emperor toghon temur

Location: The emperor’s private garden – Night. A storm is approaching

Toghon has summoned Alya. Rain is about to start. Alya walks in, clearly upset

ALYA
speaks without waiting
Why did you call me? At this hour, like this?

TOGHON
hands behind his back, eyes dark
When someone in the palace sees you, they stop. When they look at you, you smile.
But with me… you only stay silent.

ALYA
calm but distant
Because you’re the emperor. Looking at you isn’t the same as looking at others.

TOGHON
approaches with anger
No! That’s a lie!
I saw how you looked at Wang Yu!
You’ve never looked at me like that… why?

ALYA
doesn’t avert her eyes
Because I didn’t give you my heart.

TOGHON
yelling, voice trembling
But I gave you mine, Alya! I gave you everything!
My pride, my throne…
I gave you whatever you wanted, but you can’t give me even a single look?

The rain begins. Toghon steps closer, grabs her arm

TOGHON
with the desperation of a child
Please… just for one night, act like you love me.
Lie if you must… but let me feel you, even just a little.

ALYA
cold but firm
I am not your toy.
Love cannot be taken by force.

There’s a heavy silence. Toghon lowers his hands. His eyes fill with tears

TOGHON
voice low and rough
I know you’ll never love me…
But I can’t stand seeing you love someone else this much.

Alya turns and walks away. Toghon is left alone in the rain.

Alya was the daughter of the general of the Goryo king Wang Yu, they loved each other, Toghon Temur was the crown prince of the Yuan empire. Her brother, the emperor, was sick and would succeed him when he died, but until that happened, she was exiled to Goryo. The Goryo king had to protect the prince. If the prince died while in Goryo territory, all of Goryo would die. The prince was under the surveillance of the general, Alya's father, so they met Alya a lot. The prince liked Alya, but Alya loved Wang Yu, he was rude to the prince, the emperor died and the prince took the throne, war began between Yuan and Goryo, Yuan took tribute women from Goryo. Among these women was the general's daughter. She became a lady-in-waiting in the palace, serving the emperor. The emperor was very surprised when he saw her, making her his concubine. Alya always scolded him, but the emperor liked to tease Alya and irritate her. He would call her to his room every evening, and they would fight all night long. This pleased the emperor. But Empress Tanasili was disturbed by this situation. She was a very jealous woman. A month had passed since Alya's arrival. Wang Yu came to the palace. He had to stay for a few weeks for some business. This disturbed the emperor. The emperor was a very jealous man, and he knew that Alya still loved Wang Yu. He was knowingly treating Wang Yu harshly.