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“Your words fill me with bliss.

I want to taste your kiss.

Tell me I will not miss 

A love as sweet as this.”

Kiran stared proudly down at her poem.  She had finally written him a reply!  And it rhymed in the same pattern and rhythm as his!  She was so excited.  She couldn’t wait to tie it onto the tree.  She worked on folding it into just the right shape.

Then she picked up another piece of paper off the table and opened this fourth missive to read it again.

“Your cheeks are like cherries

Or maybe pink berries.

I hope my voice carries.

My love never varies.”

Then she wondered if he had added another to the tree today.  She would go investigate.  But she also wanted to be prepared to hang her own note on that tree.  She jumped up from her chair and went to find some string.  

A couple of minutes later, she stood under her tree, tying her decorative poem to hang down from a branch.  She glanced up and noticed another note hanging high over her head.  He must be tall.  Like Namjoon!

She spun around with glee.  

He was clever too.  He’d formed each of the pieces of paper into an origami bird before hanging it on the tree, so from a distance it just appeared to be a decoration.  Not a love letter.  She had discovered the first love note quite by accident.  She’d found the paper bird and been fascinated by its folds.  She had studied it in an attempt to duplicate it.  When she had unfolded it, she’d found the characters written inside.

Once she’d tied her poetic bird to the tree, she worked on getting the one high over her head down.  She had to climb the tree in order to reach it.  Was her secret admirer aware of how much she loved to climb trees?  

This cognizance seemed to be another piece of evidence in Namjoon’s favor.  He had once referred to her as a tomboy.  He was well aware of her proclivity for climbing trees.  

She grinned to herself as she snagged today’s bird from its high perch.  She couldn’t wait to read its poem!  Namjoon’s most recent words were sure to be sweet!

She carried it back to her room and collapsed on her bed before unfolding the clever, little bird.  She eyed the characters written on its belly.  And sighed with relief as her eyes perused it.  She knew every word!

“You are my very dear.

Would you please lend an ear?

There’s something you must hear.

I find you bring me cheer.”

She smiled at the whimsical note and rolled over to grin at the ceiling while her mind began to sift through ideas.  She had another poem to write.

––

Over the last week, Mari and Taehyung had spent many hours in bed together.  Recovering.  Resting.  Talking.  Getting to know each other.  She had opened up to him about her childhood.  And he had reciprocated.  Apparently, Tae had been quite mischievous as a child.  He had shared with her several scrapes that he and Jungkook had gotten into with Yoongi.   The younger boys had been the king’s friends from early on.  It was no wonder Yoongi trusted them with his life.  It was apparent to Mari that he couldn’t have chosen two better men to put his confidence in.

During their enforced rest – both Yoongi and Moonflower had insisted Mari and Taehyung avoid their usual duties until they were both fully recovered – word reached them that Jungkook had also been forced to marry a servant girl.  Taehyung had looked absolutely astonished upon hearing whom Jungkook had married.

“Why are you so surprised?” Mari asked him.

“Jungkook has been a favorite among the girls since we were quite young.  I always thought he’d marry a ravishing beauty.  And I never dreamed he’d be forced into a marriage at sixteen!”

“The girl he married isn’t that plain,” Mari argued. 

Taehyung just looked at her.  “Well, she’s not quite what I pictured Jungkook gravitating toward.”

“It doesn’t sound like he gravitated towards her at all.”

“But he did.  He rescued her.  And took her back to his own room.”  Taehyung shook his head.  “I still can’t believe he did such a stupid thing.”

“Hey!” Mari took exception to his words.  “Your own wife did such a stupid thing!”

He grinned suddenly as his arm snaked around her and dragged her up against his chest.  “Yes, she did.  Thank God!  I am beyond grateful that she is such a foolish chit.  And such a generous one too,” he growled as his lips found her earlobe.

She giggled a moment later.  “Tae.  Are you saying you’re glad I trapped you into marriage?”

“Absolutely,” he breathed against her neck.  “And I am feeling immensely better than I did a week ago.  How about you?  Are you ready to do more than just kiss your husband?”

He’d been reluctant to consummate their marriage while her back was recovering.  He’d figured the last thing she needed was to endure more soreness.

For her part, Mari was blushing.  They had already done quite a bit more than kissing.  And she had discovered that she enjoyed it all.  She was starting to wonder what she’d been so afraid of.  Of course, they hadn’t done everything yet, and she knew the first time they did, it was going to hurt.  She still wasn’t looking forward to that.

Taehyung could feel her tension.  “Hey, relax, it’s all right.  Nothing to fear.  Look what you’ve already endured.  I’m sure it won’t be as painful as that.”

His lips found her own in the sweetest of kisses.  Mari sighed into his mouth.  She was delighting in his embrace and in the comfort of his breath against her skin.  In his lips upon her own.

She allowed things to progress slowly from there and found the courage to step into a new realm with her husband.  A realm that was far more fascinating than she’d guessed.  Even if the first step was painful, she discovered that the pleasure of being with Tae outweighed the resultant soreness.  

She had never felt this close to anyone.  It was due to the fact that he had been so gentle with her.  Taken his time with her.  Truly gotten to know her before he’d taken her into that beautiful realm.  She was so lost in love with him now that she recognized there was no turning back.  Mari was well and truly his.  And quite happy to be so.

––

Jungkook knocked on Taehyung’s door.  He hoped his friend was mostly recovered from his beating of several days ago.

“Taehyung, my friend, how are you?” Jungkook asked with genuine concern.

Taehyung was standing in his doorway.  Blocking Jungkook’s view of his room.  But a mischievous grin suddenly lit up his friend’s face.  Jungkook wondered at it.

“I’m just marvelous.”  He bent near Jungkook’s ear.  “I’ve just spent a wonderful morning in bed with my wife.”  Taehyung waggled his eyebrows suggestively several times.

Jungkook felt a spurt of jealousy lance him.  But he brushed it aside and got straight to the point.  “Can I come into your room and speak to you privately for a moment?”

“Well, Mari is in bed.  Can she hear what you have to say?”

Jungkook narrowed his eyes.  “Do you trust her?”

“Do I trust her!?” Taehyung snapped.  “The woman saved my life!  And endangered her own by doing so.  So, yes, I think I can trust her!”  He frowned at his friend.  “Really, Jungkook!  Sometimes!”  Taehyung made an odd sound.  “Just a moment.”  He slipped back into his room and shut the door in Jungkook’s face.

A couple of minutes later – he might have gotten distracted for a few seconds while kissing his beautiful wife – Taehyung opened the door again and allowed Jungkook to come inside.  A screen had been placed in front of the end of Taehyung’s bed, so Jungkook could not see the woman lying on the other side of it.  His eyes met his friend’s.

“Taehyung?  What were you doing in the hall last night?  When you stopped to help me with Chanyeol.”

“Ah.  I couldn’t sleep.  And I was hungry.  I was on my way to the kitchen to find a snack.”

Jungkook nodded.  “But you stuck around long enough to hear me explain to King Yoongi that Chanyeol attacked Jina, right?”

“Yep.  I heard it all.”

“I was furious with Jina because she had wandered the hallways in the middle of the night again.  After I made her promise not to.  I didn’t discover her reason for breaking her promise to me until this morning.”  

“Wait a minute.  What do you mean, again?”

“A few days ago, Jina was sick.  She headed to the kitchen in the middle of the night to get some tea.  Chanyeol accosted her that night in the hallway.  She outwitted him, making him think she had the plague, and he left.  When I confronted her, she fainted, and I caught her in my arms.  I couldn’t wake her up.  I took her back to my room so she could sleep in safety while I returned to guard the king. 

“Eventually, I admitted the truth to Yoongi, and he insisted I marry her.   I made her promise not to roam the hallways alone at night.  I was afraid Chanyeol would come after her again.  As it turned out, I was right to be on my guard.” 

Jungkook’s gaze delved the depths of Taehyung’s for a moment.  “Last night was a trap.  Someone sought to harm my wife.”

“What?” Taehyung asked, aghast.  “What do you mean?”

“Someone slipped a note under our door in the middle of the night telling Jina that I would be hurt if she didn’t come to the kitchen immediately.  That’s why she left our room.  She met Chanyeol on her way to the kitchen.”

“So she was purposefully lured out of your room and into danger?”  Taehyung’s eyes sharpened on his.  “Do you think Chanyeol was behind the note?”

Jungkook shook his head.  “He seemed genuinely surprised to learn that Jina was my wife.”

Taehyung frowned.  “I don’t like it.  First, someone kidnaps the king and Moonflower and forces them to marry.  Then someone unveils that I spent the night in Mari’s bed.  Which led to our marriage.  And now someone has threatened you and Jina.  It can’t be a coincidence.  Clearly, someone is attempting to weaken the king’s power.  Attacking his two top guards as well as him.”

“But we’re all attached to strong women now.  Not weak ones.”

Taehyung nodded.  “Yes.  Their plan is failing.  But they may not realize it.  They think they weakened King Yoongi by marrying him to a blind girl.  And now you and I are married to servants – far below our birthright.”

Jungkook felt his ire rising.  “Hey!  Jina is worth ten of me!”

“I’m sure she is,” Taehyung flashed his friend a grin, “as Mari is worth a hundred of me, but they wouldn’t see it that way.  Politically, we’ve been put in a weaker position.”  

Taehyung shook his head, “No.  Somebody is playing the long game here.  We need to keep our eyes and ears open.  And I think we should tell the king about the note.”

Jungkook nodded.  “I’m on my way to see him next.”

Taehyung bobbed his head.  “Excellent.  You should be on your way now.  I really need to attend to my wife.”  But his grin was giving him away.

“You need to attend to her?” Jungkook asked with a sly grin.  “Or you’re hoping she’ll attend to you?”

Taehyung chuckled.  “Both, my cheeky friend.  Now, out!  You should know better than to disturb newlyweds.”  But then he frowned.  “Speaking of which…how are you and Jina doing?”

Jungkook shrugged.  “This one is going to take a soft touch.  And a lot of patience,” he sighed.

“You’re young.  You’ve got time,” Taehyung quipped as a wide grin broke across his countenance.

Jungkook punched him in the shoulder, but then Taehyung spoke again.

“I’m beginning to think all women require a soft touch, my friend.  Go slowly.  Be sweet.  I promise it will pay off.”  His teeth were flashing at Jungkook again.

Jungkook’s left eyebrow had just flown upward in doubt.  “I hope so.  I do hope so.”

He sighed as he walked back out into the corridor.  At least, Tae and Mari seemed to be happy now.  And the king and his wife were definitely content with each other.  He just hoped the same future awaited him and Jina.

––

Moonflower heard the knock on her outer door.  She was walking by, so she stopped to call through the door.

“Can I help you?”

“Your Highness?  It’s Jungkook.  Can I speak to the king?”

Recognizing his voice, she opened the door.  “Please.  Come in,” she urged politely.

Jungkook smiled at her as he stepped into the room.  Queen Moonflower was always sweet and calm.  Unlike a certain fiery girl occupying his room right now. 

Speaking of that little firebrand, Moonflower queried, “How is Jina?”

He smiled at his queen.  “Waiting for me to become a better man,” he murmured.

“What?” Moonflower furrowed her brow.  “Jungkook!  Why would you so disparage yourself?  You are a wonderful young man.”

Jungkook noted the “young” and grimaced. 

“Let’s just say that she doesn’t fully trust me yet.”

“Well, of course not!  You’ve known each other all of – what? – ten days?”

Jungkook nodded.  But, of course, Moonflower couldn’t see his agreement.

“It takes time to build trust,” she asserted.  Then her voice softened, and her hand reached out towards him.  “Jungkook, Jina has been horribly used by several men.  It was…it was an unusual circumstance.  It was organized, I think.”

“What?”  He stared at her in astonishment.  “What on earth do you mean by that?”

“It was a group of men who shared her.”  The queen was speaking very softly.

Jungkook felt like he was going to retch.  “How – how old was she?”

“A child.  I believe she was under twelve.”

“But she was never raped?”

“Not in the conventional sense, no.  If you’re asking if she’s still a virgin, I believe so.  But that’s not the only way a man can abuse a girl.  And all of it does incredible damage to a young girl’s mind and heart.  Jina has deep wounds.  Please be extraordinarily patient with her.  I know you have it in you, Jungkook.”

“You do?” he asked in genuine surprise.

She smiled sweetly at him.  “Yes, I do.”

He stared blankly at her for a moment.  “But…who were these men who hurt her?”

“She wouldn’t tell me.  But I had the feeling they were part of the nobility.” 

Jungkook winced as he pictured a tiny Jina at the mercy of a group of powerful men.  He cut off his imagination.  And cleared his throat.

“Just…be gentle, Jungkook.”  She paused a moment before her soft voice continued, “I know you will be.  Jina needs someone to adore her.  And to communicate that feeling to her.  I think you’re just the man to accomplish such a task.”

Jungkook was humbled by her faith in him.  He couldn’t imagine what he had done to convince her of his superior character.  But her confidence in him warmed his heart.

“But you came to see Yoongi, not to speak with me about your delightful wife.  I’ll say just one thing more.  I believe you will find happiness with Jina.  Eventually.  Don’t give up.  Show her who you really are.  The amazing man hidden within.”

Then she began to walk towards the sitting room.  “Come.  We’ll find Yoongi together,” she urged him as she entered the office on the other side.  “Yoongi?  Jungkook is here to see you.”

“Oh?” the king glanced up from his desk.

He had just removed that ridiculously hot wig that he wore every time he met with anyone in an official capacity.  He much preferred the time he spent in his private chambers.  Alone with Moonflower.  With his real hair.  He ran his fingers through his naturally dark locks as he eyed his guard.  A smile softened his features suddenly.  “My friend, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

Jungkook heaved a deep sigh.  “Something unpleasant has sent me here.  But I think you should know.  Since I brought Chanyeol before you last night, I have spoken with Jina.  She finally explained why she left our room in the middle of the night.  Someone left her this note.”  He pulled it from his pocket and set it down on Yoongi’s desk.

The king’s long, elegant fingers slid across the polished wood and touched the paper.  Pulling it close to himself, he paused to read its threatening message.  Then he glanced sharply up at Jungkook.  “She left because she believed you were in danger?  Thereby placing herself in danger?”  He frowned.  “You were on duty when this note was delivered?”

Jungkook nodded.

“Did you encounter any resistance while doing your job?  Any problems?”

“Not until I took my break and came across Jina in Chanyeol’s clutches.  The thing I can’t figure out is…he attacked her while I was on break.  If they had wanted to hurt her, why would they send for her when I was most likely to disturb Chanyeol attempting to rape my wife?”

Yoongi frowned.  “I don’t know.”

“Wouldn’t they know that I’d bring him to you, and you would throw him in prison?  Or worse?”

“It is perplexing.”  Yoongi sat back and stared off into space.

“I’m uneasy, Your Majesty.  First, someone kidnapped you and Moonflower and forced you to marry.  Then Tae was discovered in Mari’s room.  Forcing them to marry.  And now someone has come after me and Jina.  It can’t be a series of coincidences surely!  The king and his two most prominent guards?  All being forced to marry three unlikely women.  Two servants and…”

“A blind girl?” Moonflower offered.  “I agree with Jungkook.  Something is afoot.  We would be wise to stay on our guard.”

Yoongi nodded.  “And so, we shall.” 

Jungkook asserted, “I don’t think they planned on me marrying Jina, but I do think they’ve taken advantage of the circumstances.  Certainly, there was a plot to ensnare Jina.  And possibly, me too.  I can’t help but believe it’s an attack against you, my king.”

Yoongi’s eyes met Jungkook’s again.  “Thank you for bringing this to me.  Keep me apprised of any other trouble.”  Two fine lines popped up between his eyebrows.  “I think I’m going to put a guard outside of your room for a while.”

“Don’t, sire.”

“Why not?”

“It will communicate that we feel threatened.  I would rather act as though nothing has happened.  Besides…”  Jungkook was reluctant to share the remainder of his thoughts with his king.

“What is it?” Yoongi’s eyebrows challenged the ceiling.

“Your Royal Highness, I ask this question with the utmost respect….  Are you certain that you can trust all of your guards?  I mean, Chanyeol was one.”

Yoongi blinked.  “Good point.”  He heaved a deep sigh.  “I admit I’ve begun to ask that question myself.”  He bobbed his head once sharply.  “You’re right.  I will not post a guard outside your door, but I think Taehyung should return to working nights with you.  He must be recovered enough by now.  I don’t want you left alone with someone I’m not sure I can trust.  Especially not while Moonflower and I are sleeping.  And we must impress upon your wife the importance of keeping her door locked all night long.  No matter what notes are pushed under it.”

Jungkook nodded.  He completely agreed.  He would be safest when he knew his wife was secure.

A few minutes later, Moonflower walked Jungkook to the door.  Leaving Yoongi alone with his thoughts.  He didn’t like this situation at all.  He’d been feeling increasingly in danger of late.  As though someone was weaving a web around him and all those he loved.  Biding his time as he prepared to strike the royal family and their support system. 

It was time Yoongi called on his most trusted ally. 

––

Hours after the moon rose, a man dressed in black, his long, dark hair pulled up in a topknot, crept through the inner courtyard.  He slipped silently through the shadows on his way to the king’s chambers.  He opened the outer door without making a single sound, the guard standing outside still completely unaware of his presence.  Then he entered Yoongi’s outer room and pressed on until he was standing in the king’s office.  Yoongi glanced up at him from his desk and smiled ruefully.

“Ah, Gyeongsu, you got my message.  I have a job for you to do…”

The masked man had come to receive a royal charge.