Prince Caspian -Jung Yoonoh NCT

23. Stone and Mortar

I stare at him.

He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, and tugs at his collar.

"You can't go to Ravenscrag while Mr. Mark Jung is in residence until you are married."

"Why not? Mrs. Kim is there, isn't she? Won't she be sufficient chaperone?"

"No, and he wouldn't hear of it. He says he has his position in the county to consider - and yours."

"Really? Stuffy, isn't he? I'm surprised he considers me at all. But what's to become of me in the interim? I refuse to stay at school any longer."

"Your old governess has kindly offered you a temporary home."

"Indeed? You've contacted her?"

"Naturally."

"Without of course consulting me. And when does Cousin Mark intend to fulfil his share of the bargain?"

I am so angry. I have never been so furious in my life.

"He suggests a year's engagement, while you get to know each other." He clears his throat. "He proposes that you follow him back to Seoul, and take up an internship at his company, to prepare you for your position as his wife."

I spring to my feet.

Had I not already been engaged to Mark for a year? If ever there were a laggard lover it was he!

"How very considerate of him!" My voice is shaking with anger. "So for twelve months I'm to stay as an intern under his arrogant nose until it suits his convenience to allow me to enter my home. I'm not a child any longer, Mr. Prescott, to be ordered about. I'll go to Carey because I've nowhere else to go, and when I do see Cousin Mark I'll have plenty to say to him, more than he'll want to hear."

I put my hands on the table, balling them up into fists.

"You can give him a message from me. Tell him all his little games are wasted on me, and he won't get me to break my grandfather's arrangement. I'll die before I'll let him turn me out of my own home!"

I storm out.

Towards the middle of August, the term comes to an end. 

Chloe says goodbye to me, and tells me of the hint of a possible suitor looming on the horizon whom her parents wish her to meet. 

"Though I greatly fear he will not resemble our dashing and charming Caspian," she says wistfully, "but no doubt he will have greater stability." She sighs, and hugs me. "Take care of yourself, Yiseul, when next we meet, it will be to dance at our respective weddings." 

I sigh with her. It is a prospect neither of us is looking forward to.

We part with professions of undying friendship, and I leave for England. 

I travel by air to London and take a train from Paddington. Carey has said she would meet me at the main station, and I wonder idly if Cousin Mark would have brought her, since he presumably has a car, and Carey doesn't. 

But only Carey is on the platform as my train comes in, and the sight of my ex-governess brings back a tide of poignant memories. She is completely unchanged. She is even wearing the same tweed suit that I well remember. Not so myself; in fact Carey does not recognise me until I run up to her and hug her. 

"Carey, don't you know me?"

"Yiseul! What a transformation! No, I didn't, you look so grown up and smart."

I laugh self-consciously, and look past her, seeking an elderly male figure, but she is alone. I can't help but feel a stab of hurt. Clearly, he has no inclination to meet me at all, even though Mr. Prescott has informed me that he is staying at Ravenscrag.

We take a Uber to Carey's place, and chat on the way.

"I'm glad everything is going so well, but what about Cousin Mark? Has he said when he's coming to see me?"

 "He isn't," Carey announces bluntly. 

 I stare. 

"He isn't? What do you mean? Why isn't he?"

Carey laughs shortly. 

"I've been informed by Mr. Prescott that you're to attend a formal coming-out party next month, when the engagement is to be announced. It seems he wishes to receive you in state but is not anxious to meet you before he must."

Her voice is very dry.

I flush. 

"I've never heard of anything so insulting!" I  gasp. "Does he think I'm poison? I shall go to Ravenscrag and see him at once."  

"You wouldn't be welcome, and it wouldn't be very dignified," Carey says. "I've heard the place is being thoroughly renovated, so no doubt he doesn't want you to see it until it's finished."

"But I liked it as it was," I cry. 

"Well, you must admit it was all getting very shabby and probably needed repairing," she says gently. "Perhaps he's hoping to surprise you."

"I don't want to be surprised, I'd have preferred to be consulted," I say angrily. "It seems I'm to have no say about what he's doing, and he'll spoil it all - "

I break off, hot tears welling up in my eyes. 

"The engagement's only a formality. If this man turns out to be quite unbearable, you can break it off."

"And lose Ravenscrag?"

"My dear girl, the place is only stone and mortar, it's not worth a human sacrifice."

"But it's my place," I say fiercely. "It's my home. It's where I've lived all my life. I belong there."

"By the way, what's he like? I suppose you've seen him?"

"No," Carey says shortly, "and from all accounts he appears to be a crusty old bachelor. Yiseul, I wish you'd reconsider your decision." 

I say nothing.

"You're still so young. Have you realised that you may meet a younger man? Someone you could love - before it's too late."

My lips quiver as I think of Caspian, the smile in his eyes, the feel of his lips.

"Goodbye, nereid," he had said, his eyes dark and intent on me, as he watched me walk up the stairs, my heart breaking a little with each step...