She completed her subterfuge just as the door opened. Kyuhyun rushed back into the office out of breath, holding a fold of newspapers in his left hand. It’s a few months old.” He had taken the added precaution of putting the contraband Rolling Stone inside a daily newspaper. Sora swivelled on the low stool with adoring eyes for the young man.

“Why, you are so knd. I couldn’t dare take up any more of your time.”

“You have stumbled into the men’s quarters. Please, allow me to you back to the harem.”

The word harem caused her to draw up short, she bit on her tongue to hold back a scathing retort that would have blown her cover completely. Harem! Why the dirty rotten scoundrel!

Reason alone kept her temper in check. She wouldn’t fight a war against an innocent boy, who formally offered her his arm.

“Why, you are so very kind. I think I was lost, anyway.” She placed her hand delicately in the crock of his arm and walked alongside him through the outer office. All the while, Sora’s head swivelled, noting everything she could. The rat had television! CNN! World news, updated on the hour! Harem! Damn your eyes! You just wait Leeteuk Park Haaris! She said to Kyuhyun, “I can’t hope I haven’t cause any problems.”

“None at all, I assure you,” said the young prince most politely.

“My brother will return shortly. It is my pleasure to provide you with something to do for the mean time.”

“You are such a doll!” she enthused. “So helpful and sweet. Do you work for Sheik Leeteuk?”

“I am a student. My brothers let me help at times.”

“You mean there are more of you! Here?”

Kyuhyun cleared his suddenly blocked throat. Did this woman have any idea of her effect on him? Sweat tricked between his shoulder blades. His heart pounded as it only did when engage in hard physical exercise.

“No, not here. Most of my brothers are at Hafaro.”

“Where is that?”

“It is in the Summan… the desert.”

“Family business, huh?” Sora grinned, wishing she had that gum to pop too.

Once they stepped out of the east wing, they were again at the wide stair below the balustrade that went to her quarters. Kyuhyun stopped in the large ornate hall, venturing no farther.

“Thank you. You’ve been a doll.” Sora reached up and pinched his cheek. “You’re so cute. I bet when you’re a full grown man, you’ll look just like Leeteuk.”

He blushed furiously. Sora was glad she didn’t burst out laughing. Keeping hard to het act, she went for the stairs, tripping along, her long skirt forgotten. She reached for it, brought up to the hem, to show a nice turn of well-tanned legs and waved wiggling fingertips.

“Bye now. See you at the dinner table, Kyuhyun.”

In the harem, Sora kicked a soft hassock and swore viciously. The nerve of that oaf! Sticking her to his harem!”