, I was so excited for them to be plotting and running the behind the scenes but it seems that they are just fighting fires.
I was waiting for them to have their mastermind moments! Hopefully, we get that on the next Episode.
Also, another thought, seems like the Queen did not burn that place down. Both I-An and the now King have trauma bonded over that conversation (and it seems like the little King knows his place because he heard the late King wants I-An to be the King.), but they were still their when the Queen left. That could also be the reason as to why I-An did not reveal the burnt decree, it would cause trouble to the Queen especially if she wasn’t the arsonist. For all their power struggle now, both the Queen and Prince I-An care for each other.
Okay hear me out and my conspiracy theory... I also think I'm way over in my head in this but... (proceed with…
I think Hui Ju and the Crown Prince planned the poisoning... I have been thinking this since episode 7, and while watching episode 8, I might have changed my mind a little bit, but... do you remember in the earlier episodes when I-AN asked Hui Ju to help him become the King? I think this poisoning is the only way for I-AN to launch a full investigation on the crown (because if Hui Ju was poisoned, of course I-AN would investigate it, and if the poison was really directed at I-AN, the government would be on it as well), I think it's their way to uncover all the reasons for the deaths in his family, especially the previous King's, since I-AN still had that burnt decree that he should be King. I think they planned it or something, but their fear for each other's lives seem so real so I don't know... it's also stupid to leave their contract marriage when they are planning for an investigation. So, what do you think?
The prime minister is grating on my nerves. It seems like he called just to brag that he knows all about Hui Ju's family dynamics to irk the crown prince.
Episode 4 has me feeling a lot of emotions lol. I don’t love it as much as Episodes 2 and 3, but it gave us a broader view of the world our leads are in.
There are a lot of confusing things: 1. The power struggle between the Grand Prince and the Queen Mother. Most of the time, I-An puts her in her place, but this queen is really getting on my nerves. What the hell is wrong with her? I need some backstory to empathize with her because, at the moment, all I feel toward her is anger. 2. About the marriage: will they be allowed to divorce? Does Hui Ju know she won’t be able to continue running her business if she marries into the royal family?
I also feel like we haven’t been shown much about the main lead’s deal regarding this marriage.
Just finished watching episode three... let me go watch that again. Argggghhhhh so many kicks in the air, and my pillow is getting flat with all the punching and slapping hahhah I needed to release the butterflies in my stomach!
I noticed that he used the exact same words in their first meeting as adults that he had used when they first met in school... and that makes me giddy lol
The 1st episode really made me fall in love with K-Dramas again. This is exactly what K-Dramas are supposed to be—fun, fresh, and not taking itself too seriously, which somehow makes it feel even more magical. Since last year, I’ve mostly been watching C-Dramas, but IU, Byeon Woo Seok, and this storyline completely reeled me back in. I’ll admit, I doubted their chemistry at first. I. Was. So. Wrong! There’s a spark between them in every single scene! Their first scene together had me slapping my bed, kicking my feet in the air, and giggling like crazy (if that’s not the ultimate sign of a good K-Drama, what is?). When BWS asked IU for her name and casually said he’d give her a chance since she’s his junior… I swear, instant butterflies. Arghhh!! And that smirk?? Oh, that smirk is doing some serious foreshadowing and 'past'-shadowing, it signifies something that’s definitely going to make my heart sing in the coming episodes. I just know it. It's bittersweet to be back in the torturous days of waiting for the next episode 😭
I was waiting for them to have their mastermind moments! Hopefully, we get that on the next Episode.
Also, another thought, seems like the Queen did not burn that place down. Both I-An and the now King have trauma bonded over that conversation (and it seems like the little King knows his place because he heard the late King wants I-An to be the King.), but they were still their when the Queen left. That could also be the reason as to why I-An did not reveal the burnt decree, it would cause trouble to the Queen especially if she wasn’t the arsonist. For all their power struggle now, both the Queen and Prince I-An care for each other.
There are a lot of confusing things:
1. The power struggle between the Grand Prince and the Queen Mother. Most of the time, I-An puts her in her place, but this queen is really getting on my nerves. What the hell is wrong with her? I need some backstory to empathize with her because, at the moment, all I feel toward her is anger.
2. About the marriage: will they be allowed to divorce? Does Hui Ju know she won’t be able to continue running her business if she marries into the royal family?
I also feel like we haven’t been shown much about the main lead’s deal regarding this marriage.