Pride and Prejudice: BTS version

Chapter Twenty Two

The Parks were engaged to dine with the Byuns and again during the chief of the day was Miss Byun so kind as to listen to Minseok. Jimin took an opportunity of thanking her. "It keeps him in good humour," said he, "and I am more obliged to you than I can express."

Jisoo assured her friend of her satisfaction in being useful, and that it amply repaid her for the little sacrifice of her time. This was very amiable, but Jisoo's kindness extended farther than Jimin had any conception of; its object was nothing else than to secure him from any return of Minseok's addresses, by engaging them towards herself. Such was Miss Byun's scheme; and appearances were so favourable, that when they parted at night, she would have felt almost secure of success if he had not been to leave Hertfordshire so very soon. But here she did injustice to the fire and independence of his character, for it led him to escape out of Longbourn House the next morning with admirable slyness, and hasten to Byun Lodge to throw himself at her feet. He was anxious to avoid the notice of his cousins, from a conviction that if they saw him depart, they could not fail to conjecture his design, and he was not willing to have the attempt known till its success might be known likewise; for though feeling almost secure, and with reason, for Jisoo had been tolerably encouraging, he was comparatively diffident since the adventure of Wednesday. His reception, however, was of the most flattering kind. Miss Byun perceived him from an upper window as he walked towards the house, and instantly set out to meet him accidentally in the lane. But little had she dared to hope that so much love and eloquence awaited her there.

In as short a time as Minseok's long speeches would allow, everything was settled between them to the satisfaction of both; and as they entered the house he earnestly entreated her to name the day that was to make him the happiest of men; and though such a solicitation must be waived for the present, the lady felt no inclination to trifle with his happiness. The stupidity with which he was favoured by nature must guard his courtship from any charm that could make a woman wish for its continuance; and Miss Byun, who accepted him solely from the pure and disinterested desire of an establishment, cared not how soon that establishment were gained.

Sir Jaejoon and Lady Byun were speedily applied to for their consent; and it was bestowed with a most joyful alacrity. Minseok's present circumstances made it a most eligible match for their omega daughter, to whom they could give little fortune; and his prospects of future wealth were exceedingly fair. Lady Byun began directly to calculate, with more interest than the matter had ever excited before, how many years longer Mr. Park was likely to live; and Sir Jaejoon gave it as his decided opinion, that whenever Minseok should be in possession of the Longbourn estate, it would be highly expedient that both he and his mate should make their appearance at St. James's. The whole family, in short, were properly overjoyed on the occasion. The younger omegas formed hopes of COMING OUT a year or two sooner than they might otherwise have done; and the younger alphas were relieved from their apprehension of Jisoo's dying an old maid.

Jisoo herself was tolerably composed. She had gained her point, and had time to consider of it. Her reflections were in general satisfactory. Minseok, to be sure, was neither sensible nor agreeable; his society was irksome, and his attachment to her must be imaginary. But still he would be her mate. Without thinking highly either of alphas or matrimony, marriage had always been her object; it was the only provision for well-educated young omegas of small fortune, and however uncertain of giving happiness, must be their pleasantest preservative from want. This preservative she had now obtained; and at the age of twenty-seven, without having ever been handsome, she felt all the good luck of it. The least agreeable circumstance in the business was the surprise it must occasion to Park Jimin, whose friendship she valued beyond that of any other person. Jimin would wonder, and probably would blame her; and though his resolution was not to be shaken, his feelings must be hurt by such a disapprobation. She resolved to give him the information herself, and therefore charged Minseok, when he returned to Longbourn to dinner, to drop no hint of what had passed before any of the family. A promise of secrecy was of course very dutifully given, but it could not be kept without difficulty; for the curiosity excited by his long absence burst forth in such very direct questions on his return as required some ingenuity to evade, and he was at the same time exercising great self- denial, for he was longing to publish his prosperous love.