Blog

“My lovely Jina…”

She closed her eyes as a wave of tenderness swamped her at those words.  She had once dreamed that someone would say something so beautiful to her.  She had believed those dreams were dead in the water the day she’d learned Jungkook was being forced to marry her.  But he was turning out to be some kind of wonderful.

What else had he written?  Dare she read the rest and risk her heart some more?  

Why not?  He had already stolen it with his tenderness of the last few days.  There was no getting it back now.  No protecting it should he decide it was worth damaging.  She took a deep breath before her eyes continued to peruse his missive.

“Jina, a wonderful name,

Graceful Wisdom,

I could call you the same.”

Ha!  She might be graceful, but she had thought he believed her to be a fool.  Especially for challenging a man with a broomstick.  Still…his words were sweet.

“Hidden beauty, 

My secret fount of pleasure.”

Now she felt like crying.  Did he truly believe she was beautiful?  Did she really delight him?  How was that even possible when her actions had led to their enforced marriage?  How could he possibly look on her kindly?  Yet…of late, his words and his actions seemed to prove that he did.

“Shocking kindness,

A love beyond measure,

Stunning angel.”

He thought she was sweet to him?

“How was I, amazing girl,

Blessed to find you?

Came you to grace my world 

With your sweet self?

More than just another lass,

You, bravely armed,

In a different class,

Rescued me twice.

“Please…continue to be nice.  

I promise I shall be kind to you.

Yours – Jungkook.”

Jina stared in shock at his words.  His rhyme was odd.  The rhythm odder still.  But…she loved it!  Jungkook had written her a poem!

Jungkook had written her a poem.  She couldn’t have been more surprised.  Her mind began to replay her encounters with him.  From the first maddening – and terrifying – night when he’d nearly choked her.  To the last few days.  And all the tenderness he had exhibited.  

Had she really misjudged him?  It seemed so.  Could he truly be this good?  A dream of a man.

He had rushed to her defense when she was threatened by that big brute of a guard.  Jungkook had encouraged her to find something in her face to love.  He had picked her flowers.  And sent her a feast for breakfast.  Was he trying to woo her?

Plain Jina.  But, if Jungkook had ever seen her that way, he no longer saw her as plain.  To him, she was beautiful.  He’d called her a hidden beauty.  And kind.  And a stunning angel.  Amazing.  Brave.  Who exactly did he see when he looked at her?

She picked up the looking glass and stared into it.  Did he really think she was beautiful?  And wonderful? 

Tears filled her eyes as she tried to see what he saw.  She glanced at Nuri.

“Do you truly think I’m pretty?  Please…be honest.  I’ve always thought I was terribly plain.”

The girl’s eyes widened.  “No, milady!  You are not plain at all!  You have beautiful eyes.  They remind me of a treat the king once had the chef make for the queen.  I think he called it hot chocolate.  

“You’ve grown more beautiful as I’ve talked to you too.  I believe that what’s on the inside leaks out.  You are a truly kind person.  That’s inner beauty.  And I can see it in your face.  It’s dancing in your pretty, chocolate eyes too.  I mean, who takes time to be kind to a slave girl?  Not many, I can assure you!  Most people think I’m here to be used.”

The echoes of those words surrounded Jina with unpleasant memories.

Nuri studied her face for a moment.  “And you have lovely, plump lips.  I wish I had pretty lips like you.  Mine are terribly thin.  I think a boy would much rather kiss you.”

Jina almost laughed, but she wanted to comfort the girl instead of embarrassing her.  “Your lips are fine.  You are a pretty girl.”

Nuri’s eyes opened wide again.  “Really?”  

That might explain the unwanted attention.

Jina saw the spasm that crossed her face. 

“What was that?”

“What?”

“Something just upset you.”

The girl wiped her face clean of all emotion as she jumped up.  “I really must go.  Someone will be missing me if I don’t return soon.”  And she didn’t want a beating.  “Thank you, milady, for the food.  It was a taste of Heaven.”

Perturbed, Jina stared at her.  “Indeed, it is.  Thank you for bringing it to me.  Have a good day.  I hope I see you again.  Soon.”

The girl responded, “I’ll try to be the one who returns for your dishes.”  Then she smiled and bowed to her before disappearing through the doorway.