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After she had satisfied her most pressing need, Eunbyeol wandered outside to dump out her chamber pot.  She pondered the situation she’d just stepped away from.  She could not believe Jin had asked her to marry him.  In fact, he’d been gazing down at her with something new shining out of his eyes.  Affection?

Jin had said he’d enjoy her.  

She gulped.

She knew for a certainty that she would enjoy him.  

She sighed.

Could she really do it?  Could she marry the man she loved with all her heart whilst knowing he viewed her only as a friend?

Of course, that could change.  Right?  Within a marriage to her, his feelings for her could be transformed into something deeper.  It had happened before.  Hadn’t it?  Somewhere?  To someone?  Why not to her and Jin?

—

After she’d cleaned up, she returned to her bedroom.  Jin was still lying on her bed.  On his back.  His eyes closed.  His hands resting across his stomach.  She stood in the doorway gazing at him for a few moments.  Simply drinking in his beauty.  Worldwide handsome he was.  She couldn’t believe all the other village lasses had alluded him.  Was every single one of those girls blind?

She sighed.  Could he truly be hers?

After a few silent moments, without opening his eyes, he spoke again.  Startling her.

“So, Eunie, are you going to marry me?”

He wasn’t looking at her on purpose.  He didn’t want to spook her or pressure her.  But he fervently hoped she’d say yes.

“If I say yes, what will you expect of me, Jin?” her soft voice traveled across her bedchamber.

His eyes opened.  He sat up slowly.  And looked at her consideringly.  “What will I expect of you?  Hmm.  I would expect you to allow me to take care of you.  I would expect to move into your house here.  To share this bed with you.”  He patted it.  “And I’d expect you to eat my fish every time I bring it home and prepare it for you.”

She swallowed as her eyes filled with tears.  All of that sounded so wonderful.  Far beyond her greatest expectations of him.  But there was one point that needed clarifying.   “Share my bed?”

“To sleep, Eunie.  Just to sleep.  Until you’re comfortable with more.”

She was comfortable with more right now.  But she wasn’t about to tell him that.  She cleared her throat.

“When would you be wanting to marry me?” she asked through strained vocal muscles.

His eyes caressed hers.  “Today if we can make it work.”

“Today?” Her eyes grew as round as saucers.  “But…don’t you want a proper wedding?”

“No.  I want to make sure you’re safe.  Starting today.  I just want a proper wife.  Which you will definitely be.”  His eyes speared hers.  “Is there anyone you wish to invite?”

“No.”  

She didn’t really have any friends besides Jin.  All the women in the village avoided her.  Unless they were coming to her for help in secret.

His eyes sharpened in concern.  “No one?”

“Jin,” she sighed, “you know my family won’t come, and you’re my only friend.”

His heart released a pang for her.  “Well, that should make it easy for us to marry today.  I’ll invite my family and a couple friends.  I must visit the priest and see if he’ll marry us in haste.  I’ll explain the situation.”

“All right, Jin.”

His face lit up with hope.  “Does that mean that you’re marrying me today, Eunie?”

She smiled.  “If the priest agrees to it, then…yes.”

He jumped up off her bed and strode across the room.  Tenderly, he drew her into his arms and buried his face in her neck.  “You won’t regret it, Eunie.  I promise you.”

But she didn’t need his assurance.  She already knew she wanted to marry Jin.  There was no way this was a mistake.  Not for her.  He had just granted her the biggest dream of her life.  

She just hoped she would make him happy too.  That he wouldn’t regret not marrying some average lass from the village.  Someone whose name wasn’t synonymous with oddity.