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He returned before nightfall.  Just as he had promised.  Again.  This morning.  Before he’d left for the day.

Eun Sook was waiting for him.  She’d bathed.  She’d even washed her hair.  She’d dressed in clean clothes.  And written down a new story.  She was prepared to tell him more of the king’s tale.

But when he first came into his rooms, he heaved a sigh and pulled off his tunic.  She could tell that he was weary.

“Have you eaten dinner?” she queried.

He glanced up at her.  And shook his head.

“Would you like me to order you something?”

His eyebrows flew up in surprise.  “You?  Order me something?”  He scoffed.  “That’s always been my job.”

She shrugged.

“I already ordered you dinner.  Did a maid bring it?”  He sharpened his gaze on her.  “Have you eaten?”

She nodded.  “A couple hours ago.  It was another excellent meal.  I guess the palace chef doesn’t know how to make anything other than extraordinary.”

He smiled faintly at her before walking into his room and collapsing onto his bed.  “I’m exhausted.” 

This being king business really took it out of a guy.  Not to mention his worry over his mother’s health.  He’d never felt this tired in his whole life.  Maybe it was all the uncertainties involved.  And the realization that even if everything went according to plan, he still had many more challenges to face.  Like how to make peace with Goguryeo. 

She followed him into his room and glanced down at his bed.  He was lying still.  His eyes closed.

“Do you want me to tell you a story?” she queried.

“Yes,” he replied emphatically, his eyes still closed.  “The one about the king.”

“Ah, yes.”  She sat down on the end of his bed.  He felt it shift near his feet.   “The king.”

“And the councilman’s daughter.”

“Oh!” she responded in surprise.  “Did you think she was someone important to the plot?”

His eyes opened.  “Isn’t she?” he asked as he gazed at her.

“Perhaps,” she rejoined noncommittally.

He chuckled.  “Cagey girl.  Always leading me on.”

“Of course.  That’s what the best storytellers do.  Otherwise, you wouldn’t return to hear more.  I must leave little breadcrumbs of intrigue along the path to tempt you, mustn’t I?”  Her lips flipped up in a teasing smile.

But it was the light in her indigo eyes that tested him most.  How could he be attracted to two women at once?  And wouldn’t that just further complicate his already convoluted existence?

She suddenly scooted up the bed until she was leaning against the wall again.  She set her head back against that wall and closed her eyes.  Then she began to continue her story.

“The king parted ways with the pretty girl all too soon.  With not one word of becoming further acquainted with her. 

“The girl sighed as she watched him walk away.  Disappointed that he wouldn’t be following her home tonight.  Then she shook her head at herself.  The whole scenario had been too good to be true.  There was no way that she’d capture the interest of such a gorgeous man for very long.  Surely.  She’d been foolish to allow her hopes to rise.  She sighed in reconciliation to the inevitable. 

“She was headed home after her shopping was done.  Alone.  To face her appa.  And his friends.

“She’d probably have to endure talk about what a suitable bride she’d make for one of their sons. 

“But she did not have a single desire to marry any of those young men.  Pampered.  Arrogant.  Lazy.  All of them.  Believing everything should be handed to them on a silver platter.

“She wanted something altogether different in a man.  Something which she hadn’t really believed existed.  Until today.

“She glanced back through the crowd, her eyes searching for the young man who had rescued her in the forest.  She sighed in disappointment when she couldn’t find him.  But her head must have been turned by him for too long because she found herself suddenly berated by a fisherman for running into him.

“Her head pivoted to join the remainder of her body in facing forward as she collided with a tall, brusque man with a booming voice.

“‘You little idiot!  Watch where you’re going!’

“Flustered, she stared up at the giant. ‘I’m sorry, sir!  I—’

“‘You’re clearly dimwitted,’ he remarked rudely before stepping around her.  He walked away from her.  But not before his fishing pole smacked her in the face.

“Talk about rude.

“She glared after him.  Then she shrugged her shoulders and continued on her way.  She came upon the stall that carried the herbs she needed for dinner tonight.  She was innocently examining them for bruised parts when suddenly another woman grabbed her wrist and hauled her towards the owner of the booth.

“‘This girl here!  She’s the one who stole an apple from my cart!  I saw her with my own eyes.’

“Alarmed, the councilman’s daughter lifted her gaze in astonishment to meet the eyes of an irate woman.  ‘What?  No!  I most certainly did not steal an apple from your cart!  I just came to the market to buy some herbs!’

“‘Liar!  I saw you take it.  It’s in your pocket.  Right there.’  The woman pointed down to an obvious bulge in the girl’s pocket.

“The young woman’s face flooded with sudden color.  ‘No,’ she groaned.  ‘That’s not an apple.’

“‘Pull it out of your pocket,’ demanded the woman.

“The girl felt quite faint.  She began to protest when suddenly her voice was overridden by a masculine one. 

“A clear, sharp voice breaking through the melee to demand, ‘How long ago did she steal the apple?’

“‘Five minutes ago.  It took me that long to track her down.  But I recognize her clothing.’

“‘No,’ came his soft response.  ‘This woman was with me five minutes ago.  And I can assure you that she did not steal your apple.  You are still in pursuit of your quarry.  She probably traveled in the opposite direction.’

“The girl stared up in wonder at her rescuer from the forest.  She blinked at him as he turned his sober gaze on her.  Willing her to remain silent.  So she did.

“He was so tempted to smile into those emerald eyes, but he was also irked.  This girl had managed to get herself into another scrape today.  Simply because she had insisted on doing the job of one of her servants.  Clearly, she saw no difference between herself and her cook.  He sighed.  He had to admire her viewpoint.  But it had also put her in unnecessary danger.  And he didn’t like that one bit.

“The stall owner studied him.  He seemed like a man of authority, but she was unfamiliar with him.  She was tempted to argue with him, but suddenly a commotion behind her drew their attention towards a little stall across the way.

“‘Madam!  I’ve caught her!  The apple thief!’ a gruff man announced as he hauled a much younger girl forward and flung her to her knees on the ground a few feet away from the troubled group.

“All eyes were on the child.  She bent over, her face hidden from view.  And the king frowned.

“‘This child stole an apple from this woman?’ he asked. 

“The man nodded.

“‘How do you know she did?’

“Astonished, the man gazed at him with wide eyes and spat out, ‘I saw her!’

“‘Are you certain it was her?  This woman mistakenly identified my friend here as the thief.  Are you certain you have not made the same mistake?’

“The man held up a half-eaten apple.  ‘I have evidence.’

“The king glanced down at the young girl as his heart sank.  ‘Child, did you steal that apple?’ his quiet voice questioned her.

“She lifted her dark eyes to meet his sheepishly.  Her face bloomed crimson.  And she nodded her head.  ‘Yes, sir.’

“He swallowed.  ‘How much?’  He turned towards the apple seller.

“‘What?’ the woman asked in surprise.

“‘How much does the girl owe you?’

“The woman responded with a fair price. 

“‘Is there a job you need doing?  Something this girl could do to pay for the apple?’ The king stared inquisitively at the woman.

“Astonished, she let her mouth drop open.  But she recovered quickly.  ‘I want her punished.’

“‘But,’ he pointed out logically, ‘that won’t repay you for the lost apple.  However, if she worked it off, you would be adequately reimbursed.  Let’s say, three times the apple’s worth.’

“The woman blinked as she considered his proposal.  After a moment, she replied, ‘Yes, that would be satisfactory.  I need to pick apples in the orchard tomorrow morning.  Early.  She could help me.’

“The king turned towards the girl.  ‘What’s your name?’

“Her dark eyes met his again.  ‘Park Ah Jeong.’

“‘Park Ah Jeong, are you willing to accept working in the orchard as your punishment?’ he asked.

“The girl bobbed her head gratefully.  ‘Yes, sir!’

“‘Then I am going to walk you home and speak with your parents.  If you don’t show up tomorrow at the orchard, you will be caned.  Do you understand?’

“The girl nodded again.

“‘Tell us where you live,’ he demanded.

“She did, in full hearing of the apple seller.   

“The king turned towards the woman and promised, ‘I will make sure she meets you at the orchard in the morning.  Please tell me where it is.’

“Still surprised, the woman gave him directions.  Then she furrowed her brow as she gazed up at him.  ‘Sir, why are you helping me?’

“‘Because I believe that child only stole your apple because she was hungry.  I suspect her family is poor.  Caning her would not solve the root of her problem.  But working for you might.’ 

In a soft aside, he whispered, ‘Would you have enough extra apples to hire her this season?  Perhaps if she works past her debt tomorrow, you could allow her to take a basketful home?’

“A slightly different perspective now illuminating her brow, the woman considered the pitiful child kneeling in the dirt.  ‘Perhaps.  If she’s a good worker,’ she qualified her response.

“‘I understand,’ he murmured.  Then he turned towards the child.  ‘Come along, Ah Jeong.  We must speak with your parents.’

“‘My mother,’ the girl replied as she regained her feet.

“He frowned.  ‘Where is your father?’

“‘He died two weeks ago.’

“The king heard the gasp of the apple seller, and his eyes met hers for a moment. 

“She spoke without being prompted by him.  ‘In that case, if you do an excellent job of apple picking in the morning, I will hire you for the next couple of weeks to help me pick apples and sell them,’ she informed the girl.

“Ah Jeong’s head snapped up, and for the first time, her eyes met the woman’s.  ‘You will?’  Hope invaded her voice.  ‘Oh, ma’am!  Thank you!’ she gushed.

“‘But,’ came the woman’s sharp voice, ‘you must work very hard, and quickly, and you must be careful not to bruise any of the fruit.  And,’ she warned, ‘if I ever catch you stealing again, I will show you no mercy.  I will see to it that you are caned.  Do you understand?’

“The girl nodded her head as a sober expression overtook her countenance.  ‘Yes, ma’am.’

“The woman sniffed.  ‘I am satisfied.  You may take the girl home.  Here, child.’  She reached into her pocket and pulled out four apples before handing them to the little girl.  ‘For your dinner tonight.  I will consider them part of your debt if you don’t meet me tomorrow in the orchard.’

The little girl’s eyes grew wide.  She bowed to the woman and accepted the apples before thanking her prettily.

Then the eyes of the apple seller met the king’s.  ‘Thank you.’

“The king bobbed his head and ignored the councilman’s daughter as he moved in the direction of the young girl’s home.  But for her part, the young woman stared after him once again until he disappeared around a bend.  Then she sighed in disappointment once more.

“The apple seller glanced her way.  ‘You have quite the champion,’ she remarked before she headed back to her booth.

“The young woman turned back towards the herbs, now intent on her task.  Yet still thinking about a certain handsome knight in shining armor.  A man of both character and compassion….”

As her voice trailed off, Eun Sook glanced at Jijin.  His eyes were closed now.  And he was breathing deeply.  His brow was smooth.  Untroubled by responsibility or challenges.

She smiled.  She’d done it again.  She’d soothed him to sleep with one of her stories.  She could quite happily spend her days in such a beautiful situation.  Or…her nights anyway.  Her days were given to dreaming up the tales that would lend him good dreams.  She didn’t even have a desire to leave his comfortable bed.  For the first time ever, she drifted off to sleep happy.