“Care to join me for a midnight stroll around the gardens, my lady?” Hyunjin asked, plucking two glasses from the passing waiter and passing one to you.
“Without a chaperone? What a scandal!” You giggled as you hooked your arm in his. “Lead the way, Your Grace.”
Once outside you finally took a deep breath.
“I am quite fine,” you replied bluntly, “just…tired of the ton and how stifling it can be. This is merely my first season and yet I’ve found it so stressful.”
“And yet you have been so graceful throughout.” Hyunjin stated. “You’re the diamond of the season, an honour from the queen herself.”
“But what good is a diamond without any courters?” You rebutted. “Poor Mama is beside herself. Papa keeps having to remind her that we are still getting only mid way through the season, but she frets so.”
“What does Minho think?” He asked, inquiring of your older brother and one of his closest friends.
At that, you scoffed. “Minho seems quite sure that we are overreacting for no good reason. I’m not quite sure why, but he acts and talks as if I will be married before the season ends. He seems rather confident in his belief.”
“Well,” Hyunjin stepped closer, eyes gleaming with a secret you did not know. “Maybe he knows something that you do not.
Rolling your eyes, you continued. “Regardless, it is rather tiring to deal with. Having to maintain a perfect composure when outside, and then convincing Mama that I am not the one with the issue.” Taking a long sip from your glass, you turned towards Hyunjin. “What about you, Your Grace?”
Your question made him freeze. “What about me?”
“You’ve left everyone in anticipation this season. Even Lady Whistledown admits that she is not sure what game you are playing.”
“Even the great Lady Whistledown herself?” He laughed softly to himself. “Goodness, what an accomplishment. Pray tell, what game have I been playing.”
“You know very well what I am referring to, Hyunjin.” Seeing his blank gaze, you shook your head and continued. “At the start of the season, you declared your intention to be wed by the time the season was over. Yet here we find ourselves mid-season, with the mamas of the ton simply throwing their daughters at your feet, but you have not called on a single one.”
“Oh but that’s where you are wrong.” He wagged his finger at you. “I have been calling on one daily. True, it may not have been in the most traditional sense, and she may not have realised it yet, but I have already decided on who I wish to marry. That is, if she’ll have me of course.”
“Well what good is that Your Grace?” You questioned. “I would have never imagined you as one to play games of the heart. This is quite unlike you.”
“Love does have a strange effect on one and their way of thinking.” he nodded in agreement, “which is why I have decided to make my intentions clear to her today.”
Feeling jealousy bubble up in your chest, you cleared your throat. “Then I will not take up anymore of your time, Your Grace. I know that whichever fortunate lady it is in the ball will be truly blessed. For all your faults and dramatics,” you paused to giggle at the glare he threw at you, “you are a good man. You will make a fine husband, and a wonderful father someday in the future.” You finished, voice wobbling as your emotions threatened to make themselves known. “I will take my leave now. Good night, Your Grace, and best of luck.” You curtsied and started to walk away, when a hand grabbed your wrist.
“The lady that I am talking about…” Hyunjin turned you around fully, “she is not inside right now.” He slowly took your hand.
“Hyunjin?” You could feel your heart beat in your chest, the implications of what he meant finally hitting you. Why his visits to your house had turned from occasional to daily, why he always brought you a bouquet of your favourite flowers. “Your Grace, what are you saying?”
“That she is not in there, because she is out here with me.” You heard your own breath catch as he took both your hands in his. “She is you, Y/N. And I am yours, if you’ll have me.”
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