A Flavorful Box

Anyone But You 2-2: You Are Who You Show

Author's Note: 

Mineun AU in Regency Era (early 1800). In this story, Koreans lived like British people at that time. 

This is only a part of Anyone But You Chapter 2. If you want to read the rest faster, you can access it at my Patreon or KaryaKarsa.

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Min Ho didn't say anything, only putting his fingers on his head and bowing a little. She did the same.

"Shall we?" Ji Eun suggested. "Let's walk so much that we won't feel guilty later if we eat a lot at the cafe."

Il Woo chuckled, and walked beside Ji Eun, entering the park.

Go Eun automatically walked beside Kim Bum, silently looking around the entire place. It's been a year since she last visited. The autumn leaves were really beautiful. Brown, red, yellow in different gradation. The air smelled of grass and was cool, but not too cold.

Children were running around, and some people gathered by the pond, feeding the swans there.

Couples and families had picnics, walked around together, watched street musicians, and bought snacks.

There were stalls of tea, orange juice, sandwiches, sausages, and candies.

"I'm glad I agreed to join. It's such a perfect day for a walk in the park."

"That's true. I'm glad to see that you're alright, Lady."

She turned to him in shock.

"Was there anything to imply that I might not be alright?"

"With Min Ho Hyung at that ball, you seemed.....emotional."

"Ah. I guess there's no denying that. It must have been obvious."

Kim Bum's face meant that it was true.

"He's been tense too, this whole week."

"Has he?"

He nodded.

"Nevermind. Let's not talk about him. How's your daughter?"

"She's learning animals' names. I ordered some animal toys, and she loves them."

She smiled. "Ah, I wish So Hee has a daughter. It would be lovely to have a niece."

"Don't sound so defeated, yet, Ma'am. You might still get married and have a daughter or two."

Go Eun laughed dryly.

"I think I have passed my prime time."

"Don't be so self-deprecating. You appear young to me. I'm sure someone sensible would come along and you'll like him."

"...........Honestly, Mr. Ahn has been sending me letters, asking to see me."

"Ahn Hyo Seop? The son of Lawyer Ahn?"

"Ne. We danced at that ball."

"You sound like you've refused him."

"Shouldn't I?"

"Only if you're sure you don't like him."

"I have no energy for courting anymore."

"You are 26, Lady, not 56."

"I feel 56, Mr. Kim."

He widened his eyes, and they walked together in silence for a bit, listening to the street musician for a while.

"If I were your brother, I would do my best to stop you from closing yourself off. You're not old, Lady. Be merry and perhaps get to know Mr. Ahn Hyo Seop a little. I know him enough to say that he is young, but a good man."

Go Eun was moved.

"If you were my brother, Mr. Kim, I would feel happy. I won't have my burden as someone responsible for my family. You will be the one who takes care of the family matters."

"Our surnames are indeed the same," Kim Bum smiled.

"It does feel like we are meant to be friends, isn't it?" Go Eun replied.

"I agree."

"A brother would buy some snacks for me, though I'm grown already."

"Would you care for some, Lady? I thought it's beneath you."

"Certainly not! Some candies would be nice. No one had ever given me candies but my mother."

"Then let's buy some."

A few meters away, Min Ho and Eun Jae looked at Go Eun and Kim Bum, who greeted the lady at the candy stall and seemed to be buying some.

"I have never seen Mr. Kim Bum this carefree," Eun Jae commented.

"Would you like some candies?" Min Ho offered.

"Me? Why, of course!"

Go Eun was admiring the candies made into different shapes, a star, a girl, a swan, a horse, and many other things.

"I wouldn't have the heart to eat it, though. It's too pretty."

"Then just buy the ones in the box," Kim Bum suggested.

"Oh, these look so nice!" Eun Jae exclaimed excitedly.

"They're so pretty, right? This one's a cherry blossom."

"I'd like the star and the girl!"

"May I have three boxes, Mr. Kim?"

"Sure."

"One's for me and the two are for my nephews."

"Do you think my daughter could eat these?"

"No, she's too young."

"I thought so."

"Two years old could still choke on a candy. Just give her some fruit."

"Once you're done with your delightfully domestic conversation, could you pay and step away? Other people wish to buy as well," Min Ho said coldly, making the other three turn and stare at him in shock.

"Let's hurry, then, Mr. Kim. Mr. Lee must not be used to waiting," Go Eun replied.

"Indeed, I don't."

Kim Bum quickly paid, and they walked away.

Go Eun sat on a nearby bench and tried her caramel candy.

"It's nice. Try some," she offered.

Kim Bum took the lemon one, and said that it tasted nice.

"He's usually not like that."

"Who?"

"Min Ho Hyung. Usually, he's well-mannered and well-tempered."

Go Eun was silent.

"Is it true that you two used to be a couple?"

"It's true. Eight years ago."

"I guess it didn't end well."

"It definitely didn't."

Kim Bum suspected that Min Ho was jealous, but didn't say it out loud.

"I'd say, wouldn't it ruin your prospects, if we look too friendly to each other?"

Go Eun smiled.

"I enjoy our friendship. Whoever would like to pursue me should be brave enough to ask what's the manner of our connection."

"If you're not bothered, then it's alright."

"I only have three people that I consider as friends. One, Lady Eun Chae. She's my mother's friend. But she's in Busan, and we can only exchange letters at the moment. The other two were Eun Jae and Ji Eun. However, Eun Jae seemed to be interested in Lee Min Ho-ssi, and Ji Eun to Admiral Jung. Don't let me be friendless by trying to give me opportunities to attract others, please."

"I won't. We can still talk as usual if you feel it's a good idea."

"I think it's a brilliant idea."

Admiral Jung waved at them, telling them it's time for their tea at the cafe.

Go Eun put her candies in her small bag, then walked with Kim Bum to the cafe opposite the park.

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The cafe was an expensive one, named "Golden Cups." The owner used to work at a high-class restaurant in London, and offered authentic British dishes. The middle class Jeju citizens sometimes went there as a treat, while Go Eun and her friends could go there often.

Pots of Earl Grey tea were placed between eight of them. Plates of inviting dishes were placed in front of them one after the other, as Il Woo's servants already booked a big table and the dishes earlier that morning.

"How can you stand never taking any sugar for your tea?" Eun Jae said to Min Ho.

"I'm not partial to sweet things."

"Sugar can give us energy."

Eun Jae tried the earl gray without sugar, and made a face.

"Don't force yourself to follow me, just take it as you like it," he said.

As this conversation went on, Go Eun already finished her first cup, which was with a little sugar and milk. Kim Bum poured her a second cup, and she put a little honey and lemon in it.

He then spread butter on his muffin and began eating. "Did you say you're reading the book about traveling in Europe?"

"Ne. I really wish to go to Italy because of it."

"Is it because of the food, or Shakespeare?"

"Both! We had to read Shakespeare when we're still studying, right? I heard from Lady Eun Chae, they have the Romeo and Juliet tour in Verona. I really wish to go there."

"I am most interested in trying the local food."

"Yes, the author made the food in that book sound so amazing."

"Perhaps you two can go to Italy for your honeymoon, then," Min Ho suddenly chimed in.

His statement made the whole table freeze, as Il Woo shut his eyes, praying for patience and that he wouldn't kick his best friend's seat.

Go Eun had three seconds of thinking before she replied with, "I really will go there one day."

"A woman can't go to Europe alone. Take a husband with you."

"I can go with Lady Eun Chae. But your suggestion is a good one as well. Maybe I really should go with my future husband to Italy. I heard it's a very romantic country."

Kim Bum looked at the fork Go Eun was holding. She's gripping it so tight, like she wanted to stab it into Min Ho's eyes.

"Such an excellent plan, Lady Kim."

"I thank you for the praise, Mr. Lee."

"Min Ho and I have visited Italy," Il Woo interjected.

"I remember. But we haven't heard how it was," Ji Eun replied, wanting the situation to be less tense.

Go Eun and Min Ho were still staring hatefully at each other. It was she who broke eye contact first and opted to take the meat pie.

"We visited it in summer. Min Ho got some business to do, and I wanted to meet my friends. I remember it's warm and festive. The people were really expressive. The food and wine were excellent. Their pizza and pasta were amazing as well. Don't you think so, Min Ho?"

"That's true. The wine and the girls were excellent."

He saw Go Eun's fork stopped moving, and felt a slight satisfaction at that, although she immediately resumed it.

"Woohoo, excellent in what way, Mr. Lee?"

"They were skillful and willing."

"Ohhhhh, willinggggg," Ji Eun replied, dragging the last word.

"I can't imagine any girls would be unwilling if you'd ask," Eun Jae replied.

"Yah, Song Eun Jae!" Song Kang scolded, as it was such a scandalous thing to say for a well-bred young lady.

Go Eun looked at Eun Jae. Her cheeks were reddening, and her eyes were shining. She must be so in love to speak like that in front of men who were not her family.

"Omona, Eun Jae-yah! If Omma hears what you said, she's going to lock you up!"

"She wouldn't, because no one here will tell her!"

Min Ho smiled.

"Would you like to go to Italy, Eun Jae-ssi?"

"I'd love to!!!"

"Maybe we should go there together."

Kim Bum and Go Eun shared a look. He's worried for her, but she offered him a weak smile, before returning to her Cornish pasty.

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Author's Note: 

The rest of 9,300 words for chapter 2 are available at my Patreon and KaryaKarsa. Find the links on my twitter: ladylia257

Stories that until now are still exclusive on my Patreon and Karya Karsa:

1. Anyone But You Chapter 4 and 3

2. RMS 2023: Two Days Without You

3. The Vampire King's Guest

4. Delirium

5. Oppa Nappa Chapters 6-25

6. Tainted Salvation Original Version is available at my Patreon, chapter 1 & 2 at Karya Karsa

7. Anyone But You Chapters 2 (the next 9,300 words) and chapter 3