Chapter 1

Daesung didn't know what was worse, him being stuck with some stuck up women bent on making him marry her or the fact that his family was outside fighting with the Choi's over some ridiculous mundane, petty little thing. And on a Sunday no less. The useless chatter of the women's daily drivels were not something he had in mind when he agreed to stay in the house as his family sorted out whatever cooked up accusations the Choi's threw at them. They had their pride and honour to protect and unfortunately, the house of Kang felt that Daesung should be excluded from this event. He should be used to it by now. His father would rather see him married off and out of the house rather than letting him stay in his bachelor ways. It is not like he didn't want to marry – he did, but the women his father introduced was of the annoying sort. No, like the woman currently standing behind him in full clown makeup and overzealous curls, he would rather stay alone than be married till death to that.

Of course the woman who just couldn't shut up was the least of his problems. His home was going under the frenzied cleaning and decorating siege that the servants had bestowed on the house. New ornaments were put in place, the wax candles placed delicately around the manor and rugs the size of a chariot were rolled out elegantly on the manor floor. The house of Kang was holding a party in honour of the alliance they had formed with the House of Kwon – something they had been working for that last 5 years and as the instigator of said alliance, it was the duty of the Kang's to officially announce as such to the common people. And it was also an excuse so that father can boast to the Choi's that they had secured something that they had not. Yes, father can be right petty in the most inconvenient of times.

As Daesung looked out of his bedroom window and onto the large black fenced that surrounded the property, he wished for nothing else but to be excited for once. Money and alliances are nothing to him, the parties and politics he could live without and the women… well, they hold no interest to him. Nevertheless, he decided to grace the woman that father partnered him with with small talk and social etiquettes. He was a man of manners after all.

The party was filled with guests that father usually associated with – in other words, people that hate the Choi's as much as the House of Kangs' do. And wasn't that a pleasant dinner conversation. Daesung was incredibly bored by the time he re-introduced himself to the higher ups and his acquaintances, his face was scrunched in annoyance and he couldn't wait until it was time for the singer to take the stage. Not because he enjoyed the woman that will be screeching tonight but he greatly liked listening to the sounds. Joining the singing with his own voice. Something his father found completely inappropriate for reasons unknown. Daesung found his way to the servants who were serving drinks to the guests, although it was looked down upon to speak to their servants in a public setting, Daesung found the uncouth speech of servants slightly more amusing and entertaining than the guests can ever provide – of course this was done well outside the earshot of stuck up gentlemen's and upright ladies that were littered around the ball room.

He decided to stay next to a boy named Seungri. His commentary of the guests were proving invaluable and life threatening - especially when he managed to cough out half a glass of wine through his nose when Seungri provided the amusing tales of flirtations between the old and the older. Not something he particularly enjoyed hearing about but scandalously amusing nonetheless. But time was flying faster than before and that was something Daesung liked about this servant. Vulgar and confident he may be but Daesung enjoyed having him around. Maybe he can talk mother out of kicking him back onto the streets.

Choi Seunghyun was in a foul mood. Jiyong had rejected his advances again! And the condolences coming from his long-time friend did not help one bit. The man was beautiful and how dare he say no to him! He will show Jiyong that he could really do no better than him. After all, who else would dare step up to Jiyong and ask for his hand multiple times despite the broken gifts, the scorned filled no's and the burning slaps. He had prepared a de-thorn rose as a gesture of his love towards the man, despite the grumblings of Youngbae at the absurdity of it all.

"Perhaps its women that will be better suited to you rather than the brashness of men" Youngbae suggested in hopes of finally convincing Seunghyun to leave the man and hopefully go towards the socially acceptable women. There was a reason people sided with the Kangs.

At this, Seunghyun rolled his eyes; this friend has the influence of Church all over him. "I care for Jiyong, not women."

"Jiyong is but an effeminate man, you love the feminine touc-"

"-No Youngbae" Seunghyun interrupted, he had this conversation before, it wasn't a particularly nice one either.

Youngbae let out a huff of frustration "The Kangs' are hosting a party Seunghyun."

"And what's it to me?!" Seunghyun asked disinterestedly,

"Well since they've secured an alliance with the Kwons' and-"

"WHAT!" Well this was news to Seunghyun, how on earth would father approve of their marriage if their allegiance was with the Kangs'.

Youngbae raised an eyebrow at him, "You did not know – Tell me Seunghyun, do you just follow your fathers orders for a brawl with the Kangs' on the street or do you actually pay attention to why he wants their heads on a platter."

Seunghyun rolled his eyes, he didn't care what his father thought or this rivalry between the houses. Jiyong is what matters.

Youngbae seemed to know where his thoughts were going and pinched his head in a desperate bid for patience.

"You should forget Kwon!"

"And why on earth would I do that, Jiyong is-"

"-I know what Jiyong is!" Youngbae said exasperatedly. He had heard many love sickening compliments about Kwon Jiyong, "But there is no way that kwon would align themselves with the Chois' now!"

"I do not care – we can be the fairytal-"

Youngbae tuned him out. This obsession with Kwon Jiyong will need to go and soon! The only problem is how. He was sure that there is some strange going on around Seunghyun and Kwon. There is no way Seunghyun would become this love stricken man in less than a week. He will need to introduce Seunghyun to other people – women preferably.

"I have an idea!" Seunghyun excitedly bellowed at him. Perhaps it wasn't wise for Youngbae to tune him out after all. Because Seunghyun decided to do the most risky and politically dangerous act he could ever do – he went to the Kang's manor. There he will win over Jiyongs' heart once and for all.

Of course, both Seunghyun and Youngbae couldn't just go right through the front door – the guards were suspiciously watching everyone and everything. If word got out that a Choi was here – well, his father can't get any more angry than he already was but calming him down was a nightmare. He would have to avoid any scenes if he were to speak with Jiyong.

As they passed the tall black gates and through the door that led to the – admittedly – good party, he adjusted the golden mask on his face, already sweating inside the confines of the paper although Youngbae was fairing far better than he was at the moment. It didn't take long to spot Jiyong but Seunghyuns' heart sank when he spotted his love next to the head of the Kang's house. By the gods was Seunghyuns' luck absolutely dreadful this night. He did not need Youngbaes' snickers as a reminder of how pathetic this is. But Seunghyuns heart broke when he saw a beast of a women holding hands with his soon to be partner. They were giggling and they were whispering. They were leaning close, closer and closer, their lips just a centimetre apart. Seunghyun looked away, his hands balled into white fists, he didn't know whether to confront Jiyong or strangle the woman by the curls of her hair. He needed to escape. Preferably where he couldn't see the cheat, the whore and also Youngbae, who was having a delightful time with a big busted woman.

As he made his way across the ball room and into the next room, the remnants of a song trailed into whispers that echoed behind him in the large, empty space. There was no harm in looking.