Beauty And The Beast (Jaeyong AU)

I

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Spring blossoms in the remote village of Keunsan, bringing the nature and colour back to life overnight. No matter the season or the celebration, the village always ran the same agenda day in and out.

No one felt the need to question about their boring lifestyle in the remote area. Fishermen went out to sea, farmers sowed their crops, businessmen trotted to markets to sell their goods and the ladies spent the majority of their time gossiping over tea and biscuits.

One boy amidst the villagers however, never understood how it was possible for the others to go about their lives like clockwork. He was frustrated by the lack of excitement or thrill in their drab and repetitive lifestyle.

Having a diverse mindset like that, you could expect him to be the odd one out from the other boys his age, a sore thumb, is what was best used to describe him by the other villagers.

He chose to immerse himself in the world of literature instead of frolicking around the marketplace causing trouble with the other boys. Reading proved to be the greatest escapade ever known to him from his drab life, making his perspective on the world more brighter and colourful.

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"Good morning, appa." He kisses his father on the cheek, gliding into the kitchen daintily for a cup of coffee. "Morning, my boy." Mr. Lee greets gruffly, working on his latest creation. Taeyong watches his father work in wonder, the sparkle of fascination in his eyes.

"Oh.. it looks splendid!"

"Doesn't it? It's the latest creation I have that'll sell right off my palms as soon as I reach town." Mr. Lee chuckles, gazing at the exquisite alarm clock he has taken months to perfect. "You'll be going to town today, then?" The boy asks softly, sipping the last of his coffee.

"Yes, my boy. I apologize for making this trip sooner than intended, but we need the money as quickly as possible so that I'm able to feed you well." The older man's calloused hands caress his son's cheeks. "You've gotten very thin, Yong.." He sighs, disappointed at himself.

"Appa.. it's alright, I'm well enough to work at our little vegetable farm. That alone gives us a bit of money."

"I'm pleased that you're trying to help with the income, Yong.. but, I should be the one to provide you until you're old enough."

Taeyong doesn't like where this conversation was going. This track always led to the same solution: getting married off to some wealthy bachelor.

"Well, how about I head to the marketplace to get you some supplies for your trip?" He skillfully diverts the topic out of habit, smiling sweetly at his father. Mr. Lee chuckles yet again, "Right, I've almost forgotten that I'm hitting the road this afternoon."

And so, the young male finds himself navigating around the market for the items on the list his father had scrawled down on a paper.

"Ah, if it isn't my favourite little sheep." A familiar nasally voice makes Taeyong's insides cringe with annoyance. "Hello, Doyoung." He says in a pained tone, flashing the latter the most forced smile he could muster.

Doyoung was the son of a wealthy businessman, known for his immaculate skills in hunting and popular amongst both men and women alike for his good looks. But all Taeyong could see in the man was arrogance and a nasty, nasty temper.

"Beautiful day today.. isn't it, my dear?" Doyoung smirks, whipping a small bouquet of sunflowers from behind him and presenting it to the boy who visibly has his nose upturned at the gesture. "It could've stayed that way had I not bumped into you." He replies, putting the bouquet aside before walking ahead.

The young huntsman jogs along with the boy, "Aww.. don't be like that, love." He chuckles, strategically pinning Taeyong's petite frame against the nearest brick wall, towering over his tiny stature. "Have you thought about my proposal, Taeyong?"

"What proposal? I don't recall." Taeyong raises a brow, pushing Doyoung's imposing chest away from his face. He hears a tiny growl of impatience from the latter as continues to walk home, the annoying man still hot on his trail.

"Don't make this more difficult than is has to, my dear."

The shorter whips his head around briefly. "Or you could just completely drop the idea of marrying me and move on with other suitors who are more invested in the idea of getting married..to you." He utters, urging his feet to move faster.

"You can't run away from this forever, Taeyong. Marriage is bound to be the solution to your poverty, it might as well be me you marry."

"And who do you think you are to decide my fate for me?"

Doyoung grips on Taeyong's arms, gazing straight into his brown orbs. "Are you really expecting your crackpot old fool of a father to provide for you all your life? What will you do after he passes on? Live on the street like a dog begging for scraps?" Anger flashes in his eyes as the latter struggles against his firm grip.

"Read my lips, Kim Doyoung. I will never for the life of me marry an arrogant man who treats me like an object and ridicules my father!" He tugs his hand away from Doyoung, dashes into his cottage and slams the door into the huntsman's face.