There are two groups in the city, the rich and the poor. The rich attended parties, bought expensive jewelry and didn't have to lift a finger. The poor lived in the slums, working for every last penny, not seen as highly as the others, especially the women. Many of them mistresses to lords who can't wait till marriage for sex. Set apart by society that see's them differently.
Gray was busy working in their sketchbook in the garden, drawing and shading a rose, using their very own rose bush as reference.
"You certainly love art sister." Yeosang approached them, sitting on the blanket under them on the beautiful green grass.
"It's the only escape I have from being an upstanding woman in society." They responded, not looking away from their work.
Yeosangs appreciated their natural gift for art ever since they where young, he bought them sketchbooks and charcoal and pencils so they could practice.
"Mother would kill me if she knew, but there's someplace I want to take you tonight. Certainly not a place for a lady, so no one must see us."
Yeosang whispered to them, as if someone might overhear, even if they where tucked away in the corner of the garden.
"Well if mother doesn't approve of course I'm in." Gray set down their sketchbook and gave Yeosang a hug.
*This evening*
Yeosang knocked quietly on Gray's door, they opened wearing a cloak that covered their face.
"That's perfect, now come, be quiet to not disturb mother and father or the servants." Yeosang and Gray crept out the back door before rushing down the alleys before reaching an apartment building. Yeosang knocked and an older gentleman answered the door.
"Mr Yeosang it's nice to see you, who's this you brought?" The man greeted the two.
"A friend." Yeosang said before Gray could introduce themself.
"Welcome, come on in." The man lead the two into the home, there where people around them talking, till they got to a room with a bunch of easels set up, two models where placed at the center of the room, posed for the other artists to draw them.
"Yeosang how did you found out about this?" Gray sat down at an empty easel with paper and pencils set up. Yeosang just winked and started working on his own drawing.
The hours past by till the sun was starting to rise.
"Sister we must make it back home quickly." Yeosang took Gray and they left the apartment, hurrying off to their house.
They made it in time and got back to their rooms before the maids came in to wake them up. Gray couldn't stop thinking about the night, being able to just relaxed and work on drawing the models, other artists like them all with their different styles, eat peace.
The maids got Gray dressed into a casual green dress and slippers, they went downstairs to join their mother and brother in the drawing room for breakfast; tea and scones, cakes and other pastries as the usual.
One of the butlers walked into the entrance on the large room, "Announcing, the lord Seonghwa Park." He said, stepping to the side allowing Seonghwa to enter into the room.
"Come, sit my lord." Gray's mother motioned him to come in.
He joined Gray on a sofa and presented them a bouquet of flowers, all different breeds and colours making the arrangement so beautiful. "Here my lady." He bowed his head lightly and Gray took the flowers from him.
"Thank you my lord, but I'm not sure what these are for."
Grays mother cleared her throat and glared at Gray in disapproval, "She's a sweet thing, please excuse her morning grouchyness. What brings you here this fine morning?"
"I wish for Gray to accompany me to the picnic this evening."
"The picnic which I shall not be attending." Gray smiled sweetly.
Grays moon laughed, a very fake laugh anyone could tell, "She kids, of course she will accompany you my lord. I will have the maids get her ready for this afternoon."
Gray rolls their eyes at their mother.
"This afternoon it is, thank you ma'am, my lady, Yeosang." Seonghwa kisses Grays hand and bows to Grays mother and Yeosang, he leaves with quick steps.
"Watch your tongue young lady. The lord Seonghwa is a very fine man indeed, healthy, good looking, rich. He will make a fine husband to you, he has already started to court you if you haven't noticed." Grays mom snapped at them as soon as Seonghwa was out of the house.
"Oh I've noticed, and I don't care." Gray stood up to leave, but stopped seeing the butler again.
"The Lord Hongjoong Kim." He announced and Hongjoong entered the room, seeing Gray standing there and bowed immediately.
"My lady."
"My lord, how good to see you." Grays mother said cheerfully.
"I wanted to give you this," Hongjoong opened a handkerchief revealing a jewel necklace.
Gray gasped seeing it shimmer in the light. "Please... You don't need to do this."
"But I insists, although it's shiny gems are no match for your beauty." He shyly looked down, before going around behind Gray and tying the necklace around their neck.
"Thank you my lord but you flatter me too much." Gray turned back around to look at him and smiled.
"I think non the sort, 'tis only the truth." He took their hand in his and kissed it lightly, his lips soft against their skin and tickled like feathers. "Shall I see you this afternoon at the picnic?"
"You shalt, but I am attending against my own will."
Hongjoong chuckled and said his farewells, leaving the Thull estate.
"Go get ready for the picnic, there are two fine men waiting for you there." Grays mother commanded them and they went upstairs, met with a lilac puffed sleeve dress with a silk scarf and matching lilac gloves.
∙∘☽༓☾∘∙
After taking a lasting walk with Seonghwa, Gray had to take some time off for a breather. The corset was digging into their sides and the shoes making blisters on their heals. They rushed away from Seonghwa looking for a place to sit, they spotted an open bench and practically collapsed onto the stone. With nothing better to do, they looked around the green park area, many luscious flowers decorated along the stone pathways where many couples and people walked. The trees made do for a nice canopy, shielding the people from the bright sun. Little gazebos could be spotted in the park, some occupied, others left empty like a graveyard. It certainly was a sight to take, relieving from the constant talking. Gray spotted their best friend, walking happily with the attractive man she had danced with the previous night, she giggled and laughed with him and blushed whenever he looked down at her.
"My lady." Someone said from beside Gray and they turned to look at Jongho, he blue and white suit making him look handsome. He held out a white lily for them, bowing slightly.
Grays took the rose and looked at him. "What's this for?"
"I saw you sitting alone and thought you would like some company." He said, placing his bottom next to theirs. (This is 1800's England, obviously I had to use the word 'bottom')
"Did it ever occur to you I'm sitting alone because I don't particularly want any company?" Gray sarcastically told him.
"Perhaps."
Silence washed over them, Gray played with the stem of the flower, admiring how pretty it looked freshly bloomed.
"Any men came to start courting you yet?" Jongho broke the peaceful silence.
"You know it's not required for you to talk."
Jongho was about to speak, but Hongjoong approached them.
"My lady Gray, would you like to promenade with me?" He held out his hand for them.
"No, actually I have quite had enough with this afternoon. I shall take my leave, thank you Jongho for the unnecessary company, and Hongjoong for your offer. Good day." Gray stood up and walked away as fast as their dress and heels would let them.
