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“Can I tell you a secret?” Namjoon bent over the pretty princess seated next to him.

The young girl gazed up at him with wide eyes.  She was half in love with him.  Which was ridiculous.  He might be part of the upper class, but he was a tutor, not a prince upon a throne.  And she would be expected to marry a king.  A prince, at the very least.  

She sighed.  It wasn’t fair.  Her brother had gotten to marry a blind girl.  Why couldn’t she have a simple scholar?  Namjoon was a good man.  Kind and fair.  Diligent and loyal.  And an absolute dream to look at it.

So she was staring up at him now.  Her eyes delving deeply into his beautiful, chocolate orbs.  “Please tell me all your secrets,” she breathed.

Her imagination was running wild.  She could just see it now…

They were standing in a field of brilliant pink and purple cosmos.  The sun was shining gently down on them out of a bright blue sky.  A gentle breeze was ruffling his hair as she gazed up at him.  Earnestly, Namjoon stared down at her as his arms slipped around her.

“I know it’s forbidden, but I can’t help myself,” he whispered as his eyes probed hers. “I’ve fallen in love with you.”

Then he bent his head and brushed his full lips across her own…

She sighed as her eyes focused on his real face once again.  If only Namjoon would say such words to her.  And kiss her lips so sweetly.

Namjoon sighed.  He knew the girl was in love with him.  But it was impossible.  He could never have her.  So he had put up very strong guards around his heart to keep her out.  She was pretty enough.  But rather silly.  She deplored studying and would have rather chased butterflies in the garden than read a book.

“I used to hate being in class too,” he murmured.

She made a moue with her pretty lips.  “Joonie!” she rebuked him.  “I thought you were going to admit something scandalous!”

He laughed.  “I’m afraid I am far too boring for that.  You’ll have to look elsewhere if you want scandal.”

She huffed.  

“I was trying to make you feel better about your attitude towards learning.  But, really, you should rejoice that your brother cares enough about you to make sure you can read and write.”

“Why should I have to?  It’s not normal!  Girls weren’t born to read and write.  We’re here to look pretty.  So men can enjoy us.”

Namjoon frowned.  “That is absolutely ridiculous!  You are not here just for the amusement of some man.  You have a brain just as much as a man does!”

She locked eyes with him.  “We both know that is not true.  You are far more intelligent than I am.”

“Levels of intelligence differ among men too, you know.  But, still, your brain is a gift from God.  You should use it.  And you should use the rare opportunity you’ve been given to learn.  Few women get this chance.”

She sighed.  “But I don’t want to read!”

“But how will you read a love note if some handsome man gives you one unless you’ve taken the time to learn?”

She frowned.

“And how will you reply if you cannot write?”

“All right,” she responded begrudgingly.  “You may teach me to read and write.  But you can’t expect me to like it!”

The corners of his mouth quirked.  “Of course not, your royal highness, of course not,” he murmured as he suppressed his grin.