It would take a lot out of her to react to every quip in her general vicinity about her relationship with the general.
“Did you hear? She entered the inner inner chambers! At such an hour, too!”
“I wonder what the General wants with her, isn’t he engaged to her mistress? Why, what must Noblewoman Yen think?”
If you’d known what she thought, you wouldn’t be standing there gossiping in the first place! Yun-ho thinks angrily. She swerves her head toward the whispering voices, shutting them up completely. Honestly! One small visit to the General’s room and the rumors fly. Not that she isn’t expecting it, she just wishes she prepared herself better.
Making her way back to Noblewoman Yen’s chambers, she is surprised to hear the loud guffawing of the root of her problems. At the throaty chuckle beyond the paper doors, she feels her cheeks warm and a thrill down her spine. Stop it, Yun-ho, she chides. You can’t keep reacting like this, it’s not going to amount to anything and it never will.
Sliding open the doors, she is greeted with the sight of her lady and her lord lounging across each other, a fan in their hands. Noblewoman Yen has her legs propped up on her chaise – a position Yun-ho has seen to signify her complete ease with the company she holds – her fan covering her face demurely as laughter tinkles past her throat. Yun-ho’s eyes soften; it’s nice to see her lady enjoying herself.
Bracing herself, she switches her gaze to the man that has been taunting her thoughts through the past month. A polite smile – which inevitably manifests as a grimace – struggles to settle on her face, and immediately the General’s laughter ceases. His brow creases, and Yun-ho catches a slight downturn of his lips before he hides his mouth behind his fan as well. She flushes red, before focusing on the task of arranging tea cups on the table and cleaning up leftover snacks.
“Yun-ho.”
Her hand freezes. Looking up, she spots Noblewoman Yen with her lips in a straight line, annoyance glinting in her eyes, and Yun-ho knows she is in trouble.
“Yes, my lady?”
“Is that how you greet your lord?”
“…no, my lady,” Yun-ho turns to General Geun-Tae and bows. “My lord.”
The general hums, before turning his head away and continues fanning himself. At this juncture, Yun-ho is thoroughly embarrassed and tears prick at the corner of her eyes. She quickly finishes up her task and dismisses herself from the room with a quick farewell to both individuals.
Watching the door close behind her, Geun-Tae sighs through his nose. He ruffles a hand through his hair, before scratching the back of his neck. Settling his arms over his knees, he is acutely aware of Noblewoman Yen smirking in his direction. Turning his gaze toward her, he raises an eyebrow.
“…What?”
Noblewoman Yen smiles, all annoyance held in her eyes melting away to amusement. “…Nothing.”
Geun-Tae releases an annoyed huff. “If you have something to say, you should just say it.”
“Well, rumors have been flying, and it seems like a certain general has been quite taken by my little flower over here. What do you have to say about that, General Geun-Tae?” Noblewoman Yen quips, fingers drifting over her sleeves to pick at invisible lint.
“…Should you really be the one asking me about this?” Geun-Tae replies.
“Well, who else should I be talking to? After all, we’re meant to be completely honest with each other, aren’t we?”
Geun-Tae scratches his chin, before crossing his arms and legs. Closing his eyes, he feels his forehead twitch. “I don’t have anything to say to you about the matter.” It’s not like it will amount to anything anywa-
“-could always withdraw the engagement.”
Geun-tae nearly stumbles off his chair. “W-what did you say?”
Noblewoman Yen hums. “It’s not as difficult, or impossible as you make it seem. Yun-ho is still of superior birth, I’m sure it won’t be difficult to promote her to noblewoman. Or better yet,” her eyes sparkle, “a certain general’s personal lady-in-waiting?”
Promptly, Geun-Tae’s brain short circuits. “I-I d-don’t unders-“
“Oh, surely you can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it, General. I’ve seen the way you look at her. Sure, she’s young. But she’s of marrying age, isn’t she? I do seem to recall you asking for her age not too long ago.”
Geun-Tae flushes. How does she- Wait- no. “Noblewoman Yen,” he bites out. “Is it of no concern to you the potential consequences this suggestion of yours may bring upon your family name? What would your parents say about this?” Rather, how would we even go about convincing the council to call off the engagement?
“My family can be quite liberal, fret not. You are the Earth Kingdom’s pride and joy. Whatever you say goes. Including my presence if you so deem it.”
“…I do not wish your presence away, Noblewoman Yen,” Geun-Tae states. “That will be unprecedented, and rather ungentlemanly of myself…”
The argument falls flat and they both know it. Geun-Tae considers the proposition carefully. The family of Noblewoman Yen was his primary concern, but now that the lady rebuts it, he does not see a clear obstacle to the suggested proposal. The council, in all its importance, can be convinced if he phrases his words right. He just needs to show that this is not merely a moment of passion, and that he does indeed have honorable intentions toward the sweet girl he stumbled across in the hallway countless times…
Geun-Tae coughs. A glance at Noblewoman Yen reveals her smirking at him once more, knowing she has caught him hook-line-and-sinker. Clearing his throat again, he resigns to her proposal.
“…I will consider this proposition if you are sure that it will not reflect badly on you or your family. Rather, I will make sure of that it won’t.” His eyes flash to hers. “Noblewoman Yen, I assure you I have nothing but honorable intentions toward Yun-Ho, and I will court her accordingly.”
Noblewoman Yen laughs. “Are you asking for my permission, my dear general? I am not her mother – that is something you have to pursue yourself.” Her eyes soften. “But take care of her, General Geun-Tae. She definitely deserves a man who can treat her as an equal, and love her for the wonderful girl that she is.”
“I will miss her,” Noblewoman Yen sighs. Turning to him, she smiles. “You too, general.”
Geun-Tae ensures to bow to express his gratitude to the respectable lady before him. For the life of him, he does not wish any humiliation nor poor taste to befall Noblewoman Yen, but as much as he may desire to pursue Yun-Ho, he knows that Noblewoman Yen cares very dearly for her lady-in-waiting as much, if not more than he does.
“…Thank you, Noblewoman Yen.”
Her hand falls on his shoulder, a last point of contact between comrades. She gives a wicked grin.
