Moonflower

Chapter 38: Trapped

A cup of steaming, medicated tea in his hand, Jungkook was striding towards his room when he was suddenly stilled by the king's dulcet tones.

"Jungkook, my wife is looking for one of her maids. A young woman named Jina. You haven't seen her, have you? She was due to visit Moonflower at ten this morning. But she hasn't shown up."

Jungkook stared blankly at the wall in front of him. If he lied to the king, he could be severely punished. But if the king discovered the girl in his bed, they could both be severely punished. And she worse than he.

"I ran into her in the corridor last night. She was extremely ill. She was on her way to the kitchen. A guard accosted her. But she repelled him by claiming to have the plague." His lips quirked as he recounted the tale.

"The plague!?" Yoongi's eyebrows took flight.

Jungkook grinned as his eyes met the king's. "It worked. The man took off."

Yoongi laughed. "Clever girl." Then he furrowed his brow. "Did you witness the man threatening her?"

Jungkook nodded.

"Do you know which guard it was?"

Jungkook bobbed his head. "It was Chanyeol."

Yoongi growled. "I have never liked that man. Now I know why. Thank you for the warning. I will have someone keep an eye on him." Yoongi watched as evident relief flooded Jungkook's face. "You have a soft spot for Jina? You were worried the man would hurt her?"

"I wouldn't say I have a soft spot for her. I barely know her. The little I've seen of her has revealed her to be someone who thinks with her heart before her head. I'm afraid she's going to get herself into trouble one of these days..."

Yoongi laughed. "Sounds familiar. Someone who thinks more with his heart than his head...Hmm...Who could that refer to, I wonder?" Yoongi was gazing at Jungkook as a smile danced about his lips.

Jungkook grimaced. "You're referring to me, aren't you?"

Yoongi nodded. "Could it be, Jungkook, that you have met your match?"

"What? That plain, little girl? I don't think so."

"Oh-ho. So, you deserve a great beauty, do you?"

Confused, Jungkook glanced at the floor. "No. I, just, I'm not attracted to her in the slightest..."

Why did a picture of her red lips curved into a smile suddenly assault his senses? And send up a pang from his heart? He wanted to check on her and make sure she was still breathing. Maybe she'd open those obsidian eyes of hers and spear him with them.

Yoongi studied his young friend's face. "Not even a little?" he nudged him.

But he was sorry a moment later, for he had broken Jungkook's sweet reverie, and the young man glanced up at him and responded sharply, "Not even a little."

Yoongi frowned. "That's too bad. Moonflower adores her. She wants to give her in marriage to a good man. I'm running out of good men, Jungkook. You were one of the ones I was considering."

Jungkook swallowed.

Dear God! If the king discovers she's in my bed, we'll both be well and truly trapped!

Just then, Yoongi glanced down at the cup of tea. "Is that for me? How did you know I was parched?"

He reached for the cup, but Jungkook swayed away from him and drew the cup up against his chest as though to protect it from Yoongi's grasp.