In The First Night with the Duke Episode 7, Yi-beon asked the king to let him take care of his own wedding. The king laughed at first, but gave a temporary yes. In traditional Joseon‑era courtship, a prince taking control of his own nuptials was almost unheard of.
This move not only signifies Yi‑beon’s devotion but also highlights a central conflict: love versus duty. Understanding this clash of personal desire against rigid royal protocol helps viewers appreciate why Seon‑chuk’s disappearance shatters more than just protocol—it shatters centuries of expectation.
When Yi-beon went back to meet Seon-chuk, she was missing. Only her shoe was left behind. He jumped into the water right away. Yi-beon found her underwater and pulled her up. He held her tight. They kissed. She told him she loved him. They spent the night together. This time, both were sober. It was calm and real.Meanwhile, Hwa-seon was angry. Yi-beon had found out the truth about her. She knew things were slipping away from her. Eun-ae’s father scolded her. He said no one can fight destiny. Eun-ae looked worried. She noticed how much Yi-beon was giving to Seon-chuk. It bothered her.
In the morning, Seon-chuk made breakfast for Yi-beon. She did her best. The food turned out terrible. Still, Yi-beon smiled and ate everything. He was happy. He even joked later that he was lucky to have someone make bad food just for him. The servants tried it too. They made funny faces behind her back, but no one said anything.
Father’s Against the Union
Seon-chuk was serious now. She told her father she wanted to marry soon. Yi-beon also came with a marriage proposal. Her father didn’t agree. He didn’t want her to marry a man like Yi-beon. He thought the prince was cruel. But her mother smiled. She wanted the marriage. The talk got too stressful. Her father collapsed.
Seon-chuk believed Hwa-seon had pushed her into the water. She went to ask for the truth. Hwa-seon acted proud. She thought she was going to become a princess. She looked down on Seon-chuk. Seon-chuk stayed calm. She warned her. She told Hwa-seon to live her own life. If she didn’t, something bad might happen.
Trouble in the Shadows: Old Faces and New Threats
A new prince, Yi-Gyu, arrived in the village. He passed by Seon-chuk. If you’ve watched The King’s Affection or Moon Embracing the Sun, you’ll notice a similar “stranger‑with‑secrets” trope at work. Yi‑Gyu’s arrival echoes those hits, balancing mystery with explosive tension. For SEO, readers looking for “best historical K‑dramas with love triangles” will find this parallel especially helpful.
He recognized her right away. She didn’t know who he was. Or maybe she didn’t want to remember. She brushed him off. Yi-beon rented out the whole marketplace just for her. He wanted to be alone with her, even in public. They held hands, laughed, and enjoyed the quiet moment.
But it didn’t last long. At a flower stall, some noblemen started bothering Seon-chuk. They asked her to make drinks for them. She refused again and again. They didn’t stop. Yi-Gyu stepped in. He stood between her and the men. One of them pushed him. A small fight broke out. Yi-beon walked in and saw everything. He saw her with Yi-Gyu. Their eyes met. Something unspoken passed between them.
That look wasn’t simple. It hinted at a past. One that neither of them was ready to bring up.
Preview of Episode 8
In the preview, Yi-Gyu smiled darkly. He found out that Seon-chuk was Yi-beon’s fiancée. He didn’t look pleased. Yi-Gyu looked like he had a plan. Later, Seon-chuk tried to kiss Yi-beon. Her father caught them. He locked her up as punishment. Yi-beon didn’t argue. He said he would stay on his knees until her father gave in. It wasn’t for pride. It was for love.
Then the village shaman had a moment of clarity. She realized something wasn’t right. Seon-chuk might not be the right match after all. The signs were pointing elsewhere. Maybe fate had made a mistake. At the end, Yi-Gyu and Yi-beon stood facing each other. It wasn’t a warm reunion. It felt like the start of a bigger fight. Something deeper was coming. One girl. Two princes. A past that no one wants to remember. And a future that no one can yet predict.
This episode didn’t just move the romance forward. It opened old wounds. It raised doubts. And it questioned whether love is really enough when history keeps knocking on the door. The First Night with the Duke Episode 7 recap shows how nothing in this world, not even love, is ever that simple.
💖 Wasn’t That a Heart Flutter?
“I was afraid that I might never see you again!” — The First Night With the Duke
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Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
