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As Insuk entered the kitchen a little while later with Nuri, a mammoth tub filled with twelve gorgeous clusters of fragrant blue blooms met both her gaze and her nose.  Her olfactory senses were overcome by their brilliant fragrance.  Hydrangeas had long been a favorite of hers, and this huge vase of them appeared more like an entire bush of the beautiful blue blossoms.  Delight overtook both her soul and her countenance.

Then her eyes took in the two bowls of yaksik, a sweet rice dessert containing jujube, chestnuts, and pine nuts.  She grinned.  Jimin was so wonderfully thoughtful.  He hadn’t just made some for her; he’d also prepared a bowl for Nuri.  Insuk felt tears invading her eyes at his kindness.  She smiled at Nuri and handed her a bowl.

“Seems to me that Jimin knows you’re joining me,” she smiled at her friend, “and approves!”

Then Insuk reached out to pick up the piece of paper.  It was one of the poems she was beginning to anticipate finding each morning.  Her eyes slipped over the characters as her heart melted at their message.

“There is a secret place 

Hidden in the depths of your soul.

It holds a loving grace,

The extents of which make me whole.

“A glorious garden grows there

In the heart of this maiden fair,

A winsome land that beckons me,

A stretched-out hand that reckons me

“Right and kind, good, true, and brave

This sight is the gift you gave.

I’ll meet you there to dance the night away.

I’ll see you there to take my breath away.

“I will love you there for all of my days.

If you’ll have me, dear, in all of my ways.

Will you take my hand, love, and walk with me?

All of my life, my sweet, come talk with me?”

Was Jimin implying that he wanted to marry her?

She looked behind her.

And found him leaning against the doorjamb, a sweet smile lighting up his face.  

“Good morning, Insuk,” he greeted her before turning towards Nuri.  “Hello, Nuri.  Do you like yaksik?”

The girl’s eyes grew wide as she shoveled another bite into her mouth.  “Do I like it?  I love it!  This tastes amazing!”

The corners of Jimin’s lips lifted upwards again as he turned towards the larder to begin pulling out supplies for the royal breakfast.

Insuk watched him until he disappeared into the large closet.  She really wanted to get that boy alone.  But if she ever managed to get a few moments to herself with him, what would she do with them?