Over the next few days, Jungkook was unfailingly patient with Jina. He approached her sweetly often. One morning, she awoke to a vase of freshly cut flowers. She stared in wonder at their pink and purple blooms for minutes on end. Then she reached out a tentative hand to feel their velvet petals.
Later, as she slipped off to sleep in his arms, he brushed his fingertips along the inside of her arm – making her melt, though she didn’t tell him so – and he whispered ten words. Which made her heart melt too.
“Your skin is so soft. Velvet like the flower petals.”
She wasn’t used to being touched so tenderly. And in such an innocuous location. She fell asleep with a smile on her face. She was beginning to feel safe with him. In spite of herself. And her past.
Then the next morning, she woke up to a knock on the door. She climbed from her bed and walked across the room. Determined to be cautious. Jungkook had warned her to be very careful when she was alone. He’d told her about his conversation with the king. They were all on their guard now. Through the closed door, she called, “Who’s there?”
“It’s me, ma’am. I’m a kitchen slave. Your husband asked me to bring your breakfast.”
Jina opened the door tentatively. She peeked through the crack in the doorway. Her eyes went wide. A servant girl stood balancing a heavily laden tray.
“Good morning, ma’am,” the girl tried to bow.
“Stop!” Jina’s eyes widened further, and she threw her arms out to catch the tray which had tipped forward. The pot of tea had been in danger of smashing on the floor. “Please come in!”
After making sure that the girl had a good hold on the tray once more, Jina released it and backed up. “You can set the tray on that table.” She pointed at a table situated only three feet away from the servant.
Jina stared at the mountain of food. So many dishes to delight her senses. She instantly realized they were all her favorite ones from the smorgasbord she and Jungkook had shared because of Moonflower’s kindness that one day. He had paid attention. And taken notes, apparently.
Today he had put his newfound knowledge to good use. Her eyes filled with tears. Is this what real love felt like? At least, true kindness? Did a man actually exist who would lavish her with lovingkindness? And had she been blessed enough to marry him? Even after everything she’d suffered?
She glanced at the servant girl. “Have you eaten? I can’t possibly eat all of this. Would you like to stay and share it with me?”
Eyes wide, the young girl stared up at her. “Is it okay? I won’t get in trouble?”
Jina shook her head. “I’ll tell them I kept you. If you’re questioned, blame me.”
The young girl nodded her head.
Jina eyed her. She couldn’t be more than twelve years old. “I’m Jina. What’s your name?”
“Nuri.” The girl hadn’t moved. She just stared longingly at the food.
Jina smiled at her. “Help yourself.”
The girl’s eyes grew even wider. “After you, ma’am. When you have taken your fill, I’ll eat something.”
Jina considered her. “I’m not really hungry yet. You eat first. Help yourself to whatever you like.” She paused as tears filled the girl’s eyes. “Have you ever eaten any of these foods?”
“Just plain rice and some meat and vegetables. I’ve never had the rice cakes or any of the wondrous delicacies the chef added to your plate.”
Jina furrowed her brow. “Does my husband know the chef?”
Nuri shrugged. “He must. I’ve never been asked to take a tray like this to anyone before.” Her face suddenly contorted in pain.
Jina glanced sharply at her. “What’s wrong? Why are you grimacing?”
“It’s nothing,” Nuri lied, but then she rubbed her leg.
“What’s wrong with your leg?” Jina asked, now concerned.
“It’s nothing, really.” The girl straightened, but then a spasm crossed her countenance.
“Sit down,” Jina commanded as though she were the queen.
Nuri knew the voice of authority when she heard it. She sat down in the chair Jina was pointing at.
“Pull up your skirts,” Jina demanded, then she softened her command as she saw the girl’s face twist in consternation. “Please. I want to take a look at your leg.”
Tears began to stream down her face. “Milady, it’s okay. It’s just a twisted leg. I was born with it. It just pains me sometimes.”
Nuri was not used to anyone’s compassion. She was usually invisible.
Jina frowned. “Please. Let me see.”
The girl pulled her skirt up to reveal her leg which was half lame. It was covered by her pantaloons, so she pulled the leg of her pants up as high as she could. Jina frowned as she noted the odd angle of her leg.
“It must have hurt you to carry such a heavy tray all this way from the kitchen.”
Nuri shrugged. “It’s my job,” she whispered. “Beats starving to death. Which is my only other option. Truthfully, my leg hurts whether I move or not.”
Jina was the one fighting tears now. “Where are your parents?”
“My appa died in the war. My eomma, in childbirth.”
Sorrow swamped Jina. “I’m so sorry.”
“‘Tis just life, milady.”
“Please don’t call me that. I’m a servant, just like you.”
Nuri shook her head. “No, you’re married to one of the favored guards. Your status has risen. Your husband is a dream.” Suddenly, the girl blushed. “I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have said that! Please forgive me.”
Jina grinned. “It’s okay! You’re right! He is a dream.” She paused. “Can I tell you a secret?”
The girl nodded.
“Just a couple weeks ago, I was a simple servant girl sighing over his beauty too.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t really know how I ended up married to such a gorgeous man. Look at me! I’m so plain!”
Nuri frowned. “No, milady! That’s not true! You’re so pretty!”
Jina bent a beautiful smile on the kind girl. Then she remembered the food. “Please eat.” She eyed the young girl. “You look like you seldom get enough to eat.”
“Not so!” Her eyes widened again. “I eat a lot.” She glanced down at her tiny frame. “I don’t know where it goes!”
Jina smiled at her. “Can nothing be done for your leg?”
Another shrug. “Don’t think so.”
“Have you ever seen a doctor?”
The girl suddenly looked terrified. “No! No.” She shook her head violently. “I don’t need to do that.” She hurried to change the subject. “Thank you for the food! But please, fill your own plate first. Then I will eat what you don’t want.”
Jina sighed. She could tell that Nuri wouldn’t touch anything until she did. So she helped herself to some of everything until her plate was ridiculously full.
“Now,” she turned towards the girl and handed her the plate. “Eat. You may not go until you’ve eaten your fill.”
Nuri eyed the plate. “I thought you were going to eat that.”
Jina shook her head. “No. You’re going to.” Then she turned and picked up a piece of fruit off the tray and popped it into her mouth. “Ooh!” Her eyes widened in surprise and delight. “That is so sweet! You must have another.” She picked up a piece and put it on top of the pile of food on the girl’s plate.
Jina began to pick at the food on the tray while Nuri ate her own. Jina studied the young girl’s countenance.
“You have no siblings?”
Nuri shook her head.
“No other family?”
“An aunt. But she didn’t want me. ‘Who wants a cripple? No wonder her parents died! To escape her. Not even her baby brother wanted to stick around.’”
Tears sprang to Jina’s eyes. “She said that?!” She was horrified.
The girl nodded.
“It’s not true, you know.”
Nuri bent her head. “Isn’t it? I don’t know. I was tiny when Eomma died. I don’t even remember her. I lived with my aunt for a while, but then my appa was killed, and she sold me into slavery.”
“What?!” Jina’s heart felt such an intense pang. “How old were you?”
“Six.”
Horrified, Jina simply stared at her for a few moments while Nuri ate like this was her last meal and someone might take it from her at any moment.
“Nuri, are you still a slave?”
The girl nodded. “I belong to the kitchen-master.”
“The chef?”
Nuri shook her head.
“No, the chef oversees the food. But the kitchen-master oversees the servants. I belong to him.”
Jina’s tender heart filled with sorrow for this lost, little girl. Who had never known love. Of any kind. She reminded Jina of herself when she was tiny. She recognized the haunted expression in the girl’s eyes.
“Has…has anyone ever hurt you?” Jina whispered.
Nuri glanced up at her. “You mean, have I been beaten?” She mused, “Plenty of times. I’m clumsy and too slow. I’m not sure why they employed me in the royal kitchens. Usually, I take food only to the servants.
“Only once have I stood before the queen. And that was pure chance, I think. Her normal maid had disappeared, and I was the only available maid. She needed something immediately, so my help was enlisted.”
“No. I didn’t mean have you been beaten. I meant…have you been touched…by a man?”
The girl’s face went slack. She suddenly stood up. “I need to get back! I’ve been gone too long.”
“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to distress you. I meant to comfort you. I – please don’t leave! Eat your food. I’ll leave you alone.”
Jina turned abruptly and crossed her bedchamber. That’s when she noticed the note lying on her nightstand. She reached out and picked it up.
“My lovely Jina,” it began.
