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Jeongyeon wrings her gloved hands together as she waits outside of the grand hall with her mother, father, and three older brothers. Just inside that hall, across the room sits the Queen of England. She awaits the arrival of each young woman who is making their debut into society this season. Jeongyeon has been preparing for this moment her whole life, and while she does feel ready, she can’t stop the nerves that rise up from her stomach and into her chest. Her mother places a gentle hand on her shoulder and leans in to whisper soothing words in her ear. It does not do much to help though.
Jeongyeon is not only nervous, but also a bit annoyed. As previously stated, she has been preparing her whole life for this. Meaning, she has been shaped and molded to fit the ideals of the men of the ton and their monotonous personalities. To put it simply, she finds the whole ordeal rather dull. She would much prefer to spend her days reading and falling into fictional worlds of adventure and romance than to entertain her husband and members of the ton day in and day out. The moment she steps through that door, she’s on the marriage market, and the thought of ending up with a man who at best bores her to death is terrifying.
But she will remain the proper, polite young lady that she has been raised to be. She will act pleased and do what she must to secure the best suitor she can. Though she knows her parents got lucky and found a pure love with each other, Jeongyeon just can’t imagine that she will share that luck. Even if her mother assures her she will.
The guard at the door notifies them that the doors will be opening momentarily and Jeongyeon takes a deep breath. The doors open and she takes a step forward with her mother in tow. One of the queen’s men announces her presence.
“Introducing The Honorable Jeongyeon Bang.”
Miss Bang certainly made an eye-catching debut in front of the Queen. The members of the ton who lined the hall couldn’t control the whispers that left their lips as she made her way over to bow for the Queen. While everything sounded muffled to Jeongyeon as she walked down, she did pick out a few words from the garbled conversations.
“She should have no trouble finding a suitor!”
She can’t decide whether that calms her nerves or amplifies them. She held onto the words as she bowed and exited the hall, officially launched into society.
A few days after her launch, Jeongyeon’s mother brought her to the modiste to have a few dresses made in preparation for upcoming balls. About a week later, her maids are helping her get ready for the first ball of the season. Up to this point, her life seemed to go by rather slowly but ever since she debuted, everything seems to be happening all at once and Jeongyeon finds herself kept on her toes.
As her maid tightens her corset and another lays a few dress options onto her bed, she finds herself staring out the window. Who will be there? How will they respond to her presence? Will she be able to find interesting conversation? She’s pulled back into reality as her maid tugs the strings a bit tighter. She gasps in quickly.
“I’m sorry, love. I’m almost done,” she responds as she pulls once more and ties the strings together at the bottom. Jeongyeon thanks her before they all turn their heads at the sound of a knock coming from the bedroom door.
Jeongyeon’s mother enters the room and dismisses the maids after thanking them. She walks over to the selection of dresses on the bed, motioning for Jeongyeon to join her. She feels the silky fabric of a light blue dress with silver beading. She lifts the dress and inspects it further.
“This would look absolutely stunning on you, my love,” she says. “Give it a try.”
She walks Jeongyeon over to the mirror and helps her into the dress. She looks in the mirror with a proud smile as she rests her chin on Jeongyeon’s shoulder.
“No one will be able to pass you by in this,” she says.
“Right. Thank you, mama,” Jeongyeon says as her eyes turn away.
“What’s wrong, my dear?” she asks, guiding her over to the bed to sit.
“What if I don’t like any of them? What if none of them like me?” she says.
“They would be absolutely foolish not to like you. But as for you not liking them, I wouldn’t worry about that just yet. It’s only the first ball of the season. There are plenty of gentlemen to meet and get to know. You need not make any decisions so soon,” her mother gives her forehead a kiss and they walk downstairs together to join her father and brothers as they wait for the carriages to come around for them.
As they walk out the front door, her parents in the front, one of her brothers holds out an arm for her to hold. She places her hand on his forearm as he leans in to whisper in her ear.
“I almost didn’t recognize you all done up like a grown woman,” Chan whispers, teasingly.
“She is a grown woman now, Chan,” Jisung whispers from behind with a small grin.
“She is still our baby sister and we will protect her against the scum of the ton as such,” Changbin adds from next to Jisung. The three of them laugh a little to themselves as Jeongyeon rolls her eyes.
“I will be fine,” she says as Chan helps her into the carriage behind the one their parents stepped into.
“Yes but this is your first season, sister. It’s one thing to learn the manners of polite society but it’s another to actually engage in it,” Chan says.
“Don’t scare her, Chan,” Jisung warns him.
“I’m not trying to. I am just trying to prepare her. Mother and Father have filled her head with the idea of the perfect marriage for her whole life but the courting season is not quite so wholesome. It’s all just business,” Chan says.
Jeongyeon, Changbin, and Jisung roll their eyes. They are all well aware of how disillusioned Chan has become to the ton, it’s partly where Jeongyeon’s fear of entering society has stemmed from. As the oldest son of the Viscount Bang, Chan has been a highly sought after bachelor. Which brings with it, its share of parents who push their single daughters at him in the hopes of elevating their own social positions.
“While that’s not entirely incorrect, I do think it’s possible to find love! It happened for Mother and Father, why shouldn’t it happen for you too, Jeongyeon?! Or any of us for that matter?” Changbin says.
“Mother and Father were not in love when they first met. They liked each other maybe, but they weren’t in love. They grew into it. They’re some of the few who have,” Chan says.
“Don’t listen to Chan, Jeongyeon. He’s just bitter that he hasn’t found his own love,” Jisung says, making a face at Chan at the end to which the elder rolls his eyes.
“Exactly! But what I will say is that you should stay near us tonight. We’ll let you know if any guy you talk to is worthy of you!” Changbin says with a confident smile.
Oh great. So she’ll have three, well meaning but still over protective, older brothers watching her every move tonight. She knows it won’t just end tonight either. She needs to get used to eyes following her now because she knows these three fools will be inspecting every man who walks up to her at a ball or calls on her at the house. She somehow hadn’t accounted for her brothers while she worried about finding a suitable suitor.
Dear god.
The carriage door opens once at the manor of Lord and Lady Westphalia and Chan steps out first, helping Jeongyeon out and Changbin and Jisung follow. Jeongyeon’s arm becomes wrapped around Chan’s once again as they enter the ball and Jeongyeon receives her dance card. Her gaze sweeps over the room at the sheer amount of people filling the space.
“You know you have to let go of her if she’s to socialize, son,” their father whispers to them from behind.
Chan sighs, letting go of Jeongyeon.
“Right,” he says. They give each other slight bows before Jeongyeon turns to face the mingling guests once again. She takes a step forward, disappearing into the crowd. Except she doesn’t fully disappear, not with 3 brothers positioned around the room to keep an eye on her, and her mother at her side.
A few men, recognizing her from her debut, introduce her to their sons. She has filled her dance card with several names and talked to several men so far but no one has piqued her interest. How is it possible for them to all be so… boring? Her mother looks on proudly as she dances with a few and her brothers scare away some of the others. The night, utterly drags on until she is finally free to go home.
Undressing, she lays in bed and stairs up at the soft canopy above her. Is this what she has to look forward to until she’s locked into a marriage some day?
Jeongyeon attends a few more balls, each one more boring than the last. Her time is filled with dull conversation and uncomfortable men who look worriedly at the brother standing beside her staring daggers into them. A few men manage to squeak through the requirements her brothers have set up and write their names on her dance card but not a single one captures her interest. She has had several men call on her at home and each one presents the most basic and bland personality a man could possess.
It doesn’t help that most of the men are too nervous to approach her in the first place, having been warned by failed potential suitors. “If they’re too nervous to approach you then they are not suitable,” Chan tells her. She bites back the desire to tell the three of them to back off. Despite scaring off some decent suitors, they are also scaring off the truly greasy ones. Her mother, bless her heart, is a touch too trusting with every man with manners that approaches with an interest in Jeongyeon. It only serves to make her brothers offer to walk her around the balls instead.
She walks down the stairs in a pastel purple dress decorated in white embroidered flowers, preparing to leave for her 5th ball of the season, a masquerade ball. Her mother and father are unable to attend tonight"s ball and so Jeongyeon’s well-being has been left to her brothers. They help her into the carriage and talk amongst themselves as she keeps her eyes out the window of the carriage. Tonight will be different, she tells herself, it has to be. The beginning of the season is so important. If she can’t start dialing in on a few decent suitors, there may not be many left as the season dwindles. If she has to wait for the next season, her prospects may be even worse.
As they enter the party, they put their masks on and her brothers do their usual splitting up. Changbin stays with Jeongyeon as Jisung and Chan take off to survey the guests. A few men approach to talk to Jeongyeon. A couple of them leave once they realize who she is and who’s standing next to her, but a few others stay and are approved by Changbin. One of them, Lord Wooyoung, is a pretty good conversationalist but even still, he seems more interested in talking to Changbin than her. They dance, which he is also quite good at, before Jisung comes over to take over for Changbin. Wooyoung takes his leave as well, making Jeongyeon further question whether he really came over for her or Changbin.
She’s been waiting for Jisung to come over. There’s no way she could get away from Chan or Changbin but she has a chance of slipping away from Jisung if he gets distracted by someone. And that moment comes quicker than she had expected. Charlie Lee walks over and greets the two siblings. Jisung becomes engrossed in a conversation with Charlie and Jeongyeon thinks this is her time to slip away. She takes a step back, and then another and another until she’s next to a table with refreshments laid atop it. She scans the room for her brothers. Changbin is still talking to Wooyoung and Chan is nowhere to be seen. Interesting but she doesn’t dwell on it too long because she realizes this is the perfect opportunity to make her escape.
She walks towards the opening to a hallway a distance behind both Changbin and Jisung and enters into the quieter space. Finally she can breathe! She takes off her mask and places it on a window sill and looks out into the gardens of the Duke Kim of Greenshire. It’s a beautiful manor with beautiful landscaping, clearly the home of someone who is in no way hard on money.
She hadn’t realized how distracted she had become until she heard someone clear their throat. She freezes. That’s not Chan is it? It didn’t sound like him. In fact, it didn’t sound like any of her brothers. Was she not meant to be over here? Her mind races a mile a minute until she remembers someone is trying to get her attention.
She takes a deep breath and turns around, spotting a man she’s never seen in her life. His soft brown hair falls softly into his face and over the black mask covering his eyes. He looks rather put together with his light purple waistcoat and darker purple jacket. The black trousers end just before black dress shoes, and it’s as she’s looking at those shoes that she realizes he’s getting closer to her. Her head shoots up to look him in the face once again.
“May I ask for your name once again?” he asks with the slightest teasing lilt in his voice. He’s definitely not mad at her for being over here, but he does seem amused by her reaction to him. Her face goes red.
“My name is Jeongyeon Bang. May I ask for your name?” she asks.
His brow lifts and a small smile forms on his face.
“I am the Marquess of Norfolk, Kim Seungmin,” he says, giving her a slight bow that she returns with a curtsey.
“Wait? Kim? Are you the Duke’s son?” she asks.
“That I am,” he responds.
“I didn’t know he had a son,” Jeongyeon admits.
“I’ve been away on travels for a while and I attended a boarding school in my youth. I’ve only really been back for a couple of months,” Seungmin explains.
“Travels? Where have you gone?” Jeongyeon asks.
“All over, really. I began just south in France and I’ve looped around down to Spain, then Italy, and back up to Austria and Germany. Just before I came back I was in the Netherlands for the last leg of my journey,” he answers.
“Goodness, you’re very well traveled! What was it like?” Jeongyeon asks.
“Marvelous. Learning about new cuisine, new customs, languages, style, everything,” Seungmin begins.
Before they know it, half the party has gone by and they’re still in a hallway sitting on the windowsill hidden away from most of the guests, talking about Seungmin’s travels. Jeongyeon swears she hasn’t been this interested in a conversation with a man in ages. The stories he has and the engaging way he tells them has her grasping onto every word that comes out of his mouth.
He can’t help but find himself impressed by her ability to keep up with his teasing remarks either. He had initially come into the hallway to avoid all of the guests in the ballroom but he couldn"t seem to pull himself away from her. Seungmin has been running from his responsibilities as the heir of a duke for so long now that he thought it would be difficult to find a genuine connection with a member of the ton. Similarly to Jeongyeon, up until now, he was proven correct. He can’t let her get away.
He takes the opportunity to stand when there’s a lull in the conversation. He offers her a hand to stand and brings his other hand up to look at the dance card on her wrist. There were a few names but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind him cutting in front of them. He holds out the white mask for her to put on once again.
“Would you like to have the next dance with me?” Seungmin asks.
“I’ll be honest, dancing isn’t my strongest suit,” Jeongyeon says.
“If that’s your one weakness I think I can manage,” he flirts back.
He takes her hand and walks the two of them back into the ballroom, blending back into the crowd before pulling her out into the dance floor. The moment the duke’s son is out on the dance floor, guests begin staring and whispering. “Goodness, the Marquess is dancing with the Viscount Bang’s daughter!”, “I thought her brothers were scaring gentlemen away?”, “My what a good match she’s found for herself,” voices say as they spin past them.
She can’t bother to pay attention to them though, especially not when Seungmin looks her in the eye and says, “keep your eyes on me. None of them matter now, only worry about you and I.”
She’s never enjoyed dancing so much, nor has she ever been so confident at one of these balls. For the first time, her heart drops a little when the music comes to a close. They step back from each other and he gives her a bow as she gives him a curtsey. When her legs straighten, she looks behind Seungmin to see her three guard dogs. They do not look very happy but she can’t seem to care. Not when Seungmin smiles at her like that and lifts her hand to kiss the backside of it.
She’s pulled out of her first enjoyable dance when her brothers approach the two of them.
“We have been looking for you all over! Where have you been?” Chan asks.
Before she can respond, Seungmin speaks up.
“I apologize for the worries. She has been with me. I didn’t mean to take up so much of her time but I couldn’t help but enjoy our conversation too much. I suppose you would like to spend some time with your sister, your Lords,” Seungmin says, bowing before turning back to Jeongyeon.
“I will call for you soon,” he says with a smile. Her eyes widen as she realizes that she desperately wants him to call on her. Maybe the process of marriage won’t be so painful after all.
“She will not be seeing you,” Changbin says, and her eyes turn to glare at him.
“I believe it should be Jeongyeon’s choice who she decides to see in the end,” he says before bowing his head and taking his leave.
“We are going home,” Chan says.
The carriage ride home is very tense and the siblings remain silent. That is until Chan breaks the silence.
“You should have been watching her Jisung. How could you let her out of your sight? Either of you?” Chan scolds.
“She was right next to me, I already told you. I didn’t realize she had wandered away! Changbin didn’t see her either,” Jisung defends himself.
“I wasn’t the one escorting her at the moment, we had already switched off. And besides, you were nowhere to be found Chan. How can you go off on us when you weren’t even in the ballroom!” Changbin fights back.
The three argue for a few minutes until Jeongyeon screams at them to stop. Their eyes widen in shock at her outburst but she can’t bother to care.
“I am not a prize to be won. I am not a commodity to be sold and bought and tugged along by you all. This is my life that you’re all holding in your hands. Scaring off every potential suitor that you deem unworthy is going to leave me with the very thing you’re trying to protect me from: scum. I finally enjoy myself for the first time this whole season and you insist on making a scene of it and arguing over me like I’m not sitting right in front of you,” she explodes and it feels good.
“Jeongyeon, we’re trying to help you,” Jisung says.
“Look what good that’s doing! We’re a month and a half into the season and I have nothing to show for it, a few hollow conversations and empty dances,” she says.
“Well if you gave the ones that you have talked to a chance maybe you would realize they’re not so bad,” Chan says.
“Not so bad but dreadfully dull. I had the first exciting conversation I’ve ever had with a man in my life tonight!” she says ignoring the ‘ouch’ from Jisung at the implication. She looks over at Changbin. “Weren’t you the one who told me that it was possible to find love at one of these balls? I would’ve thought you of all people would be supportive of me finding a suitor on my own.”
“It’s not that, it’s just who you chose. Haven’t you heard anything about Kim Seungmin?” Changbin asks.
“No, why?” she asks.
“He’s a rake. He runs away from commitment, both to his rank and to his romantic partners,” Chan says.
“Exactly, not a guy that would be good for you. He’s nice and all, I went to school with him, but I don’t trust his intentions with you,” Jisung says.
“Well I wish to give him a chance. I’m sure Mother and Father would approve as well. After all he is a Marquess. Besides, if he is truly the rake you’re all calling him, I’m sure he won’t actually call on me,” Jeongyeon says. She hopes with all of her heart that they’re wrong.
“I suppose we’ll just have to see,” Chan says, turning away.
As Seungmin had promised, he called on her the next morning. Jeongyeon can’t help but to give Chan a victorious smile as she walked past him to stand near the door. As Seungmin enters the room, however, she remembers her anxiety. Are things getting more serious?
He places one arm in front of himself and gives her a small bow. She responds with a curtsy of her own and Seungmin turns to bow to her family.
“It’s lovely to meet you, Lord Seungmin. Our Jeongyeon was so happy to hear that you called,” her mother says. Jeongyeon shoots her mother a look as a blush creeps onto her face.
“I was enraptured myself. I found myself preparing to call as soon as I awoke this morning,” he replies, with a sweet lilt to his voice.
She’s unable to make eye contact with Seungmin when he looks back over. She doesn’t notice the look her brothers give each other.
“Let us sit,” her mother says, happily.
Jeongyeon sits on a light blue, silk chaise with her mother standing at the edge. Her mother motions for Seungmin to sit at the matching chaise across from Jeongyeon. As he sits, two figures walk in front of Jeongyeon and sit on either side of Seungmin. A third figure settles behind the couch, standing with his hands resting on the back of the couch behind Seungmin. Jeongyeon sneaks an annoyed glare up at Chan who returns the look with an amused one of his own. Changbin and Jisung angle themselves to face Seungmin more.
Jeongyeon allows her gaze to fall down to Seungmin. She notices the way his back stiffens and his eyes widen by a fraction. He clearly looks uncomfortable even if he’s trying to pretend that he’s not. She has to do something to soothe his nerves.
“Lord Kim, may I offer you some tea?” Jeongyeon says, gesturing to the tea set on the table.
“That would be lovely, thank you,” he smiles at her, taking a moment to breathe and relax his shoulders.
Jeongyeon uses all of the skills she’s learned over the years to elegantly lift the sterling silver tea pot and pour Seungmin a cup of tea. She reaches out to offer the light blue porcelain cup to Seungmin who accepts it graciously. She pours herself a cup and takes a sip.
“So, Lord Kim, my daughter has mentioned that you are well traveled,” their mother tries to facilitate the conversation.
“I would be glad to tell you about it if you would like,” he says, looking at Jeongyeon.
“That sounds excellent,” she says, eyes bright.
“I began my travels to the south in France and continued down through Spain and around to Italy and Greece before I traveled back north. I must say the German cities were wonderful and full of enlightened thinking. From there I traveled back to England. I was away for quite some time and I met so many people and saw such incredible landscapes but I must say that there was something comforting in returning to British soil,” Seungmin says.
Jeongyeon can tell that this is a response that is tailored to perfection, worded in a way that will please any mother or father. The truly entertaining stories will be saved for her ears alone, just as they had been at the ball. And Jeongyeon can tell by the impressed look on her father’s face and the excitement in her mother’s eyes that he has won them both over.
“Now tell me Lord Kim, might you have found yourself in the company of any female friends on your travels?” Jisung asks and the room grows tense once again.
“Jisung Bang!” his mother chides, giving him a shocked look.
“It is a serious question, mother! This is our baby sister being called on. It is important to ensure that her suitor is of sound character,” Jisung defends himself but even his tone makes it clear that his intentions are not so pure.
“I apologize, Lord Kim,” Mother says, giving Seungmin a worried look.
“It is no worry, my Lady. It is fair for him to ask, I seem to have obtained a reputation in regards to my travels. To answer your question, though, I was far too absorbed in the rich cultures surrounding me to partake in the company of any maidens from foreign lands. I am a gentleman after all,” Seungmin says. There is a cheekiness to the last part of his answer that Jeongyeon’s parents do not catch but her brothers do immediately.
“I see,” Jisung responds but he is clearly weary.
Changing the subject, Seungmin turns back to Jeongyeon.
“Miss Bang, I understand that you love to read?” he asks.
“I adore reading,” she responds.
“Do you read Aristotle?” he asks.
“I absolutely love his work,” Jeongyeon says, finding her stomach filled with flutters.
“Are you familiar with the Delphic Oracle?” he continues.
“Yes, I have always found the oracle fascinating!” she says.
“On my travels, I went to Delphi and visited the Temple of Apollo,” he says.
“Did you really? That is truly marvelous!” she says.
Jeongyeon cannot keep her excitement under control, though, the soft look in Seungmin’s eyes seem to imply that he is endeared by it.
“I did. I would be happy to tell you all about it if you would like?” he offers.
“Oh, please do,” Jeongyeon says, scooting to the edge of the chaise in interest.
Jeongyeon clings to each and every word of Seungmin’s story, his words starting to loosen just a bit as he nearly forgets about everyone else in the room. How can he not? The girl in front of him is absolutely beautiful. Her eyes are so attentive, clearly interested in what he has to say but still shy enough that they adorably cannot hold direct eye contact with him for longer than 5 seconds at a time. The skin of her face is soft and he can only imagine that it would feel as smooth as fine porcelain against the backs of his fingers. Once his eyes risk a peek at her soft, plush lips he has to force them back to her eyes. He is still in a room with her family after all.
Her brothers would never let him forget it.
Throughout his story, the three have found various ways of interjecting. A snide comment here, a disgruntled noise there, various expressive glances. There are mind games afoot around him and Seungmin refuses to let them get to him, though, he has to admit that they had intimidated him at first. Lady Bang also seems to be aware that her sons are up to no good.
“Dear,” Jeongyeon’s mother looks to her father, “you said you were taking the boys on a hunt today. I believe you should be readying yourselves. I will remain to supervise our daughter and her suitor.”
No such hunt was scheduled for today, but Lord Bang receives his wife’s message loud and clear. He rises and bows to Seungmin, bidding him goodbye before motioning for the boys to leave. But they remain on the couch.
“Boys, take your leave,” their mother says all too politely, her teeth clenched with a smile on her face.
“I do not recall any such hunt, do you brothers?” Chan asks, feigning innocence while looking at his brothers.
“I do not, no,” Jisung agrees.
“I believe I will sit this hunt out,” Changbin adds.
“ Take , your leave,” their mother says, using the remainder of her patience to utter out the last two words.
A simultaneous, “yes mother,” fills the subsequent silence before the three boys file out of the room with their father.
“I will leave you two to speak without the scorching gaze of older brothers. Would you like any refreshments?” Lady Bang says, returning to her happy countenance.
“I am well for now, thank you,” Seungmin says.
“Very well. I will be just on the other side of the room if you need anything,” she says before sitting on one of the other couches.
With more privacy, their conversation is able to flow much more freely. About an hour later, Seungmin takes his leave, bidding Jeongyeon goodbye and making plans to go to a play that Friday evening. Things are looking good for Jeongyeon and Seungmin’s relationship, much to the chagrin of the Bang brothers.
A month and a half goes by and Seungmin has been calling on Jeongyeon every Tuesday and Friday in addition to various outings throughout the week. They write letters, share favorite poems, and they’ve attended a few shows together as well. Things couldn’t have fallen into place any better for Jeongyeon’s first season.
And it couldn’t be more maddening for Jeongyeon’s brothers. Especially when Kim Seungmin sits on the sofa in their morning room with a smug smile on his face and a carefree air. The offhand remarks and intense looks that Chan, Changbin, and Jisung send to Seungmin simply bounce off of him, which simply infuriates his aggressors. They can’t harm him. At least, not when Jeongyeon is sitting in front of him smiling at him like he put the stars in the sky. The teasing words slowly fade away once their courtship seems to become more serious, though they never truly stop. Seungmin takes them in stride.
It’s safe to say that he’s enamored by her. And she can’t help but feel the same about him. Because of all of this, the sentiments that the Bang brothers harbor towards Seungmin begin to shift.
Changbin becomes won over the moment he catches Seungmin gazing affectionately at Jeongyeon in their seats at the opera before the show started. He’s always been the hopeless romantic of the Bang siblings and Seungmin’s continuous romantic gestures (the way he played with her hand during the show, waiting for her to sit before taking his own seat, whispering things in her ear that made his sister giggle during the show) proved to Changbin that Seungmin was serious about his intentions with her.
Jisung has remained neutral, though he is definitely closer to approval than Chan. He still finds the fact that his baby sister has debuted into society disconcerting and Seungmin only serves as a reminder of that. Especially since Jisung isn"t much older than her. How much time does he have left? Their courtship is bringing to light uncomfortable questions for Jisung that he hadn’t really chosen to think deeper about in the past. But he can’t deny that Jeongyeon is clearly enthralled and as such, he can’t help but be happy for her.
Chan, however, is stubborn. And if Jisung finds Jeongyeon’s debut disconcerting, Chan finds it downright horrifying. It’s only compounded by the fact that he is the oldest and as such, his mother will surely be hounding him more than she already was to marry. But more important than his own revelations, Chan just simply does not trust Kim Seungmin. His reputation certainly proceeds him, a libertine who he fears will be detrimental to his sister’s reputation. Perhaps he’s being too harsh, or at least that’s what his brothers tell him. But he will never admit that.
So when the Lord and Lady Bang promenade about 15 feet behind Jeongyeon and Seungmin, followed by their three sons, Chan finds himself staring holes into the back of Seungmin’s head. If Seungmin can sense it, he ignores it. He’s too busy concentrating on the delicate weight of Jeonyeon’s arm wrapped over his own and how familiar it has become.
“I apologize about my brother. He is a touch protective,” Jeongyeon says. If Seungmin doesn’t feel the eyes, she does.
“There is no need to fret. I’m not afraid of him,” Seungmin responds with a smile.
“You do realize that I mean Chan, right? Not Changbin or Jisung?” Jeongyeon asks.
“Of course I know who you are talking about. He’s not scary. He stopped making me nervous shortly after I met him. But you must admit that it is riotously funny that he’s so mad about it,” Seungmin says.
“Seungmin!” Jeongyeon says, slapping his arm lightly with an amused scoff.
“Apologies! But I will not be dissuaded from pursuing your hand because of one ruffled brother,” Seungmin says, patting her arm reassuringly.
Jeongyeon looks down and smiles. Hearing those words brings butterflies to her stomach. Going into the season, she was terrified that the combined might of three older protective brothers would scare off potential suitors. But Seungmin saying those words just now makes all of her fears subside.
“He must understand that if I do not pursue you, someone else will. You are as sweet as honey and comparable to a summer’s day,” Seungmin admits to her.
“Are you about to recite Sonnet 18 to me?” Jeongyeon teases.
Seungmin falters, having become aware of his choice of words. Such a choice that he had meant to think and not speak aloud.
“No! Well, I mean it would be fitting but, it was not my intention,” Seungmin rambles, having been caught off guard for the first time in quite a while. How did she manage to fluster him so easily? She may truly be the only woman capable of doing such a thing to him.
“I am only teasing you, dear,” Jeongyeon says rather patronizingly, he thinks.
While he much prefers being the one to fluster her, he enjoys the rapport and the ease in which she speaks to him. There’s a wit and sharpness to her that is not easily perceived upon first meeting and he has fallen in love with every facet of her that he is introduced to.
“Devilish of you to be so teasing, Miss Bang,” Seungmin responds with a wicked smile.
“Perhaps you should apply those words to yourself. I have known you to be downright mischievous at times,” Jeongyeon says.
He leans in with a smirk.
“You have not even seen the worst of it yet, darling,” he responds.
He revels in the way that she shivers slightly. But she brushes off the momentary setback and tries to regain the upper hand in the conversation.
“I am sure I will in due time. But that means one more thing for you too,” she says.
“And what is that?” he asks.
“I am the youngest out of four siblings and the only daughter. I have only shown you but a fraction of how waggish I can become when I wish to be,” she whispers back.
“I eagerly await the arrival of this even more troublesome beauty,” he says, with an excited smile.
It’s exhilarating, this sort of teasing back and forth. There’s a passion involved in it that Seungmin knows he will not be able to stop himself from coming back for more of. His heart is beating out of his chest and he can’t seem to wipe the smile off of his face. Looking down at Jeongyeon, he dares to think that she may be feeling just the same.
And he would be right.
He risks a glance back at Jeongyeon’s family, as if they had heard every word of their borderline scandalous exchange and were ready to scold him. Instead he finds them much further back than they had previously been, and Chan no longer seems to be quite so focused on him anymore. In fact, he seems rather distracted.
Seungmin can relate. Because after his mind replays every moment he has spent with Jeongyeon in the last two months, he can no longer think straight. He is utterly consumed by the thought of Jeongyeon Bang. No longer is he living only for himself. His decisions are made with her in mind. What will he read today? Something that he is sure Jeongyeon would love to talk about the next day. Should he try the new ice creamery in town? He should invite Jeongyeon to try it with him. The theater is putting on a new opera? He must ask Jeongyeon to experience it with him.
There is only one more decision he needs to make as he continues to walk arm in arm with Jeongyeon. And it happens to be the easiest one of his life.
Two weeks later, Seungmin finds himself with Jeongyeon and Changbin at another ball hosted by his father. Her parents are mingling with other lords and ladies of the ton and her brothers are surely keeping an eye on her from somewhere in the large hall. But Seungmin is not too worried about them. He knows this manor inside and out, having grown up here. If he wants to get Jeongyeon alone, which he plans to eventually, he will certainly find a way.
“Would you object to finding a quieter hallway to converse in?” Seungmin leans in and whispers to Jeongyeon after they have already spent some time socializing. If they leave now, at least he’s done his societal duty as the son of a duke to welcome some of their guests.
“I was hoping you would ask that,” Jeongyeon admits.
So it’s decided. Now they just have to ditch Changbin and sneak away without Chan or Jisung noticing. Seungmin looks around for someone to distract Changbin as Jeongyeon excuses herself to run to the water closet, escorted by Felicity Lee who would be made aware of the plan upon reaching the closet. Seungmin waits with Changbin and looks around for someone to perhaps drag him over to when Wooyoung walks back over.
Of course Wooyoung is distracting him once again. It was entirely too easy.
Seungmin takes his leave and weaves through the crowd, beelining for the same hallway they had met in. Jeongyeon is already there, waiting with Felicity, when he gets there. Seungmin and Felicity give each other knowing looks before Felicity gives him a small nod and takes her leave.
Seungmin approaches Jeongyeon, holding a hand out to her in a silent offer. Her hand slides into his own and he pulls her closer than is socially acceptable. The music is muffled in the hallway where they stand pressed to each other but it"s clear enough for them to sway in time to the beat.
He looks down at her face, taking advantage of the way her eyes are closed in content to memorize every inch of skin that is visible to him. His eyes run over her frame, from her dark bangs that frame her face perfectly, to the purple dress she’s wearing that happens to be his favorite color. Her dainty hands rest lightly on his shoulder and back and the weight against his skin is the only thing holding him in reality. She is real. This beautiful, kind, witty, humorous woman is real and she likes him just as much as he likes her.
Maybe even loves him.
Her eyes open to look at him and he’s suddenly weak in the knees. As if she couldn’t become more ethereal. The only thought running through his head at this moment is, dear lord, she"s beautiful.
He must not be hiding it as well as he was hoping he was because her brows furrow inquisitively.
“What is it?” she asks, innocently.
“It’s nothing,” Seungmin brushes it off.
“It certainly does not seem like nothing,” she insists.
“It’s just,” he sighs, “My thoughts about you are rather…” She arches her brow and waits for him to finish. “Forward.”
“ Oh, ” she says, her eyes widening.
And then he realizes that his words did not come out right.
“Wait! No, I didn’t mean it like that, well I can’t say that I haven’t before - wait that’s well… it’s not…” he clears his throat to calm himself down. “I did not mean it in a crude way.”
“How did you mean it then?” Jeongyeon asks, amused.
“It would be quite mawkish of me. I couldn’t,” Seungmin says, hoping to avoid explaining.
“Well you are in luck because I happen to quite like sentimental words,” Jeongyeon says, smiling encouragingly at him.
“Very well. I only meant to say that when I look at you I cannot help but fall in love with you. You leave me breathless and I can hardly bear it. I can’t even hold my tongue when I see you. That is what I meant.”
Her rosy cheeks grow a darker red and her chest rises quicker. He smiles. Perfect. He loves the feeling he gets when he knows that the blush on her face is because of him. It certainly helps him to feel less nervous about the declaration he just made.
“That was quite forward,” she coughs. “Though I cannot deny that I feel quite similarly,” her eyes don’t meet his as she speaks the words quietly.
He stares intensely into her eyes despite hers not looking at him.
“Marry me,” he says.
“What?!” she yelps, surprised.
“Noth-” he stops himself. No. He refuses to beat around the bush. This was the plan all along. “Exactly what I said. Marry me. I cannot go another day without knowing if you want me to be yours as ferociously as I want you to be mine.”
She lets out a breath that she had been holding on to.
“Yes. A thousand times yes,” she says, throwing her arms around his shoulders and dragging him into an embrace. His arms wrap around her waist and pull her in tightly.
“I have not asked for your parent’s permission yet but I am sure they will not object,” he says.
“My parents adore you, you have nothing to worry about. Chan, on the other hand, might be thrown into a frenzy by the news,” she muses.
“He will grow to love me. One day I’m sure he’ll even deny ever hating me in the first place!” Seungmin jokes.
“Oh he will? I will be eagerly awaiting that day,” she responds, tilting her chin up to look him in the eye.
“I’m sure you will,” he replies, pressing a soft kiss into her lips.
The morning after the ball, Seungmin was receiving Lord and Lady Bang’s blessings and the engagement had been made public shortly after. Chan had thought himself angry until he saw the two of them approach him with smiles on their faces and he suddenly couldn’t remember how to be angry with Seungmin. He had approached them and clasped Jeongyeon’s hands in his own.
“Don’t forget about all of us now that you are soon to become a duchess now,” he teased affectionately.
“I could never. I will be expecting you for tea weekly, brother,” she responds with a big smile.
“Cherish her or there shall be consequences,” Chan says to Seungmin and they are all aware that the threat wasn’t only from Chan.
“I wouldn’t expect anything less,” Seungmin had responded.
Their nuptials were planned for the following month and the ceremony and reception were absolutely beautiful, Lady Bang and Duchess Kim going all out for the first marriage of one of their children. The reception hall, the ballroom of Duke Kim’s manor was decorated in purple flowers. A lit candle resided in each window and oil lamps lit up the back gardens and terrace.
Seungmin hadn’t thought he could be any happier than the moment he had seen his beautiful bride at the end of the church aisle, dressed in her white wedding dress. But arriving at their wedding ball and watching his wife (the word making his heart flutter) simply glow as she thanks guests for coming to celebrate with them, he realizes that this abundance of happiness will not be going away any time soon. In fact, it will only grow over time.
She looks over to him, smiling and ushering him over.
And he knows that he wouldn’t want it any other way.