Marble pillars frame the entrance of the house, the dark mahogany doors a stark contrast to the smooth white stone. A small hand hesitantly grasps the brass door handle, arm slightly trembling. Minseok pauses, taking deep breaths before turning the handle and pushing forward. 

The sight that greets him greatly differs from the norm. Usually when he returns from his travels there’s a handful of servants there to receive him. Instead the entire house is bustling with activity; maids acknowledge him with a polite nod as they pass, their arms laden full with linens.

Curiosity gets the best of him when another maid passes by with one of his mother’s more expensive vases. It’s porcelain, inlaid with intricate designed of flowers made of gold.

“Excuse me,” Minseok manages to say and the young girl pauses, a bright smile lighting up her face. She bows politely but doesn’t say anything. Her expression is expectant and Minseok can’t help but clear his throat as the awkwardness crawls up his skin in tendrils. 

“What is with all the noise so early in the morning?” He tries his best to keep his expression neutral.

She stifles a laugh behind the vase, “Ah. It seems an important business partner is visiting. Lord Kim wants to make an impression, sir.” She smiles once more before continuing on her way.

It must be an important contract in the works for his father is not someone to invite a near complete stranger to the house. “Important indeed…” Minseok mutters to himself as he watches butlers bring in the good china plates.

Minseok makes his way up the stairs, feet slightly dragging against the opulent carpet as he turns his thoughts over and over in his head. Even with all the noise, it’s still strangely quiet in his mind.
 

Sehun drops by the day after, some time before noon with a disgruntled Soojung trailing behind him. Minseok chuckles lightly when Soojung smacks her fan against Sehun’s bicep at a comment he makes about her dress. He flinches but Minseok knows for a fact that the younger is made of sturdier stuff.

“I still don’t understand how you both are friends,” Minseok remarks offhandedly after they settle into one of the sitting areas. He hands Soojung a cup of tea before pouring one for himself and Sehun. His mother used to always chide him with “lady’s first.” She smiles as she accepts the cup, midnight lashes fluttering against pale skin. So pretty.

Sehun scoffs before dropping himself on the nearest sofa, arranging his limbs in such a way that his entire demeanor drips insolence. Soojung scowls in obvious distaste.

Minseok passes Soojung a plate of sweets as she chatters on about Jinri’s upcoming wedding. She nearly drops the plate when Sehun snatches a pastry from it and stuffs his face. Sehun cheekily grins when Soojung reprimands him for being such a barbarian as Minseok inelegantly suppresses a snort.

It’s times like these that allows Minseok to enjoy being at home for a bit. Sehun and Soojung’s laughter and playful banter wash over him, warming his skin. Too soon they bid their farewell and Minseok watches the two of them from his second floor window. Even with all of Sehun’s brattiness, he still helps Soojung up and into the carriage, a firm hand gripping hers.

Minseok smiles fondly, wistfully wondering when the two of them will marry. Soon, he hopes.
 

He remembers quite vividly meeting Sooyeon. Minseok’s mother had arranged him a marriage meeting two days after his graduation from the royal academy. With his father a rising power in the trading industry and his mother the daughter of a noble man, it’s hard to avoid such situations. Jung Sooyeon is the oldest daughter of one of the King’s advisors, whose wife happens to be one of his mother’s closer friends.

His mother frets with his tie ten minutes before the meeting, assuring him over and over that Sooyeon is a lovely girl. Minseok doesn’t doubt his mother’s judgement, for she has the uncanny ability to be always right about any given thing, but… marriage? It’s something he hasn’t given much thought about to say the least. Of course, it’s not uncommon for people his age to be betrothed. Minseok briefly recalls how Joonmyun announced his impending marriage to Lee Soonkyu, someone two years his senior. He could never forget the way Joonmyun’s eyes had sparkled; maybe that was love. 

Sooyeon is everything Minseok expected her to be and so much more. She was demure, almost to a fault, but she was headstrong and stood by her opinions with a strong tenacity that blew him away. Halfway through the luncheon her mother suggests that Minseok take her out on a stroll in the gardens. He doesn’t object as he leads her out near the fountain, her dainty hand tucked into the crook of his elbow. 

She points out her favorite flowers and talks about how every color and every breed means something different. 

“It’s the language of flowers,” Sooyeon says blissfully. “I don’t need a man to propose to me with a ring with a diamond the size of my eye. I want him to propose with a bouquet of heliotropes.” She chances a glance up at his face, eyes round with wonder and blushes.

“Heliotropes represent eternal love. That’s something I’ve been waiting for all my life.”

Minseok doesn’t quite understand what’s so great about love but he nods in understanding anyways. The setting sun casts soft shadows across Sooyeon’s face. He can’t help but think that she is perhaps the most beautiful girl he has ever laid his eyes on.

He walks her back to the house as the sun continues to set. The sky is bathed in oranges and golds and pinks as the ball of light disappears behind the mountains. Minseok places a hand on the small of her back; the warmth seeps through his skin and he briefly wonders why people strive their entire lives looking for this elusive love.

The thought is soon forgotten when the servants on the patio greet them.
 

It’s through Sooyeon that Minseok actually meets Soojung and in turn, Oh Sehun. Soojung is almost exactly like her sister, though there is a significant difference in their personalities. While Sooyeon was reserved Soojung seemed icy. Her expression seemed standoff-ish, almost as if she was bored with the world and its eccentricities. It took much prodding and stilted conversations but once you touch upon a topic she finds remotely interesting it is as if another person takes her places. Soojung has a lovely sense of humor, tongue quick in making sharp comments but her brilliant smile lessens the blow. Minseok doesn’t feel offended when she makes a jab at his intelligence.

Oh Sehun though, he is certainly nothing like Minseok had thought him to be. Beyond the stoic expression is a young man eager for adventure. When the adults are gone he immediately starts speaking informally, eyebrows slightly raised as he exchanges barbs with Soojung. They’re cute, the two of them, and just like that 3 years pass.



The two of them come as a package deal of sorts, and on a warm autumn day Minseok ventures to ask why they are always together. Sehun waves off the question, opting to scan the tea snacks in favor of answering. Soojung mentions that their fathers are quite close, especially since they both work in one of the government ministries, and vaguely alludes to how their parents want them to marry in the near future.

Minseok doesn’t miss how Sehun’s shoulders stiffen but he decides not to mention it.
 

Five days after Minseok’s return is when the welcoming party is supposed to be held. It doesn’t surprise him in the least when his mother appears in his room with brand new clothing. It’s from France, it’ll make you look wonderful. 

He sighs in defeat, mind still running in circles. He hadn’t been able to talk to his father and ask him about the visitor. It bothers that he doesn’t know more than anyone else in the house. Except perhaps his mother, but even his younger sister is in the dark and she’s known for keeping tabs on the gossip that flies around on the estate. The only thing he has found out is that the business partner to-be is Chinese and that he runs a well to do trading company off the shores of China. 

The amount of information lacking grates on Minseok’s nerves; he doesn’t like that he doesn’t know anything about this man or the company he is said to be bringing along. It doesn’t stop Minseok from coming up with ridiculous scenarios of the man, though. Some thoughts are downright ridiculous while others are much too frightening to think about. After much contemplation Minseok lets out a defeated sigh and gets ready for the evening. 



Guests begin to trickle in half past seven in the evening. Minseok stands dutifully next to his father as they greet each person one by one. His mother is wearing a white evening gown while his younger sister looks stunning in her periwinkle dress. He adjusts his cravat as discreetly as he can before bowing and shaking hands with the Minister of Finance. 

As the evening drags on Minseok finds himself standing by the refreshments table, glass of wine half empty in his hand. He had briefly exchanged pleasantries with Sehun earlier in the evening, Soojung’s hand clasped in his own. They were such a lovely pair; Minseok can’t help but look on with envy. 

He meets Jongdae, a friend from the royal academy, later on in the night. Jongdae’s kittenish smile doesn’t surprise him but what does is the petite woman at his side, eyes downcast. He introduces her as his fiance, Park Sunyoung, and that she too had attended the royal academy. It’s rare that girls attend, but there are always exceptions. They had met when Jongdae had attended one of the music concerts and he had fallen in love with her singing. The affection in Jongdae’s voice is sweet and Minseok can’t help but grin as Sunyoung’s blush deepens as her fiance sings his praises of her.

Soon the two of them leave as well and Minseok is alone once more, nursing his glass of wine.



With the whirlwind of activity it had completely slipped Minseok’s mind who his father’s new partner will be but his curiosity will be sated soon when his father taps his flute of champagne with a fork. The chatter dies down quickly, all eyes focused on the man standing on the stairs. His mother is by his side, gaze trained to the audience of her as her hands remain clasped in front. 

His father makes a short speech about thanking all those who have attended this evening and that he is eternally grateful. He also mentions how this extravagant party is in celebration of a new business partnership he has been able to cultivate. Minseok can’t help but smile as his father stands up their with pride before introducing his new business partner. Everything fades into white noise as Minseok watches two men climb up the steps to stand next to his parents. He doesn’t pay any mind to the partner, gaze solely focused on the young man by his side.

Minseok isn’t sure what he feels but his heart has dropped to his stomach, weighing it down like lead. It feels like he’s drowning even when he’s still able to inhale oxygen.



Doe-like eyes fill his vision as Minseok stumbles back to his room some time past two in the morning more than a little tipsy from the wine he’s been sipping on all evening. He groans loudly when he flops onto his bed, head moving so that he can look at the moon shining brightly in the night sky. Minseok can’t sleep and much too soon the sun rises, painting the sky in hues of yellows and oranges and pinks. 

Eventually sleep beckons him.

All he dreams of are round eyes, light brown hair, and a sweet smile.
 

Minseok doesn’t meet his father’s new business partner till the following evening. The remnants of a massive hangover still causes his own skull ache, but he manages to ignore it in favor of attempting to make a good impression.

The entire meeting itself is rather anticlimactic. His father briefly introduces him to his partner and his partner’s son, Luhan, over dinner before skimming along to other topics. His mother laughs at all the right moments and nodding when appropriate. Minseok can’t help the small smile on his face as his younger sister makes googly eyes at Luhan, probably experiencing some kind of epiphany. 

It’s also at the very end of the meal that his father announces that Sir Lu and his son will be staying at their estate for the next month or so, to get a feel for the country is the excuse. Minseok isn’t sure why, but the stutter in his heart makes him nervous.

Luhan locks gazes with him, the corners of his eyes crinkle cutely as he smiles. 

Warning bells sound in his head but Minseok can’t help but be captivated by those eyes; pools of dark brown beckoning him closer and closer. It feels as if he’s drowning once more.



Days pass and Minseok hasn’t really broken past the awkward barrier that seems to surround he and Luhan. Besides exchanging pleasantries they haven’t been able to delve past to deeper and more personal topics. 

It doesn’t take long for Minseok to notice that Luhan is a person of very few words. He never speaks unless spoken to and won’t take the initiative to start a conversation. Most times they sit in companionable silence; Luhan stares out of the windows while Minseok sifts through his own thoughts, lost to the world.

There’s something about Luhan that intrigues Minseok to no end. It’s the kind of curiosity that is insatiable, even when he tries to pry and wheedle information out of the other. Luhan answers all of the questions curtly, voice soft and melodious.

“Where are you from?”

“Hong Kong.”

“What do you do in your free time?”

“I like to read.”

“What do you read?”

“Poetry, mostly.”

Luhan gives him an unassuming smile, lips pressed together, before excusing himself. Minseok acquiescences but that doesn’t stop his eyebrows from knitting together, lips forming a frown.



Conversation between the two of them is still slightly stilted, but at least Luhan seems more comfortable with talking about a range of topics. Sometimes they discuss their fathers’ work, other times they bicker about global politics. Most of the time they both are lost in their own thoughts, Luhan always gazing out the window while Minseok observes Luhan none too discreetly. 



Luhan finds it odd that Minseok always happens to be where he is; be it the library, or the study, or even the gardens. Luhan knows enough from Minseok’s younger sister that her brother never ventures out into the gardens. So Luhan quirks an eyebrow when Minseok nearly falls into some nearby bushes as he tries to follow him but also trying to remain hidden. He doesn’t do a very good job and Luhan can’t help the expression he makes when his eyes lock with Minseok’s. The latter blushes furiously, looking away quickly before mumbling an excuse and dashing off back to the house.

Strange, that one.



With Luhan gone Minseok makes his way to the study as the sun starts to set, golden rays of light bathing the interior of the house in a soft glow. He chances a glance outside, the floor to ceiling windows allowed a spectacular view of the property. Minseok noticed a handful of figures running abound the grass in the distance and squints as the sunlight glares into his eyes. It takes a moment for everything to come back into focus but he immediately recognizes one of the people as Luhan. Luhan with his radiant smile, bright eyes, and light brown hair. There are grass stains on his trousers as he runs around with the stable boys kicking around some sort of ball. Hands clench tightly as the ache in his chest multiplies. 

No. No no no no no.

This isn’t right. 

Minseok’s mind is plagued with thoughts as he tosses and turns in bed, unable to sleep. He finds himself sitting at his desk watching as the sun rises and decides he must take matters into his own hands.



Luhan doesn’t realize how often Minseok’s presence was always within reach until he suddenly disappears. Besides during meals, he hardly ever catches a glimpse.

Six days later and Luhan’s realizes something. It’s juvenile and may or may not be a stretch but maybe… Minseok likes him? His blood runs cold as his mind ponders that idea, turning the thought over and over in his mind.

The following morning Luhan makes sure to lurk in corridors near Minseok’s rooms because he still has no idea where he disappears off to during the day. 

Calloused hands grab onto a surprisingly thin wrist and Luhan is met with Minseok’s shocked expression. Minseok tries to tug his arm away but Luhan’s grip is unrelenting. 

Luhan doesn’t miss the rapid heartbeat underneath is fingertips as his eyes flicker back and forth between Minseok’s face and his wrist. He doesn’t say anything. Luhan’s lips quirk a little when Minseok’s pulse jumps.

The words are barely above a whisper, but they have Minseok freezing up on the spot.

“Are you… in love with me, Kim Minseok?”
 

Minseok never answers Luhan’s questions, opting instead to shut himself away in his rooms for the remainder of the other’s stay. He doesn’t greet them goodbye, feigning sickness even as he observes them from his room.

Minseok ducks away when Luhan’s eyes land on his wing of the house.

And just like that Luhan is gone, carriage tumbling along the dirt road.
 

Five years pass before Minseok hears anything about Luhan. He’s received a letter, his name embossed in cursive on the envelope. Minseok doesn’t get letters often and he barely suppresses his excitement as he tears into the paper greedily.

What he didn’t expect was a wedding invitation. Luhan’s wedding, to be precise. 



Minseok isn’t sure about what he had been hoping for but the thought of Luhan getting married had never even crossed his mind. He feels ashamed for overlooking such an important matter.

But then again, he’s a hypocrite, is he not? He had gotten engaged to Sooyeon three years prior, two years after Luhan left and never came back. Contemplation sinks in as Minseok realizes that he had been waiting for Luhan. The flimsy excuses used to delay the wedding as long as possible have been used in vain.

Perhaps Minseok was a little in love with Luhan, the boy from Hong Kong who captured his heart in one second. Or maybe it was something else entirely.

Minseok shakes the cobwebs from his mind, his hand going limp as he slouches in the seat. The wedding invitation hitting the carpet with soft thump.