#and I don't mean that in a high brow looking down my nose snobby way

[earl-grey-love]

I think what makes ob. stand out to me as an otome game is that unlike a lot of otome casts, the love interests are inherently, drastically flawed, and you don't "fix" them. Like sure you help them understand themselves and each other better and give them a chance to show their best qualities, but they're never going to get over their flaws and shortcomings. They're just like that and that doesn't make them any less loveable. In fact it's part of what makes them so charming. They wouldn't be the same without their quirks.

None of them are the perfect guy who can give you the world on a golden platter... but they would try. And they don't expect MC to be perfect either. That's real love to me. (Major bonus points for a genderneutral MC too!)

[enha-woodzies]

➸ CHAPTER 4 | " BREWING A SCHEME "

starring: enhypen ft. i-land daniel

pairing: jungwon x fem!reader x sunghoon

genres: royal au, romance, angst, slowburn, 18th century setting

word count: 1.5k

taglist: @serendipitysung (betareader) @angeljungwon @en-sun @affectionaterainoflove @renkiv @softforjungwoo @jislix @fluffi @gyeraniee @stxrryemxlys

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The evening was getting more vivacious as several eligibles twirl around the dance floor not once, but multiple times now; some ladies with different men, as some with the same ones they initially danced with.

The young lord with a hearty appetite approaches his best friend who is sitting alone on the large couch by the lobby. “Where’ve you been? I thought you ran away to the garden with some man.” Sunoo softly chuckles as he plops down beside Y/n with a table napkin in hand. The young miss had her head hung low when he approached her so it took him a while to notice her flushed cheeks and soft sniffles.

“Hey there, come now. What's wrong?”

“Am I that unattractive, Sunoo?” The boy gulps down at her when she suddenly turns to him with a frown. His lips form into that of a slight smile as he carries the napkin towards her flushed cheeks, gently wiping off the tears that stream down her face. He swears internally at the thought that someone seemingly insulted her for her insecurities to pop out again. Sunoo could only presume it was his doltish brother’s doing this time.

“Where is this suddenly coming from, Y/n?”

She sniffs heavily. “Jungwon-”

“That dimbo-”

“we were dancing when he said my eyes were beautiful. But it wasn't long until he excused himself, quickly rushed out and disposed of me like an old, useless book lying on the library floor. I'm completely certain I never said anything wrong for him to suddenly act like that.” Sunoo can only sigh in exasperation while rubbing the corseted back of his very dear friend.

“Am I horrifying?” Her bottom lip juts out as she huffs out a long, dragging sigh. Sunoo’s eyebrows furrow in fume.

“Hey, don’t say that! If you are, then Lord Heeseung wouldn’t probably dance with you out there like you’re his coveted treasure. But of course, he looks at every woman he’s ever acquired like that.”

“He was very charming, though. But whoever wants to be another trophy in his snobby rack of possessions anyway?”

“Oh! Every woman in the ton, babe.” The two rolls their eyes and share a teasing laugh afterwards.

“Sorry about my brother. He's just plain stupid.” Sunoo rests his head on the young miss’ lap. Her hand hovers above him as her flimsy fingers softly rake his luscious locks, fingertips gradually glazing his scalp with the softest, careful touch he's ever felt.

“It's so frustrating, you know? He’d look at you with a smile and the next, he frowns. He’d say you're beautiful and the next, he acts like you're hideous. He'd talk to you nicely like he's very fond of you and then in a split second, he shifts into a complete asshole. No offense.”

“Now that's one way to word it! He's got his brain in a rust. Mother would sometimes think about shaking his head to get it up and running.”

“How about we put on a good show?” The two jolt from their seats and quickly turn to the owner of the baritonal voice. Sunoo stands up in a jiff followed by Y/n, as they curtsy in sync. “Your Grace.”

“Please, Lord Sunghoon will do-”

“Your Grace! How lovely, dear, would you be kind enough to grace our floor with your enchanting waltz?"

The three bows affront the Queen who abruptly appears from one of the arched entrances. With a carefully coiffed beehive and shiny Swarovski jewels draping around the updo, Sunoo almost gasps out loud at the stunning sight that is the Queen.

"I’d be happy to oblige, Your Highness." The marquess turns to the young miss with a raised brow. “My lady?”

Y/n’s eyes widens at the sudden request. The Queen looks at her in anticipation. “Oh! Uh.. y-yeah...”

Sunoo subtly nudges her from the back and she was quick enough to clear her throat and redeem herself. “I mean, yes, Your Grace. It’d be a pleasure to dance with you.” She extends her hand for the very fine marquess only to have the back of her palm softly kissed by the ever handsome lad. “The pleasure’s entirely mine, my lady.”

He gently pulls her from her fingers and soon enough, they find themselves dancing alone gracefully on the Royal Court as the ton circles around them with amused whispers and mouths ajar, caught in the depths of such awestruck sight.

The lad has his hand resting politely on the slightly arched back of the lass, with the other hand carefully gripping hers as they sway and twirl in elegant motions along the grand tune from the pianoforte. With a close-hold stance, it is without a doubt that the two can feel each other's breaths of tension and agitation.

“Are you okay? You're downright flushed, it's starting to concern me. Is it perhaps the corset you're wearing?” Sunghoon whispers against the space almost enclosing them. She fixes her gaze upon the mole on his nose bridge and wonders how someone can possibly look this ethereal even with all these on random parts of the face.

“Miss Park,” He steals her attention from the pretty dots on his magnificent face that resulted in her now fixing her gaze upon the marquess’ eye-piercing stare. “are you alright?”

“Uh-huh.” She smiles naturally as if she didn't almost gag from anxiety a few moments ago. Despite the obvious lie, the young miss earns a soft chuckle from the gentleman. “They don't call me the lie-detector for nothing, Miss Park. Your shaky breaths against my presence is enough proof that you're not at ease. Might I add, you cannot even look straight into my eyes for more than three seconds.” He chuckles lightly.

“It's just… I’m just…” She shudders.

“Let's go get some air now, shall we?” It was very timely that the music ended when the marquess suggested a change of scenery. The crowd applauded at the spectacular performance the two had put on and it wasn't for long when everyone joined in the center of the hall to dance once more.

His other hand steadies on Y/n’s back while the other is holding her hand as he carefully avoids the ton's eyes. The ton swarms the floor and Sunghoon takes it as a perfect timing to sneak out the royal court and out in the open.

What they didn't know is that one person caught them; and he was just standing at the very corner of the room cautiously eyeing them the entire time with an obnoxious, deafening regret swallowing him from his gut.

Under the incandescent gleam of the chandeliers stands Yang Jungwon, a boy who just had his heart crushed by the mere sight of torture for his soul and a brainrotting guilt for giving away the woman to not just an apparent threat with a face that screams trouble, but to an all-knowing, remarkable snake who perfectly knows how to play his cards right.

The moment they step foot on the grassy lawn across the royal staircase, the two continuously huff out exhales of reliefs and share a rather boisterous laugh afterwards.

“Didn't think we'd get past them, did you?” Sunghoon, with both hands on his waist, huffs out shaky breaths while looking at the almost helpless miss who’s now wiping her forehead with the back of her thumb.

Sunghoon fishes out a small piece of cloth from his pocket and walks closer Y/n leaving the two a tiny gap of distance. “May I?” He offers to which Y/n responds with a light nod. He gently taps her forehead from the sweat of anxiousness and the sneaking out they did a while back.

“Are you sure you're okay?” He twitches his head to get a good view of her face and before he knew it, he was locking his eyes on hers.

“Forgive me, it's just, your eyes, they're... divine. I’m completely charmed.” Y/n blinks twice at the pithy remark from the favorable marquess. Almost all thoughts of her dearest lord vanished at that striking remark from another fine nobleman.

“I meant what I said earlier,” Y/n’s brows furrowed in confusion. “the idea of putting on a good show?”

“I thought we just did?” She questions.

“Not the dance. I meant we should play pretend. Only if you wish to, of course.”

“Pardon me, Your Grace, but I don't think I’m catching up.”

Sunghoon almost sighs in frustration but quickly stifles it with a chuckle. “Forgive me for eavesdropping back there but I couldn't help myself. A chap gave you a heartbreak?”

“A longtime crush that I couldn't ever acquire attention from let alone a good moment.” Sunghoon lets out an amused smile with a jerked brow.

“Let's play a game.” He snaps. “Two witches brew a scheme to make the perfect concoction of envy. Whoever indulges the contents will either conceal their long-hidden truth, or swallow it down until all there's left is nothing but void. What do you say?” Sunghoon playfully smirks at the young miss who seems very impressed with the whole ploy.

“I’d say cheers to that!”

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ㅡ © ENHA-WOODZIES, 2021