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Balgeum opened the door and glanced out into the hallway.  She loathed being stuck in this room with the twins.  She had decided to take a peek at the man guarding the door in the middle of the night when she was supposed to be sleeping.  She knew the king was extra cautious during the dark hours of each day.  He had admonished her concerning the importance of her getting proper rest so that she could be at her best to protect his sisters.  But, honestly, nothing seemed very menacing in this quarter of the royal city.  

Almost no one knew the girls were here.  She laughed softly as she remembered the absolute fit which they’d both thrown when they’d discovered that she expected them to dress as scullery maids before they escaped the palace.  Aera had flat out refused until her brother had intervened and insisted, explaining to her that her life would be in much less danger if everyone believed her to still be residing at the palace.  

“But, Yoongi,” the girl had whined, “you can’t expect me to wear that hideous contraption!  A scullery maid has worn it.  To clean in.”  She had spoken the last words as though the girl had buried the dead in it.

“Yes, I absolutely can expect you to wear it!  And so, you will.  Do you realize, Aera, that it is very possible that our brother’s accident wasn’t an accident at all?”

That had stopped her cold.  “What do you mean?”

“Some believe that he and his wife were murdered.  By someone desiring the throne.”

Aera had swallowed.  Aeri had inhaled sharply.  And Yoongi had continued.

“So, if I ask you to dress as a kitchen maid—”

“Scullery maid,” Aera had corrected him impertinently. 

“Or even as a man, you shall do it!  It’s my responsibility to keep you safe!  And I will do it by any means I see fit to use!” he’d barked at her.  

Then his tone had softened as he’d continued, “Do you realize that Moonflower was blinded by the measles?  And it was the cause of both of her parents’ deaths?  We are taking every threat to your safety very seriously.  And you should too.  Both from this epidemic and from our unidentified enemies.  I don’t want to scare you, but you must stop acting like a five-year-old!” he’d rebuked her sharply once more.

He had gone on to inform his sisters that two other girls would be impersonating them for the next couple of months.  These girls would be sleeping in their bedroom.  Two decoys under quarantine to make everyone believe that the twins were still within the palace walls.  

Despite this precaution, Balgeum knew it was important to be ever vigilant.  Danger was the most threatening when one didn’t suspect it of lurking nearby at all.  Still, she was bored stiff babysitting these brats.  As she slid the door silently open, the guard swung around, nearly startling her.

He had good reflexes.  And remarkable hearing.  And was drop dead gorgeous.  The man stole her breath.  Though, she would never have admitted it to anyone.  Not even if they had threatened to steal her breath forever.

“Why are you opening the door?” he hissed.  “Is something wrong?”

“Only the fact that I’m stuck in this room with two pampered, little girls.”

“Stop your whining.  You’ve got an easy job.”

“Care to trade?” she offered in an irritated tone.

“What?  Play nursemaid to a couple of spoiled brats?  No way!  Have no fear, though; I’ll keep you all safe from any enemies lurking about.”

“Will you now?  Why, kind sir, you have just set every one of my maidenly fears to rest,” she intoned in a high-pitched voice and in a very sarcastic manner.

Jeonghun harrumphed as his eyes slid down her frame and then back up again.  That frame was hidden within the folds of her hanbok, so he couldn’t discern much.  Except that her waist was a tad thicker than the average girl.  But something about the way she held herself communicated an unusual strength and lithesomeness.  Traits he wasn’t used to encountering in a woman.  

Experimentally, he thrust his staff at her suddenly.  She recoiled with a fluid grace and ease that he knew for certain was not the usual fare of an ordinary girl.  He narrowed his eyes at her.  Of course, the king would not trust his sisters to any common maid.  

“What are you doing?” she derided him.  “Are you addlepated?  Have you taken one knock too many to the head and lost all your wits?  Cannot you tell the difference between an enemy and an ally?”

He grinned at her suddenly, and she was infuriated to discover that she couldn’t breathe for a split second as the light of that smile washed over her.  The man was too handsome by half.  Certainly, too good-looking for his own good.  Or hers.  Now she was doubly irritated.  Because he was clearly befuddled.  She growled at him before slamming the door in his face.

Jeonghun chuckled as he set his attention on the hallway once more.  He rather liked that girl.  She was full of spice.  He suspected he’d enjoy kissing a girl so full of passion.

––

Insuk gasped as Nuri wheeled her into the kitchen.  A dozen deep red roses had been beautifully arranged in a vase on the countertop.  Their enticing perfume was wrapping around her head as soon as she set eyes on them.  She closed those eyes and inhaled deeply for a few moments as she came to rest next to the counter. 

“I absolutely adore roses,” she breathed.  “I think they must be what Heaven smells like.”

Her eyes fluttered open, and she noticed the delightful display of dasik.  The tea cookies had been lovingly molded to resemble roses.  She picked one up and examined its intricate design before taking a tiny bite of it.  The sweetness of honey and the earthiness of sesame seeds exploded on her tongue. 

“Yum!  Nuri, you must try one.  They’re so good!”  She handed her friend a pink rose cookie.

Then Insuk glanced down at the piece of paper awaiting her perusal.  Today, Jimin had sketched a beautiful rose in its upper righthand corner.  Then his lovely penmanship unfolded to carry the sentiments of his heart into hers.

“You tempt me so,

More than you know.

Those crimson lips

And my heart flips.

“Just one sweet kiss,

One taste of bliss

Is all I need.

This is my creed.”

She was blushing.  She could feel her cheeks heating up at the simple suggestion of Jimin’s kiss.  She cleared her throat and kept her eyes firmly in front of her.  She wasn’t about to look behind her to see if he was lurking in the doorway this morning.  Instead, she began to nibble on her cookie.

A couple of minutes later, Jimin entered the kitchen.  But, thankfully, he was deep in conversation with one of the kitchen boys.  Insuk sighed with relief.  She wasn’t sure that she could face him today.  Not yet anyway. 

Jimin wanted to kiss her!