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He had loved once.  

A pure, good, divine girl.  With flowing midnight locks and great, dark eyes.  Rosy cheeks.  And a modest demeanor.  Absolute perfection she had been.

But she had loved another.

And his love had gone unrequited.

So he would never love again.  He would seek a bride to fulfill his promise to his father.  The promise he had made before the man died.  To raise heirs to continue their noble lineage.  And carry his appa’s priceless name.

Lord Lee Beom Sook was nearing thirty years of age.  He couldn’t put off a marriage much longer.  He would choose a bride from among the schoolgirls.  Someone nearly the age Soo Yeon had been when she had refused him.

He sighed.  Was he signing himself – and some poor girl – up for a life of misery?

Soo Yeon still held his heart in her hands.  Though truly she had cast it to the ground.  So he guessed it still lay at her feet.  It seemed that she had stepped upon it in passing.  For it was quite bruised.

When he closed his eyes at night, he still saw her smiling face.  And heard her soft voice.  And wondered why she couldn’t have loved him.  Instead of Park Ban Ryu.

But…she had not.

And now Lee Beom Sook had to figure out how to live without her.  How could her refusal of him still hurt so much after all this time?

He did not know.  All he knew was that it was past time for him to set up a nursery.  Which meant that he had to find a bride.  He sighed.  He supposed the best place to look was in Kim Jung Sook’s school.  She was known for turning out the most qualified young ladies.  And nearly all of them were of noble birth.  Surely, he could find a likely candidate there.

––

A few days later, he paid the teacher – and her class of young ladies – a visit.

“Kim Jung Sook,” he bowed to her.  “I have come to offer my assistance.”

She stared up at the young lord.  “Your assistance?” she queried, confused. 

Why on earth would a young aristocratic lord be visiting a girls’ schoolroom?

She glanced out at all the lovely faces pointed in their direction.  And the obvious answer dawned on her.

“Ahhh,” she murmured.  This man was seeking a wife.

She had felt such pity for him when he had attempted to court Soo Yeon.  And been handily rebuffed.  She had seen the crushing disappointment in his eyes and known that Soo Ho’s sister had unwittingly not left her victim uninjured.  Soo Yeon might have done nothing to attract the young man’s attention.  But it was just as obvious that she had secured not only his attention but also his affection.  As she gazed up at the young man now, Jung Sook had to wonder if he were fully recovered.  Or if he were simply shopping for a bride because it was past time.

“What exactly were you hoping to do in my classroom, Lord Lee?”

He cleared his throat.  “I thought I might volunteer to personally tutor the older girls.  One at a time, of course.  And under your direct supervision at all times.”

The last thing that he needed was to be left alone with any of these misses for any time at all.  He did not wish to be roped into an unfitting marriage by any of the more calculating lasses.  But he wanted the chance to meet and mingle with several girls from noble homes.  Such an opportunity wasn’t so easy these days.  And he had no matchmaking mama to deal with.  Nor had his father brokered any alliance for him before his death.  So it was now up to Beom Sook himself to find a proper wife.

“Well, I think that is a wonderful idea!” Jung Sook declared. 

Though, really, she had several qualms about such a plan. 

Would any of the parents of these young ladies object to the presence of a young – and healthy – lord amongst their girls?

But, upon further consideration, she realized that nearly all of those parents would look quite happily upon the wealthy gentleman.  They would, in fact, all desire their daughters to net the man as a husband.  Which might make this venture particularly dangerous for the young lord.

“Are you sure that you want to do this?” she hissed through her teeth as she stood up next to him.

“Pardon?”  He blinked innocently.

“Do you really wish to attract the notice of all these lovely young ladies?  And their ambitious parents?” she whispered.

Lee Beom Sook blinked again.  Then he sighed.  “I think that, as long as you are hovering nearby, all will be well.”  He glanced out at the class to discover many eyes on him.  “With whom would you suggest I begin?”

But even before Jung Sook could speak, his eyes landed on one lone girl.  She drew his attention simply because she was not staring at him.  As was the entire remainder of the class.  Including Bo A and Se Ri.  Who were quite too young for him.

“Actually, may I begin with that young lady?”  He didn’t point at her.  He simply inclined his head towards her corner of the room.

“Ah,” Jung Sook smiled.  “A good choice, my lord,” she approved.  “That is Choi Ni Na.”

“May I ask,” he murmured, “how old she is?”

“She is seventeen.”

He smiled. 

Just a little older than Soo Yeon had been when…

He sighed.  He had to stop thinking like this.  Such thoughts were completely unfair to his future wife.

“When may I begin working with her?”

“After lunch?” Jung Sook suggested. 

He nodded.

“By the way, what subject did you wish to help her with?”

“Mathematics.”

Jung Sook grinned.  The young man was in for a surprise.

She simply bobbed her head.  And invited him to take a seat off to the side while she continued teaching the lesson.  Today was going to be quite interesting.

––

“That man is gorgeous,” one young lady whispered as she bent towards Ni Na.

“An absolute masterpiece,” the girl in front of her murmured as she turned to face them.

“Cannot you see that his nose is broken?” Ni Na hissed quietly as she slanted a quick glance in his direction.  She made sure to make it brief.  So that he would not catch her staring at him like he was some oddity in a menagerie.

Another scoffed.  “His nose is broken?  Are you daft?  The man is pure perfection.  Including his nose.”

Ni Na furrowed her smooth brow.

Had she imagined the flaw then?

She glanced his way again and scrutinized that bent appendage.  

No, it surely was broken.

Just then, he laughed at something that her teacher had said, and he unleashed his grin at Ni Na while he did so.  She gasped.  The man was beautiful when his face was lit with joy.  Then he glanced her way, flashing those unusual eyes at her.  

And she felt her heart slip from her grasp and float towards him.  

Was he cognizant of the shift?

His eyes seemed to hold hers for a moment before sliding back towards Jung Sook’s face.  He resumed his normal behavior.  Seemingly indifferent to Ni Na.

But she was forever changed.

She couldn’t even draw a breath anymore.

––

He smiled to himself.  That quiet, indifferent lass in the back corner had just noticed him.  He’d caught her taking a peek at him.  She’d been scrutinizing his face.

He reached up and pinched the broken bridge of his nose.  Had she noticed its imperfection?

No one else seemed to.  Why would she?

He shrugged.  Perhaps he’d just caught her glancing up.  Taking a break from looking at her notes.  Maybe that subtle stare hadn’t indicated an interest in him on her part.

He glanced at her again.  But she wasn’t paying any attention to him.  She was furiously penning notes as she listened raptly to her teacher. 

Hmm…a good student. 

He liked that.  He appreciated intelligence in a woman.  And he had always possessed a respect for hard work.  This specimen was promising.

She wasn’t as pretty as Soo Yeon.  But few girls were.

Still, this girl was pleasant enough to look at.  She had a sweet countenance.  Lovely, wide eyes.  Crowned by delicately arching, dark eyebrows.  She possessed a straight, perfectly proportioned nose.  Absolute perfection, really.  As she turned her head, he caught a glimpse of her profile.  Her nose had a sharp tip.  But when she was facing him again, he realized that it softened on the end, rescuing her from appearing severe. 

Her mouth was quite pretty.  Her deep pink lips curved into a captivating Cupid’s bow.  Those lips were neither plump nor thin.  But some winsome degree in between.   Her face resembled an oval, mostly.  And her long, midnight tresses framed it beautifully as they fell in a straight cascade all the way down to her waist.

He blinked as he realized that several girls were actively observing him watching her.  He shifted his gaze back to the teacher.  And wondered if he was wasting his time.  Should he come back this afternoon? 

He shrugged.  He didn’t really have anything better to do this morning. 

He spent the next hour sliding surreptitious glances towards each of the older girls.  Taking note of their facial expressions, demeanor, and interactions with both the teacher and the other girls.  He noted that Choi Ni Na kept mostly to herself.  A stance he could well understand.  As far as he was concerned, this might be another point in her favor.

He found himself looking forward to his tutoring session with her.  But, first, came lunch.

He, of course, had failed to pack one.  So he simply sat on the edge of the room and watched the girls as they ate.

Ni Na wondered why the young man was observing their class.  This was a highly unusual occurrence.  However, as their lunch break began, he stood up and wandered outside.  Curious about him, she stood up and approached Jung Sook.

“Excuse me, ma’am.  Why is that young gentleman observing our class today?”

“He’s a volunteer.”

“A volunteer?” Ni Na queried, confused.

“Yes.  He’s offered to individually tutor you girls.”

Ni Na frowned.  Wrinkling her brow at the older woman.  “Why?”

Jung Sook smiled at her.  “That is an excellent question.  You can ask him when it’s your turn to work with him.”

“My turn?”

“Hmm.”

“And when will that be?”

“Directly after lunch.”

“Today?” Ni Na quizzed her, shocked.

“Yes.”

“You mean in just a few minutes?”

“Yes.”

“But if you don’t know why he’s volunteered to help us, why are you allowing him to join our class?”

“Oh, I think he’s harmless.  We’re acquainted.”

“Are you?”  Ni Na studied Jung Sook.  Wondering what the woman’s motive was for allowing the young man to barge in on a girls’ classroom.  “I see,” she intoned.

“Do you?” Jung Sook asked, amused.

“Not really,” the girl sighed.  “I am very curious about your reasons though.”

“Are you?” the teacher laughed.  She glanced around at the other girls.  And cleared her throat.  “Come see me after your tutoring session, and we shall talk.”

Ni Na eyed her curiously.  “All…right,” she responded haltingly.

She returned to her table and put her lunch to the side.

“Ni Na, what’s wrong?  Why aren’t you eating your lunch?” her friend, Ae Ri, quizzed her.

“I’m not really hungry right now,” she murmured.

“Can I have your lunch then?  You always bring the most delicious food!” Ae Ri commented.

“Um.  Not today.  I’m saving it.  For later.”

Ae Ri glanced at her strangely before shrugging her shoulders and taking another bite of her boring chicken rice.  She sighed.  “Can I come home with you after class?”

Ni Na smiled at her friend.  “Sure.”

“Do you think your cook is making rice cakes today?” the hungry girl quizzed her.

Ni Na laughed.  “I have no idea.  But knowing Suki, probably.”  She glanced at her friend.  “Don’t they ever feed you at your house?” she kidded Ae Ri.

Her friend shot her a surprised glance.  “Of course, they do!”  She leaned towards her.  “But you know as well as I that Appa can’t afford to hire a cook as good as yours!”

Ni Na sighed.  She was tired of her friends bringing up her father’s great wealth.  But…she supposed it came with the territory.  At least, she knew that Ae Ri really did like her.  They’d been friends forever.  From the cradle, really.

Ni Na ignored her rumbling stomach.  And coughed to disguise its clamor.  But it kept grumbling, so she got up and walked across the room.  Then she slipped outside for a breath of fresh air.

Not expecting to bump into the young gentleman.  But as she rounded the building, that is exactly what she did.  Literally.

She crashed straight into his chest.  His arms flew up to grab hers, steadying her as they both leapt away from each other.

“Oh!” she gasped.  “I am so sorry, sir!”

He smiled down at her.  “That’s quite all right.  Are you all right?”

His voice was gentle.  It was the first thing that she noticed.  Until those beautiful eyes searched out her own.  And she found herself falling into them.  Reaffirming her first reaction to those stunning orbs.  They were the oddest color.  A glorious hue.  Like green jade from the east.  Absolutely gorgeous.

She blinked up at him.  And for the first time, he got a truly good look at her eyes.  Deep, dark, like two onyx stones.  Gleaming under the noonday sun.

But also…intelligent.  And…innocent.  Like Soo Yeon’s eyes had been the last time that he’d spoken to her. 

He grimaced.  He had to stop thinking of the girl.  She was utterly – irrevocably – lost to him.  So why couldn’t he seem to let her go?

Her heart sank as she took in the twist of his lips.  Had she hurt him?  Or upset him?

“Why are you here?” she whispered.  Without considering the impact of her question.

Startled, he replied, “What?”

She gestured towards the school building with her head.  “What are you doing at a girls’ school?  Are you a relative of one of the girls?  A brother perhaps?”

He shook his head.  “No.  I…”

How was he to explain his presence here?  He couldn’t very well tell the girls that he was shopping for a bride.  That would cause the kind of chaos that he was hoping to avoid.

“I am a man of some means.  And a lot of free time.  I’m looking to make a difference in society.”

“By tutoring the pampered daughters of the rich and powerful?” she quizzed him in an amused tone.

She surprised a chuckle out of him.  “Touché.”  He glanced away.  “Shall I move on then?” he queried instantly.

“No!” she responded a little too forcefully.

And his gorgeous eyes slid her way again.  Now a mirthful smile teased his lips.  “Are you looking forward to our tutoring session then?”

Instantly, her cheeks flushed a pleasing pink.  And he had to adjust his earlier judgment.  This girl was quite fetching.  He found that he really desired to see her smile.  And to hear her laugh.

“Um.  I…”  She glanced behind her at the door of the building.  “I am sorry.  I just realized that I probably shouldn’t be out here right now.  Good day, sir.”  She bowed to him and turned abruptly before hurrying towards the door.  Her complaining stomach now forgotten.

He snickered as the door slammed shut behind her.  She was…intriguing.  Just a little bit.  But that small smidge definitely existed.  He found himself looking forward to the next hour spent in her company.

Was there even the slightest chance that this girl could make him forget his bruised heart?