The First Night with the Duke Episode 9 Recap: Doubt, Forgiveness, and a Twisted Reveal

In The First Night with the Duke Episode 9, there’s finally some peace for Gyeongseong-gun. But it didn’t come easily. After a long, painful search, he rescued Seon-chae. And this time, he didn’t act like the cold man everyone remembers. He was angry, scared, and determined. That alone changed everything.

“The First Night with the Duke” is a K-drama featuring a male lead named Yi Beon, who has two main names: his personal name, Yi-Beon, and his royal title, Gyeongseong-gun. Yi Beon is his given name, used in personal contexts, and Gyeongseong-gun is his formal address, reflecting his position within the royal hierarchy. This naming convention is common in historical dramas. It is the same for Prince Seonghyeon-gun, whose other name is Yi-Gyu in the series.

This moment of respite feels earned yet fragile. For viewers, Gyeongseong-gun’s journey from detached nobility to someone capable of such visceral fear and protectiveness marks a significant evolution. His actions here transcend duty, hinting at a profound internal shift crucial to the drama’s central romance and his redemption arc.

He even got marriage permission from the Prime Minister—something that seemed impossible before.

When Seon-chae was kidnapped, Gyeongseong-gun used the military to search the area. Nothing worked at first. So he went looking for witnesses. It surprised everyone, especially Seonghyeon-gun. He mocked Gyeongseong-gun for suddenly caring about another person’s life. That line hit hard: “You used to think other people were worth less than flies.”

Eventually, Gyeongseong-gun tracked Seon-chuk’s location. But someone else found her first—the assassin. He was already attacking her when Gyeongseong-gun arrived. Gyeongseong-gun pulled a knife. He nearly killed him. But Seon-chuk, weak and exhausted, stopped him with just a few words: “Don’t kill me.”

That moment changed the mood. Seon-chuk collapsed. She was carried home. The Prime Minister, who always doubted Gyeongseong-gun, finally said thank you. Then, he gave his blessing for the marriage.

Seon-chuk’s father also softened. He handed Gyeongseong-gun a drink and asked him to forget the past. That was new. His voice changed. He asked him to keep taking care of Seon-chae and reminded him of the promise he once made. Gyeongseong-gun didn’t hesitate. “Even after I die, I’ll keep it,” he said.

But even with that, Gyeongseong-gun couldn’t sleep. Guilt stuck with him. Seon-chae noticed. She gently teased him, asking why he had become so soft. But then she said something that calmed him: “If I can share your pain, it makes me happy.” That stayed with him.

A Proposal, A Promise, and A New Threat

The next day, Gyeongseong-gun told Seon-chuk the big news—he got her father’s permission. She smiled, hugged him, and didn’t hold back. She even promised not to lose the bracelet he found after the kidnapping. That little bracelet felt symbolic. It was more than a thing. It meant she made it out. That they could start fresh.

But just when things looked stable, something dark came back. Jo Eun-ae confessed. It wasn’t Do-hwa-seon behind the kidnapping. It was her. Jo Eun-ae had tried to drown Seon-chuk. She even admitted it. She was furious that things didn’t go her way. Her jealousy boiled over.

This is where things get messy again. Seonghyeon-gun saw it all. Instead of reporting her, he stayed quiet. He told Jo Eun-ae, “Maybe we have the same goal.” It’s unclear what he’s really thinking.

At the same time, Seonghyeon-gun began to question Seon-chae’s identity. She didn’t seem to remember their past. He asked if she was truly Seon-chuk. She got nervous. That reaction seemed to convince him she was real. He even rested on her lap, as if nothing had changed.

Later, the body of the kidnapper turned up. This only made things worse. People started suspecting Gyeongseong-gun. Seonghyeon-gun hinted it was him. Even Seon-chae looked unsure. When Gyeongseong-gun warned her to stay away from Seonghyeon-gun, she asked, “If it’s not true, then tell me it’s not.” That silence between them said a lot.

Gyeongseong-gun finally snapped. “You don’t trust me?” he asked. It hurt more than the false blame. This episode of The First Night with the Duke showed how far Gyeongseong-gun has changed—and how far others will go to tear him down. It’s not just a romance now. It’s a story about trust, guilt, and hidden motives.

The drama blends real emotions with tense moments. There are no easy answers here. Gyeongseong-gun might have changed. But the people around him? Not so much. Everyone is watching. Everyone is doubting.

New secrets are coming to the surface. Old loyalties are cracking. And love, in this world, might not be strong enough to fix everything. But maybe, for now, it’s enough to keep trying. New episodes of The First Night with the Duke air every Wednesday and Thursday at 9:50 PM on KBS 2TV.

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