Even though social status was everything, you require that through your reputation. How many seasons it takes for the first daughter to find a husband affects the whole family, and if you're caught alone with a man the rumours spread, and if there's no marriage involved then you are doomed. Gray, who was in their third season already, was perfectly fine with it, besides having to dress up every year. Their mother however, annoyed that they haven't yet found someone.
"You left. Two danced in and you left! No wonder only two suiters came this morning!" Grays mother screeched at her daughter, it was after the time where suitors would bring gifts and talk to the girl they where interested in. "I don't even want to see you, go practice your piano." Their mother shooed them away to the drawing room. Gray silently left and hid behind the door listening to their mother talk to their brother harshly. "You will find her a husband, or I will do it myself, like the years before."
Grays mother was with them for the previous seasons, this one Yeosang offered to help instead since he and Gray have a closer connection, they sighed and went to play the piano. Yeosang entered the room and went over to his sister.
"There's a picnic this afternoon, you already know that. We should go." Gray just rolled their eyes and continued to play. He sighed before continuing, "Seonghwa is a fine man."
"I'm not getting married, no way I'm becoming some guys trophy wife to carry his kids." Gray cut him off immediately.
"Gray you don't have a choice. It's what you where born to do." Yeosang finaly snapped. A small tear escaped their eye and they stopped playing the piano. "Listen I'm sorry I didn't mean it."
Gray stood up abruptly and left the room to their bedroom. The maids where already waiting there with a dress and corset, they let the maids dress them in the darkish blue casual dress and more uncomfortable shoes. They went downstairs to see their brother ready to take them to the park.
Meanwhile in the other household...
"Mother you saw her right!!" San squealed hugging Rae when she came down the stairs in the morning.
"Mhm, she had them swept off their feet." Her mother patted her on the head as she blushed. "Go get dressed it's almost time, then we have to attend a picnic." Her mom sent her off to get dressed and came back downstairs for breakfast.
There was a few here and there, not an abundance of them but a fair amount making her mother pleased. Soon she had to head up stairs to get changed again for the picnic where her whole family would go.
"Mother may I promenade with Gray." Rae asked her mother once arriving at the picnic.
"Yes you may, but make sure you also spend time with a suitor as well."
Rae went over to Gray and they greeted each other and started walking along the pathway .
"So, who where those two boys you where dancing with last night." Rae broke the ice.
"Seonghwa park and Hongjoong Kim." Gray sighed looking around at the mothers gossiping, and couples walking.
"Did either of them stand out?" Rae wiggled her eye brows.
"You know I have no intention of marrying, they're fine men but I know they only want someone to bear their kids." Gray sighed. "What about the guy you where with last night?"
"He's one of San's friends, really tall, good looking, he owns land in the country side... But I wouldn't say he's someone I'd fancy."
"Who was he?"
"Yunho Jeong." (Ha you thought it was Mingi, get rekt)
Gray nodded at the familiar name, noticing Yunho talking to Rae and their brothers, as well as a couple more of their friends. Jongho noticed Gray starring and excused himself from the group.
"Would you like to walk with me?" Jongho bowed, holding out his arm.
"What about Rae, she can;t be by herself." Gray tried poorly to make an excuse up.
One of Jongho's friends came up and offered to take Rae on a walk as well, and Rae accepted apologizing to Gray leaving them alone with her brother.
They walked in silence for a bit before Jongho spoke up.
"It's a beautiful morning."
"If you're just going to small talk I'd rather walk alone." Gray interrupted him bluntly.
"You owe me a dance at the ball tomorrow."
"Who even said I was going tomorrow."
"Your brother promised me."
"He doesn't speak for me."
"I know you don't want a husband, and all these men are going to do is approach you and make moves on you. We could have a pretend pact, so they leave you alone." Gray stopped upon hearing Jongho's proposal.
"Why on earth would you do that for me?" They eyed him suspiciously.
"Because by the end of the season, you'll be in love with me."
Gray rolled their eyes and walked away from Jongho back to their brother.
"Brother I wish to go home." Gray demanded.
"Not yet sister, it's been half an hour." Yeosang looked away from his friends for a moment.
Gray grumbled and went to sit down on a park bench. They saw Rae laughing and having a good time with Jongho's friend, the other couples seemed to be happy as well. Someone stood in front of Gray, catching their attention; Seonghwa.
"You look lonely, care to walk with me?" He bowed and offered them his hand.
Gray hesitantly took it, hoping it would make time pass by faster.
"Yeosang speaks very highly of you, although we didn't talk much last night I can tell he means every word of it." Seonghwa' said soft voice filled their ear.
"Thank you, did he also tell you I'm not interested in marriage." Gray added sarcastically.
"Yes he did." He chuckled lightly.
Gray looked at him surprised, "Then why are you here?"
"Because when, and if you ever do," he put emphasis on the 'if' making gray giggle slightly, "I want to be the man you look at, but I'm fine being just friends."
His smile was soft and reassuring, Gray found comfort in it, surprising even them self that they could feel that way about a man. They nodded slightly to him, letting him know they understood.
"You're very quiet."
"We have nothing to talk about."
"And blunt, it's cute."
"You're trying to charm me?"
"No, all the other ladies swoon and bat their eyelashes. Buy you don't so it's a nice break from being fawned over."
"How modest of you."
Despite Seonghwa being... Well Seonghwa, Gray found themself being quite entertained, forgetting about wanting to go home till Yeosang came to collect them.
"Till tomorrow." Seonghwa bowed and said goodbye to Yeosang.
On their way out Gray waved goodbye to Rae who was still talking to the guy.
As soon as they entered the house Gray's mother attacked them with questions.
"Yeosang tell me there was at least someone interested in her."
"She seemed to have had a conversation with Jongho from the Lafleur family, but the Lord Seonghwa Park has taken a great deal of interest in her." Yeosang reported to their mother.
"Lafleur family is a fine family indeed, but Jongho's the middle son... You want to go for San, the oldest, he'll have all the money. The Parks are also a good family, Seonghwa is the lord of the house he's a fine choice indeed." Grays mom babbled on, but Gray just zoned her out and returned to their room.
'Stupid stupid London' Gray muttered before turning over to take a nap.
I know it's kinda slow moving sorry.
