This story is inspired by "Persuasion" by Jane Austen
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This was first published on my Patreon and Karya Karsa on 14 April 2023.
If you want to support me and read my stories faster than my updates on Wattpad, you can go to either platforms and gain early access to my fics. Find the links at my twitter: ladylia257
Stories that until now are still exclusive on my Patreon and Karya Karsa:
1. The Vampire King's Guest
2. Delirium
3. Oppa Nappa Chapters 6-25
2. Tainted Salvation Original Version is available at my Patreon, chapter 1 & 2 at Karya Karsa
3. Anyone But You Chapters 2 and 3 (a new mini series adapted from Persuasion by Jane Austen)
In this alternate universe, Korea is unified, and westernized. Set in the early 1800s, the same like the timeline in the original Persuasion novel. The people wear dresses and suits, just like the people of the U.K. at that era. There is no emperor of Korea, but King and Queen, with the same noble ranks like England. There are Dukes, Duchess, Lords, Ladies, Barons and Baronets, and etc.
In this story, people learn Byron, Keats and Shelley in Korea. They learn to speak English, dance ballroom dance, and have afternoon tea.
With this mindset, you can comfortably read this story.
The song that I used to write this story: "Kini" by Rossa.
Author's Note: 11,097 words, unedited. SFW, safe for Ramadhan. Mineun met after 6,000 words, you've been warned.
The Honourable Kim Go Eun was sitting behind her father's huge oak table, facing a dozen letters of bills, and feeling like she wanted to burn the whole world, or perhaps just her ridiculous father. However, it was clear that none of her wishes would come true, since she loved her father, his pompous air included, and would never really burn anything alive.
She was 26 years old. Some people gossipped about how Lady Go Eun was a spinster already. There were times she felt a lot older than that.
She's the middle child of Baron Kim Sang Ok, a narcissistic, empty-headed man who had nothing to boast with but his title. Her mother, a sensible lady who married her father due to an arranged marriage, died soon after giving birth to the youngest daughter in the family.
Go Eun's older sister, Hyo Joo, was so in love with herself that she barely noticed anything but her own self, her views and her feelings. Her younger sister was the same. So Hee only cared about herself, her beauty and her well-being.
Since neither Hyo Joo nor So Hee were interested in studying and only Go Eun was, her father thought that it was only natural that Go Eun took over the whole estate management when she's fifteen.
"The baroness has passed away, and I have no son. So isn't it only natural for you, who had no beauty or charms like your sisters and did well in your studies, to manage the estate?"
These kinds of jibes were thrown at her often, she barely got hurt anymore. The whole Busan agreed with her father. Hyo Joo was as graceful as a queen, and So Hee was as beautiful as a goddess, while Go Eun had no beauty, just a sharp brain and fair skin.
The late Baroness Ji Ah disagreed. She always called her "My pretty Go Eunnie," a memory she kept and carried within her heart like a lantern.
Years went by, and with the help of her father's solicitor and accountant, Go Eun managed to organize the estate. She checked her father's letters, contracts with the tenants, and handled the financial matters that Baron Kim said gave him constant headaches.
Sadly, due to her father's excessive orders to the tailors, the shoemakers and the jewelers, added with Hyo Joo's extravagant expenses and So Hee's before she was married, the family was facing bankruptcy.
Go Eun had cried alone in her room, but it had to be announced. She had found a solution that would stop her family from ruin.
The next morning, during breakfast, Go Eun had informed her decision to save her family.
"I beg your pardon? Put this Palace of Kim for rent? I'd rather die!" Hyo Joo replied emotionally.
"Unnie, we are facing bankruptcy. The only way out is to lease this palace for a year to anyone who's willing to pay for it. The alternative is losing this place to creditors due to your and Appa's shopping debts!!!"
"I didn't really shop that much," her father denied in a low tone.
"And I only did what a Baron's first daughter should do to keep her appearance."
"Well, what you did nearly ruined our family!!! Would you rather lose this palace forever and live in a dingy house somewhere and barely have anything to eat???"
"I definitely can't live in a dingy house. I'd die too soon if I had to," her father answered weakly.
"One has to live properly, of course," Hyo Joo added.
"We're leasing this place to anyone who could pay the price I ask for a year. And that's settled."
"Why talk to us if you already made your own decision," Hyo Joo grumbled.
Go Eun wanted to scream that she made the decision because none of them were helping her and they were both too childish to realize it. But she didn't, and chose to just save her energy.
Go Eun had been brilliant in mathematics during her lessons with their private tutor. She had counted that with the price she requested, and with the rent paid by the people who rent her father's land, they would be able to pay all their debts. So she asked the solicitor to put the palace up for lease at the best real estate agent in town.
Once someone rented it, they'd move to Seoul and live at her father's town house for a year.
It would be hard to leave the palace she was born in for such a long time, but it's better than the embarrassment they'd have to face if it's seized by the creditors.
Her father's solicitor, Mr. Han Suk Kyu, visited the Palace of Kim three days later, to tell Go Eun, not the baron, that there's a gentleman who wanted to rent the palace for a year, at the price that Go Eun requested.
"That's really fast, Mr. Han. I thought we'd have to wait for at least 3 months."
"No. This gentleman said he had been eyeing this property for a long time, thought that it's a splendid one, and had always wanted to try to live here. As soon as you can sign the papers, he'll pay the annual rent."
"Does he understand that we only plan to lease this house for a year?"
"Yes. He seemed to know you as well, My Lady."
"Really? What's this gentleman's name?"
"A Mr. Lee Min Ho, Ma'am. A very rich merchant from Seoul."
Upon hearing the said name, Go Eun's legs lost their strength, and she fell to the floor.
"MY LADY!!!" Mr. Han yelled in shock, as Young Ji, Go Eun's lady's maid, hurried to help her stand up and lead her to the sofa.
The room was spinning and she saw black spots. She really couldn't breathe, lying down on the sofa as Young Ji fanned her with her pretty fan, saying, "My Lady, what can I do? What can I do to make you feel better?"
"It must be the stress of the family's financial condition. The only thing that could help is rest and nutrition, I think. This is Mr. Lee's card. I'll come back tomorrow to show Lady Go Eun the contract. I hope she'll recover soon."
Young Ji nodded, and accepted Min Ho's card.
*************************************************
She needed a half hour before she could sit up again. She reached for the card on the coffee table. It's a black card. Very thick and elegant. The writing was with silver ink.
On it was written, "Lee Min Ho, Owner of Sunsuhan Company."
There was the address of his main office in Seoul, Busan, Jeju, Tokyo and Beijing.
It must be quite expensive to print such name cards.
Her eyes blurred with tears, as she smiled bitterly, "You really know how to make your revenge, Oppa, renting our palace like this."
Eight years previously, when Go Eun was still eighteen years old, and Min Ho was twenty two, they met at a party, and fell madly in love. Three months after seeing each other, he had proposed, and she had accepted. But when he proposed for her hand to her father, Baron Kim rejected him harshly.
"You're just the son of a mere merchant who only has three small stores!!! You have very little money, no title and no achievements! How dare you even dream of proposing to a Baron's daughter!!!"
For the past three months, Go Eun never thought of his status or situation at all. But after Min Ho proposed formally, her sisters and Lady Eun Chae, the best friend of her late mother, Baroness Ji Ah, convinced her that it was a marriage with horrible prospects.
"You'll only degrade all of us!!!" Hyo Joo had said.
"Unnie, you know that marriage is the only chance for us for a good future. You can't marry someone who has nothing!" So Hee insisted back then.
"You deserve someone better, my Dear. Just wait. Someone with a better social status will come along and you'll understand that what we're saying now is only for your own good," Lady Eun Chae exclaimed.
And finally, it was her father's word that nailed the coffin.
"If you marry him, I'll disown you. No daughter of mine will marry a penniless merchant!"
"But Appa, he's not penniless! He's just–not rich!"
Her father stared at her incredulously, "Isn't it the same?"
She was speechless.
"I declare I will not speak to you until you break it off with that fellow!!!" her father had threatened.
So the next day, Go Eun broke off her engagement.
"I can handle the insults from your family, but not your weak resolve and heartless treatment! After everything we've promised each other, you dare to change your mind in just one night!!! You're the same like the rest of them! You are narrow-minded and blind to the fact that we could have been happy together!!!"
She had cried back then, shocked that he could say those words to her, but didn't deny it, because she knew it was her own fault.
"I'm still young, Go Eun-ah. Watch me, I'll work until I become richer than your father!!! Once I achieve that, we'll see each other again, and you'll regret what you did today!!!"
Go Eun hadn't forgotten her first love. She broke his heart, but she was broken as well. She kept all his letters in a box, together with the bouquets of flowers he gave, and the handkerchief he lent her one day when she became unwell due to the heat during their picnic.
She still read those letters over the years. There were many nights when she sat on her windowsill, looking at the moon, with tears in her eyes out of the loneliness and exhaustion she felt deep within her heart.
She ran her household alone. If he was with her, he'd share the burden. At least, he would listen to her.
Men she met after him never listened to her. She had tried. Oh God, she really had. She went to parties, had walks with some of the men her father approved, and none of them were even remotely smart, unlike him.
Her family was sure she'd find someone better. Even Lady Eun Chae as well. But she never had.
She read the newspaper everyday, and was increasingly surprised because he appeared on the news from time to time with the success of his business with the neighboring countries.
Births, weddings and deaths of important people or anyone who wanted to announce it were often in the newspaper as well, on a special page. She had read that page everyday for 8 years, and hadn't found any news of his wedding.
Wasn't it odd? His fortune was increasing and he's unbelievably handsome. But why hadn't he married?
She didn't entertain the thought that he hadn't forgotten her. If he still wanted her, he had plenty of time over the years to reach out to her.
How cruel was it, that he returned into her life when her family was on the brink of bankruptcy? She was sure he's going to wield the sword of revenge into her heart.
When Go Eun gave Baron Kim the contract of lease, he said, "Don't show it to me! You're breaking my heart!"
"Why are you so insensitive, Go Eun-ah?" Hyo Joo judged.
"Do you two realize that this was all because of you, and I'm the one who found the solution?"
"Please don't rub it on my face," her father said forlornly. "And who could afford renting this place?"
".............It's Lee Min Ho-ssi."
"Wasn't he–" her father began, his face getting red, like he's going to have a heart attack.
Hyo Joo, who was previously lying down on the sofa, suddenly got up. "That poor merchant? He wanted to rent this palace for a year? Where on earth did he find the money???"
"Some people work and become successful, Unnie, unlike you, who does nothing all day."
"I'm not renting this place to that rascal! How dare he think I'd let him!"
"Fine, Appa can lose the palace entirely to the creditors, then," Go Eun replied in a sweet, mocking tone.
"What if he couldn't pay the lease?"
"Our solicitor said he now has 50 stores in 3 countries, Appa. Once you sign this, he'll pay it."
"What if it's a scam?"
"Mr. Han will make sure he pays it first. Then we have one week to leave this house and go to our townhouse in Seoul."
"Ah, mwolla! You sign it! It hurts to lease one's house!"
Impatiently, Go Eun sat on the study and signed the leasing contract using his father's signature and stamp. She had learnt over the years how to copy Baron Kim's signature, because his father was basically too lazy to work and manage things on his own. And her copy was so identical with her father's that even the bank accepted it as genuine.
Without another word, after signing it Go Eun went to the study and handed the contract to Mr. Han.
"I'll hand this to him immediately, so he can pay the money."
"Wh–do you mean he's in town?"
"Yes. He's staying at the Grand Joseon Hotel."
Go Eun felt ill again all of a sudden. Nauseous and cold-sweating, she thanked Mr. Han for taking the leasing contract from her.
That evening, he returned to show her the signed contract.
"The money had been sent to your father's bank account, My Lady."
"That's a relief. I'll proceed to pay the bills tomorrow."
"Mr. Lee has a request, though, besides the family vacating the house in a week."
"Really? What's that?"
"He specifically asked to meet you tomorrow, Ma'am."
"..........I must leave. Immediately. To–to Jeju. My sister So Hee needs me. I'm afraid it's quite urgent."
"I thought you're going to settle the bills and prepare the house for Mr. Lee?"
"I'll settle the bills tomorrow morning, Mr. Han. Then I'll–give very detailed instructions to the servants. I'm afraid I must leave before noon."
"That's a pity that you couldn't meet him, Ma'am. He's a very good-looking gentleman. I heard he's searching for a wife."
"Is he?"
"Yes. He's the most invited man for parties and tea by the most notorious mothers in town. You know how they resemble hunters closing in on their prey when they meet an eligible bachelor. But in regards of Mr. Lee, I can't really blame them."
"Oh. That's really good for him. I must go to Seoul after I take care of my sister So Hee. I might not even be able to meet Mr. Lee the entire year, Mr. Han, you know my family panics without me."
"I know that very well, My Lady. I just hope you'll give yourself some freedom."
Go Eun smiled at that, and thanked Mr. Han for being very kind to her and her family.
So Hee was the youngest daughter, and she already married the son of the Count of Jeju. Considered as the most accomplished daughter of the family, she's very self-centered, and often declared that she's very ill or dying. Of course the illness existed only in her imagination, and she liked to pretend she's unwell just to grab people's attention.
The trick wouldn't work for people who knew her well, though.
She wrote to her family at least once a month, asking one of her sisters to come to Jeju and "help her with the children," while in reality, she had maids who took care of them.
However, to avoid Min Ho, it was a welcome excuse to leave Busan for Go Eun.
She settled the family's business matters with the accountant right after breakfast. Thanks to Min Ho's payment of the lease, she could pay all their debts.
Previously, during breakfast, she announced to her father and Hyo Joo, "Appa and unnie will get a monthly allowance. After today, we will have no debt, but if you spend greedily again, we might need to lease this palace for longer than a year. Would you like that?"
They both pretended not to hear her, and just continued with their breakfast.
"I'll take your silence as a "no.""
She then mentioned the amount of their allowances.
"Are you out of your mind???" Hyo Joo shrieked. "What can I buy with that amount of money?"
"Unnie, you have a room full of dresses, shoes, handbags, parasols and many other things. You should learn to use what you have first, before buying new things all the time."
"You're heartless, Go Eun-ah! You know that I can manage this entire house so easily if only I want to, right! Don't act like you're the only one who can do it!!!"
"Then do it! Please! I'll be glad to let go of this burden and give it all to you!!!"
Hyo Joo's face was shocked. She didn't expect that Go Eun would respond like that.
"I don't want to trouble myself," Hyo Joo excused herself.
"Since neither Appa or Unnie want to trouble yourself, then you better not shop for anything in Seoul that is more expensive than your allowance, or we'll have to let go of this palace!!!"
"Please, this is too early for shouting and yelling. Can we not have peace in our dining table?"
"Why can't you see that this mess is created by you, Appa?" she retorted, her voice shook with anger and emotion.
"There's that. Either listen to me, or lose this palace forever. It's your choice."
No one replied to her. Usually, it meant they knew her decision was the best, but they didn't want to say it.
"I'm going to So Hee for a bit. I need a change of air," she announced.
"But who will help us pack and move to Seoul?" the Baron inquired.
"I'll give very clear instructions to the servants. You'll feel as if I were still here with you."
"And who will help us move in and settle at the Seoul's house?" Hyo Joo asked.
"I'll telegram the butler and tell him what to do."
"Make sure you don't forget anything," Hyo Joo warned.
Never a word of thanks, even when she solved their debts and promised to make sure they'd move seamlessly to the townhouse.
"If you'll excuse me," she said, getting up from her chair and leaving the room, heading to the garden for some fresh air.
Go Eun left with her family's carriage to Jeju that afternoon. It took nearly two days with a carriage and a ferry from Busan to Jeju. She didn't want to continue traveling during the night, so she stayed at a respectable inn on the way.
She resumed her journey in the morning, and reached So Hee's house around 9 P.M. that evening.
"Finally someone listened to my plea for help," So Hee said the second they met. "I'm very tired taking care of the house and the children, I'm sure I won't last long on this earth."
So Hee spoke in Korean, and Go Eun replied in flawless English, "It would be more efficient if you hadn't told me that everytime we meet."
And she's so selfish that she didn't even realize that her sister was speaking in English, which she didn't understand.
It's too late to meet the rest of the family, so So Hee led her to the kitchen, where the maid had laid supper for her.
Young Ji, her lady's maid, opened Go Eun's suitcase in an room upstairs and settled it for her.
An hour later, she had cleaned herself and changed to her dressing gown. Stretching on the bed, she sighed in relief. She's two days away from Lee Min Ho. She's so glad she didn't have to meet him.
She didn't know why her family frustrates her so much. Was she the odd one?
During breakfast, So Hee drone on and on about how unfair it was that Song Kang, her husband, got to work outside that day, and would have lunch at his friend's house, Admiral Jung Il Woo.
"Why can't I join you for lunch at Admiral Jung's house? He's my friend, too!"
"I need to talk about business with him. It would be uncomfortable for you if you join us."
"There you go. It's so cruel that I have to take care of the children all day. Isn't it enough that I bring them into this world???"
Song Kang turned apologetically at Go Eun. They both knew that So Hee never really worked that hard in taking care of the children, because both Do Ki and Do Yeong, their children, got enough maids to take care of them.
"We've been through this many times. I want you to have a meal with them at least once a day as much as you can. And you said lunch is the best time."
"Of course. Breakfast is too early and dinner is too late."
"Lunch is the best time, then."
So Hee pouted exaggeratedly, and at that precise time, Ji Eun and Eun Jae arrived. They were Song Kang's sisters, and they both loved Go Eun very much. They met around twice or thrice per year, and always had a splendid time together as they had similar views and tastes.
"Go Eun Unnie!" they called her loudly, bursting into the dining room after checking from the window that she had indeed arrived, "You're finally here!!! We expected you last month!!!"
Go Eun beamed and reached out her hands, which they accepted. They held each other's hands and talked at the same time.
"How was your journey?"
"How have you been? We enjoyed your letters, but it's still not the same."
"It was tiring, but quite fast."
"I'm–it's complicated."
"You must tell us all about it!!! Let's go now to our gazebo!!!"
"We asked our maids to prepare your favorite cake and tea and macaroons and–"
"Have you all forgotten that I am here? You two don't even say hi!"
"How are you today, So Hee unnie?"
"My body hurts all over, and my head aches so horribly," So Hee complained dramatically.
"...............still the same, then," Eun Jae replied cheerfully. "I wish you'll get well soon."
They all knew that So Hee drank too much wine every evening, and her body hurt because she never moved or exercised. Or it was all only in her head.
"Shall we go to our gazebo, Unnie?" Eun Jae asked.
Go Eun grabbed her straw hat and said "See you later," to Song Kang and So Hee, as Eun Jae and Ji Eun held each of her hands.
A property that they called their gazebo was a pretty gazebo near the river that passed the Song residence. White buckwheat flowers grew along the riverbank, creating a pretty and peaceful atmosphere. The gazebo was painted white, with purple vine flowers all over the roof and pillars.
It might be Go Eun's most favorite place in Jeju, where she usually chatted and talked with Eun Jae and Ji Eun.
How she wished that they were her real sisters, and not Hyo Joo nor So Hee.
Song Kang's sisters genuinely liked her, because it was she that Song Kang first fell in love with five years ago, and his sisters also really liked Go Eun.
However, she was still unwilling to start a new relationship, not even with the only son of the Count of Jeju. When Song Kang proposed, she rejected him.
Baron Kim was really furious at Go Eun for rejecting Song Kang, and made lots of dancing parties to "offer" Hyo Joo and So Hee to Song Kang. Two months after Go Eun rejected him, Song Kang proposed to So Hee, and he was immediately accepted, and they got married a month later.
However, the whole Song family had already fallen for Go Eun. Secretly, they regretted how she rejected Song Kang and in the end, they had to put up with the annoying So Hee.
So Hee often invited Go Eun to her house, which was a big cottage of the Mansion of Song, because she needed someone to listen to her whinings. Meanwhile, Go Eun needed to go there to see Eun Jae and Ji Eun, who genuinely cared for her, and always listened to what she had to say.
In return, she could listen to their updates about life, which was nice, since they were both well-educated, merry and sensible. Although she was older than them, they connected well.
As she sat there, drinking tea and eating cakes with them, she realized she's smiling and laughing for the first time in a long time.
She listened to them whine about So Hee, the balls they had in the summer, who's courting who in their society, and so on, and so forth.
"Why did you say you feel complicated earlier?"
"Due to some.....unwise spending, we are in desperate need of extra income. So, to solve it, I decided we'd lease our palace for a year to anyone who's willing to pay the price. And someone rented it, paid the amount I asked, and I could pay our bills that had been pending for around three years."
The sisters listened intently. They were all so close that Go Eun had no problems telling them about her family's real financial status.
"However, I discovered that Lee Min Ho was the one who rented the palace."
"Wasn't he–?"
"Isn't that your ex fiance's name???"
Go Eun nodded.
Eun Jae and Ji Eun squealed.
"Did you two meet?"
She shook her head, "My dear sister So Hee needs me. How can I meet ex fiances?"
"Are you going to avoid him for the whole year?"
"Can you blame me?" she asked back. "I'll stay here for a month, then go to Seoul. We'll stay at our townhouse until we can return to the palace."
"............is he married?" Ji Eun asked.
"Not that I know of."
"What if he's waiting to get you back?" Eun Jae inquired.
"I don't think he is. He got plenty of time in the past 8 years. He never reached out to me, until all of a sudden, he rented our palace. It's not reaching out, it's revenge."
"Unnie is really an amazing woman, yet you turned down 4 men. Don't you want to get married?"
"Do I?" she asked back, shocking the other two girls.
"I want to fall in love, but it's not easy to experience. I want someone I can enjoy talking with, and someone who won't make me feel bored, and won't be hated by my family. Those things are hard to find."
The two girls stared at her with concern.
"Let's not talk about me anymore. I miss this place. Let's take a walk if you don't mind."
They agreed that the day and the occasion was too good to worry about the past, and started walking around the Song family's beautiful garden.
For the next three days, Go Eun spent it in a carefree and peaceful way, despite listening to So Hee's rants. She's convinced her in-laws hated her and got exhausted although she did nothing all day, and only read the gossip column in the Jeju newspaper.
At least she didn't have to manage So Hee's house, or her father and Hyo Joo.
She spent every morning or tea time with Eun Jae and Ji Eun, and played with Do Ki and Do Young, her nephews that loved her very much as well. She's willing to play their games, invented interesting stories that she told them before bedtime each day, and sat with them reviewing what their tutors taught them.
One evening, as she went to the Song Mansion for dinner, she met Admiral Jung Il Woo, who seemed to be good friends with Song Kang.
"I wonder who we should invite tomorrow, to have an even number at the table."
It was the etiquette of well-bred families to hold dinner with an even number of people on the table.
"How many do you need to make it even, Mother?" Eun Jae asked.
"I need 10 people."
"Oh? Who'll be here tomorrow? Is it anyone we know?" Ji Eun wondered.
"Admiral Jung will bring his friend. With him, it would be 9. Of course I expect all my children and Go Eun-ssi to be here."
"I'll try to invite a friend. Who did you invite, Admiral? Is it a gentleman or a lady?"
"A gentleman, Miss Song. An old friend of mine."
"I like Lee Min Ho-ssi. He's a smart man who seemed to know all the topics in the world."
At that precise moment, Go Eun's hold on her glass loosened, and her water spilled all over the tablecloth. Luckily, it was a high quality crystal glass, so it didn't break.
"Unnie, are you alright?"
"I'm–just a little tired."
"She played with the children too much. Trust me, I know it," So Hee added.
The family knew she only said hello to her children every morning during their breakfast and dinner, then never saw or spoke to them for the rest of the day.
"Maybe I caught a cold. Just need to rest, don't worry."
Eun Jae and Ji Eun planned to walk with her back to the Song's Cottage, but since she's unwell, they let her go back with the carriage.
Go Eun tossed and turned in her bed that night.
Lee Min Ho? In Jeju? What was he doing, planning to humiliate her?
She'd definitely be sick as well the next evening.
She sent a note to Eun Jae that she's unable to attend the dinner at Song Mansion that evening due to a bad case of cold. A steward sent Eun Jae's reply:
How unfortunate. I'm forced to invite Mr. Kang, the school's headmaster, and Miss Son, the priest's daughter. If Lee Min Ho-ssi really attends, I'll sing praises about you. He'll want you back by midnight. In the meantime, get well soon.
*************************************************
How traitorous one's own heart was!
Go Eun hid in her sister's house as everyone went to the dinner, but she wished she could glimpse him a little bit. She wondered what he looked like, without wanting to interact with him.
She was so restless for the whole four hours.
The usual dinner occasion in her circle consisted of conversing for around an hour before dinner, then one hour of the actual meal, an hour of drinking coffee and more chatting, then it usually ended up with a dance.
Meanwhile, she wandered around the rooms in Song Kang's house. From her room, to the sitting room upstairs, the sitting room downstairs, then back again to her room.
She tried to read a book, or the newspaper, but it's all in vain, she couldn't focus at all.
When Song Kang and So Hee returned home, she was waiting in the sitting room. So Hee was in raptures about "the delicious cakes and the excellent wine," but nobody mentioned Lee Min Ho, so she tried to ask nonchalantly, "Were the guests nice this evening?"
"That headmaster and the priest's daughter talked about education for what felt like two hours! Perhaps Miss Son is planning to marry that headmaster! They were so engrossed with each other. But that Lee man also joined their conversation. He seemed to like listening to them."
"And they were discussing education?"
So Hee nodded.
"They sat near me, so I heard most of their conversations after coffee. The headmaster said that the school will start accepting girls next year. He said well-educated women were better wives and mothers. Miss Son supported the idea so vehemently, but Mr. Lee disagreed."
"Did he?"
"Yes. He said well-educated women are the most cruel."
Go Eun's chest felt like it was stabbed. It's painful and she suddenly couldn't breathe.
"Are you alright? You look like how I do when I'm almost fainting. Please don't trouble me that way, Unnie. I asked you here to help me, not to trouble me even more."
Go Eun got up so quickly, and ran to her room.
"Unnie, I haven't told you everything about the party!!!"
She ignored her sister and climbed up the stairs then locked her bedroom door.
"Well-educated women are the most cruel."
That sentence was repeated in her ears over and over again, until she closed her ears with her hands.
Blindly, she walked to her bed and lied down. Without changing, she covered herself with the bedcover, tears streaming down her eyes.
She woke up the next morning feeling better. The custom was for the younger generation to return the visit of dining together by going to Admiral Jung's house. Hopefully Lee Min Ho won't even see her at all while she's in Jeju.
After breakfast, Do Young and Do Ki asked her to play with them. She liked playing with them, so she agreed, and went with them to the forest at the outskirts of Song family's land.
They asked her to be an evil witch, and they'd become the knights that would vanquish her away.
She put twigs on her hair and put soil on her face, before she started speaking in a scary voice.
"I'm going to curse you and change you into frogs!!!"
"GO AWAY, EVIL WITCH!!!"
They ran around, pretended to attack each other, and played sword-fighting with long twigs. They laughed, shrieked, and created their own scenarios.
She's a witch attacking Do Ki and Do Young's palace and the boys excitedly fight back.
Until suddenly, she tripped on a stone and fell to the grass. Her nephews attacked her, getting carried away with the game, and she covered her head while yelling, "No, Do Ki-ah, Do Young-ah, that hurts!"
After a few seconds, suddenly their attacks stopped. Go Eun stood up, and saw a pair of shiny, black leather shoes.
"Stop that, you're hurting your aunt!"
It was Lee Min Ho-ssi.
She looked up at his towering figure, and felt like she was trapped.
"Lady Kim," he greeted her formally.
"Mr. Lee."
"Is this your preferred style these days?"
And she remembered that she had twigs all over her hair, and soil all over her face.
She quickly got up and took off all the twigs from her hair.
"I was playing with my nephews."
"Pretending that you're.....?"
"An evil witch."
"How apt, like you're experienced."
How dare he???
"What brought you here, all the way to this forest?"
"I saw you walking here with your nephews."
What, was he watching the whole time?
"A gentleman would've offered his handkerchief for me to clean my face."
"Unfortunately, I'm not a gentleman."
She turned and went to a pond nearby, then washed her face.
When she opened her eyes, he offered his handkerchief.
She took it while glaring at him, as it was too late.
"So that's how you maintain your youth? Soil mask?"
"Yes, it can scrub away all the dirt and grime," she confirmed, standing up in an angry manner, telling Do Young and Do Ki that it's time to go back home.
She and her nephews walked out the forest, as he followed her.
"You've done a great job avoiding me, Lady Kim."
"What made you think so, Sir?"
"Suddenly went to Jeju after I rented your palace, and even suddenly got ill and couldn't attend the dinner party last night."
"Don't flatter yourself too much, Sir. I don't make my plans around your existence."
"Right. I was too low to be a part of your plans."
She stopped dead in her tracks.
"I congratulate you on your successful revenge, Sir. It must have felt satisfying to be the one who rented my family's palace."
"Indeed."
"Let's go, Do Ki-ah, Do Young-ah. It's time for lunch," she urged, reaching for her nephews' hands and holding them.
"Admiral Jung invited Master Song and her family to attend apples-picking at his estate, tomorrow."
"How nice of him."
"Will you be there?"
"Why would I?"
"Why not? Unless you feel guilty when you see me. Or are you intimidated by me?"
"Years have passed, Sir. Why do I need to feel any negative emotions towards you?"
"Then you'll attend tomorrow? Or you're too bothered with my presence?"
"I'm completely fine with your existence."
"Then stop avoiding me, Lady Kim."
"I'm not avoiding you, Sir. Like I mentioned before, I have a life to live and it doesn't revolve around you!"
"I'll see you tomorrow, then, if you're brave enough to be around me."
"I don't see why not."
"Prove it."
"I don't need to prove anything to you. But just to make it clear that I'm not intimidated by you in any way, I'll be there tomorrow. I wish you a good day!"
She said her last sentence as if she's cursing him, and marched away with her nephews, nearly dragging them with her.
Of course they had to meet when she looked her worst. Soil on her face and twigs in her hair. She felt humiliated, but she had already felt humiliated ever since the man her family told her to refuse grew to be a very rich man and could afford to rent her palace.
So Hee told her about the plan at dinner.
"Admiral Jung invited us to pick apples at his orchard tomorrow. Unnie must join us, because I need you to listen to me when Ji Eun is flirting with the admiral, and Eun Jae with Mr. Lee."
"Eun Jae and Mr. Lee?"
"Yes. They danced together last night, several times."
Go Eun tried her best to not think about Eun Jae dancing with Min Ho, by distracting herself with books and writing a long letter to Lady Eun Chae. But the thought sat at the back of her mind, like a stubborn ghost.
The next day, she dressed in her most unflattering dress, her gray dress. It's simple and gloomy, so she's sure she wouldn't look as if she's trying to achieve anything.
"Why are you dressed like a widow???" So Hee asked, frowning.
"I just feel like it. I don't exactly feel cheerful, so no to bright colors."
"I never feel cheerful as well, that's why I compensate for it by dressing well and with colors."
Go Eun ignored her and began eating her breakfast.
They went to Admiral Jung's house using two carriages.
Naturally, Go Eun sat in the carriage with Eun Jae and Ji Eun. Of course she behaved as normal as possible, but it was Eun Jae who first broached the subject, when the carriage was being prepared.
"I spent some time dancing with Mr. Lee Min Ho last night."
"Did you?"
Eun Jae nodded.
"And?"
really listened to what I said, unnie. I find that surprising. Most men I knew kept talking about himself. But he's not like that."
She's a bit surprised with this comment, then nodded. "He does have that charm."
Eun Jae smiled, then they climbed onto the carriage one after the other.
Admiral Jung Il Woo's family had a beautiful house with apple orchards surrounding it. He's not from nobility, yet they had a good reputation and were respected in that neighborhood.
They all got a basket each, and on they walked through the orchard on that cool autumn morning.
So Hee fussed about the sun, and Song Kang tried to shield her from it, as Do Young and Do Ki began wandering around between their apple trees, followed by their nannies.
Min Ho touched his hat with his fingers and nodded at her, as she nodded in return, but so far hadn't exchanged a word with her.
It was Eun Jae that he greeted, and together they walked along.
Meanwhile, Admiral Jung walked with Ji Eun.
Go Eun found herself alone, with no one to talk with, except a sad looking man named Mr. Kim Bum.
She had no intention to strike up a conversation with the said man, as her eyes went to Eun Jae who was smiling, and Min Ho who was listening to her intently.
She slowed down. What's the use in following the others? She felt like finding her nephews and the nannies. Might do her better to just explore the orchard in earnest, it's a lovely place, rather than seeing Min Ho and Eun Jae getting so engrossed with each other.
Randomly, she picked one red apple, wiped it with the sleeve of her top, then tried a bite.
She's pleasantly surprised with how sweet it was.
Then she picked more and put them in her basket. It was why they were actually there, right, picking up some apples?
Once her basket was full, she put it on the ground then sat on a tree stump nearby, finishing the apple she tried earlier.
When she ate half of it, she saw Admiral Jung approaching.
She stood up as he drew nearer.
"I thought you're far already."
"I returned because I need to talk to you, Lady Kim."
"What is it?"
"May I ask you a favor?"
"No one would grant a favor without knowing what form it is."
"If you don't mind, woould you speak with my brother-in-law, Kim Bum? He married my sister, So Eun, but she passed away in childbirth. It's two years ago, and he's been drowning in sorrow ever since. He's an accountant. He only goes to work then locks himself in his house with my little niece. Maybe someone who loves to read like you would finally make him want to socialize again. He also loves to read, especially books of poems."
"Well, if it's just talking to him, I'll do it."
"That's all I ask, My Lady. "
"Alright."
She followed Admiral Jung back to where the others were. Jung Il Woo immediately introduced her to Kim Bum.
"Lady Kim is an avid admirer of books. Perhaps you'd like to talk to her. Go walk with her until we return to the house."
When Go Eun looked at the man, she instantly felt pity. He's good-looking, but his face was full of sorrow. He touched his hat as a respectful greeting, and she smiled a little to encourage him.
"Il Woo Hyung must have troubled you and asked you to talk to me. I apologize for that."
"That's alright. A man who doesn't want to talk and socialize is quite refreshing to interact with."
He walked with her.
"I heard you have a daughter."
"She's two years old. The only ray of light in my life."
"Ah. What could she do now?"
"She can walk already. Running around my house and makes her nanny exhausted. She also could say a few words already."
"Can she say Appa, yet?"
Kim Bum smiled, "Naturally, that's the first word I taught her."
Min Ho was at the front with Eun Jae. He realized Il Woo left the group earlier, and he assumed it's because he wanted to check on Go Eun.
He noticed him returning with her.
He walked for five minutes without looking back. Once he did, he saw Kim Bum smiling again. Was it the first time in two years?
What did Go Eun say to make him smile like that?
Meanwhile, Go Eun and Kim Bum were silent for a while, as they walked side by side.
"I lost my mother when I was fifteen. Around ten years ago."
"Is it true that time heals your pain?"
"It doesn't heal it entirely. I think that's impossible. But time definitely lessens it."
"That's a comforting thought."
She smiled, without intending to capture his attention or anything. It just felt nice to have a man said that what you told him comforted him.
"You must be very close to your mother."
"I feel that she's the only one who understood me."
"I also felt that my wife was the only one who understood me."
They looked at each other in mutual understanding.
"Il Woo Hyung told me you love reading. Who's your favorite author?"
"I love Shelley and Jane Austen," she answered happily, since it's rare to find someone who enjoyed reading. The only one she knew was Lady Eun Chae. "And you, Mr. Kim?"
"I've been living with Byron lately."
The two continued talking until Il Woo announced it was time to return to the house and have lunch. The ladies gave their baskets of apples to the servants, and they walked back to the house.
Lunch was usually lighter than dinner, but filling. Admiral Jung served eggs and cucumbers sandwiches, smoked beef, biscuits with cheese and pickles, and of course, apple cakes. Servants were ready to fill everybody's cup of tea whenever it was needed.
Go Eun naturally sat beside Kim Bum, and they resumed their conversations about books.
"Are you a busy accountant?" she asked.
"I work from 9 to 5. The usual labor force. I started as Il Woo Hyung's accountant, then I opened my own company. It's a small one. Financially, I'm in a comfortable position. I'm thinking of taking my daughter on a European tour very soon."
"How nice of you."
"Do you imagine I spoil her?"
"Fathers who spoil their daughters are admirable," Go Eun said, since her father never really did that to her. She dressed in luxury, but it was her mother who arranged for her monthly allowance before she died. Yes, it's from her father's money, but it was not from her father's initiative.
And for the past decade, she had been managing the whole house and lands, without even a "thank you," from him. He considered it her duty, for not being as beautiful as her sisters. Lady Eun Chae said he's a lunatic, and assured Go Eun that she was as pretty as her sisters, but it's hard to believe it when she spent time with her family.
Kim Bum was curious as to her father's treatment of her, but didn't ask, since it was too personal.
"Would you spoil your own daughter, if you have one?"
"........I'd spoil her by staying healthy, and live until I'm 100. I'll be by her side until I'm gray and old. Ladies who have their mothers growing up are the luckiest."
Kim Bum smiled at her sadly, and she returned the smile. They both knew that Go Eun understood his little girl's situation.
"That's a lot of port for lunch, Min Ho-yah," Il Woo interjected, as Min Ho poured his second glass of port.
"Don't worry, my friend, I can hold my liquor. Besides, what else is better when you're listening to a man and a woman who are bonding over their sad stories?"
The whole table, which was previously full with small chats, suddenly became very quiet and very tense.
"I apologize for bothering you with our conversation, Mr. Lee," Go Eun replied in a sharp tone. "I didn't realize we were supposed to provide entertainment for you."
"Not at all, Lady Kim. There's no need to be bothered by my opinions at all. Surely, there will only be friendship between you and our Kim Bummie, since he's only an accountant and you're the daughter of a Baron. Since everyone is fully aware that an accountant is only as worthy as a merchant, which is near to nothing in your world."
Go Eun stilled at such a verbal, open attack, and Kim Bum was so shocked he's gaping at him. The Lee Min Ho Hyung he knew were always calm and collected. He barely recognized the mockingly angry man in front of him.
"Hyung, what could be the matter?" Kim Bum asked, extremely surprised.
"What's the matter, indeed?" Min Ho asked back. "Don't worry, Bum-ah. It's not you, it's me. I'm not used to being on the same table with the nobility."
Go Eun felt her anger rising, so she turned to Eun Jae, hoping she'd help change the subject.
"I'd say, Admiral Jung, the apple pie is really tasty. We don't make apple pies often at our place," Eun Jae commented, trying to ease the tension.
Il Woo readily responded, "I'll pass your compliment to my Senior Chef. She's been here since my mom married my father, and her skills hadn't lessened. If you'd like it, send a note through your steward, Lady Eun Jae, and I will ask her to bake it for you, then we'll send it to your mansion."
"I would be delighted. We'll exchange desserts, Admiral. I must show off our Senior Chef's skills as well, or she will be offended."
"That would be an honor," Il Woo smiled.
"What you gentlemen need are wives. It's so strange to see three very eligible bachelors to have no fiance. What has been stopping you all?" Ji Eun asked.
"I don't think I will ever take another wife. I only exist for my daughter now," Kim Bum answered.
"I haven't found anyone suitable to my preferences," Il Woo added.
Naturally, it was Min Ho's turn to answer.
"I've been busy growing my business," he replied. "I've had my pleasures," he smiled slyly for a second, knowing full well Go Eun was listening, "But my business has been my priorities. I've changed my mind recently, though. I think it's time for me to settle down, start my own family, and find a good woman who can bear all my shortcomings. Just a few praises about how people of trade deserve respect would make me go down on my knees."
"I'm sure there are many women who would be willing to sing you praises, Mr. Lee," Eun Jae chimed in.
"Not that many. Some women see themselves above matrimony and refuse to lower herself to be anyone's wife."
"I nearly got married twice," Go Eun suddenly cut in.
"Twice???" Min Ho asked.
"Master Song Kang proposed to me first, but I refused him in the end."
"Unnie! Why do you remind me of that???" So Hee yelled.
Min Ho turned to Song Kang and his wife.
"You refuse the son of a Count???"
"Weren't you the one who said some women felt they are above matrimony? Perhaps I am one of those ladies."
She stood up abruptly.
"It was a delicious lunch, Admiral Jung. Allow me to take another stroll in your garden."
Without waiting for another reply, she left for the garden.
*************************************************
Go Eun's emotion was a total turmoil after she returned from Admiral Jung's House. If she thought Lee Min Ho had forgotten her, she was wrong. At least, he was full of anger for her. Eight years had passed. He had kept his anger, enriched himself until he became much more wealthier than her, avenged his humiliation by being scorned by her father by renting her palace for a year, then torture her among her friends for good measure.
Her chest hurt with anger, sadness and well, shame.
She had felt guilty towards him all along. He had loved her, and she had turned her back on him in one day, because her family didn't approve of their union.
However, after what happened that day, she decided that she had paid for her mistake in the past enough. She refused to feel any more guilt, since he himself seemed to be there just to hurt her. Well, she'd show him that he was nothing to her.
The next afternoon, Go Eun returned from spending time with her nephews in the garden to a card on her side of the table.
She was formally invited to a ball at the Song Mansion that Saturday.
She's determined to be there, even if it's only to show him that she's not afraid or affected by him.
Go Eun stared at her three dresses before she attended the ball at the Song Mansion. She got 3 party dresses in her trunk. Light brown, light blue, and red. Her mood was to wear the light brown one, since she's feeling gloomy. The red one was too fancy for the ball. She didn't want to draw people's attention too much. It should be Eun Jae and Ji Eun who were the stars of the show.
But she wanted to make a little effort, if only to show Min Ho that she would not be depressed after everything he did that afternoon at the Admiral's house.
So she chose her light blue dress and wore a little more makeup.
"Unnie, are you trying to look younger than me?" So Hee asked when they gathered at the front door. She was wearing a black and white dress, looking regal and beautiful, but she did appear older than Go Eun, who was actually her senior of four years.
"No, I'm just trying to look presentable."
Her sister glared at her, and she ignored her.
When she entered the mansion, she breathed in the splendor. It's been ages since she attended a ball. It had become too redundant in Busan. The more balls she attended, the emptier and the more exhausted she felt.
But attending one after abstaining from it for so long felt refreshing. She had always liked the sound of cheerful music mixed with people talking. They invited only around 50 people, so it was considered a small one, but Count Song never threw a boring party. Eclairs and wine flew freely, as well as canape and lemon water. Fresh flowers were everywhere, along with servants with shiny black suits and maids with white, well-ironed aprons.
A smile bloomed on Go Eun's lips when Ji Eun found her and immediately clasped her hands, "Oh, Unnie, how lovely you are tonight!"
"It feels good to dress up."
Ji Eun took two glasses of lemon water and handed one to her.
"I told my mother that we must have a ball while you're here. I always enjoy seeing unnie dances!"
"Don't flatter me too much, my love, for I might be drunk just from this lemon water."
"You must stay sober, Unnie! I bet at least five men would dance with you tonight!"
"You know I'm getting older, right?" she asked as she batted her eyelashes.
"Fiddlesticks! You look as young as those debutantes!"
The two entered the ballroom hand in hand, and she smiled wider as they passed the food and beverages tables. Everything looked exquisite. She's used to filling herself up between dances and making her willing dance partners to wait.
She made sure to greet Count and Countess Song first.
They were actually the ones who really wanted her to marry Song Kang, as they knew she's the one who managed her father's entire estate, believing their son would be better with the union with her. They were really upset when she turned him down, but she personally told them that there was too much sadness and bitterness inside her. She wouldn't be able to make their future Count happy.
The senior couple accepted her explanation and let the union go, but haven't given up in favoring her, and were open in showing it, although Song Kang married So Hee in the end.
They greeted her warmly, happy to see her all dressed up for the occasion.
"It looks really amazing tonight, Countess."
"I don't mind throwing parties like this just to see you dance in our ballroom, my dear girl."
Go Eun beamed.
"You're far too kind," she replied, reaching for the countess's hand and the older lady held hers.
"Who will you dance with for the opening number? Admiral Jung?"
"It will be Mr. Kim Bum."
The countess gasped in surprise. "But he had never danced since–"
"We've decided to be friends."
Indeed, the day she received the ball's invitation, she sent a note to the said man, saying, "I ask nothing but friendship from you, Sir. Please dance the first two dances at the ball with me. As you very well know, there's someone I wish to avoid. Your help will be greatly appreciated."
Kim Bum had replied on the same paper, "I am ready to be your friend, Lady Kim. I'll dance with you. Please forgive me if I'll be rusty."
As they lined up for the first dance, Go Eun saw Min Ho partnering with Eun Jae. They were two people away, and she told her friend, "Nice dress!"
"Yours too, unnie!"
Then she changed glances with Min Ho, but they both said nothing to each other, and gave no sign that they knew the other.
Kim Bum bowed and smiled a little at her. As they danced, they spoke about what else they could do in Jeju that autumn. There's comfort between them, though they met each other only twice thus far. It's because they were sure they only wanted friendship out of their interactions.
"There are a lot of things I haven't done since my wife passed. I don't go to the beach for fresh air, I don't sit at cafes or walk in public parks. I don't go to the theater or watch any musical performances. I basically halted my social life."
"Then let's do it together, Mr. Kim, with the others."
"If you'd ask them, I'll join."
From Min Ho's eyes, they looked like a couple who enjoyed their dance together, talking casually with each other. Eun Jae was asking him questions, but he kept missing it because his focus was divided.
"What would you like to do first in this "returning to society" project?"
"I used to really like attending musical concerts. But I don't want to listen to sad tunes."
"Then we can hold a recital with strictly cheerful music."
"Would that be possible?"
"It would," Go Eun said, as she leant in conspiratorially, "If I could convince Countess Song to host it."
"Do you have that much influence over her?"
"She likes me that much. We haven't stopped writing letters to each other, although I refused her son."
On the other side of the ballroom, Min Ho had his hand clasped with Eun Jae in a dance, his other hand on her waist, but all his senses were on, watching Go Eun and Kim Bum. He could hear snippets of their conversations, and literally felt his stomach burning.
She danced the second dance with Kim Bum too, and they talked about his daughter. What the little girl could do and how she's growing as a motherless baby.
"She's a cheerful child. She doesn't know what she missed. And perhaps I should leave the gloom and try to be a happier man for her sake."
"That sounds promising. Maybe a happy ending is not always a man and a woman in matrimony, living happily ever after. But perhaps it could be a man raising a daughter, and being happy together."
"I like the sound of that, Lady Kim. Maybe there's still a chance for me."
Her third dance was with Song Kang. And Min Ho wondered, wasn't it rude to dance with your ex lover, when the wife was within the ballroom?
Of course, he was clouded by his own prejudices. It's normal for a married man to dance with his sister in-law. In truth, Song Kang had let go of Go Eun and learnt to love So Hee. It's just that he enjoyed dancing, and Go Eun was a really good dancer.
There's a mutual understanding between them, and over the years, their feelings have changed to be more sibling-like.
Her fourth dance was with Mr. Ahn Hyo Seop. He's a young bachelor who just finished his studies at Seoul National University, and was mesmerized by "the lady in the light blue dress."
Go Eun danced with him like he danced with any other men she met at a ball. She didn't know who he was, but she was sure that anyone who could attend Count Song's ball must be at least a respectable person.
He was so mesmerized by her that it was she who had to make small talks with him, and he could only make very brief answers. She was a bit annoyed with him, but after they finished dancing, he asked, "Are you already attached to a betrothed, Lady?"
Surprised, she replied, "I am unattached."
"Will you marry me?"
Her eyes widened, and she laughed.
"Oh, God, I'm sorry. Mr......"
"Ahn. Ahn Hyo Seop."
"I'm sorry. You're just.....so young. Why would you want to marry me?"
"I'm 22 years old, Lady. And you look 18 to me, but with the grace of a queen."
"I am 26. Isn't that too old for you?"
"No," he insisted, as he hurried to give his card, "May I call on your residence tomorrow?"
She began to look around for Kim Bum, but it was Lee Min Ho who materialized beside them all of a sudden.
"May I have the next dance?"
Her instinct was to say, "No way in hell," but to Mr. Ahn, she said, "If we meet again, I'll speak to you."
The new song had started playing.
"May I have the next dance as well?" Mr. Ahn asked.
"I'll dance with Mr. Lee, but I'll keep your card," she said, as she slipped his card into her left glove.
She and Min Ho stared at each other. He looked livid, and her face looked tense.
"Do you want to dance or shall I call back Mr. Ahn?"
He immediately reached for her hand and waist, and they began moving together.
"I see that you've been collecting admirers."
She danced with him but she refused to look at him. She turned her head a little to the side, looking at how the Song family and Admiral Jung were watching them.
"If I have admirers, it's not your concern."
"So which one is it? The sad Kim Bum who's a mere accountant but with a cute little daughter, or the Seoul National University graduate?"
"Anyone but you will do."
"Say that again while looking at me, Kim Go Eun."
The mention of her name riled her, so she looked him straight in the eye, "I said, anyone but you."
He wanted to shake her until she screamed. He wished he could scream at her for being so cruel, or for having such a beautiful pair of eyes, that seemed to grow more beautiful in the past 8 years.
She wished she could stamp her heels on to his shoes, for torturing her so much. Renting her palace, attacking her verbally at Admiral Jung's House, and then speaking to her like this.
"And you have no right to call me by my full name, Mr. Lee. I'm Lady Kim to strangers."
She saw the flash of fury on his face and felt a slight satisfaction at that.
"Are you going to marry Kim Bum?"
"Are you going to marry Eun Jae?"
"You're not answering me, so I owe you none as well."
"Indeed."
They were silent until the dance finished. Without realizing it, they still matched each other very well during the dance.
Korea followed British Culture, like the rest of the world. The ability to dance was crucial in socializing. People, rich or poor, learn to dance in their free time, at least to not embarrass themselves.
Go Eun was an amazing dancer. Min Ho was a brilliant one. They used to dominate balls in the past, and people stopped to watch them, and clapped their hands. That evening, they still matched each other very well, and people watched them from the side.
Anyone who could see would say that they were excellent dancers, who had sexual tension. They looked obviously attracted to each other, but seemed to be arguing as well. Regardless, they looked gorgeous together.
As the music ended, they bowed at each other.
"Lady Kim."
"Mr. Lee."
She then walked to Kim Bum, and he walked to Eun Jae.
The last dance was a folk dance. It was a fun dance, with lots of skips and turns, and the tune got faster and faster, until some people slipped.
It was like a game. If you slip once, you lose and you need to stop.
As luck would have it, Min Ho, Eun Jae, Go Eun and Kim Bum were the only people left.
They danced faster and faster, no one wanted to lose to the other.
Until finally Eun Jae slipped, then Kim Bum.
In the end, it was just Min Ho and Go Eun. It's a folk dance they danced often in the past, when they were together, and merrily attending parties. When each meeting was heaven, each word was bliss, each look was ecstasy.
They burn that night.
Her dress swirled in the air, and he didn't dare to blink, for fear of humiliating himself and losing a step, losing to her.
They spun faster and faster, and the last pose was her arching her back in the air as he held her.
They were breathing fast, dripping with sweat in their expensive clothes, visibly trembling with emotion.
The chemistry was still there. Everyone in the ballroom knew that.
He pulled her to a standing position and let her go.
She bowed first.
"Mr. Lee."
He bowed back, "Lady Kim."
With that, they both turned their backs to each other, and walked away from the center of the ballroom, going to different adjacent rooms to breathe better.
