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She stared in wonder at his house as they entered it.  It really was nearly as impressive as a palace.  She felt a bit…intimidated.  Or, at least, she would have if she hadn’t already met his mother.  But she stepped into his home with a bit more confidence because she knew that that wonderful woman already adored her.  She glanced around the massive foyer. 

“Where is your mother?” she queried curiously.

“Ah, probably ensconced in her private sitting room.  Reading one of a dozen parchments.  Eomma does adore reading.”

She grinned.  “We have that in common.”

His eyes caressed her face.  “You have much in common.”

Startled, she glanced sharply up at him.  “Do we?”

“Indeed.”  He turned towards a particular hallway.  “Come.  We have honey to eat!”

She grinned and followed him eagerly.  A few moments later, she followed him into a warm room.  And stared in wonder at the wooden frames full of golden honeycomb. 

“Oh, my lord!  This is wonderful!” she breathed as she looked around the room.  “You have so much honey!  You must be more than just an amateur beekeeper.”

He scoffed.  “Believe me.  It’s just a hobby.  But I do have lots of hives.  Keeping up with my bees is a challenge during the autumn.  I had an unbelievable harvest this year!  I’m training a couple of my servants to help me.”

“That’s amazing!”  She smiled as her eyes finally found his again.

She was as giddy as a tiny child.  Nearly bouncing on her toes.

“You’re quite excited by all of this, aren’t you?” he asked in surprise.  Grinning at her enthusiasm.

She bobbed her head.  “I told you.  I adore honey!”  She glanced around the room again.  “This is a treasure trove!”

He cut a piece of honeycomb, and she found herself salivating simply watching him.  The anticipation alone was delighting her.  She hadn’t been kidding.  She loved honey.

He picked up the little honeycomb segment between his thumb and forefinger and held it up to her.  She watched in dismay as one thick, golden drop of honey fell to hit the ground.  Frowning now at the loss of that small morsel, she turned her gaze upon him for a moment.

“Open up,” he murmured as his hand approached her mouth.

She obeyed him and was rewarded a moment later with a bite of the sweet, sticky stuff.  But she was even more cognizant of her lips grazing his fingers as he fed her that special treat.  Her eyes widened in delighted shock as those digits brushed against her soft skin.  Beom Sook would have been lying if he had claimed that he hadn’t enjoyed that moment himself.

He watched as she closed her eyes.  Whether to savor that delectable honey or to hide from his intense gaze, he could not have said for certain.  But the sweet expression on her countenance was a true sign of her pleasure in his presence.  Or of her love of his honey.  Either way, he felt oddly satisfied.

––

His mother watched them adoringly from the doorway.  And hoped that her son would soon realize that he had found another kind of honey.  She prayed that he would soon wake up to the wonders hidden within this girl.  And to the fact that he was already well on his way to falling in love with her. 

His mother hadn’t seen him this taken with a girl since Soo Yeon.  And he’d been so heartbroken after that young lady had shown no interest in him that he had backed away from all eligible young ladies for quite some time.  Lady Lee could only thank God that Beom Sook had decided to visit the classroom of Lady Bit Na’s daughter-in-law.  For her son had definitely found his match.

Lady Lee found Choi Ni Na utterly delightful.  She was clearly as sweet as the honey filling this room with its golden presence.  And his mother was just as certain that given the chance, this darling girl would fill his life with an even greater pleasure.