Captivating the King (세작, 매혹된 자들)

ALL CHARACTERS, LOCATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND INCIDENTS

DEPICTED IN THIS DRAMA ARE ENTIRELY FICTITIOUS

PRODUCTION GUIDELINES WERE STRICTLY FOLLOWED WHEN FILMING WITH ANIMALS

That is enough.

That will not shield me

from the heavens' will to punish me.

Punish, Your Majesty?

That is unreasonable.

You have no idea…

of the tremendous and serious crime I am hiding.

It is about time that the crimes come to light…

and justice is served.

EPISODE 12

Let her know I am here.

Your Royal Highness.

His Majesty has arrived.

Welcome, Your Majesty.

I came worried that you might be startled by the thunder and lightning,

but it seems I was concerned needlessly.

As I am the eldest member of the royal family,

it would be inappropriate for me

to cause a ruckus over some thunder and lightning.

Mother.

The peach tree in the Royal Garden

was struck by lightning and went up in flames.

I did not know such a disaster had occurred.

Senior Court Lady Han must not have told me to avoid startling me.

It is an ominous sign that lightning struck the palace,

but on the bright side, no one was hurt.

Let us consider that good luck.

Do you truly believe it to be good luck?

My late brother handpicked that peach tree and had it planted for me.

Why do you think the heavens struck it with lightning?

I am afraid

that my ascension to the throne

might have been against the heavens' wishes.

Nonsense!

Why do you make such a fainthearted remark?

Mother.

Are you not afraid?

What should I be afraid of?

Do you truly have nothing that burdens your heart?

Your words are stranger than the thunder and lightning.

The people will be stirred yet again by this incident.

We cannot have you be the first one to be so affected.

Stay resolute.

I only asked out of the agony in my heart.

Do not think much of it.

I apologize, Your Majesty.

The world thinks that I poisoned my brother to death.

You know…

who poisoned my brother to death, do you not?

I will…

order them to bring a new one.

There is no need.

That will be all for the night.

Yes, Your Majesty.

I should have had that peach tree chopped down

and thrown it into the fire long ago.

Why is he trembling in fear over a mere tree?

His Majesty regards that tree

as himself.

That is why he went above and beyond to save it.

Do not be foolish.

This is because he does not have an heir to continue his line.

Had he had a son and heir with the Queen,

he would not be so easily swayed by a mere strange event.

It seems that it is more urgent to find a new queen

than Grand Prince Munseong's spouse.

You have a point.

I shall see to it.

Even under normal circumstances,

rumors about His Majesty spread like wildfire.

With such a bizarre incident,

word will spread wider and faster.

The peach tree is the chink in His Majesty's armor.

Stand back in the morning assembly tomorrow

and let the state councilors handle it.

Yes, Lord Park.

How is the Great Lord doing these days?

As Her Majesty's illness is more serious than we thought,

he is seeking a way to acquire a cure for her.

I hear he will not be attending the morning assembly tomorrow.

The Queen Dowager is quite distressed as well.

Let us soon discuss

a marriage arrangement.

Yes, Lord Park.

Please return safely, my lord.

Brother.

What did the Principal Director mean by the marriage arrangement?

It seems our family will have a queen again

after a century of waiting.

Sorry?

So the marriage arrangement he spoke of

was referring to the selection of a new queen?

Do not speak of this to anyone.

Of course not.

Last night,

a strange event occurred, burning down the peach tree in the Royal Garden.

This must be a sign…

to set me on the right path.

What do you all think?

Your Majesty.

May I answer your question?

You may.

Your Majesty.

Before I could carry out your royal command to save the tree,

it was lost to lightning.

This is clearly the heavens punishing me

for my negligence.

As such, I will await your punishment.

Please punish me as you see fit.

Myung-ha.

You have admitted your mistake

and stood before me to take responsibility for it.

I am truly impressed.

That is enough, so do not wait for my punishment.

Your Majesty.

Forgive me for my words,

but what is the reason

for not punishing him when his crime is so clear?

Goodness, Right State Councilor.

Do you think the roaring thunder and lightning

was to dismiss a mere sixth royal secretary?

I did not mean to suggest that.

-However-- -If you truly wish to soothe the heavens

by having someone seek punishment,

the high-ranking officials should do so first,

and I, the king,

must do so as well.

The strange event by the heavens' hand

was to send its message to me, not Kim Myung-ha.

Do you not agree, Principal Director?

You are right on all counts, Your Majesty.

In my humble opinion, I believe the heavens struck lightning

to keep you vigilant as they treasure you as a king.

I, Inspector General Kim Je-nam,

would like to share my thoughts.

I am listening.

Please use this as an opportunity to right the wrongs of the land

that is sickening our nation and harming our people.

Then, the recent disaster will be transformed into a blessing.

Your words of advice…

are pleasing to hear.

Listen, Chief Royal Secretary.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Command me as you wish.

Each office shall investigate in detail the wrongs within their organization

and make a report of their solution.

This applies to everyone,

from the overseers of offices to those of lower posts.

Do you understand?

-Yes, Your Majesty. -Yes, Your Majesty.

Heed my words, Left State Councilor.

Submit a recommendation of officials to be named as special royal commissioners

who will investigate

corrupt and greedy magistrates, including the former ones.

I shall carry out your command, Your Majesty.

Choam.

Please wait.

Did you call me?

My greetings are belated.

Congratulations on becoming the Inspector General.

I am not sure

receiving congratulations is appropriate on a day like this,

but I am flattered by your warm welcome.

The recent event should not hinder me from offering congratulations.

I wish to arrange a gathering for you in the near future.

When would suit you best?

Forgive me,

but I do not think I can attend.

His Majesty has appointed me Inspector General himself.

I should not fraternize with a powerhouse without a just cause.

Also,

please refrain from calling me Choam.

That name

is only reserved for my friends.

Master.

Do you really think the heavens struck lightning to crumble this nation?

What is your opinion,

Your Highness?

In my opinion,

I do not think the heavens would be that heartless.

However, I am worried.

The peach tree that my late father planted burned down.

I am sure His Majesty is grieving over it.

But I am uncertain what to say to console him.

Your Highness.

Are you not afraid of His Majesty?

Of course, I am.

When I have committed a crime against him like the last time, that is.

But at other times, not at all.

I heard the court maids gossiping

that His Majesty will harm me one day.

Even after hearing such words,

you are still not afraid of him?

His Majesty that I know will never harm me.

He will protect Myung-ha as well.

Your Highness.

See? Did I not tell you?