#han jisung regency au

[braemjeorn]

CHAPTER XVII [masterlist]

pairing: bang chan x ofc

genre/notes: general audience; angst; romance; regency period drama; family fluff; domesticity; ocassional angst; slowburn; governess!oc; nobility!BC; age differences; age changes

wordcount: 4.7k

summary: despite everything, and because of everything, it is only right for the heart to let go.

also available in ao3, if you prefer that format

© Do not repost, copy, or republish into another site or under another name.

⚠️ All characters that shares the name of real life person in this story are represented in a fictional manner for entertainment purpose, and not to be alluded with real life.

TAGLIST: @spookykryptoniteperson @nixtape-foryou @do-you-know-what-else-is-big

Mari herself spent her last days in a sedate manner. She took care to take in every moment and give herself as freely and openly as she might, hoping to make up the best of the days left before the carriage would drive her away. Mari still kept to her usual hours in teaching; the oldest two begged to leave their long equations to sit with the younger ones. The eight of them ended up pursuing a subject together, raising questions and speaking out the opinions they’ve formed. 

“You must not neglect your education—it will always be of some value to you,” Mari said quietly. They had gathered on the terrace outside the study room, huddling close to her—Jeongin had the privilege of sitting on her lap. They were to nap after some walk, but they had asked if they could sit with her instead. All the same, they dozed away in this soft breeze and her softly spoken bits of advice—her last naggings, so it would seem.

Balrnshore’s gardens would bloom in full again, while the Commodore’s stables expand with more horses for the boys to ride, perhaps accompanying their travel to the creek once summer rolled in. Mari would not repeat the season with them again, nor relive last year’s memories by walking through the fields again and seeing all the changes nature blooms into. No good, warm company. That she will regret the most—for the past few evenings she had allowed herself to revel in conversations with the Commodore, whether in making up stories for the boys before the fire or over dinner with Mr Bambam. Commodore Bang would tell tales of his expeditions, and as she worked over her embroidery hoop she mused at how the company of seven children sparks evenings just as warmer and more sweetly than coffee after dinner. It will be so quiet and different in Mrs Ahn’s home. Inha will soon live with Mr Noh, and the other girls will have each other’s company, or leave to teach. And she will be quite alone with her ideas and her embroidery, not knowing when it will be the time for her to speak up and join the company, or constantly wonder if her life is finite in dreary wait for something in between running classes. As if to remove herself from that piercing dream, quietly she roused her charges before they could catch cold in the open air, and helped them upstairs to their softer beds.

Mari checked over her things and clothes again, mostly packed since five days ago from where they had been strewn through the house. Now they are all ready to be carried back but for a few things and her gifts, and now there is not much to do but to pack the last of it on her final day.

Quietly, she went through the house, from the rooms at the top to take in the sights of their halls in the afternoon light. The red tapestries in the western gallery beamed proud and brave; she passed through them to the end of the room, descending the stairs into the front of the house. Soon she was out in the open air, the breeze blowing still to sweep over her face and strands of hair. She descended the stairs into the gravel, and walked round the circular path in front of the house, hastening to near the trees on the northern side. Mari passed between pine trees into the open grassy lawn. It was empty; she laughed. She turned to the high wall behind her—in line with the house, and bordering into the gardens. The breeze called for her to run, but she dismissed it to savour and soak the sights at a slow pace. Such warm afternoon light might not come again to illuminate Barlnshore like this. 

Mari went to the flower gardens, admiring the hydrangeas and other blooms in their circular beds. She was mulling over the carnations—how can one not at the presentation of such fine blossoms!—when slow footsteps notified her of another’s presence. Her eyes found the well-cared boots, black trousers, and the long black coat. Commodore Bang was tall and stately as ever, even as he redirected his steps to approach Mari from his earlier destination, joining her to admire the flowers.

“Beautiful, are they not?”

“Yes.” She turned to meet his eyes, looking down when her face suddenly felt over-warm. “...Yes.”

“Walk with me, Miss Son?” 

The request was an offer all the same; hardly demanding, like he would simply nod and walk on if she refused, but Mari wished to move—and enjoy his company—thus soon they were pacing side by side.

“I’m glad spring has arrived already,” he said. “Thus you have seen all four seasons in Barlnshore.”

“There's an attraction for each season—all year round vivacity blooms about the grounds.”

“Did you enjoy your time here?” Commodore Bang led her under the shades of the trees.

Mari smiled, turning to meet his eyes. “Yes, very much. You have such a beautiful house, sir.”

He laughed and looked at the house, its ivy-covered side, “The imposing thing.”

“Yes, it does seem so from here,” Mari replied. “Like a great cliff by the seas. But I don’t think you’d merit any less sir, with your titles and income. Your station.”

“No material flattery now, Miss Son. It’s hardly worth it.”

“It’s a contributing factor,” Mari insisted, and the Commodore merely sighed. “And I’ve had a good deal of time to make my judgement, and thus my admiration increases more each day. I think I like this grand house better than any other estate in the country.”

His eyebrows raised, “A bold statement!”

“I approve of the arrangements and the decorations—Minatozaki-san's tastes suit mine. But perhaps the warmth of the occupants endears me more to it.”

“You are fond of them?”

“I am,” Mari maintained with warmth. “They make this mansion a home, embracing you in a warmth we all so cherish from a humble cottage.”

“Chaos, if you consider the boys,” Commodore Bang added. Mari burst into a laugh, and their conversation paused as he joined her.

“But otherwise—or even with it!—they are superb company!”

“And in such company, you would remove yourself, Miss Son.”

Mari felt her chest tighten at the words—compressed from the previous ease she had been speaking with. She wrung out a smile, apologetic, and paced ahead of the Commodore, but then he was quick to follow her.

“Forgive me. I ought not to jab you with such flippant remarks when… it is clear…” Commodore Bang huffed, “Oh, why do I keep upsetting you with my words? My apologies would be meaningless.”

Mari slowed her pace, easing her lungs to breathe deeper against the lump in her throat and shook her head. “Sir, you’ve given me much joy and warmth to amend all those wrongs,” she said. “But we each have our obligations and changes to face—and the boys will grow up… and Lady Jang might have her preference as to who will attend them.” 

Mari spoke no more, for she felt further words would betray her. Everything she wanted to say—how much she liked it here, and more so the people: the boys,  him —felt extremely wrong to come out at such a time. In such a situation where promises had been agreed upon. She wishes not to say it, or to confuse her own heart and confound both of them with her wants. But it would be miraculous if she managed that much; if anything her tears would ruin everything first to a fluster.

“Growing up takes a lot of sacrifice, it seemed,” Commodore Bang hummed quietly in the silence. “A great deal of parting is one.”

They were standing by a tall, bush of roses streaming from a wall. The Commodore pulled out a small folded knife from his pocket, with which he cut a bloomed blossom and then smoothed the stem off any thorns. He held out the flower to her, peach and rosy and sweet. Mari felt her ears grow hot while she took it; her whispered thanks were certainly inaudible to the man. She dared not meet his eyes, and cleared her throat, “I hope you’ll forgive me too, sir. For any wrongs I did, especially that time before the piano.”

“Leave with little regrets, Miss Son. You must know I have only gratitude in your regard.”

Commodore Bang only chuckled at her questioning eyes. His words came out more measured as he continued, “You have done so much for us. You struck me awake that day and had revived life and joy back in the place, of the boys. It was necessary, even if I wouldn’t approve then. You were... involved, spiritedly, in a way I should have been but could never bring myself to be. I commend your senses and briskness. Such choice of action would be easily forgotten.”

“My gratitude in return sir,” Mari bows her head. “You have been kinder to me than what I ought to have deserved in my station.” 

“Then let me take the pleasure of parting with you in good faith, better than how we met months ago.” Commodore Bang offered her his hand to shake halfway through his words, and Mari let a smile rise. She gently gave him his hand and revelled in his warm grasp. 

“Do not laugh,” he scoffed at her mirth.

Mischief had sparked to Mari as she looked up then, “You were terrible!”

Commodore Bang sighed. “You know very well I was.”

She gazed over his face, admiring the way black strands fell over his brows, shifting slightly in the wind. Their eyes met, and she stifled a gasp and the urge to look away. His eyebrows were furrowed against the sunlight, but it didn't render his eyes as hard as that night when she first saw him. Mari could not help to smile at the soft crows at the corner of his eyes, more indented with his frequent smiles lately.

 “Everything is well now, Commodore,” Mari said.

“As well as it could be,” he slowly replied. He lowered their hands, releasing hers. They resumed their pace, now turning to the front of the house. Some minutes passed in silence, but it was relieved from burdens or tensions—whatever had been contained in their chests had been said to one another. Mari looked up, turning to the man and found him regarding her. A flush might have trickled up to her face again, but she did not let his gaze deter her.

“Promise you won’t…abandon the boys again?”

“No,” Commodore Bang shook his head, sincerity in his warm eyes. “You have my word. Henceforward, I shall only seek to provide for their happiness and welfare. I have little else to do anyway. Furthermore, I have little intention of letting people coerce me otherwise. Will that do?”

“You have much love for you, sir. I have faith in it to lead you in your decisions,” Mari said. 

They fell again into companionable silence. Mari realised she would speak to him no better than as a stranger after this, and the thought made her sigh, with much heaviness as the Commodore had done. Her companion walked on by her, warm and steady. Mari wondered who else would she have such pleasant walks with. The girls back home walk to town, not on one of her meditative, snail-paced ambling through the hills and groves. Mari and the Commodore returned through the front of the house, and into the inner hall, where some ruddy, pillow-marked faces stared at them with half-closed eyes.

“Why do you stare at us so from the top of that stairs?”

The boys were as still as disgruntled owls. Mari giggled; Commodore Bang huffed.

“She asked you a question, lads. Come down now. Dinner will be ready soon.”

The morning turned cloudy even after breakfast, instead of the warm brightness Mari so adored yesterday. It changed nothing of the day's planned events. She let her trunk be carried down, carrying her outdoor garb to enter the kitchen. She bid her goodbyes and bowed to the maids with her thanks: for they have been so kind and accommodating to her, and she wishes them well. She went out to the garden to see Bernard Park and his undergardeners, saying her goodbyes with her good wishes. Then she went to the front foyer, taking her time hooking up her robe and bonnet. A hand reached up to fasten to the bands of her bonnet, and Mari turned to find Minatozaki-san gently tying a ribbon under her chin. She finished, and Mari leaned to hook her head over the housekeeper's shoulder and wrapped her hands in a hug. The housekeeper stilled for a moment, but soon her hand came round Mari, rubbing her shoulder and enclosing her in warmth.  

“I wish you well, child, wherever you go,” Minatozaki-san said.

She slipped a soft packet into Mari’s hand as they separated, and told her that there was another basket in her carriage (Mari laughed)—filled with condiments and jellies and a few salted goose eggs, like the parcel she had given Mari for the Ahns last time at Christmas. Mari rubbed her eyes as she looked at Minatozaki-san’s face, unabashed but unwilling to cry so early in the separation.

“May I write to you?” Mari asked, relieved at finding her voice still steady.

Minatozaki-san smiled, “I’d like that, Mari.”

Delighted at preserving a friend, whose counsel she cherished, Mari kissed the housekeeper on her cheek with her thanks and received a kiss in exchange. Mari stepped further out to the foyer. Mr Kang Younghyun was there, taking her hand for a cordial shake, smiling as he gave her his parting good wishes—it was like the time they first met at the inn. Mari wished him good health and blessings in return, grasping his hands warmly. Commodore Bang was by the door, in an easy stance as he waited for her. There’s an uncomfortable lump in Mari’s throat already, swelling into fullness in her chest as they face one another. But his lips were set in an easy smile, the light making a halo of his dark hair, and though reluctant, Mari was less intimidated to approach him.

“One last payment, for Miss Son Mari,” said Commodore Bang, before she could phrase anything of sense. There was an envelope in his hand, which he placed upon her hand gently, “Sealed and stamped, with good faith.”

Mari looked up, finding his eyes upon her already. Brown and warm, the lines around it kind, not stern and shadowed as when she had first seen him.

“Thus, I release you from my service.” 

Mari was glad they had spoken the afternoon before, for at this moment she knew not if she could make an apology as well as she had. Her lips let out a whispered thank you as her form hesitates to pull away. Commodore Bang offered his arm. Mari did not refuse him, and they walked out of the front door, descending the stairs to the gravel. The boys had assembled there, chattering and giggling at Mr Bambam’s jokes, but they turned upon her approaching form, and soon their eyes turned mellow. Behind the Mari’s trunks are being tied atop the carriage.

“Let me go first, but I’ll make it short. I’m less significant in your company after all, Miss Son,” Mr Bambam spoke up when the eight of them hesitated; and he gave Mari his hand to shake. “My good wishes for you, Miss Son. God-willing, I’ll be very pleased to meet you again.”

Mari’s heart ached and his earnest eyes; as much as Mr Bambam had implied that they were not close, she always cherished the cheer and friendliness he extended when they shared company.

“That would be delightful, Mr Bambam. Thank you,” she said. “My good wishes for your wife as well,” Mari added quietly. 

With a smile, he inclined his head to her and moved beside the Commodore. 

The boys came before her; the older holding the younger ones before them, much like how Mari had met them in the dark drawing room. But nearly a year, and so much had happened, so many things shared and more familiarity built between them. If her heart had swelled before, now something tightens around it. Mari knows not if it will survive today.

“All right,” she sighed, stepping closer to them and kneeling with extended hands. “One last time. As promised. Come.”

Hyunjin was first, bursting into her hold with such force it tilted her bonnet askew. He said nothing, but Mari let him hold her as tight as he wished.

“I got excited thinking about your paintings, little one,” Mari murmured. “You keep doing what you love, alright Hyunnie?”

Hyunjin nodded mutely, but he gave her a small peck and held her again with a shuddery sigh. She thanked him; there was a wry smile as he made way for his brother. Jisung latched to curl under her neck and sighed deeply as she kissed his brows, somewhat content to nestle into her as he promised to practise his piano better.

“I’ll keep those words, you know?” Mari hummed.

“I suppose you can��I’ll try not to hurry as much.” Jisung leaned back, looking up at her, “Do you think Appa will let me go to that music school if I want?”

Mari heard Commodore Bang shift behind her. “To a conservatory?” she asked. “Do you want to? I think it only matters whether you want to.”

“I do,” Jisung whispered, his nod firm.

“Then you only have to tell him.” 

More assured, Jisung kissed her cheek and stepped away. Then Yongbok bounded to her—she had expected him to join Jisung, but this was just better. Like his twin, he tucked himself under her, and Mari laughed for then it was as if he purred under her. Then he looked up, in all his soft brown eyes and pale-haired cheerful being, and whispered, “You must never take a grave illness, Miss Son, that’s all I ask.”

Her smile came with a laugh and a sigh, the long breath she took to ease her tears back, “I’ll do my best, sweetling.”

It satisfied Yongbok, for then he gave her cheek a long kiss and separated from her for Seungmin. The second youngest toddled to her, making Mari laugh as she held his warm form.

“My strawberries got flowers already,” he declared quietly.

“It did?” Mari asked, a spark of excitement lighting in her.

“I just saw them earlier.”

“You’ll get the fruits in June then, I think.”

Seungmin hummed, muttering that he’d eat them well, then gave her one last warm grasp before letting go. Mari kissed his forehead and rose with a chuckle from where she had been kneeling towards Changbin’s outstretched—with grabby fingers—arms. He was just as tall as her shoulder, so his hands could rest about her waist while she kissed the top of his head.

“Our Changbinie,” she sighed, squeezing his form closer. “My handsome, steadfast, Binnie. I shan’t worry as much knowing you’re here—you’re a very good hyung you know?”

He looked up at her, those dark eyes in soft light, “Do you know you’re a pretty lady, Miss Son? Has anybody told you that?”

Mari chuckles, “I don’t think so.”

“Well, you should know that much. But then I like you more than that,” he finishes, cuddling into her one last time before releasing her.

Jeongin looked up at her from where he was clutching Minho's hand. He had walked into her room as usual this morning. It only took him five seconds to remember that this was her last day with them. He sat on her bed the entire time she brushed her hair, fingers fidgeting over her bedcover. Mari had seen the eldest earlier this morning when they were all dressing up; ushering the others quietly into a huddle and overheard him telling them not to be very distressed about the parting—Mari could not blame him, it would be very hard if the eight of them all cried. But Jeongin took a lot harder time to contain it; his brothers can put on some good humour, restraint or distraction despite the sombre eyes they shared; and Mari would not blame the youngest either for his downturned lips and red eyes. She kneeled back and reached out for him, smiling as she met his watery eyes, just a drop away from flowing out.

“I’ll cry for the last time. But I promise I won’t again,” he whispered, then throwing himself into her arms. “I’ll be a good boy, I promise. I’ll be better.”

She rocked his shaking form and brushed his strewn hair and tears. “You are a good boy, Jeongin, whether you cry or not,” she assured him. “Remember that.” 

She could not hold him long enough until his tears subsided; Minho’s hand on his back reminded him of it. But despite his tears, the boy was not in a fit of cries, his shaky sniffles restrained. Mari kissed his brows and touched their foreheads, finding it harder to tear away from the boy. Hyunjin offered his hand, and the two stood away side by side—the elder being most affected by the younger, thus they shared their sadness leaning toward one another.

Minho approached; grave yet assured. His trembling lips could not speak much, but steady enough to give a smile. Mari pulled him in; being nearly as tall as her, he could hook his head easily upon her shoulder.

“I think I’ll miss you the most,” she whispered. 

There was a hum. “Thank you,” he said after some pause—words did not glide easily out of him today. “I don’t think we’ve said much about how grateful we are. But…—thank you, for everything.”

He nodded, as if assuring himself. But Mari waited. His mouth opened, then he pressed it close and licked his lips, took a breath. “I might as well add that we love you. Lots,” Minho added, a whisper to her hearing.

Mari’schest tightened, so she pulled him close and kissed his brows, with all the love and blessing she might return to the boy. But soon they parted let—and the lack of his warmth alarmed her with the realisation that this was the parting. She had barely comprehended their goodbyes.

The seven of them had assembled back together, and Mari only needed to turn on her heels and step into the carriage to have it done with. But she took one last look at each of their faces; duty reprimanding her to not linger while fondness beseeched her for just five more minutes to remember the lines and angles and the warm light over their tresses. She tried picturing their gleeful face, those days she let them run rampant on the fields. But in the present sombre ambience, they would not be provoked to. Unless she proposed it.

“Do you know? If a ground mole was to poke his head out of the ground today, I believe it would have shaken itself and declared this day as sunny as any other grand one.”

Their blinks seemed to happen together, and soon bewildered frowns or gaping mouths appeared before her. Mari bit her lips to hold her smirk, letting them stare at her long enough before easing her still face into mischief.

“He can feel the warmth but the clouds would have been very blurry to him. If you get the nonsense I’m saying,” she shrugged.

She would have left them in confusion, but it only took one second for Minho to snort out a laugh, and Jisung followed him in realisation—and soon the understanding was shared with everyone. Half of them might have remembered the amusing picture books they read a few days back, and the others might have not a single knowledge or recollection about it, and merely found decent hilarity at her sudden declaration. Ridiculous, but it does the work, for once Changbin made a strangled whimper in holding back his laugh, and everyone bursted into cackles—even Jeongin could not help the smile through his tears.

"Boys?" she called, steadying her smile as they all looked at her. 

"I love you all very much."

Yongbok made a noise between a surprised laugh and a cry, but he nodded even as his fist pressed to his eyes to stop the tears from flowing. Jisung steadied him, and with blotched-faced Hyunjin murmured their love in return. Seungmin and Jeongin stared, the second youngest's tears now breaking out. Minho and Changbin could only smile through the tears. The eldest raised a hand in a wave, and with a warmer heart, Mari turned to the carriage. 

Mari lets Commodore Bang help her in and settle inside. He stood by after closing the door, watching her with a smile and sorrowful eyes. Again, his hand rested upon her window as he shut her door, and it was nearly thoughtless how her hand reached out to it and how he grasped hers back in return. His hold was familiar, and his gaze no less assured and steadfast as it had been the past few days. Some pull compelled her to reach for him, to hold and kiss him as she did to the boys. But no. She blinked away the unbidden thoughts. But the warmth of his palm remained enclosing hers—selfishly she savoured it, the strength and warmth it gave her. Mari looked again into his eyes and saw in them... an urgency. She waited for a breath, then another. But nothing came, and her hand slipped back to her lap. The Commodore let out a heavy breath. She cursed her thoughts upon the man, engaged and promised to a fine lady as he was. 

Still, his shadow loomed over the window, and Mari found his eyebrows now raised in concern to her. Mari would have laughed at the prospect that she might never find another man as attentive, had this day been more humorous. She let out a smile to assure him all was well, while her eyes trailed over that kind face—pale and lined as ever—but loving; nothing less but love and fondness emanating through it. She feared she would forget it. 

He seemed alerted by the lengthy pause they had made by the side of the carriage, so Commodore Bang sighed with a shudder and forced out an easier facade. “Safe journey, Miss Son,” he said.

Commodore Bang stepped away and bid the carriage to drive on; as it shook with motion, her heart felt as if a great hole had been punched into it. Before she knew it they were turning around the fountain. She looked out of the window, turning back to the eight figures behind her.

“Thank you!” she cried out, despite her tightened throat. When she could no longer look from the side window, she turned to the small window on the back. Jisung and Yongbok were running after the carriage, running past the Commodore. They did not make it far until they could only stand still, but Mari looked on—until the carriage turned north, out of the gate, and the house and the parks were completely obstructed from her sight.

For some moments she did not let herself think of anything—neither despair nor disappointment nor happiness. Her eyes trailed over the moving fields and rising hills, until she became aware of the bundles in her hand. Slowly, she opened the one from Minatozaki-san and found inside the softest handkerchief of linen, embroidered with cornflowers in the corners, alongside her initials. She knew it would be a treasured kerchief, to remind herself of the kind housekeeper, a dear friend. The other is from the Commodore, her payment. She could not help but open the flaps, just to savour an item they exchanged. But to her shock, it contained not only the fourth part of her payment but also a cheque for four times the amount. ‘For a good service’ was written on the flap, and for the hours proceeding she could do little but stare at the note, emotions clashing inside her.

sure. talk about flowers, give her one, give her an outrageous bonus, hold her hand, but don't vomit your feelings, chan.

their handholdings would have been outrageous for the time except for the fact that aside from the handshakes, one of them wears gloves when the others don't.

my girl mari and her sense of obligation and her deep longing. we're nearing the end of the tale folks, how are we feeling? please look forward to the grand finale, if I can attempt to conclude it this semester break.

[skzhua]

HAN fics recommendations | SKZHUA

~ : personal favourites

I’ll keep updating this list as I keep reading. Props to all the writers here for their amazing work, you’re doing great.

WARNING: Some of these are 18+ so please look at the warnings before reading.

MAIN FIC RECS LIST

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anonymous sex by @kwanisms | 6.1 k words → part 2 / part 3

anonymous sex/ hookups, smut.

Discounted Cookies by @pepsiconcoction | 3.9k words

coffee shop au, a little bit of angst, minor language, jisung is a lil flirt, reader doesn't wanna put up with it, fluff, no smut.

Volcano by @astraystayyh | 13.2k words

enemies to lovers. slow burn.

~ It's a bad idea, right? by @cosmic-railwayxo (series, 4 parts) COMPLETE

college!au, brother’s best friend & 3racha Jisung (yes he is his own genre lol), y/n is Minho’s slightly younger sister, childhood friends to lovers, slow burn, angst, fluff, drama, my attempt at humor.

Watch Your Six by @dreaming-medium | 14.8k words

Violence, smut (18+) MDNI.

~ daylight by @evermourning | 8.9k words

fluff, comfort, non!idol au, brother's best friend!han.

~ Reckless Convictions by @moonjxsung | 31.5k words

18+. Mdni! music professor!jisung, student!reader.

[hanniiesuckle17]

The Modern Wife

HAN JISUNG REGENCY AU

A/n: Literally I’ve been so obsessed with the idea of this I had to mess up my schedule and write this. Also, omg will you look at that edit job??? I have never used photoshop in my life and look at that!!! Also special shoutout to Celi @poeticallyspaghetti​ for helping me so much with this

See how many Austen quotes you can spot!

Warnings: Slight cursing, mention of violence

Word Count: 11.5k

Summary: Miss Y/n L/n is the talk of the town. She is one of four gorgeous sisters. Her father is a successful politician who travels frequently back and forth to London. She is beautiful, poised, and absolutely unobtainable. Every man in town had been asking for her hand, all except a certain Colonel. Things are turned upside down when Miss L/n is forced into an engagement.

Genre: history!au, enemies to lovers!au, regency!au, historical!au, pride, and prejudice!au

“OW! Not so tight, Harry!” I screamed holding onto my bedposts as my maid and friend, Harriet pulled the laces tight on my corset. “Harry, are you trying to kill me?” I said with a laugh. The small thin plank of wood in the boning pressed hard against my chest and pushed up my breasts as high as they would go for no reason other than to put them on display. 

Ironic that it was unseemly to show my ankle but my cleavage could parade about the world openly. For the next forty minutes, Harriet proceeded to help me get dressed. The pale yellow frock complimented my skin nicely. Harriet always knew what I looked best in. She sat me down at my vanity while she fixed my hair, untwisted the fabric that tied my curls. Before she could finish my eyes glimpsed movement outside my window. 

“Cecilia!”

Bolting up from the chair I ran down the hall, fabric billowing behind me. I rushed passed several servants as I made my way down the sunlit passageway. “Miss Y/n,” our butler, Mr. Carson, exclaimed as I nearly ran him over. Thankfully he did not drop the glassware on his tray. “I’m sorry, Carson!” “Don’t worry about it, my lady.”

With a bright smile, I burst through the large entryway doors and was met by a gracious morning breeze, A carriage had pulled up in the driveway and a woman a few years older than me was exiting the cab with the help of a footman.

“Cecilia! You’re home!” 

“Y/n!”

Wrapping my arms around my elder sister I gave her the biggest hug imaginable. The sound of our laughter could most likely be heard from anywhere on the grounds. I was once again reunited with my sister. She had not been gone but a few months since her last visit, but it felt like ages to me. 

“I should hope I get the same welcoming as my wife,” Turning away, I saw my sister’s husband stepping out of the carriage, a kind smile on his face. “Of course, Chan. I could never forget my brother in law.” He gently gave me a hug before returning me back to my sister. 

“Is father home?” I shook my head, leading my sister arm in arm into the house. “No, he has yet to return from London.” She scoffed and held my hand tighter. “But, it is the beginning of spring! How can he miss your birthday?” Carson greeted Cecilia and Chan with a warm welcome before we continued to the parlor. 

“Do not worry. Papa said he would return in the next few days in time for the ball on Saturday. Tomorrow we girls will simply have to celebrate my nineteenth birthday together.” Chan left us to talk while he helped tried to help Carson and the footmen with the bags, much to Carson’s displeasure. Chan never could really get used to having servants do things for him.

“Where are Charlotte and Emma?” Cecilia was referring to our two younger sisters. Charlotte had turned sixteen this year and little Emma was now ten. “They are in lessons right now. Papa is still positively adamant we are all educated to the highest degree.”  “Of course, he is.”

My sister filled me in on everything that had happened in Dover in the past few months. She and Chan had moved there after they got married, much against father’s will. “Oh, Chan got a letter before we left. He said the Colonel was in London and met up with father. He might come back to Surrey for the spring.” 

Cecilia laughed as disdain took over my face. “Wonderful. There go my hopes of a lovely spring.” “He isn’t that bad, Y/n.” The Colonel was around Cecilia’s age, in his very early twenties. He was the one who introduced Chan to Cecilia. Chan had served in his infantry and had grown quite close to the young officer. 

Father adored the Colonel. Anytime the Colonel returned to Surrey, Papa would insist on us inviting him to our residence. Everyone loved the Colonel. He was a brave man who had done his country proud in the war, taking over his father’s position in the midst of battle after he tragically perished. There was just something about him that made me hate him. He walked around like he was entitled to everything around him. 

“Does that mean he’ll be returning with father?” Cecilia nodded as her husband entered the room. “Who?” Chan asked sitting across from us. “Colonel Han,” Chan nodded with a soft smile on his face, adjusting his jacket. “I assume so. Miss Y/n why are you asking about him? If my memory serves me correctly, the last time he was here you called him ‘Death’s head on a broomstick’,” 

“Well, it was rightly deserved. I’m simply asking because I would like to know when to board up Whitewater so that he simply can’t get in.” 

Cecilia’s bright blue eyes crinkled as she laughed. Running footsteps could be heard coming down the hall. In raced two girls who practically jumped on Cecilia. “Cecilia, we missed you!” Emma sang in her soft voice. Charlotte went and gave Chan a gentle hug as well. 

The next day we celebrated my birthday. Chan and Cecilia got me a lovely gift, a gorgeous leather-bound sketchbook. I knew there was no way they could possibly afford something of such quality, but Cecilia insisted I take it. Carson and the staff celebrated with us making and sharing a beautiful cake. The next two days went by quickly. Chan worked on his music, the girls continued their studies, and Cecilia and I spent the time walking the grounds and gossiping about anything and everything, with Harriet often joining us

On Thursday afternoon, Charlotte and I were strolling near the banks of the creek, for which our estate was named. The clear water quickly rushed along making almost a soft song with the wind in the trees. Soon, we began to grow tired so we headed back to Whitewater.

As we reached the estate, my eyes were drawn to a carriage and a horse stationed outside. No one was expecting visitors so it must mean father was home. Charlotte and I raced into the house, grins filling our faces. 

“Papa! Are you home?” I called out. Charlotte heard voices in the parlor, so we both ventured into the sitting room. “There are the rest of my beautiful daughters!” He exclaimed, getting up and wrapping his arms around us. It felt so good to have my father’s arms wrapped around me again. His familiar smell of burning wood and lavender. 

He pulled away and kissed each of our cheeks. “Girls, you remember Colonel Han Jisung.” I tried to hide the grimace on my face but failed. Of course. That’s whose horse was out front. My eyes fell on the man standing near the window. He wore a dark navy overcoat and pristine black boots. While his somewhat smaller and shorter than some of the other military men I had met in the past, there was no doubt about the way he commanded the room.  His shaggy brown hair was tousled from the ride back to Surrey. 

His dark eyes were hidden as he bowed and took Charlotte’s hand. A proper way to greet a lady. “Yes, unfortunately, I do remember,” I said rolling my eyes. “Believe me, feelings are the same Miss L/n.” The Colonel said giving me a curt bow. Rolling my eyes, I sat down next to Cecilia, who nudged me, giving me a look. 

“Papa, how was London?” Charlotte asked happily. Father smiled and sat back down near the fireplace. Mr. Han remained standing near where Chan was sitting. “Perfectly fine. Everything is well. It seems Napoleon’s advances in England have stopped for the time being. Also, I met quite an intriguing man and invited him to have dinner with us this evening.” 

“Is he handsome, Father?” Charlotte asked. “Charlotte, do not ask such things.” Cecilia scolded, gently pushing our sister back in her seat. “I should think so. Colonel, you are welcome to join us for supper as well.” 

“I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“You do most days anyway,” I muttered under my breath.

Ignoring the look he sent my way I turned back to father. “Nonsense! You shall join us!” The hour seemed to drag on. Father and Mr.Han seemed to only talk about the war. Papa only paused to ask Cecilia and Chan about Dover and Chan’s music. To be fair he only asked because Cecilia forced him to be civil with Chan about his work.

Soon, The Colonel decided he should return to his estate and unpack his things. “Thank you for your time. The visit was lovely.” He said graciously. Giving everyone a short goodbye, he mounted his horse and made the travel to Ruxfield Manor a few miles to the west of Whitewater.

“That was an eventful visit,” Cecilia said wrapping her arm in mine.

“It was a delightful visit-perfect in being much too short.” 

She laughed at my comment as the two of us climbed the stairs to get ready for dinner in a few hours. Harriet helped me change for dinner and pinned up my hair leaving a few twisting strands loose framing my face. “Carson told me your father and his guests are already in the sitting room,” I sighed picking up a handheld mirror as she clasped a necklace around my neck.

“Well, then we should join them.” I stood up, smoothing the dark green fabric of the dress Harriet had picked out. As I exited my bedroom, the door next to me opened as well to reveal my sister and her husband dressed for dinner. As we approached the parlor, Carson opened the door and announced us.

“Miss Y/n and Mr. and Mrs. Bang.”

All heads turned towards us as we entered the room. Two men stood up at the announcement. One was the Colonel, purely out of respect for the women of the household. His eyes never even moved to the door. The other man wore a dark almost velvet-like coat and he carried himself with high prestige. 

He had deep brown eyes and sharp features. “My darling girls,” Father exclaimed before setting down his glass of sherry. He came and kissed both of our cheeks. “Father,” I said, latching onto his arm. He led us over to the men and our sisters. 

“Mr. Han,” I said trying not to roll my eyes. He gave me a curt nod and then returned to his seat. “Y/n play nice,” Papa said jokingly. “I am, Papa!” 

“Miss Y/n,” The other man said bowing before me. I couldn’t help but give him a questioning look as he took my hand and placed a soft and chaste kiss on my skin. “Oh, and to whom do I owe the pleasure?”

“Angel, this is Mr. Lee. He is a barrister in London. Minho, this is my second eldest daughter.” Mr. Lee stood up straight and looked me over with a gentle, but mischievous smile. “The pleasure is all mine. Your father has told me so much about you.” 

“Oh has he now! All good things I hope!”

“You can you tell the difference?” The Colonel mumbled, taking a sip of his drink. 

“Oh please, you are hardly agreeable yourself.”

“I do not wish people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of being forced into casual pleasantries.”

Thankfully, Carson entered the room, saving the Colonel and myself from getting into yet another altercation. “Dinner is ready to be served in the dining room.” Mr. Han scoffed when Minho bowed once again and offered me his arm. The eight of us ventured into the dining room where our new light bulbs brightened up the space from the ceiling. Father was obsessed with every new invention.

Papa took his place at the head of the table, the girls on either side of him. Cecilia sat across from her husband and the Colonel was seated next to her and across from me. Mr. Lee was seated at the other end of the table.  

Polite conversation was heard throughout dinner. The girls discussed their studies with father, who then bragged about our education to Mr. Lee. Dinner was lovely as always. Mr. Lee was beyond courteous and thanked Carson and the staff for the meal. We engaged in polite conversation. Mr. Lee seemed to pride himself in small talk because the conversation never got any bigger. “You know green is my favorite color. It is almost as if you wore that dress to see me smile.”

To be frank he was quite boring. He seemed no different than the other men I had met except for the fact he seemed fascinated by the cats on his estate. Cecilia sent me a pitiful glance and I did my best to hide my expression from Father. 

“Doori is just so mischievous. And Soongi! You would love Soongi!” Cecilia stifled a laugh as I downed the rest of the wine in my glass. I was too preoccupied forcing the alcohol down my throat that I didn’t notice Mr. Han’s soft laughter at my struggle with Mr. Lee. 

“Since we are all here and getting along so well, I would like to say something,” Father announced to the room. Carson ushered the footmen out of the room and back to the kitchen before turning back to Father at full attention. Every eye at the table was on Papa.

“After much discussion and thought, I have decided that it is time for Y/n to be married.” 

All eyes turned to me. I froze and looked around the table. Excuse me? When did my father talk to me about this? He was just marrying me off to some random noble?

“Mr. Lee and I have agreed. We would like to announce an engagement by the end of the summer.” 

This time all eyes turned to Mr. Lee at the other end of the table. “What?” Cecilia says breaking the silence that had lasted for much too long. I could do nothing but stare at the table. There were too many emotions flying around and none of them were particularly good let alone ladylike. Everyone, even the Colonel looked between my father and Mr. Lee with widened eyes. Chan watched his wife struggling to comprehend my fate. The girls stared at me looking for an answer. I felt the Colonel’s stare like a weight, when I looked up he was looking anywhere except my face. He let out a hefty sigh with an emotionless expression as he soon became fascinated with the chandelier.

“Did you think to ask me how I felt?” Papa looked at me, his eyebrows raised in curiosity. “I didn’t think you would much care,” All of my sisters seemed shocked at his words. Father had always been so set on us making our own decisions. He always wanted us to be happy, especially after our mother had passed.

“Just because Cecilia decided she did not want to marry a noble doesn’t mean you can pass this onto me!” Cecilia looked down at her plate. It was no secret that Papa was outraged at her marriage to Chan. “This has nothing to do with your sister.” 

“You are sending me away! Why not just make this punishment even worse? Send me off with the Colonel, make my life completely miserable!”

“Y/n L/n!” Father yelled standing up. 

“Father you are at fault here too,” Cecilia said standing up. She rushed over and led me out of the room and up the stairs. When Harriet saw us down the hall she rushed to us and opened the door to my bedroom. “Did you hear, Harry?” You looked at the girl who sadly nodded. Of course, she had heard. People in France had heard the argument between me and Papa. Cecilia helped Harriet calm me down and change before placing a kiss on my forehead and leaving to confer with her husband. Slowly I slipped into a deep sleep hoping to forget the events of this night.

The next afternoon my sister and I strolled through the lanes of Surrey on our way to the dress shop. Cecilia had convinced me to come out and get a new dress for the ball tomorrow night with her. Despite my protests, she and Harriet dragged me out of bed and helped slip by my father’s study and into town. 

I had to admit, I was thankful to be away from Whitewater. Walking into the dress shop with my sister on my arm felt freeing. Like I wasn’t about to be engaged to a man I had absolutely no interest in. 

Breathing in the smell of the wood and the fabrics put a smile on my face. Cecilia ran over to the rolls of blue fabric. I had missed coming to the seamstress with my older sister. In Dover Chan and Cecilia didn’t have enough money to get a new dress more than once or twice a year, so Cecilia was thrilled to come with me. 

“What color do you think you would like?” Cecilia shouted from over her shoulder, pulling out a dress with baby blue fabric and white lace. I shrugged and sorted through the different dresses. “I will wear anything but green. Minho would not stop talking about how I wore his favorite color at dinner.” Cecilia laughed as I brushed passed a light green ensemble without hesitation. 

“Why don’t we send you in black since it is going to be your funeral anyway,” Cecilia said throwing a black frock at me. I laughed and returned the dress to the seamstress. “Y/n, what about this?” She handed me a gorgeous red dress that was embroidered with pearls and gold thread. 

“I have not worn red since we were little girls. It’s absolutely gorgeous!” The seamstress helped us try on the dresses before we paid for them and changed back. Cecilia laughed as I recounted the conversation with Mr. Lee as we walked out of the shop. I felt uneasy. Like something was off. Looking around I saw several young men from the town walking about and standing near shops but they all seemed to be looking anywhere but me, which was very abnormal. 

“Do you think they heard about the engagement? It isn’t even official yet!” Cecilia said, reading my mind. An exasperated sigh left my chest. “Nor will it be. I will marry Lee Minho over my dead body.” 

“Oh, Miss Y/n!” a voice called out from across the street. 

Looking for the source of the deep voice I found Lee Felix, Colonel Han’s aide. And of course, next to him, was Colonel Han Jisung himself. My sister laughed as the Colonel and I both grimaced. Despite the second protests of the day, Cecilia dragged me over to greet the two soldiers. 

Han and Felix gave the two of us military level bows and Felix greeted us happily. “I see you two ladies are enjoying today’s fine weather.” Mr. Han said looking around at the scenery, his hands behind his back and his posture incredibly straight. “Yes, Y/n and I were out shopping for an ensemble for the ball tomorrow.” 

Felix’s grin grew three times larger. “I see that!” He said pointing to the folded dresses in our arms. “Oh Colonel, Miss Y/n picked out a red dress! What a coincidence!” Han spared me and the dress in my arms a glance before scoffing and looking at Felix. “What is a coincidence? Do tell,” I said, a smirk falling on my lips. “Jisung was just saying how gorgeous the red roses were at Ruxfield.” 

“Ow-” Cecilia nudged my stomach with an innocent grin on her sweet oval face. “Y/n just adores roses! She was sketching them in the garden, just the other day.” Cecilia’s blue eyes sparkled as she nudged me once again. What was she getting at? They were just flowers. 

The Colonel looked up at my words, his eyes slightly widening. He quickly recovered and trained his eyes on the ground. “Well, Felix and I have much to attend to. I am sure we shall meet again tomorrow night.” I rolled my eyes as Han mounted his horse, Felix following close behind. 

“Come, we must prepare for tomorrow night, given this new information!”

“Cecilia! What new information? Stop pulling on my arm!”

The carriage rumbled to a stop in front of the Hall. My father the girls and I were all in one cab, while Chan and Cecilia rode in a separate carriage. A footman opened the door and helped me down from the cab. He gently took each of my sisters’ hands as they exited as well. The music swelled as we entered the Hall with our father in front of us.

Emma quickly ran off to the table filled with sweets and hour devours, and Charlotte was towed away by her friends. “Miss L/n!” Turning, I saw Mr. Lee pushing his way through the crowd. Wonderful. The last person I wanted to see.  Like a leech, Mr. Lee latched himself onto my arm. “Are you quite good at dancing, Miss L/n? I fancy myself quite the dancer. They do all the latest court dances in London you see.”

“If you would excuse me, Mr. Lee, I am quite parched,” I said interrupting the never ending stream of words. “Yes, quite alright. I shall miss every second you are parted from me!” Minho said placing a kiss on my hand. Begrudgingly, I plastered a smile on my face and maneuvered my way through the crowd. 

Spotting my sister’s golden brown hair, I moved through the flood of people. Her beautiful baby blue dress stood out against the dark colored suits and dresses around her. She stood next to her husband and another man. “Cecilia, thank goodness.” I heaved out in a sigh. “My dear sister, you look ravishing! Don’t you think so, Mr. Han?” Turning I saw The Colonel dressed in fine navy blue. His eyes drunk me in with a disenchanted expression.

“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humor at the present to give consequence to young ladies with such ‘modern’ attributes.” 

Only to uphold my social presence and reputation did I refrain from slapping him. How could he say something so ghastly right to my face. Before I could fire back Chan interrupted, questioning his friend. “Han, do you plan on joining in the festivities? I certainly plan on bringing my adoring Cecilia onto the dance floor tonight. There is absolutely nothing like dancing after all. It is one of the first refinements of a polished society.” He sighed, rolling his eyes and placing his hands behind his back in a seemingly military sense. 

“Certainly, sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance.” “Not every savage-” Cecilia ventured. “I assure you, Mrs. Bang. Every savage can. Even damn Napoleon, so no I do not think I shall partake in the such an adolescent event.” 

The urge to shove his head up his ass grew stronger within me by the second, but I don’t think anything would be able to move past the gargantuan log shoved up there already. “Well, my dearest, would you accompany me onto the dance floor.” Chan said with a bright smile, offering a hand to his wife. Her lace gloved hand slid into his with a smile. Just as they were leaving a voice called out over the sea of guests. 

“Miss L/n! Where are you my love? Miss Y/n?” My eyes widened as I saw Minho’s head bobbing through the crowd. “Ah! Miss Y/n! There you are!” He said pointing in my direction. 

“Oh lord help me. Quick!” Without thinking I grabbed the nearest coat sleeve and pulled the man out onto the dance floor, a new dance beginning. “What in all hell?” He exclaimed, eyes turning to saucers. 

A sigh of relief left my lips as Minho walked right passed my previous location, still looking for me. Music swelled and the couples around me started dancing so I joined in with my partner. My heart skipped a beat when my eyes fell on Mr. Han standing in front of me, gently holding my hand and bowing. I curtsied to him and focused on looking for Mr. Lee in the crowd. Hopefully he wasn’t too close. Absentmindedly I followed the steps of the dance, my palm pressing lightly against the Colonel’s as we moved through the steps and turns of the dance. 

Halfway through the song, my eyes followed Mr. Lee as he searched for me into another room. This time a sigh of relief escaped as my focus turned back to the dance. I then became very aware of Mr. Han’s hand on my waist. “Mr. Han, I didn’t realize you could dance.” I jested a smirk playing on my lips. His face remained the same but there was something about his eyes that was different. 

“Miss L/n, I said any savage can dance. I am not excluded.” 

I was left without a retort. I simply stared at him as he circled and came behind me, one hand on my waist, the other gently holding my outstretched hand. The feeling of his chest against my shoulder  was unfamiliar but somehow inviting. He smelled like gun powder and old books. My eyes couldn’t seem to break away from his as we turned and moved with the music. 

The entire world seemed to dissolve away and all I could see was how he was looking at me. How he was holding me gently and cautiously, as if I was a butterfly in his palm. He had a softness in his eyes I had never seen before. The kind that showed a tortured past. Had he always been this handsome? 

Somehow I had never noticed the smooth lines of his face. The soft curve of his lips. The sharp angle of his jaw and the color of his warm tan skin from being in the sun on the battlefield. I had been completely oblivious. I was too stubborn to see the honorable man in front of me. I was even unkind to him on so many occasions yet he looked at me with such a hidden admiration. 

Our movements came to a stop and the Colonel stayed by my side, my hand still resting gently over his. I couldn’t seem to tear my eyes away from his stare. 

“Miss Y/n,” A voice called. Everyone was looking at me. Looking at us. Confusion and suggestion plastered on their faces. Suddenly the Colonel’s hands removed themselves he moved a good distance away from me. 

“Next time you would like to hide from your fiancee, use someone else as a shield. I would much rather not be involved in the manner.”

With a sharp, curt bow the Colonel excused himself and rushed off, disappearing into the bustling and whispering crowd. The gossip seemed to stop when Emma ran up to me, her big bright eyes sparkling. Leaving the moment between myself and Mr. Han behind, I danced with my sisters the rest of the night and did my best to fend off my soon to be fiancee. 

Hours later the evening drew to a close. Emma was already asleep and had returned to Whitewater with father a few hours earlier in our carriage. Charlotte and I walked out of the Hall our arms linked and laughing about Lady Moss’s hair piece. “Can you believe it?” Lottie laughed out of breath.

A yell from the street pulled our attention. “Your master stepped over the line!” A huge crowd had surrounded two very young men near the road. A fight had broke out between two footmen. I winced seeing a blow land on the smaller one’s face and another to his cut. My eyes widened when I caught a glimpse of his face. It was Felix. Colonel Han’s aide. 

“Lottie, go find Chan and Cecilia.” Nodding, she ran back into the hall to find our sister. I pushed my way through the crowd trying to see what was going on. Felix was doing his best to hold his ground against the other boy. It looked like Minho’s steward, Seungmin. “I have no control over what the Colonel does. You’re crazy!” Felix said blocking another swing. 

“Hey! Break it up! Stop this juvenile combat!” A voice boomed. Han himself pushed through the crowd and plowed through Seungmin, a hand clutching the collar of the boys shirt. “You do not touch him. If your quarrel is with me then face me so. Do not be a coward and go after my aide.” There was a fire in his eyes and Seungmin looked terrified. The power Han exuded would frighten any man. 

Seungmin, regaining his composure, threw a punch at the Colonel, landing on his jaw. While he seemed mostly unaffected, Seungmin took the opportunity to wriggle out of Jisung’s tight grasp. Han scoffed, and threw of his coat, rolling up his sleeves as well. “You will certainly regret doing that.” The crowd cheered as Han took a strike. His slim form allowed him to move with agility and strike with force. It was clear that Seungmin was done for. 

Another person burst through the crowd as Han threw Seungmin off of him. Minho caught his steward, pulling him up by the arm. He took Seungmin’s cheek in his hand and examined the boy’s beaten face, before handing him off to another footman. His glare then targeted the Colonel who stood out of breath and dark brown hair tousled. 

“How dare you assault my boy?” Minho screamed, pointing a finger at Mr. Han. “Do not jump to assumptions, my friend. Your boy att-” “First you try to seduce my fiancee in front of the entire town- then you assault my aide!” Han let out a breathy laugh before pointing at himself. “Me? You think I would ever be interested in the a woman such as Miss L/n?” His finger moved to point at me, but my glare in his direction was ignored. 

“Your man attacked mine first! It is you who needs to apologize! I will not have my staff humiliated and beaten by scum like you or your servants.” Han said beginning to get an almost erratic look in his eyes. “That’s it,” Minho said throwing his coat onto the ground. Without hesitation he leaped into the fight. The crowd cheered them on as I watched in horror.

“Stop! Stop this right now!” I screamed, but no one listened. Mr. Lee’s fist connected with Han’s temple, making his eyes go dark for a moment, before returning. Mr. Lee took the opportunity to throw Han over his shoulder and onto the ground before my feet. 

“Mr. Lee, stop right this instant! Both of you! There is no use fighting over me! this is complete nonsense.” Mr. Han’s eyes rolled over to me as he sat up. He winced as he moved to stand up. It took all of my power not to break his stare. 

“Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn about you.”

Why did his words wound me? The hurt must have shown on my face for a brief moment because once again his eyes softened. Before he could say something Mr. Lee took a cheap shot, his fist flying across Han’s cheek. My eyes did not fail to miss the drops of blood that landed on the dirt. Han wasted no time in fighting back. 

“ENOUGH!” I screamed. Reputation be damned. I was finished. I had enough. Storming up, with all my strength I pushed the men apart. The two seemed insistent on continuing the brawl. The only thing stopping the Colonel from destroying Mr. Lee was my hands pushing against his shoulders. “You know nothing about me!” My loathsome future fiancee shouted.

“You are only trying to buy her from her father; like she is some prize!” Han sneered. “She is not some timepiece or your stupid pet!” Hearing a yell from Mr. Lee I turned to stop him only to feel a strike against my head. My vision started to blur and my head started to spin before I felt myself fall to the ground. 

Every person froze. Mr. Lee and the Colonel watched in horror as I collapsed to the ground barely conscious. Not a second later Chan burst through the crowd with Cecilia in tow, breaking up the fight. She gasped seeing my body on the ground. Quickly she rushed to my side and cradled my head in her lap. 

“Quick! Someone help!” Felix, still recovering from his beating, rushed over without hesitating. With some struggle, he got my partially limp body in his arms as Cecilia led him to where our carriage should have been. Han seemed to snap out of his shock, and he rushed to Felix’s side. “Mr. L/n took their carriage. Felix, we’ll go in ours.” Nodding, Felix turned and rushed to the Colonel’s cab and gently placed me on the seat. Cecilia placed my head in her lap as Han jumped into the cab with us, worry painted all over his face. 

Felix jumped up into the coach’s seat. Han pounded on the carriage wall and screamed for Felix to go. “Felix, hurry! To Whitewater. Take the back road it’s  faster!”  Han prayed that they could return to my estate fast enough to call a doctor. When the carriage pulled to a stop, the Colonel took me from Cecilia’s lap and held me in his arms, letting my head roll onto his chest. 

“Into the house! Carson! Carson, call the physician!”

Mr. Han carried me up the steps of the porch and impatiently yelled at Felix to hold the door. The poor boy rushed up and let Han carry me through the doorway. Han cautiously handed my semi-conscious body over to Carson. His brow furrowed, concern flooding his features as he watched my loving staff rush to my aid. Carson placed me gently on a sofa  and Cecilia carefully undid the tight curls in my hair so my head had somewhat less pain. 

 Han could do nothing but stand off to the side watching in distress. “Miss Bang...please let me offer my assistance-”

“You have done enough,”

Cecilia did not mean her words to come out as harsh as they did. He knew that. He scolded himself at his thoughts. ‘If only Y/n had not gotten in the way.’ ‘Lee Minho will pay for what he has done.’ A touch on his shoulder brought him back to reality. Turning he saw Felix, a frown on his face. “Sir, we should return to Ruxfield. I will be sure to inquire of Miss L/n’s health in the morning.” Almost as if he was giving him no choice, Felix guided the Colonel back to his carriage and the two departed. 

The next morning I awoke to find both Cecilia and Harriet sleeping beside me. Harriet even in her sleep was still holding cloth wrapped ice to my forehead. Sensing my movement, Harriet woke up and asked millions of questions about how I was feeling. 

Cecilia then woke up not long after. She recounted what happened  after the fight and then left to let me change for the day. The next week went by with no word from the Colonel. Felix came by the first morning to give his apologies at the Colonel’s request. Sadly, Mr. Lee visited almost daily. I had taken to sketching in the book gifted to me by my sister, hoping this would come as a distraction from remembering certain interactions from that night. 

The afternoon was perfect. A light rain had come in the morning, leaving droplets on the the flowers in the garden. Now the sun was out and shining, as I sat on a bench outside with my sketchbook amongst the flowers. “My lady you have a visitor.” Carson said from the stone walkway. The garden had somewhat of a keyhole stone path, with a fountain and stone circle at the center. Mr.Carson stood near the fountain. Through the water you could see the outline of a man’s over coat. “If it is Mr. Lee send him away. I am in no mood to entertain him today.”

“Mr. Lee is not the one asking for visitation,” A smooth deep voice spoke as its owner moved from behind the fountain. 

Colonel Han stood a little in front of Carson, looking at you with a serious expression. The same he wore every day of his entire life, except it his eyes. His eyes once again held that softness, as if it was a sight only you could bring out of him. “I’d have to jump off a bridge if I was that cat loving bigot.”  A hint of a smile slid onto his lips. 

He was correct. Mr. Han was nothing like Mr. Lee. Han was rough. He had edges. He never primped himself like Mr.Lee did. I couldn’t help but drink him in. His dark hair was shaggy and he only wore a simple shirt and the old navy overcoat he seemingly never took off. His boots were dirty and scuffed, but well taken care of. A sign of his daring acts but military discipline. A blush came over my cheeks as I remembered the feeling of dancing with him, his chest against my back.

“Jis- Colonel... to what do I owe the pleasure.” I closed my sketchbook and placed it beside me on the stone bench. “Papa is in London, but he should return by nightfall.” In all of my life I had never been nervous in front of a man other than my father. I believed a woman should be a strong and elegant vision, not simply standing behind a man but beside him if at all. So why could I not meet Mr. Han’s eyes. 

“I’m not here to see your father. I’m here to see you.”

My eyes widened at his words. Nothing was different about him. He still stood straight with his arms behind his back, keeping a respectable distance form me. His face remained stoic as if he was reading from a war plan. “Thank you, Carson. You may leave us,” 

It was Han’s turn to be flustered upon hearing my words. Being the respectful man he was he always adhered to the social protocol of a woman and man never being alone unless with a chaperone. Carson raised his brow in question, but complied, entering the house.

A moment of awkward silence followed. Then another. And another. It was almost like Mr. Han had lost the ability to function after being alone with me. Nervously, I played with the fabric of my dress. What could he possibly want to discuss with me. We have hardly had a pleasant conversation in our entire lives. “Miss Ln-” His words halted when I looked up at him. His eyes went immediately to my face. I knew exactly what he was looking at. The bruise from that night. It was lighter now, having had a week to heal, but still visible.

“Oh Y/n...” He reached out as if to touch my face, but thought better of it and pulled back. There was no longer a wide expanse between us. He now stood only a few feet away from where I sat.  “We are not even wed, and yet I have already forsaken you and broken a valiant code...” He muttered under an aggravated sigh.

He was grateful that I didn’t hear it. “If you are indeed here for me, please enlighten me of your purpose for I am in the dark.” I said pushing a strand of loose hair around my face. As he opened his mouth to speak a deep voice called his name. 

“Colonel Han!”

Felix came running out of Whitewater. He was out of breath and his hair and clothes were out of place, like he had just gotten off his horse. He handed on a sealed envelope and whispered something in Mr. Han’s ear.  Immediately, Han opened the letter with his long nimble fingers. His eyes quickly scanned the letter, leaving me in anxious silence. 

“What is it?” I asked on the edge of my seat. Han handed the letter back to Felix and whispered something back to him. Felix spared me a glance before leaving us alone. 

The Colonel raked a hand through his already slightly disheveled hair and turned his back to me. Something was compelling me to reach out to him. “Jisung,” He turned at the sound of his name. My mind had yet to register the fact this was the first time I had actually said his name. He on the other hand, did notice.

“What is the matter?” He sighed and looked back at the house. Felix was standing by the door, discussing something with Carson. “Napoleon has resumed his advances on the border.” It took me a moment for me to process the information. This was news that was not for me to hear. “Why-”

“They are calling me to the front line.”

I couldn’t speak.

“Felix gave me my orders just now. I leave in the morning.”

This meant so many things. This meant our country was once again at war with France. It meant Father would have to stay in London. It meant Mr. Han would be sent to the heat of the battle commanding easily a thousand men in combat. It meant Jisung...was being sent into battle that he might not come back from.

Why did I even care? I was in line to be engaged. Granted it was to a spinless snob I practically loathed. “I may be a bitter married woman when you returned. Then our arguments will be that much more interesting.” Another look flashed across his face. Almost like he was disappointed that was what I had chosen to say. Like he had wished I had asked him to stay.

“Let’s hope for the both of us that is not true when I return.”

Before I could understand his words Felix returned, this time with Carson behind him. He came to Mr. Han’s side and urgently whispered something in his ear. Han nodded and brushed him off before turning back to me, his eyes growing soft. Gently, he took my hand. All I could do was watch as he brought it up to his lips and softly kissed my knuckles. 

It was an action I had experienced many times from many men. All seeking for my hand in marriage. But this. This was different. This felt intimate. Like the kiss was burning itself into my skin as if to mark me for life. His eyes joined mine as he pulled away. 

“Colonel, we have to go.” Felix said breaking the silence. Han slid his hand from mine and he turned to follow Felix back to Ruxfield to prepare for is departure. My body could do nothing but watch him leave.

“You’re all grown up now, Miss Y/n.” Carson said. He had the kindest smile on his face as he came to sit on the bench, pulling me down with him. “What do you mean, Carson?” He sighed, taking my hand in his. Carson was nothing like my father. He and my mother were very close and Mr. Carson always seemed like a real father figure in my life. He was the one who taught me to dance, and what books I should read, and even how to play poker. 

“You are falling in love. I would know that look anywhere.” Love? With the Colonel. Impossible. I despised him. Right? “I am not in love. If I was in love I would be getting married.” He chuckled and patted my hand. “Aren’t you though?”

“Carson, do you see me voluntarily marrying that mess of a man?”

“Are you speaking of Lord Lee or Colonel Han?”

Blinking, the thought crossed my mind. Of course I was talking about Mr. Lee right. I was set to marry him. Was Carson saying I should marry Mr. Han? Marrying Colonel Han Jisung. The thought had never crossed my mind. Now that it did, why did my heart swell.

“Of course I’m speaking of Mr. Lee. Father would forbid anyone else.” Carson nodded, looking over the garden. “So, are you saying there is someone else?” He took my silence as an answer, smiling. 

“An unhappy alternative is before you, Y/n. From this day you must be a stranger to one of us. Your father will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Lee, and I would never see you again if you do.” 

A warm, fatherly smile filled his eyes. “Do you love him?” There was no question of who he was talking about. “While I have lost my heart, I shall not lose my self control. I will not become one of those silly girls running around with their heads in the clouds controlled by love.” Carson laughed and picked a flower near the bench.

“Silly things do cease to be silly if they are done by sensible people in an impudent way.” 

Before I could respond I was interrupted by what seemed like the fourth time today. “Y/’n! Y/n!” Cecilia ran out of the house a grin from ear to ear. Emma and Charlotte followed hot on her heels. Her light blue dress blew behind her as she ran over to us. “Y/n, I’m pregnant!” After blinking a few times I wrapped her up in a hug and cheered. Carson joined us and we all went inside to celebrate Cecilia’s news, leaving the conclusion of my conversation with Carson in the back of my mind.

Spring came and went. Soon came the long months of summer and with it came heavy summer storms. The Whitewater creek was filled to capacity and quite dangerous. Father had come home from London and the tensions had been high ever since he returned. Papa seemed hell bent on my marriage to Mr. Lee. 

Every chance he got he brought up the engagement. I was starting to think Carson may have been right. Every mention of Mr.Lee drove me further away from him and made me wonder about another man...far away. 

Another man who didn’t write. Not once. I found myself jumping to the door when Carson delivered our mail to our rooms. Weeks passed and still I heard no word from him. Weeks turned into months until it became the middle of summer. Still no word from the Colonel. Not even to my father about the war. I was beginning to worry something had happened. Certainly he wouldn’t forget about me after a goodbye like that? Why did I even care? I hated the man. Yes, I hated the man. I had all the right to hate him if he wasn’t going to send me even one letter. 

Another summer storm raged outside my window. “Miss you will have to leave your room sometime.” Harriet said, hanging up some of my laundry. “If Cecilia will not leave her room then I too shall not.” Harriet laughed as I watched the water pelt against the glass. “Miss Y/n, your sister is ordered by the doctor to bed rest. Chan is taking care of her. You are simply sulking over your engagement.” 

“I am not sulking over my engagement.”

“Then a certain Colonel perhaps? Maybe the lack of a letter?” 

Before I could correct my friend, Carson knocked on the door and entered. “My lady, your father wishes to speak to you in his study.” I sighed, turning back to the window. “Carson, I am in no mood to speak to Papa.” Harsh winds blew the trees in the forest just outside the estate. “My lady, he is leaving for London in an hour. He is insistent on speaking to you.”

Carson gave me a small smile. He was probably right. It was better to simply speak to him before he left than ignore him until he returned home. With a sigh, I got up from my window seat. Harriet straightened my dress and adjusted the loose but proper style she had done to my hair this morning. I knew exactly what awaited me behind the heavy wooden doors. My knuckles softly wrapped against the oak. 

“Enter,” 

The gruff voice of my father echoed as I opened the door. He sat at his desk writing a letter or some other important document. “Papa, you wanted to talk to me?” I said standing near one of the many bookshelves in his study. “Yes, about your marriage.” 

“Papa. I already told you I will not marry Mr. Lee-”

“The date has been set. You will marry Lee Minho in one month’s time.”

My jaw dropped in disbelief. “Father!” He didn’t even look up from his work. “Do not ‘Father’ me. You knew this was going to happen. You will marry Mr. Lee. You will do as your told. It is your duty as a woman of this household.” What? My what?

“My duty as woman?” 

“Yes.”

“Father, I have no duty as woman. Especially to you. I will not marry a man who I do not love. It is not my duty to obey your every command!” This was when he chose to look at me. His eyes turned cold. “Y/n L/n. You are my daughter. You will do as I say!” Rage filled every inch of my body. “No! I will control my own life! I will not marry him and that is final! Times are changing. It is time you changed with them, Father!” The sound of his chair screeching against the wood floor made me flinch. “We are a family of tradition! I will not let your silly misguided modern values change our family!”

His voice boomed loud enough for the entire estate to hear. “What would mother think of this! She would never-” “DO NOT BRING YOUR MOTHER INTO THIS!” A book  flew across the room. Never the less I stood  my ground, staring straight back at him even though tears threatened to spill over my eyes. 

“I wouldn’t have to if you would just be-” 

“If you are going to continue this kind of behavior then I want you out of Whitewater until you come to your senses!” 

A silence followed; the kind that hurt. The kind you could feel- like needles plunging into your skin. Rain continued to fall on the roof and windows like bullets. 

“So be it.” 

With word I stormed out of the study and towards the door. Shouts from the staff could be heard behind me as I burst through the doors and out into the rain. “My lady! Y/n!” Carson called. My feet carried me to the stables. Grabbing a saddle and mounting the closest horse I rode out into the storm.

Finally able to let tears flow away from any eyes, I screamed. Never had I felt so much agony. My own father was shunning me. The man I admired had abandoned me and was sent to war. The man I despised was forcing me into marriage. My skin burned as harsh rain pelted against it. The wind blew through my hair pulling it loose.

Even through all this pain it felt...freeing. It felt amazing to run through the forest outside of Whitewater, thunder rolling in the air and rain showering down. My heart still wretched in pain. I missed my family, despite our arguments. Most of all I missed Mr. Han, despite our many many differences.

A loud crack boomed through the sky and a flash of white burst in front of my horse. I screamed as the horse  reared, throwing me off its back onto the forest floor. I felt a pain against the back of my head upon impact. The horse sprinted away in fear leaving me stranded. 

“Help!” I screamed into the dark. My legs struggled to hold themselves up and my vision started to become blurry. It became indecipherable what was rain or tears on my cheeks.

The world started to spin as I walked forward. I must have been ‘walking’ for hours. The cold had started to set in and the rain showed no sign of stopping. By now I was miles away from Whitewater and the closest estate was fifteen miles east.

“Help me...” 

My dress was getting heavier and heavier despite the fabric being so light before. It clung to my skin and my hair hung in dark wet strands in front of my face.  Over the thundering storm I thought I heard hoof beats through the forest. I must have been hallucinating. Not being able to hold myself up anymore, I leaned against a tree.

“Y/n?” 

Definitely hallucinating. I was even hearing his voice now. How did I remember what his voice sounded like? Exhaustion started to set in, the pain and cold making my eyes droop and my body feel even heavier. 

“Y/n? Y/n, where are you?” 

Through my blurry vision I thought I saw the outline of a horse and rider wearing a dark navy coat. “Y/n!” My strength was wearing thin. Taking a chance, that it wasn’t my imagination I pushed myself off the tree and stumbled forward. “Oh god! Y/n stay where you are I’m coming!”

Hooves pounded against the ground growing closer. My head started ti spin even more as the rider jumped off his horse and rushed to me. Before I could fall, I was taken in a pair of strong arms. The edges of my vision started to blackout, my hearing came in and out, and my body shivered trying to keep itself warm. The person clutched me to their chest and pushed the wet pieces of hair away from my face, desperation in their deep voice. “Miss L/n? Y/n, can you hear me? I’ve got you now. I’m here.”

My throat felt dry. “The Colonel...he-he didn’t write to me. I’m...I’m still waiting for his letter. I can’t leave...” The rider sighed and I tried to make out his face. “Do you know Colonel Han? He told me not to get married...so I didn’t...” The words came out in slurs but they came out nonetheless. The rider clutched my head to their chest gently. 

“I know, darling, I’m sorry.” He gently laid me on the forest floor and took off his coat wrapping it around me. “I couldn’t even though I wanted to.” Gently he picked me up as if I weighed nothing and moved over to the horse. Through my haze I heard him curse. Even in my state I knew there was no way he could get myself and him on the horse safely. 

“Stay with me, darling.” I tried to focus on the rider’s words as he tried to figure out how to get me to safety. The exhaustion won out, leaving me in the darkness. 

Colonel Han kept his head. He couldn’t panic. Not even when he saw her eyes close shut. “Damn.” His dark hair clung to his forehead as he searched for a solution. She wouldn’t last much longer. Her body was already freezing in his arms. 

His horse was too high to lift her up and Ruxfield was too far to walk. Why was she outside of Whitewater in the first place? In a storm? Whitewater. Whitewater was no more than five miles away. He could make it there. Forgetting about his exhaustion from the ride back from the front line, Jisung adjusted the woman in his arms, resting her head against his chest and his arms under her legs, he began walking all the way back to Whitewater. 

His arms and legs burned as he climbed over the last hill. He couldn’t help but smile as he saw Whitewater in the distance through the rain. “We are almost there, darling. Hold on for me.” He just had to hold on long enough to reach Whitewater. To see Y/n was alright.

With his last burst of energy, Jisung burst through the front doors of Whitewater. “HELP! I need a physician! Someone help!” Several staff including Carson rushed up to him, seeing Y/n in his arms. “Quickly, upstairs!” he said, making a path for Jisung. She shivered in his arms as he carried her down the hall and up the stairs. 

“Harriet call the physician! Tell him it’s an emergency!” A girl he had scene with Y/n before nodded and rushed to call a doctor. ���Y/n! Where is she! Y/n!” Cecilia called rushing to the Colonel. “Cecilia, love, move!” Chan said wrapping the woman in his arms. “Where is Father? He should be here!” She said as they moved passed her. “Your father left for London.” Carson said. 

Carson rushed to push open the door to the girl’s bedroom. The Colonel gently placed the girl on her bed and let the staff rush around the room to help her. All he could do was watch as the only woman he had thought about for the past four months lay helpless on her bed, shivering. 

A pair of strong hands pushed him softly out of the room and into the hall. He looked up to find Chan. “Han, you are freezing.” “I am fine,” He tried to get a look back into the room, but a maid closed the door. “You need to rest. You just returned on leave.” 

“Chan I will be fine!” 

Reluctantly, the man left Jisung alone in the hall. He watched as people walked in and out of the room, rushing with towels, blankets, wet clothes, new clothes, even hot kettles. Soon a physician arrived and entered her room. It felt like hours that Jisung had waited outside her door. Finally the girl, Harriet, walked out. She jumped when he grabbed her arm.

“Give me an occupation miss-or I shall go mad.”

Taking in the man’s tired state she handed him a towel. “The doctor says Ms. L/n hit her head and has a serious case of hypothermia.” She watched as Mr. Han sighed and ran a hand through his wet shaggy hair. “Please let me do something. Anything.” All she could offer was the smallest smile. 

“You’ve done all you can possibly do. Thank you for saving my mistress.” 

With a sorrowful nod he watched as she walked away. “We would be happy to set up a room for you, sir. We would be happy to keep you updated on how the lady is doing.” He gave Harriet a kind smile. “That would be very generous, Miss. I’ll only be staying for the two nights, if that is alright. I have orders to return to the line.” With a nod, Harriet went to prepare a room for the Colonel.

During those two days, Mr. Han never left her side. He stayed by her bedside helping Harriet and Cecilia with anything they asked. One the morning of his departure he gave Cecilia the name of his personal carrier. “If there is any change please let me know. The letter will go directly to me.” She nodded and took the piece of parchment watching the Colonel leave once again.

Sunlight streamed through my window. My head pounded and my body still felt cold.  Slowly I slipped out of my bed, feet placing themselves slowly on the cool wood floor. “You are awake!” Cecilia screamed. Rushing over she practically tackled me back onto my bed. “Cecilia, the baby!” “Oh I don’t care you are okay! Thank heavens you are okay!” 

I couldn’t help but smile as she hugged me. “Chan will kill you if you hurt his child before it’s even born.” “Shhhhhhhh! Not now. My sister has returned from the dead.” Laughing she hugged me even harder. 

“Oh! I almost forgot.” She pulled away and rushed to my dresser. When she returned she had a letter in her hands. “This came for you yesterday. You have been asleep for almost a week. You needed quite a lot of rest. I don’t blame you.” She handed me the envelope with a small smile. “Wait, where are you going?” I asked as she started to leave my room. “I think I should leave you alone with that.” Something about her smile made me laugh.

My shaking hands opened the letter with my name addressed on it in rough but elegant handwriting. When I opened it the familiar smell of gunpowder and old parchment reached my nose. The same handwriting greeted me as I read the letter.

“Miss Ln,

I have written this letter many times, but have been a coward to not send it. I had hoped I would be home to say this-but it seems Napoleon has different plans than I. 

Miss L/n, I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart. There were a thousand times I wanted to write to you, but events on the front line prevented me. I would like to apologize for not getting to you sooner that day. I wish I had been there soon for you, my darling. 

I pray that by the time you get this letter you are not yet married to that insolent pitiful disgrace of a man. Though the timing may be off I have something to ask of you. Something to confess...

Miss L/n you have bewitched me- body and soul. To what time I fell so deeply under your spell, I cannot recall. I know not the hour or the spot or the words or even the look that lay the foundation. I was in the middle before I even began. What a proud fool I was. To think my stubbornness was the only thing keeping me from you.  In vain I have struggled, but it will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and...love you.

It seems as if the only thing keeping me alive in this battle is the image of you smile. I would die a thousand deaths for that smile.

I have heard your father’s news of your wedding. I beg of you. Do not follow through. I hope that perhaps there is something I can offer. Miss L/n...should I return, I would like to humbly request for your hand. I know I have no right to you, nor should any man. You are the most strong woman I have ever had the pleasure and fortune of meeting, and to me it makes you the most beautiful woman to walk this earth. 

I hope to hear from you soon, my darling. Until then, I shall be fighting for the day that I do. I long for the day I am home. 

In hope,

Han Jisung”

I sat in disbelief. Colonel Han Jisung had written me a letter professing his love. He proposed... Leaving the letter on my  bed I walked to the window. The audacity. To ask me over a letter? A knock sounded at the door pausing my pacing. “Enter,” Harriet paused when she saw the look on my face. “Miss, what’s the matter.”

“Harry, I believe I have a serious decision to make.” 

 Months passed. Summer turning into mid fall. Father’s supposed wedding date for me had long passed. Each time Mr. Lee had visited Carson had turned him away. More letters from the Colonel had arrived, but they all said the same thing and soon they came to a stop. Cecilia had given birth not to long ago, to a beautiful baby boy. Chan and my sister had named the child Benjamin. 

News came that the war ended, England victorious. Soon I would be expecting a visitor. I sat in the garden with my sketchbook, drawing the few flowers that were left in the beds among other things. A certain face had popped up in the pages of my book several times. “Miss Y/n,” I looked up to see Carson walking down the pathway. 

“You have a visitor.”

A smirk fell across my lips. “Well, I believe I have been expecting him so let us not keep him waiting any longer.” With a smile, Carson returned into the house to fetch my guest. Patiently, I waited for the guest to come out and see me. I heard the sound of boots against the stone pathway and smiled.

“Good afternoon, Colonel.”

“Yes, indeed, Miss L/n.”

There was a nervous expression on his face. Once again he looked like he had just returned from active duty. His dark hair had grown a little longer and he wore the same navy overcoat again. His shirt underneath was covered in black powder and some of the buttons were undone to reveal his tan and slightly toned chest. Yes, definitely just returned. Returned with no time to change apparently. 

Quickly I brought my attention back to my sketchbook in hopes that it would hide the heat spreading on my cheeks. “Did...you receive my letters?” Self control regained, I turned my attention back to Mr. Han. “Why yes, Colonel Han, I did in fact receive several letters.”

“And you are not married...”

“No, I am not.”

The man stood perfectly still in military fashion, his hands clasped behind his back. “Well are you going to speak? You certainly did not come to Whitewater just to stare at me did you?” Shock crossed Han’s face. It was evident he had not expected me to speak to him like this. It was fun to see the stoic Colonel flustered. 

“I came to ask you response. You never wrote back to me.” I shrugged, getting off the bench. “Response? I don’t remember ever being properly asked a question.” He sighed running a hand through his hair, a habit that I had missed while he was away. “I do recall asking-” “No, Colonel Han. You requested. You, sir, never asked me anything. So why should I dignify you with a response.” 

Maybe it was the smile, or the slight twinkle in my eye, but he laughed. A sound that I had never heard from the man. It made me want to memorize every sound and feature of his face when he laughed. “Then, should I ask you properly, Miss L/n?” It was a genuine question, not of simple jest. “There is no harm in questions.” He took a deep breath and looked me in the eyes. 

“Miss L/n, will you please allow me the great honor of making you my wife?”

“No.”

“Excuse me?”

His eyes widened at my quick response. “I’m sorry Colonel, but I cannot promise to be any man’s wife who sits prettily in a corner and who is expected to obey every word he says. I won’t be expected to just sit around waiting for you-...him- to come home.” 

“Wherever you are is my home; my only home.”

There was sincerity in his eyes. Love. “Mr. Han,” He sighed taking my hands in his. Though his touch was still unfamiliar, it felt sure and safe. “Miss L/n, please let me speak.” He practically begged. I waited silent for him to continue.

“I am half in hope and half in agony. If your feelings are still what I assumed they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged but one word from you will silence me on the subject forever.” He searched my eyes for an answer. 

“Miss L/n, I am in love with you more than you will ever know. I want nothing more than to be with you. To wake up to every morning- to fall asleep next to you every night. To stand next to me, not behind me. I am in love with your wit, and your charm, and how you always keep me on my toes more than any battle ever has. I am in love with your modern values and your spontaneity.” Han’s hands were rough against mine, his slender fingers ghosting over my skin.

“Y/n...Will you marry me, and do me the honor of letting me be your husband?”

Han’s dark eyes looked into mine- indeed half in agony and half in hope. He looked at me as if everything in the world that mattered to him was standing in front of him. The look in his eyes couldn’t help but make me smile. I was in love with Colonel Han Jisung and it couldn’t be helped.

“Yes,”

“Yes?”

“Yes.”

“Really?” He asked. “Of course.” He smiled and looked down at his hands still gently holding mine. “May I?” He asked softly, glancing between my eyes and my lips. It only took a small nod for him to act, pressing his lips softly onto mine. My head begin to feel dizzy in the best way. His fingers traveled up the bare skin of my arms and then down to rest on my waist, bringing me closer. Han smiled as my hands pressed against his chest, kissing him back. 

“I love you, Jisung. With all my heart.”

“It took you long enough to say it, my darling.”

El Fin

Requests are open my lovelies!

Masterlist

[teacasket]

skz as pride and prejudice moments

genre: only headcanons   au: regency au, pride and prejudice au warnings: none word count: 0.8k   pairing: none a/n: currently going through a pride and prejudice phase right now. if you want to read an actual p&p au i wrote: the first step

bang chan - mr. bang’s mrs. bennet’s poor nerves

“Mr. Bennet, how can you abuse your own children in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion on my poor nerves.”

“You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these twenty years at least.”

lee minho - “oh, darcy has a lot of money, like a lot”

It was a large, handsome stone building, standing well on rising ground, and backed by a ridge of high woody hills; and in front, a stream of some natural importance was swelled into greater, but without any artificial appearance. Its banks were neither formal nor falsely adorned. Elizabeth was delighted. She had never seen a place for which nature had done more, or where natural beauty had been so little counteracted by an awkward taste. They were all of them warm in their admiration; and at that moment she felt that to be mistress of Pemberley might be something!

seo changbin - “i guess he’s good enough for you”

Elizabeth had the satisfaction of seeing her father taking pains to get acquainted with him; and Mr. Bennet soon assured her that he was rising every hour in his esteem.

“I admire all my three sons-in-law highly,” said he. “Wickham, perhaps, is my favourite; but I think I shall like your husband quite as well as Jane’s.”

hwang hyunjin - moments before disaster

“May I hope, madam, for your interest with your fair daughter Elizabeth, when I solicit for the honour of a private audience with her in the course of this morning?”

Before Elizabeth had time for anything but a blush of surprise, Mrs. Bennet answered instantly, “Oh dear!—yes—certainly. I am sure Lizzy will be very happy—I am sure she can have no objection. Come, Kitty, I want you up stairs.” And, gathering her work together, she was hastening away, when Elizabeth called out:

“Dear madam, do not go. I beg you will not go. Mr. Collins must excuse me. He can have nothing to say to me that anybody need not hear. I am going away myself.”

“No, no, nonsense, Lizzy. I desire you to stay where you are.” And upon Elizabeth’s seeming really, with vexed and embarrassed looks, about to escape, she added: “Lizzy, I insist upon your staying and hearing Mr. Collins.”

han jisung - “i’m not good at talking” “that sounds like a you problem”

“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess,” said Darcy, “of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.”

“My fingers,” said Elizabeth, “do not move over this instrument in the masterly manner which I see so many women’s do. They have not the same force or rapidity, and do not produce the same expression. But then I have always supposed it to be my own fault—because I will not take the trouble of practising. It is not that I do not believe my fingers as capable as any other woman’s of superior execution.”

lee felix - pretty girls everywhere

“I would not be so fastidious as you are,” cried Bingley, “for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty.”

“You are dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” said Mr. Darcy, looking at the eldest Miss Bennet.

“Oh! she is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you.”

kim seungmin - the world’s most pretentious compliment

“Oh! certainly,” cried his faithful assistant, “no one can be really esteemed accomplished who does not greatly surpass what is usually met with. A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved.”

“All this she must possess,” added Darcy, “and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading.”

“I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any.”

yang jeongin - clowns are meant to be laughed at

“But upon my honour, I do not. I do assure you that my intimacy has not yet taught me that. Tease calmness of manner and presence of mind! No, no; I feel he may defy us there. And as to laughter, we will not expose ourselves, if you please, by attempting to laugh without a subject. Mr. Darcy may hug himself.”

“Mr. Darcy is not to be laughed at!” cried Elizabeth. “That is an uncommon advantage, and uncommon I hope it will continue, for it would be a great loss to me to have many such acquaintances. I dearly love a laugh.”

[renytherat]

Rae’s WIPS

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

Masterlist

OT8

5SOS Discography

Summer Confessions

How Stray Kids takes care of you after a long day (hyung/maknae)

Yang Jeongin

Sweet Like You

Kim Seungmin

Out of the Spotlights

Whisper of the Forgotten

Expletives

Lee Felix

[none right now]

Han Jisung

Just You

Arcadia

Wildflower

The Morning After?

Bruises and Broken Lips pt.2

Aisle 4⭐

...

Regency Era

Hwang Hyunjin

Out of the Park⭐

Seo Changbin

The Thump in the Night

Hot Cocoa and Hoodies⭐

Heart Heist

District 9

#490

Lee Minho

Waiter au

Heartbeats

...

Afterthought⭐

The Nights Between⭐

Bang Chan

Repeat

Treasure Trove

᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃

Any questions? Curious about something? Feel free to dm me or send an ask!!

[prettywordsyouleft]

Stray Kids Masterlist

Here are all my fictions, drabbles, scenarios and requested pieces I’ve written so far for Stray Kids. All drabbles are 500 words or less. All fictions are first under each name.

[Main Masterlist] | [Request Guidelines]

Key: [M] mature content - [D] Drabble - [Sc] Scenarios - ☆ Author’s Favourite

series;

The Water Guy (Chan) - fluff ☆

The Water Guy // Water Is Our Thing

bang chan;

Guilty As Charged - police au / friends to lovers

Love Diet - fluff

Great Lengths - regency au / fluff

Personal Torture - fluff ☆

lee know (minho);

Not For The Coffee - cliche fluff ☆

The King’s Sorcerer - fantasy fluff ☆

Picture Perfect [D]

hyunjin;

Not Love - angst ☆

Dark Revelry - romance / suggestive ☆

han (jisung); 

Tinsel Tricks [D]

felix; 

Within - supernatural au / fluff

Crossing Boundaries - fluff

[braemjeorn]

CHAPTER XVIII [masterlist]

pairing: bang chan x ofc

genre/notes: general audience, fluff, slight angst, relationship discussion, age gap concerns, domesticity

wordcount: 

summary: another angle to the story.

also available in ao3, if you prefer that format

© Do not repost, copy, or republish into another site or under another name.

⚠️ All characters that shares the name of real life person in this story are represented in a fictional manner for entertainment purpose, and not to be alluded with real life.

TAGLIST: @spookykryptoniteperson @nixtape-foryou @do-you-know-what-else-is-big

Commodore Bang and Lady Jang make quite the lovey painting; she in her patterned blue gown and him in his black frock coat against the blooming greens of Barlnshore’s grounds. Birds are chirping about them, finishing their early morning work; it might have been mesmerizing, if not for the pregnant silence between the two. Lady Jang had pried the Commodore away for her own company, and he was fully aware of her ways that precede an impending matter. So Chan waited; Nayoung only tightened her lips and fell into such silence when she contemplated making a sharp remark to an unwelcome guest, driving them never to return to her vicinity or step into her salon. And yet, he could stare long enough, and such gaze was enough to pry her thoughts out.

“The boys seemed happier,” Nayoung began. ”It seemed they really could not settle without their Miss Son.” She then turned to him with a knowing smile. “She’s a delightful creature, is she not?”

Chan did not immediately answer, unprepared for the subject’s introduction.

“I bel— I think… She is. She is,” he repeated, internally cursing his stutters. All of a sudden, he found it difficult to discuss the governess. 

Lady Jang was swift as ever, “Then you approve and esteem her?” 

There was another lengthy pause; she turned to find confusion in his face. But soon Chan said quietly, “How can I not?—She is a capable educator.”

“I do think so myself. And in such consideration, she outranks me in many things.”

“Such as?”

“Gaining your fondness?”

Chan’s steps halted and fixed his companion a look. “Annette, what are you speaking of?

Nayoung’s smirked. “I have this odd delight in rendering men flustered. But you hardly blink at my teasings, Christopher—it was rather remarkable. Until now.” She looked up, and her stare levelled into some sharpness. “Be frank with me, dear friend. Do you like her?”

Chan found his voice too soft as he returned her question, “How can one dislike her?”

Nayoung’s eyebrows quirked up, and Chan felt guilt wash over him—how figments of his thoughts consisted of the constant presence of a laughing brunette, which recurred more than a vivid red figure. 

Nayoung sighs, “I suppose I should narrow the strike by asking if you love her instead.”

The words brought a fullness to Chan’s chest, he might as well cough up rose petals.

“Nayoung…” he sighed.

“Do you, Chan?”

“I don’t! —I don’t know!” There was exasperation when Commodore Bang glared back to his friend. “It might have always been there or it might have been you putting ideas into my head!”

“Necessary ideas,” Lady Jang smirked.

“For what necessity?” Chan fritted.

“For your boys.” Nayoung sighed. She reached to hold his tense arms, speaking hushedly yet with firmness, “Chan, I have very little maternal affection. Perhaps none—I had no children and by now I’m not inclined to them. If I marry you, I'll need to portion what little, meaningless endearment I have seven people. And persuading me that my heart can do otherwise—can do a grander, more gracious, dutiful turn, would be a disastrous expectation for them.”

“I made a promise with you—”

“Then shake my hands and break our engagement in good conscience,” she said. “In mutual agreement—for we only agreed to marry each other out of…Well, I don't know. I’m not sure of it now. You wanted a mother for your children, and I thought you were a good company to live with for the rest of my life. And somehow I thought I could manage and get along with your boys. But thank goodness I listened to my hesitance and waited to tell the church for this long. Thank goodness for our age and unhurriedness! You’re so much happier here with them than in my place.”

Chan shifted at her mused observation. “No, that is untrue—”

“Did you ever laugh with us? With our pieces of news from the Parliament or the theatre?” Nayoung prompted, smiling wider when Chan paused in surprise. “No remark amused you beyond a… very bland smile. The first time I heard you laugh was here. When Seungmin wolfed down his fruit pie, forcing the whole thing into his mouth. And I don't know why his efforts are so endearing but you laughed like… Like it was the greatest gag by a king’s joker, you gasped and took a breath and laughed again and held your head in your palm and laughed some more for a good seven minutes! Christopher, I’ve never seen you happier here. It makes me think, in truth, I know very little of you after all.”

“Same goes to her, then,” Chan hissed, inclining his head to where the governess and Bambam were sitting. “She’s known me less than you have!”

Nayoung laughed, “It’s not the same.”

There was a scream from the boys, followed by some laughter. 

“You love her. Or terribly fond of her, either way,” Lady Jang continued. “Ever since the day she climbed out of the waters—or the day after that, to be more exact. You look at her as if… You are so fond of her that your heart warmed and began to yearn for her presence, not a mere comfort of companionship.”

“Annette…”

“Christopher, we are not in love.”

They faced one another again, and he reached for her hand as if to steady himself in this confusion or refute the statement, “We agreed it would not be for that reason.”

“Yet speak frankly, Christopher, when Minho is twenty, which face do you think will bring you a brighter smile to see across the table at breakfast?” Nayoung asked, her voice lower in her sincerity. “Why settle for comforting companionship when you can have some warm passion again?”

“Practicality,” Chan drawled.

Nayoung bristled, and her hold shook the man. “For heaven's sake, Bang, indulge yourself to happiness, will you!?”

“You are so eager to be rid of me,” Chan returned.

“We would be unhappy if we forced this on,” Nayoung hissed, then tilting her head to the huddle behind her. “They  would be unhappy.”

The diversion to his children settled some gravity into the man, and she pursued on more calmly, “I do like your company. We entertain and get along well enough with each other between drinks and dances. But being a wife and a mother demands more responsibility which I am entirely out of touch to support you. If only you, we wouldn’t have been in this mettle. But I’m too—selfish to be what you all need, and I would not have you all endure a scowling old hag, dissatisfied with her choices and her life.”

Chan ran a hand through his hair, exhaling heavily. “I wonder if this is just an idea you put in my head to escape me or the truth.”

“The truth.” Nayoung shrugged when she added, “Or a woman’s intuition and mature sensibility.”

“Who are you to judge my own heart?”

“It is something you have yet to know or realise. But I've considered my feelings and thought it would be best. I don't hate you, Christopher. You are a good friend. Perhaps it should just stay like that. I cannot be what you need now. But she would be wonderful, by your side, with them. They deserve nothing less but someone of her calibre.”

Their gaze returned to the young governess. The twins were offering flowers to her lap and she laughed as she inspected the entwined blooms. The setting sun illuminated her face while her brown hair shimmered gold-like about her. Nayoung glanced at Chan and let a smile rise at his transfixed eyes.

“Come now, you must admit the truth in my reasoning, Commodore.”

“I loathe to.”  

She laughed, noting how his hesitating words made him the most stubborn, oblivious mule.

“I pray that one day you will be happy,” Nayoung murmured. “That your heart might bloom anew, warm and bright. That much you deserve, my dear lonely sailor.” She held him tenderly by the shoulder and leaned to kiss his cheek. Their eyes met, and with it, every understanding was exchanged and settled. “I shall now tell Ms Kim to pack our things and call the carriage for an early return to the capital.”

“You should have said yes when I asked you the first time,” Chan huffed.

Lady Jang giggled. “We were both intoxicated with wine—had we agreed then, it would have ruined us. I shall part away from you, and soon I’ll be away from your thoughts, and I hope that will make a much wider room for someone more vivacious to occupy them. Someone who might thrive better than teaching in classrooms.”

Chan’s breath caught at the mention, and his wide eyes sharply turned to her receding figure. Nayoung gave an amused smile despite the heavy lead weighing inside her ribs. “I give blessings to no other, Commodore Bang.”

“Appa.”

Chan shifted from his stance, turning towards the door where Jeongin stood. He had been looking down at his letters, though not seeing them. His thoughts had taken great liberty to drift and consider various possible circumstances and outcomes and the sensibility of taking certain actions. In addition to sentimental prodding and scrutiny, Chan had been prone to solemn pondering and lapse of inattentiveness since Baroness Jang’s departure. It had been easy for his sons to catch him unaware; quite impressive that no noisy item had been set behind him—his jerking in surprise would be a delightful trick.

Jeongin waited at the door, expectantly waiting for his acknowledgement. When has he grown so big to amass such patience? Chan cleared his throat, “Yes, Jeongin—what is it that you come upon me so?”

“Do you like Miss Son?”

He felt his neck crack to fix a stare at the boy. Now, that’s one practical joke—it would not surprise him if this was one of Changbin and Hyunjin’s plots. 

“Pardon…?!“

“Do you like Miss Son?” Jeongin repeated. Prodding, or worrying that his father had not attended to him well. 

Chan, for his part, thought that the fates were pointing accusatory fingers behind his youngest. Yet truth be told, it would have been more plausible to see similarly inquiring (in an unnerving, we-knew-all-about-it-yes-truly way) gaze of his other six. But Jeongin pried so timidly that he nearly believed that he asked out of personal impulse. Either way, his brothers were engrossed in the library, and during their rowdy play and lunch earlier he caught a little whiff of mischief plotting, even with his sparse scrutiny. Surely they have not made such a swift conclusion from the Baroness’ early departure. But children know things, more than adults assume. 

“Why are you asking that?” he said lightly, loosening his tense shoulder and glare to fix the papers over his desk. Not that the image of the question’s objective person rising in his mind’s eye—with her laughing face at Jisung’s tales—was easy to ignore. “Of course, I do.”

“Then will you marry her?”

As a retired naval officer, Commodore Bang held firm confidence that he knew how to swim well enough not to get choked by water, much less plain air. The older ones have marked some influence over Yennie. 

“No,” he answered with great struggle.

“Why?”

Must he ask it despondently? “Well, why do you think I should marry her? Suddenly?”

“She’s nicer than the Baroness.”

“Is that so?” Chan bit in a laugh at the frank statement. ”Do your brothers think the same?”

Jeongin nodded, vehemently sincere. 

“She is lovely, isn’t she?” Chan mused, stunned in a way. Was everyone so drawn to her, and only he was the only one unconscious of her particular effects on him? Was she equally aware of it and tugged at the strings of attraction in hopes of a return? Or was it only in a cordial friendly manner, which he observed and felt too deeply? He’s not certain what would happen if the seven of them exposed him for it.

“Jeongin, I have a request.”

“Yes?”

Chan kneeled, waving the lad closer. Jeongin skipped near him, and Chan held him by the shoulders, lowering his voice to speak slowly.

“Do not mention this to anyone, all right? Do not talk about suggesting me marrying Miss Son to anyone. Not to Uncle Bambam or the staff; especially your brothers and Miss Son herself.” Chan moved to hold Jeongin’s hands, wringing his face to an easier smile, “Do you think you can do that?”

“I should keep hush,” Jeongin nodded.

The replying chuckle was more genuine. “Yes, please. Can you do that?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Chan had no idea how much security he could trust in Jeongin’s silence. But perhaps it would do good to have some faith in his youngest and deal with the consequences himself should a slip-up happen later. He’s the father, after all. Chan extended his pinky to Jeongin, which the boy gleefully latched his to. Chan then drew him into a hug. “Very well. Why don’t you go play with your brothers now?”

Jeongin nodded, happily sliding off his father’s arms and trotted out of the study. Commodore Bang let out a measured breath, grasping and clasping his trembling hands, then rubbing one to the back of his flushed neck. It would not do for him to muddle upon it now, but he will have to think about it aloud. Preferably with others, which is why it did not take him long to speak of it to Younghyun and Sana.

“Jeongin thinks I should marry Miss Son,” he said to Sana when they assembled in one of the sitting rooms that look out to the garden.

The housekeeper was ready to laugh at the notion—it hadn't been two weeks since Baroness Jang left Barlnshore and Chan admitted to dissolving their engagement. Incompatible goals, he had calmly explained in his light, almost confused voice. But she caught the sombreness on her friend’s face as he looked out of the window, contrasting with how he tried to say it as if it was only a joke on Jeongin’s part and that all should regard it similarly. 

“The boys and their perceptions,” Sana remarked airily. “If I had half of their ignorant confidence, I would have suggested it myself months ago.”

 Chan scowled and clicked his tongue, “She’s eighteen years younger than me.”

“There have been marriages of greater disparity in age—”

“But she has such a life before her!” the Commodore bristled. “The things I do at her age!”

“It wouldn’t compare—you were out at sea amassing a fortune. At her age, a woman would have two babes already and perhaps another on the way.” Sana pursed her lips. “But she is a teacher.”

Chan turned. “What of it?”

“Marrying you would be very good for her. She might be very well-provided for instead of scraping by with a meagre yearly income. Suppose she aspires to be independent for a longer time she might find herself in a better position, God willing. After this, she might be a governess at the homes of other lords or well-off families. Or she might only teach at that school, but for how long will it take to gather enough finance to retire comfortably? She might do that until she’s an old maid. Even if she’s not marrying you, how well off could men who request her hand be?”

“You are praising me?”

Sana clicked her tongue, and there was a laughing huff from Chan. 

“I’m observing with reason!” she insisted.

“Considering how the boys adore her and how well they get along, it would be a missed blessing to not propose,” Younghyun spoke up, suddenly appearing by the door. “Might as well think how profoundly affected they would be when she leaves, Chan-ah. They look to her more as a mother than a governess.”

One can consider that such remarks applied to the Commodore's regard of her. He paced behind the window, which is broad as much as it is long. His fingers tapped upon the sill, sometimes turning his signet ring while his teeth worried his lips. Considering the boy's warm affection for the governess, he wondered if her leaving would settle another cloud of emptiness in the house. Not as painful as the first, but it would be equally unbearable. Miss Son herself had lavished them with some form of maternal affection—which the younger ones have lacked in the past three years and what he had hoped Nayoung would fill. But as courteous and nurturing the Baroness was to her lady friends, it was hard for her to extend similar care to people so much younger. Combine that with the need to fill the space when the oldest two leave for school…

“The boys are young, though. Soon they will be occupied in other kinds of work by the years,” Sana reasoned. “Minho and Changbin are going to school, and Hyunjin has his artistic endeavours. The younger ones will follow to school soon before you can think of it, occupied with a new instructor in her post.”

It was a realistic future to look out for—it would lessen his pain—and yet the image of it hollowed and chilled the Commodore’s heart with dread. She would be gone first, and then his two oldest. Hyunjin and the twins would follow while the youngest two grew up. And he will remain here, with his ledgers and meetings with farmers and stablemasters and occasional visits from Bambam. Perhaps Hannah was right in saying that the house is too grand—and what will he do? Aye, he will have the spirit to go about his days but he might be just slightly more of the shell he had been some ten months ago in the lonely house when the seven truly leaves the nest, longing for… something he should have—

Chan brushed the thought away with a huff. “Will they forget her?” he asked instead.

“Now you don’t just forget people you’ve known for some while,” Younghyun replied. “I could return to my old hometown and recognise the people there. Those I’ve known well and those I've merely passed by every day when I was seventeen. I’m sure I won’t forget their faces now in my forties.”

“You do love her, do you Chan-ie?” Sana-san asked quietly. “You should see the way you smile and laugh with her. And your thoughts wouldn’t trouble you so much if you don’t.”

“She means you frown too much,” Younghyun remarked. Sana glared at him and might have sent a spool of thread flying his way had they been younger.

‘These days,” Younghyun specified.

“She is goodness and light I never thought to encounter again in this life. At this time of my life, and in consideration to… what I’ve lost.” Commodore Bang sighed. “And that is why I w—…”

His voice trailed away, and the silence was only broken by the clock’s ticking, louder than the children’s laughter.

“If Miss Son likes or tolerates you an equal amount at the least, why not propose to her a possible union?” Sana gently offered. “If you feel it improper with her living under your generosity, propose to her some weeks after she returns home and settle the engagement longer than the four-week ban-reading.”

Chan groaned, hands flying up to his temples. “I fear she would find the inequality existing even then. Would it not be too selfish? She is very much an independent woman; a free little sparrow. She might have better opportunities to find a younger gentleman—oh, she can easily attract them. Fellows of better means and income, or merely by standing equally new into a marriage would…” There was a pause again as Chan trailed away in his thoughts. Sana and Younghyun waited, each composing how to act should the silence lengthen. But then Commodore Bang shook his head adamantly and stalked about the window again. “I can’t. No, I’ll… I’ll send for a new gover— a new tutor in April, or.. Yennie could live with his cousins while his brothers go to school and…” Something outside caught his attention, and his earlier woes were forgotten as he murmured, “Why is Hannah here?”

Sana turned to the steward—Younghyun shifted to attention.

“My apologies, I came to tell you Mrs Lee had arrived with her daughters—”

“Ah, hyung ! How could you forget!?” sighed the Commodore, reverting as the youngest among them.

“It was riveting to see you in crisis!” Mr Kang teased, tailing on his young master as the latter stalked away.

“How could you delight in my misery!?”

Minatozaki-san did not hold back her giggle.

“He’s quite erased the idea,” Mr Kang observed one afternoon to Minatozaki-san. The family and their governess had gathered for snacks with reading and games in the drawing room, and the two staff were passing by the hall.

“It looks like he does, but he’s still mulling about it,” the housekeeper countered.

The older two boys were eliminated from their board games, and Changbin whined to his brother about going for a walk outdoors before the sunset; the eldest, on the other hand, was like a deflated skin in his seat, even yawning widely at one point.

“Come on, we can see the ponies!”

“No,” came the curt reply.

“Why ever not?” Changbin dragged his words. He swayed from side to side while Minho remained in his languid state.

“I don’t want to.”

“You’re just going to stare off into space, what’s the point in that?”

“If I’m so tired, that’s the most reasonable thing to do.”

Changbin was about to come up with another retort when the Commodore folded his newspaper away and called from the sofa across them. “Minho, come to the stable with me?”

The eldest blinked. With an all right, he rose sprightly—even leaping out of his chair, like some coffee was spooned into him. Swiftly he walked out of the room, announcing that he’d change into his boots and outer coat. Changbin was betrayed, and feeling it most keenly, began to holler as he rushed after the eldest, “I just asked you to come with me—What do you mean by that?! ”

Mari bit down her smile. Hyunjin and the twins were snickering at the scene. Commodore Bang rose to follow the two and get dressed—he met Mari’s eyes, and the amused twinkle in both pairs of eyes made it hard for them to resist sharing a grin.

The two senior staff watched the exchange but continued down the hall to their quarters.

“He would persist in being a gentleman and she would not know any better,” said Mr Kang. “Does she know by any chance? Did she ever tell you?”

“She is far too collected and reserved to confess it to me—if there be any affection,” Minatozaki-san replied. “But one can easily assume she is as fond of him as she adores the boys. Hannah certainly noticed.”

Younghyun fell quiet, recalling how the housekeeper and the Commodore’s sister exchanged a few words that afternoon. “Did you tell Ms Bang, by any chance?”

“I nearly did, but she remarked on it first,” Sana defended and added with some hesitance. “She thought they got along well despite the age difference. That’s when I mentioned his feelings and hesitancy on the exact matter. The knowledge startled her as if she expected him to be more oblivious. But she also contemplated that he must be brooding too much.”

Mr Kang smiled at the precise reckoning. “Was that all?”

There was some pause before the housekeeper continued; her posture turned unsure, and her voice low, “She said Jaebin would not refuse such a sweet creature.” 

Sana turned to her friend, “I haven’t thought about it, Younghyun. Do you think she would approve of Mari?”

At that moment, they came across a portrait of the late Baroness. Minho was with her, donned in a white dress that compliments his mother’s pale green one and the white plumes on her hat. They were looking at one another, noticeable compared to other portraits where at least one of the subjects would be looking to the front. Mr Kang remembered that day quite well—Jaebin had appealed for the painter to paint her thus since her incapability of looking away from her son frustrated the man.

“I don’t think she would refuse someone who adores her babies as much as she did,” he said.

But the days passed and the trunks were packed, and no exceptional dialogue occurred, as far as the two were concerned. Nothing that would lead to any revolutionary shift in the household, despite the ever-present exchange of smiles and knowing looks. Then one ordinary breakfast came and finished, and the boys trailed away not to the classroom but out into the front of the house, while she closed the door to her room. Hugs and handshakes were extended among warm words of parting. An envelope was delegated, an arm extended to lead her for a final goodbye, and after more tender hugs, a hand led her away to the carriage. Soon, even if the final pause was lengthy, the horses started, and she drove away from the garden out of the gates. 

Nobody shifted after the carriage was out of sight, the breeze humming along their longing sighs and the descending stillness. Then Minho brushed a finger over his eyes and leaned to Changbin’s ears. The latter nodded and Seungmin was relegated to the second eldest. Minho walked ahead, grasping Hyunjin’s shoulder as he passed him and Jeongin. With an easy pace, he walked towards his father, pausing by his side. The Commodore stared ahead, a sombreness in his face but no hardened jaw. He turned to Minho, the two sharing a long look at one another. The Commodore patted Minho’s shoulder, who then called the twins to turn back. Jisung and Yongbok dragged their pace, taking comfort under Minho’s arm. Slowly they all turn back into the house, from Changbin and Seungmin to Minho and the twins, their footsteps prominent in the sudden hollowness of the house. 

Sana made to turn in behind them when Younghyun suddenly remarked, “I would be less surprised if he had proposed to her in the foyer. I am more surprised that he managed to send her away.”

She turned to look back outside, where Chan remained before the stairs, staring out the road towards the gates. The wind ruffled more of his hair and the tails of his coat, his hands clasped neatly behind him. Even without seeing his face, one can easily presume what leaves him rooted in such a stance.

“Does he though?” Sana sighed. She picked up her skirt, leaving Younghyun to rouse their friend. Perhaps some tea and yakgwa would do well for them.

[hanniiesuckle17]

Adding to my ongoing list of fics I'm working on.........

Han jisung Regency au.........🙄🙄🙄🙄👀👀👀👀👀👀👀👀

[quokkacore]

𝔯𝔢𝔪𝔢𝔪𝔟𝔢𝔯 𝔪𝔢 𝔣𝔬𝔯 𝔠𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔦𝔢𝔰 [nct collab call]

take a look inside the chapters of this history book and read of several events spanning across all of human civilization. read about people from all walks of life: great heroes, legendary foes, daring outlaws, ordinary people. read about the rise and fall of empires, conspiring courts, the rise and fall of empires, forbidden alliances and romances. in fact, dear reader, don’t just read. learn from the past, because if we don’t, we are doomed to repeat it.

𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖊𝖜𝖔𝖗𝖉

in lieu of hitting 500 followers, i’ve decided to announce this collaboration!! i’ve always loved history so why not? some of these eras are specific to certain cultures and places, but others are a lot broader. at the end of the day, they’re your stories. also if you saw me post this on accident the first time... no you didn’t <3

𝖋𝖔𝖗 𝖞𝖔𝖚𝖗 𝖈𝖔𝖓𝖘𝖎𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓

this is a historical au collaboration, but any genre is allowed as long as your story is set in your chosen era! however, smut is not allowed for jisung or if you, the writer, are underage.

all works must be member x reader. love triangles and the like are allowed, but the main male character must be the member you chose.

eras and members are chosen on a first come, first served basis. please message me if you want to participate! if your main blog isn’t your writing blog, please be sure to tell me your writing blog so i can add it to this list correctly :)

you must have discord, since i will be sending all writers working on this collaboration a discord server link. there, i will send announcements and we can all give each other feedback!

tag any triggering content. if you’re not sure, ask in the discord server!

research is definitely encouraged as you will be writing about historical eras, some with specific cultural significance! please be respectful of any cultures or traditions you write about.

in the same vein, don’t romanticize any historical events or figures that are controversial, or have had negative cultural impact (ie, 9/11, the crusades, colonialism). again, if you’re not sure, ask in the discord server!

minimum word count is 2k. your words cannot be blurbs or timestamps.

please inform me if: you’re changing your url, you’re going on hiatus, or if you need to leave the collaboration.

the deadline is currently november 2021, but it is very flexible and can be pushed back even further should several writers ask!

after you’re added, i would really appreciate it if you reblogged this post to boost its reach :D

𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖎𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖝

moon taeil - 

johnny suh - @aquamoonchaii - the joseon dynasty

lee taeyong - @moondustaeil - the victorian era

nakamoto yuta -

qian kun -

kim doyoung - me! - the renaissance

lee ten - @sleepylixie - the 1940s

jung jaehyun - @doderyscoffee​ - the rococo era

dong sicheng - @loonacitys - the regency

kim jungwoo - @smileyjaeminies - ancient greece

wong yukhei -

mark lee - @lamaiejeno - the 1920s

xiao dejun -

wong kunhang - @zephyr-abyss - the golden age of piracy

huang renjun - @seulgiswhoreee - the 1930s

lee jeno - @jenoentry - the roman empire

osaki shotaro -

lee donghyuck -

na jaemin - @jaehyyns - the 1960s

liu yangyang - @lovelyutas - the late middle ages

zhong chenle - @softcrescendo - the tang dynasty

jung sungchan -

park jisung - @heejinnien - the three kingdoms period

𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝖚𝖓𝖎𝖙𝖘

listed below are historical eras to choose from, a brief description of them (except anything past the 1900s as they’re pretty self explanatory), and a few examples of media or cultural phenomena you could use as inspiration if you can’t think of anything! media will be in italics, cultural phenomena will not.

ancient greece (800 BCE—32 BCE): a civilization based in the mediterranean, known for its extensive mythology and advancements in math, art, western philosophy and government. inspiration: the odyssey, hercules, the iliad, percy jackson.

the han dynasty (206 BCE—220): known for its long reign and achievements, it was the second imperial dynasty of china. it is highly regarded as an age of peace and prosperity that allowed china to grow into a major world power. inspiration: painted skin, the virtuous queen of han, the king’s woman

roman empire (27 BCE—476): in its time, this was one of the most powerful empires in the “known world” as a result of its political prowess and military power. it spanned from england, to the mediterranean, to parts of the middle east. inspiration: the heroes of olympus, pompeii, gladiator 

the tang dynasty (618—906): regarded by many as china’s golden age of arts and culture, the tang dynasty allowed aristocratic life to flourish. poetry, art, and education prospered. inspiration: house of flying daggers, the empress of china

the viking age (793—1066): time period in scandinavian europe during which vikings conquered parts of north america and england. inspiration: vikings, how to train your dragon trilogy

the three kingdoms period (892—936): period in korean history in which the korean peninsula was split into three kingdoms, all wanting to conquer one another: goguryeo, silla and baekje. inspiration: the blade and petal, hwarang 

feudal japan (1185—1602): period of civil unrest in japan, during which the political world was unstable, and power fluctuated between the shogunate and the royal court. it can be separated into two main eras: the kamakura period, and the sengoku period. inspiration: samurai, inuyasha, hakuouki

the late middle ages (1250—1450): a relatively brutal period, known for its numerous wars and civil unrest, throughout europe and asia. inspiration: the princess bride, robin hood, marco polo

joseon dynasty (1392—1897): the last and longest ruling confucian monarchy in korean history. inspiration: 100 days my prince, mr. sunshine, rookie historian goo hae-ryung

the renaissance (1450—1600): period based in europe (mainly italy) which was known for its advances in art, technology and science. inspiration: shakespeare in love, romeo and juliet, ever after

the golden age of piracy (1650—1730): during which maritime piracy across the world grew more and more prominent due to large shipments of cargo making their way to places like the caribbean, west africa, north america and europe. inspiration: pirates of the caribbean, treasure island

the rococo era (1737—1770): art movement in europe which glamorized grandeur and luxury, revolving around heaven, angels, love and lavishness. inspiration: barry lyndon, marie antoinette, a little chaos

the age of revolutions (1765—1849): a period in which a shift occurred in the western world, and monarchical institutions were overthrown in places like latin america, north america, and france. inspirations: les miserables, hamilton

the regency (1795—1837): british time period surrounding the time before, during, and after which prince george of england iv ruled as prince regent after his father was deemed unfit, during which time aristocracy flourished. inspiration: pride and prejudice, emma, bridgerton

victorian era (1837—1901): period spanning the rule of queen victoria of england, during which the industrial revolution occurred and urbanization became widespread. inspiration: the young victoria, the phantom of the opera, penny dreadful

the old west (1860—1890): period in american history during which many made the dangerous decision of migrating west of the Mississippi river, in search of gold, new land, and money. inspiration: jane got a gun, the good the bad and the ugly

the 1900s: moulin rouge!, finding neverland

the 1910s: downton abbey, my fair lady, anastasia

the 1920s: the great gatsby, boardwalk empire, silent films

the 1930s: bonnie and clyde, the handmaiden, the beginning of hollywood’s golden age  

the 1940s: casablanca, the godfather, the notebook

the 1950s: swing kids, grease, dead poets society 

the 1960s: american graffiti, the british invasion, summer of love

the 1970s: the lovely bones, mindhunter, the birth of punk music

the 1980s: atomic blonde, stranger things, the americans

[hanniiesuckle17]

Masterlist

Requests are open! I do imagines, oneshots, blurbs, reactions, preferences, and scenarios for the following groups:

(STRAY KIDS, NOIR, SF9, Ateez, SEVENTEEN, Astro, B.I.G, Pentagon, TXT) and more but I’d have to do research.

Also yes I do know my m.list is overflowing in Han Jisung..... I'm in love and its easy to write for him when he's in my brain all the damn time 

STRAY KIDS:

Stray Kids as Kdramas

They See You (Ex) Walking Out of Member’s Room

S/o Brings Them Wedding Dress Shopping

Their Child’s First Word

They Reject You But Regret It

They Confess to Their Friend

Asking to Borrow S/o’s Razor

Going Clubbing With S/o

First Date With S/o

First Kiss With S/o

S/o Being a YT Gamer

S/o is a Ballet Dancer

S/o is Vegan

S/o Comforts Them When They Get Hate

S/o Falls Back into Old Habits

S/o Having Mental Health Issues

S/o Has a Migraine and Can’t Sleep

Celebrating Their S/o’s Birthday for the First Time as a Couple

S/o Tells Them They’re Pregnant

S/o Having a Big Baby Bump

Stray Kids as Cher Tweets

Stray Kids as Descendants

SKZ Desc.: You Come From the Isle

SKZ Desc.: First Meeting

Stray Kids as Super Heroes

~~~~~~~~

Bangchan:

Human

Human Pt. 2

Pros and Cons (Con Artist Au) 

Hypothetically

Minho:

Remember I Love You

All I Want For Christmas

Not a Coincidence

Changbin:

Dating Seo Changbin

Bend Over Backwards

Thoughts

The Next Room  

The Cake

Hyunjin:

Gravity and Karma

You Make Me Nervous (Highschool!au)

Livestreams

Smart Phones (College!au) (Magic?!au) (Coming Soon)

Satan Wears Armani (Coming Soon)

Jisung:

The Painting

Same Difference

Dating Han Jisung

Offstage

Do You Trust Me (NERVE!au)

Do You Trust Me; (2) (NERVE!au) (Coming Soon)

The Modern Wife (Regency!au) 

Anything But Normal (Spiderman!au)

Lover, Lover, Set Me Free...  (College!au) 

Home.

Summer Crushes (Camp Counselor!au)

Late Nights & Late Wishes  (Bestfriend!au)

Sleepless Nights (Parent!au)

Love > Shame

The Comment Section

Watching The Bay (Lifeguard!au)

Fireworks (Wedding Crasher!au)

The King of the Jungle (Tarzan!au) (Coming Soon)

Felix:

Little Touch of Heaven  (Bad boy!au)

Little Touch of Heaven; (2) (Bad boy!au)

When Words Fail 

Little Stars

Seungmin:

Just For A Week  (Fake Marriage!Au)

Getting to First Base (Baseball!au) (Highschool!au)

Milk (Neighbors!au)

Snow Covered Lashes 

Smiles (Descendants!au) (Coming Soon)

Jeongin:

Brains or Muscles   (Descendants!au) 

Wrapped in Your Arms

SEVENTEEN:

too many freaking members in this group to write out names so I’ll add as I write

Minghao:

Single Dad!au 

Jeonghan:

Single Dad!au

Vernon:

Boys vs. Girls  

Jihoon:

In The Sheets

Single Dad!au

NOIR:

Noir-

Intro to Noir-Member Description (Crash Course)

The Morning After

Teasing Them in French

S/o Listens to Heavy Metal

S/o Calling Them Daddy (Not smut)

S/o Cries When They Lose Something Important

Seunghoon:

Yeonkuk:

Junyong:

Yunsung:

Siheon:

Hoyeon:

Opponent on Set (Coming Soon)

Siha:

Toy Store

She’s All That (College!Au) (Coming Soon)

Safety (Hunger Games au) (coming Soon ish)

Minhyuk:

Daewon:

SF9:

The Morning After

Youngbin:

Inseong:

Jaeyoon:

The Fae and The Seraphim {Masterlist} (Fantasy!Au)

Dawon:

Zuho:

Rowoon:

Snow

Taeyang:

Hwiyoung:

Chani:

Dating Chani  (Coming Soon)

Ateez:

Reactions:

Having a Hangover

S/o Betrays Them on a Variety Show

Going Clubbing With S/o

Their Child Gets Sick in the Middle of the Night

The First “I Love You”

Hongjoong:

Blue Skies (Social Media!au) (Single Mom!au) (Series)

Against the World (Hunger Games!au) (Coming Soon)

Lily of the Sea (Pirate!au) (Coming Soon)

Seonghwa: 

Yunho:

Seeing Myself In You (Social Media! Au) (Idol!au) (Series)

Trials by Love (Witness Protection!au) (Coming Soon)

Elevators (Nanny!reader au) (Coming Soon)

Yeosang:

San:

Mingi:

Storage Closet (Highschool!au) (Bad boy!au) (Coming Soon)

Wooyoung:

Jongho:

The Boyz:

YES I AM GOING TO START WRITING FOR THE  BOYz but there are so many members that im just not going to put all of them just yet! feel free to send int reaction requests or small imagines request for tbz! (i would love so Changmin idea <3)

Changmin:

Read Between The Lines   (College!au) (SMAU) 

BTS:

reaction to s/o cutting their hair

them getting a gf to make you jealous...

BTS  and you as Cut: fear pong moments...

they see you (ex) walking out of another members room...

Namjoon:

Seokjin:

Yoongi:

Immune Heart Masterlist (Coming Soon)

Prologue

Chpt.1

Hoseok:

My Little Survivor  

Spinning Secrets (spiderman!au)

Guns and Blankets

Taehyung:

Blood, Sweat, and Tears  (Coming Soon)

Jimin:

Jungkook:

Dating Jeon Jungkook

Masterlist is updated as imagines, oneshots, fics, and requests are made.

Yes, requests are open. Just send me an ask!

[hanniiesuckle17]

Is anyone good at photo shop because I have a request and I can pay you in writing 😅obviously I'll credit your gorgeous work but I am in need of an edit for an au

[leggomylino]

THIS WAS SO GOOD HUNTER AJANANHSHSHX 🥺🥺💞💞 I LOVED IT OMGOSH

The Modern Wife

HAN JISUNG REGENCY AU

A/n: Literally I’ve been so obsessed with the idea of this I had to mess up my schedule and write this. Also, omg will you look at that edit job??? I have never used photoshop in my life and look at that!!! Also special shoutout to Celi @poeticallyspaghetti​ for helping me so much with this

See how many Austen quotes you can spot!

Warnings: Slight cursing, mention of violence

Word Count: 11.5k

Summary: Miss Y/n L/n is the talk of the town. She is one of four gorgeous sisters. Her father is a successful politician who travels frequently back and forth to London. She is beautiful, poised, and absolutely unobtainable. Every man in town had been asking for her hand, all except a certain Colonel. Things are turned upside down when Miss L/n is forced into an engagement.

Genre: history!au, enemies to lovers!au, regency!au, historical!au, pride, and prejudice!au

“OW! Not so tight, Harry!” I screamed holding onto my bedposts as my maid and friend, Harriet pulled the laces tight on my corset. “Harry, are you trying to kill me?” I said with a laugh. The small thin plank of wood in the boning pressed hard against my chest and pushed up my breasts as high as they would go for no reason other than to put them on display. 

Ironic that it was unseemly to show my ankle but my cleavage could parade about the world openly. For the next forty minutes, Harriet proceeded to help me get dressed. The pale yellow frock complimented my skin nicely. Harriet always knew what I looked best in. She sat me down at my vanity while she fixed my hair, untwisted the fabric that tied my curls. Before she could finish my eyes glimpsed movement outside my window. 

“Cecilia!”

Bolting up from the chair I ran down the hall, fabric billowing behind me. I rushed passed several servants as I made my way down the sunlit passageway. “Miss Y/n,” our butler, Mr. Carson, exclaimed as I nearly ran him over. Thankfully he did not drop the glassware on his tray. “I’m sorry, Carson!” “Don’t worry about it, my lady.”

With a bright smile, I burst through the large entryway doors and was met by a gracious morning breeze, A carriage had pulled up in the driveway and a woman a few years older than me was exiting the cab with the help of a footman.

“Cecilia! You’re home!” 

“Y/n!”

Keep reading

[leggomylino]

Just reblogging this story bc I love it 🥰

The Modern Wife

HAN JISUNG REGENCY AU

A/n: Literally I’ve been so obsessed with the idea of this I had to mess up my schedule and write this. Also, omg will you look at that edit job??? I have never used photoshop in my life and look at that!!! Also special shoutout to Celi @poeticallyspaghetti​ for helping me so much with this

See how many Austen quotes you can spot!

Warnings: Slight cursing, mention of violence

Word Count: 11.5k

Summary: Miss Y/n L/n is the talk of the town. She is one of four gorgeous sisters. Her father is a successful politician who travels frequently back and forth to London. She is beautiful, poised, and absolutely unobtainable. Every man in town had been asking for her hand, all except a certain Colonel. Things are turned upside down when Miss L/n is forced into an engagement.

Genre: history!au, enemies to lovers!au, regency!au, historical!au, pride, and prejudice!au

“OW! Not so tight, Harry!” I screamed holding onto my bedposts as my maid and friend, Harriet pulled the laces tight on my corset. “Harry, are you trying to kill me?” I said with a laugh. The small thin plank of wood in the boning pressed hard against my chest and pushed up my breasts as high as they would go for no reason other than to put them on display. 

Ironic that it was unseemly to show my ankle but my cleavage could parade about the world openly. For the next forty minutes, Harriet proceeded to help me get dressed. The pale yellow frock complimented my skin nicely. Harriet always knew what I looked best in. She sat me down at my vanity while she fixed my hair, untwisted the fabric that tied my curls. Before she could finish my eyes glimpsed movement outside my window. 

“Cecilia!”

Bolting up from the chair I ran down the hall, fabric billowing behind me. I rushed passed several servants as I made my way down the sunlit passageway. “Miss Y/n,” our butler, Mr. Carson, exclaimed as I nearly ran him over. Thankfully he did not drop the glassware on his tray. “I’m sorry, Carson!” “Don’t worry about it, my lady.”

With a bright smile, I burst through the large entryway doors and was met by a gracious morning breeze, A carriage had pulled up in the driveway and a woman a few years older than me was exiting the cab with the help of a footman.

“Cecilia! You’re home!” 

“Y/n!”

Keep reading