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The illness swept through the household.  Infecting nearly all the children.  For some reason, Dae Jong seemed unaffected.  He spent much of his time in his sister’s room.  Both Beom Sook and Ni Na were kept busy.  Caring for one child after another. 

Several days passed as they attended to their patients.  Unfortunately, the stomachs of several of the younger children were overcome by the bitter disease.  And much vomiting occurred.  The intestines of the older children seemed particularly embattled.  So several days of discomfort and constant washing passed as the servants, Lady Lee, her son, and Ni Na worked tirelessly to take care of the needs of their little army. 

Finally, four days after the first case of illness, both Ni Na and Beom Sook had a moment to breathe.  Alone.  Together.  Outside.  Where the air was fresh.  They had both longed to escape the stale air of the sickrooms.  At last, their moment had come.

“The children are recovering nicely now, Beom Sook.”  Ni Na eyed him.  “Are you all right?”

“Mmm.”  He reached up to rub his temples.

“What’s wrong?” 

“Nothing.  Just a minor headache.  I’ve had it all day long.  Just can’t seem to kick it.”

“This is a crummy way to spend your birthday.”

He glanced up sharply at her.  “You know that today is my birthday?”

“Mm-hmm,” she bobbed her head.  Then her face twisted in discontent.  “I was planning to have all the children throw you a big party,” she uttered, disgruntled.  “I am most put out that everyone got sick instead.  Come here.”

She reached out and clasped his hand.  Tugging him towards a low stone wall.  She pulled on his hand until he sat down on the top of that wall.  Then she knelt in front of him and reached up to begin massaging his temples with her fingertips.

He groaned and closed his eyes.  “Have I told you, Ni Na, that you are an angel?”

She giggled.  “Hardly,” she muttered.

But his eyes opened, and he breathed earnestly.  “No, Ni Na, you are.  You’re an angel.  You’re my angel.  You’re the children’s angel.  And I couldn’t imagine my life without you in it anymore.”  He paused for a moment as a beautiful blush stained her cheeks.

But she kept rubbing those aching temples.  So he moaned again.  And took a deep breath.

Then he found the courage to ask the question that had been plaguing him.  He had to know for sure before he did anything to forever alter her life.

“Ni Na, will you tell me the name of the man who stole your heart?”

Those faithful fingers stilled.  Was it her imagination, or could she truly feel his pulse pounding beneath her fingertips?  She glanced up at his face and watched as his eyes opened fully.

Her heart began to race.  As her throat seemed to close off.  Was she willing to admit the truth to him as he had to her?

“Beom Sook, when you said that you love me, what did you mean exactly?  I know that Soo Yeon is in your heart, so I’m assuming that you meant that you love me as a man loves a friend.  Am I right?”

Now it was his own heart that was beating out a rapid tattoo.  But he’d already taken the hardest step.  Hadn’t he?  What did he have to lose now?

He could protect his heart and deny his love.  But it wouldn’t change the fact that he did love her.  With all of his heart.  And maybe if he told her the truth, someday she would begin to love him too.

“I do love you as a friend.  But, no, Ni Na, not just as a friend.  I love you as a man loves a woman.”  His eyes squeezed shut.

This was the most unromantic way of declaring his love.  He was sitting here possibly burning up with fever – but not the romantic kind.  With his head pounding.  And not just his heart.  Overcome by an aching pain – in his brain as well as in his soul. 

And to make matters worse, the skies were threatening to unleash a deluge upon them at any moment.  His dreams of declaring himself under a blue sky and a snowing cherry blossom tree were dying a quick and ugly death.  He’d pictured her surrounded by the lovely fragrance of those pink petals.  Not by the scent of impending rain.  And damp earth.  It had poured yesterday too.

“We’d best head inside,” he gasped suddenly.  “It’s about to rain.”

“Beom Sook,” her voice was a tender breath. 

She wasn’t about to let him get away this time.

He opened his eyes and was astounded to see the expression in hers.  “What?” he whispered.

“You asked me for his name.  I gave it to you.”

“What?”  He gaped at her. 

“The man.  Who stole my heart.  His name is Beom Sook.” 

She smiled sweetly at him.  Her eyes flooding with love for him.  “The moment his gorgeous jade eyes first captured mine, I could feel my heart floating across the room to him.  And I knew that I would never possess it again.  And, surely, I no longer do.  It resides here now.” 

She reached down and pressed her fingertips against his chest.  Over his pounding heart.

He simply stared at her. 

She’d been in love with him this whole time? 

But…how?  How had he misunderstood her?  He searched his mind but could not find the answer.  And his head was still pounding.

“I love you,” she whispered.

Just as the first raindrops began to collide with their skin. 

He reached up to grab her hand as he jumped to his feet.  Then he tugged her towards the door.  He didn’t stop until he’d drawn her to safety. 

There was no way his precious Ni Na was getting sick.  Not if he could prevent it. 

Once inside, he turned to face her.  But before he could say anything, the pressure pushing against his temples seemed to cave inwards.  Blocking out everything.  Even his vision. 

Instantly, he blacked out.