Moonflower

Chapter 57: Secrets

"Your words fill me with bliss.

I want to taste your kiss.

Tell me I will not miss

A love as sweet as this."

Kiran stared proudly down at her poem. She had finally written him a reply! And it rhymed in the same pattern and rhythm as his! She was so excited. She couldn't wait to tie it onto the tree. She worked on folding it into just the right shape.

Then she picked up another piece of paper off the table and opened this fourth missive to read it again.

"Your cheeks are like cherries

Or maybe pink berries.

I hope my voice carries.

My love never varies."

Then she wondered if he had added another to the tree today. She would go investigate. But she also wanted to be prepared to hang her own note on that tree. She jumped up from her chair and went to find some string.

A couple of minutes later, she stood under her tree, tying her decorative poem to hang down from a branch. She glanced up and noticed another note hanging high over her head. He must be tall. Like Namjoon!

She spun around with glee.

He was clever too. He'd formed each of the pieces of paper into an origami bird before hanging it on the tree, so from a distance it just appeared to be a decoration. Not a love letter. She had discovered the first love note quite by accident. She'd found the paper bird and been fascinated by its folds. She had studied it in an attempt to duplicate it. When she had unfolded it, she'd found the characters written inside.

Once she'd tied her poetic bird to the tree, she worked on getting the one high over her head down. She had to climb the tree in order to reach it. Was her secret admirer aware of how much she loved to climb trees?

This cognizance seemed to be another piece of evidence in Namjoon's favor. He had once referred to her as a tomboy. He was well aware of her proclivity for climbing trees.

She grinned to herself as she snagged today's bird from its high perch. She couldn't wait to read its poem! Namjoon's most recent words were sure to be sweet!

She carried it back to her room and collapsed on her bed before unfolding the clever, little bird. She eyed the characters written on its belly. And sighed with relief as her eyes perused it. She knew every word!

"You are my very dear.

Would you please lend an ear?

There's something you must hear.

I find you bring me cheer."

She smiled at the whimsical note and rolled over to grin at the ceiling while her mind began to sift through ideas. She had another poem to write.

––

Over the last week, Mari and Taehyung had spent many hours in bed together. Recovering. Resting. Talking. Getting to know each other. She had opened up to him about her childhood. And he had reciprocated. Apparently, Tae had been quite mischievous as a child. He had shared with her several scrapes that he and Jungkook had gotten into with Yoongi. The younger boys had been the king's friends from early on. It was no wonder Yoongi trusted them with his life. It was apparent to Mari that he couldn't have chosen two better men to put his confidence in.

During their enforced rest - both Yoongi and Moonflower had insisted Mari and Taehyung avoid their usual duties until they were both fully recovered - word reached them that Jungkook had also been forced to marry a servant girl. Taehyung had looked absolutely astonished upon hearing whom Jungkook had married.