1813 London
Aristocracy, what the whole society depended on. Social status was everything, who you where friends with and how wealthy you where. And for the young women, how many men wanted your hand in marriage, which was included in the social season, where the eligible girls would try and find husbands.
The two families important, Thull and Lafleur.
The Thull family, native to Britain, their daughter participating in her 3rd season, Gray Thull, who is more than happy to not participate, dress up and find a husband. Her older brother, Yeosang, born of her mothers first marriage, is very chill, as the inheritance of his families money, he's the only one Gray doesn't have to be a pretty princess around. Her mother however, is insistant that she finds a husband this season.
The Lafleur family is of French descent, the Lord of the family's only daughter Rae is starting her first season, unlike Gray she enjoys dressing up, being fancy and meeting others. Her father remarried to another woman with two sons, San and Jongho, San a year older than Jongho, they're happy having their littler sister enter her first season, and want to help her find someone. Her step-mother also excited to have a daughter to prepare.
Both girls where happily perceived by the queen, giving them a good advantage at the season, and soon it was the first ball of the season.
"Gray I know you don't want to go, but you have to." Yeosang pleaded with Gray. "You don't want mother to be angry."
Gray groaned in annoyance and sauntered off to their room where the maids where there to get them prepped. A pretty blue dress and puffy sleeves, corset done up so tight they could barely breathe and pushing their chest up. Gray grumbled the whole time, trying to breathe from how tight the corset squished them, and lastly the shoes and pinched their toes and blistered their heals. Their hair done up in a bun and a sparkly tiara dawned on the top of their head and a necklace around their neck.
Finally finished dressing, they came down the stairs to see Yeosang, he burst out laughing seeing them all dolled up.
"Common let's go." Yeosang held out his arm for them to take and lead them out towards the carriage.
They arrived at the ball, Yeosang handed them their dance card and went to stand on the side. The ballroom was lit with chandeliers and candles, the room was quite packed amid stuffy, displeasing to Gray's taste.
Gray noticed Rae arrived with her mother and brothers and left Yeosangs side to say hi.
"Gray!" Rae exclaimed and they hugged. "You know my brothers, San and Jongho."
Gray bowed as they where taught and looked up at the two boys, San gave them a friendly smile, but Jongho's look was different. They gulped before speaking back to Rae; "Over there's my brother, Yeosang." Yeosang waved Gray to come back over to him. They said their goodbyes and they went back over to their brother.
"Gray I'd like to introduce you to my friend from university, Hongjoong." Yeosang introduced as boy, he was dressed in a suit and his hair was slightly curly and dark and he has very sharp features. He bowed and offered Gray his hand for a dance.
Gray glared at Yeosang before taking Hongjoong hand, he took them to the dance floor and they started to waltz.
"Hi." He said awkwardly as they danced to the music.
"I don't want to be here." They said plainly.
He chuckled before nodding. "I can tell." They continued to dance in silence, they passed Rae who was talking to a tall good looking Korean guy (you know who it is ;) ). They gave her a thumbs up and she smiled quickly at them.
The song ended and Hongjoong let Gray go back to Yeosang. "Can I go home." Gray whined.
"Not yet, mother would be mad, one more lord I'd like you to meet. Seonghwa Park, another one of my friends." A tallish boy bowed, his face was softer than hongjoongs and his hair flat.
Seonghwa and Gray made their way to the dance floor, passing by Rae and the man from before dancing together.
"Yeosangs spoke highly of you. You're very pretty." Seonghwa smiled, taking their waist in his arm and hand in hand.
Gray muttered a thank you, trying not to blush. The song ended after a bit and Yeosang finally agreed for Gray to leave. On their way out they weren't looking where they where going and bumped into someone.
"I'm so sorry." Gray bowed and looked up at Rae's step-brother Jongho.
"I'm sorry my lady." Jongho bowed as well and looked at their eyes. "Let me make it up to you with a dance." He offered but Gray pushed his hand away.
"I'm going home, sorry." They pushed past and left the room, feeling Jongho's eyes on their back.
'This is gonna be a nightmare of a season' Gray thought.
