The Innocent: A Sequel to Hwarang: The Saga of the Sooks Book #3

Chapter 34: Allegiance

"Don't you think that when I marry you, your students will figure out that you're the one getting all my kisses now?" he murmured against her lips a moment later.

She froze. And drew away from him. "That's going to pose more than one problem, isn't it?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, in addition to my students turning against me...what will your parents say?"

"I'm willing to fight for you," he declared staunchly.

"I don't want you in a war with your father over me," she spoke in earnest.

He sighed. "All joking aside, it's a pity you aren't an heiress. I know Appa would look more favorably upon our alliance if you were." He paused a moment as her heart picked up speed. "Are you sure that you haven't any noble blood? Somewhere in your family tree?"

She shook her head. "I don't. Just my uncle's elevation by the old king. But it didn't affect us."

Her heart was sinking. How could she tell him the truth now? He seemed totally clueless. And like he genuinely loved her anyway. Despite her lack of fortune. She had misjudged him. And done him a great wrong in the process.

She was embarrassed. And ashamed. Yet a part of her wanted to see how much he truly loved her. Was he really willing to fight for her? No one – not even her own mother – had ever fought for her.

But if she held back the truth now, would they ever recover?

She opened her mouth to spill her secret, but she was interrupted by the back door opening, and a little head peeking out. "Unnie Jung Sook, the girls are arriving."

Her eyes growing wide, the young teacher pulled herself out of her beau's strong arms and tugged him over to the side of the building. Away from the windows. And prying eyes. She glanced up at him.

"I need to talk to you later. I'll see you tonight? Seven o'clock. At my house. For dinner?"

He bobbed his head as a delighted smile lit up his sweet face. "Until then, my beauty."

"Soo Ho..."

"What?"

"You don't need to call me pretty. It's okay. I would rather you were honest with me."

Ironic, Jung Sook. Ironic.

He tugged her gently up against him again and bent to plant a kiss on the tip of her nose. "You are a beauty. And you can't stop me from saying it. You stunned me this morning when your eyes flashed at me."

She frowned as she gazed up at him. "It's not nice to tease a girl."

"You know I love to tease my girl," he unleashed all the power of his dazzling grin upon her before his face sobered. And his eyes grew serious. "But I'm not teasing you. Not about your beauty. It is undeniable. You're gorgeous."

Those solemn eyes caressed hers. His mouth found hers again, and her stomach flipped upside down.

After a few delicious moments, she murmured, "I am beginning to understand your appeal...."

"What are you talking about?" he queried. Completely lost.

"Why all my students fought over you."

"All of them? I thought it was just two."

"Well, yes. Two. Just two that were at each other's throats over you. But I'm pretty sure that you devastated several more."

He sighed. Then his eyes lovingly stroked her face as he asked softly, "Would you fight for me?"