Your Pride, My Prejudice | Rawoong/Seohee +18

Rain in Rosings Park

Mr Youngjo was as drenched as the blond was, and he was having no little trouble breathing as if he had been chasing after him since he had left them. "I have struggled in vain and I can bear it no longer. These past few months have been a torment. I came to Rosings only to see you. I had to see you."

Hwanwoong's mouth fell open. What in the world the other was talking about?

Mr Youngjo seemed to have no brackets as words kept flowing out of his lips: "I have fought against my better judgment, my family's expectations, the inferiority of your birth, my rank, everyone's possible opinion on me, but I decided to come here and put them all aside and ask you... to end my agony."

Hwanwoong gave the other a rather confused look: "I- I don't understand—"

"I love you." Mr Youngjo spit out. "...most ardently." He added, and his voice was shaky as if he were truly unable to get a hold of himself, of his feelings. "Please, do me the honour of accepting my hand."

Hwanwoong stood silent for a moment, trying to repeat in his head everything the gentleman had just told him in the attempt to make it all less absurd and unbelievable, but he miserably failed. "Mr Youngjo, I appreciate the struggle you have been through. I'm sorry I caused you pain. It was unintentional."

He was glad he was able to speak up at last without sounding disrespectful towards probably the man he despised more on the face of the earth right in that moment. Mr Youngjo loved him. He loved him!? How was that even possible for that cold, unpleasant, despicable man to even know what love was? Hwanwoong couldn't help wondering as Mr Youngjo frowned at his words: "Is this your reply?"

"Yes, Sir." Hwanwoong firmly replied not to express himself and risk offending the other out loud.

"Are you... Are you laughing at me?" Mr Youngjo seemed almost angry by his voice tone.

"No..." The blond wouldn't take his eyes off him, hoping the other would have understood his words. He was completely sure it was the other the one who was making fun of him. Mr Youngjo was the perfect example of the rich heir of a wealthy family who would have soon married some outstandingly accomplished woman his aunt Lady Chaerin De Bourgh would have approved with no hesitation.

There was no way he had just shamelessly asked for Hwanwoong's hand, Seoho's brother, the man he had tried so hard to keep as far from his dear friend Mr Keonhee as possible not to ruin their reputation.

"Are you rejecting me?" He asked again as if he couldn't believe the other's words.

Hwanwoong was angry, and he didn't even bother hiding it any further: "I believe such a strong man of your wealth and virtue will have no trouble recovering from being rejected by someone like me."

Mr Youngjo looked down, looking somehow disappointed before he found the courage to speak again: "May I ask why am I being repulsed with so little civility from you, Mr Hwanwoong?"

Hwanwoong's eyes widened as he took a step forward: "You came to me to tell me you like me against your better judgment, clearly with the sole intention of insulting me and you even expect me to-"

Mr Youngjo made a step forward as well: "No, that's not what I meant, I-"

"If I was truly uncivil, I would have already apologized to you but you know I have other reasons!"

"What reasons?" Mr Youngjo didn't seem to understand what the other was talking about.

Hwanwoong couldn't believe the other gentleman was keeping up with his act even in front of his face: "Do you think anything might tempt me to accept the man who has ruined my beloved brother's happiness forever?" He saw Mr Youngjo's lips parting in astonishment. "Do you deny it, Mr Youngjo? That you separated a young couple of two people who clearly loved each other, involving both your dearest friend and Seoho in acute misery?" He asked. He needed to hear the truth from the other's lips.