Pride and Prejudice: BTS version

Chapter Thirty Seven

The two alphas left Rosings the next morning, and Minseok having been in waiting near the lodges, to make them his parting obeisance, was able to bring home the pleasing intelligence, of their appearing in very good health, and in as tolerable spirits as could be expected, after the melancholy scene so lately gone through at Rosings. To Rosings he then hastened, to console Lady Sohee and her daughter; and on his return brought back, with great satisfaction, a message from her ladyship, importing that she felt herself so dull as to make her very desirous of having them all to dine with her.

Jimin could not see Lady Sohee without recollecting that, had he chosen it, he might by this time have been presented to her as her future nephew; nor could he think, without a smile, of what her ladyship's indignation would have been. "What would she have said? how would she have behaved?" were questions with which he amused himself.

Their first subject was the diminution of the Rosings party. "I assure you, I feel it exceedingly," said Lady Sohee; "I believe no one feels the loss of friends so much as I do. But I am particularly attached to these young men, and know them to be so much attached to me! They were excessively sorry to go! But so they always are. The dear Colonel rallied his spirits tolerably till just at last; but Yoongi seemed to feel it most acutely, more, I think, than last year. His attachment to Rosings certainly increases."

Minseok had a compliment, and an allusion to throw in here, which were kindly smiled on by the mother and daughter.

Lady Sohee observed, after dinner, that Jimin seemed out of spirits, and immediately accounting for it by herself, by supposing that he did not like to go home again so soon, she added:

"But if that is the case, you must write to your mother and beg that you may stay a little longer. Mrs. Kang will be very glad of your company, I am sure."

"I am much obliged to your ladyship for your kind invitation," replied Jimin, "but it is not in my power to accept it. I must be in town next Saturday."

"Why, at that rate, you will have been here only six weeks. I expected you to stay two months. I told Mrs. Kang so before you came. There can be no occasion for your going so soon. Mrs. Park could certainly spare you for another fortnight."

"But my father cannot. He wrote last week to hurry my return."

"Oh! your father of course may spare you, if your mother can. Omegas are never of so much consequence to an alpha father. And if you will stay another MONTH complete, it will be in my power to take one of you as far as London, for I am going there early in June, for a week; and as Siwan does not object to the barouche-box, there will be very good room for one of you--and indeed, if the weather should happen to be cool, I should not object to taking you both, as you are neither of you large."

"You are all kindness, madam; but I believe we must abide by our original plan."

Lady Sohee seemed resigned. "Mrs. Kang, you must send a servant with them. You know I always speak my mind, and I cannot bear the idea of two young omegas travelling post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody. I have the greatest dislike in the world to that sort of thing. Young omegas should always be properly guarded and attended, according to their situation in life. When my niece Jiyoung went to Ramsgate last summer, I made a point of her having two alpha-servants go with her. Miss Min, the daughter of Sir Min, of Pemberley, and Lady Jiyul, could not have appeared with propriety in a different manner. I am excessively attentive to all those things. You must send your servant with the young omegas, Mrs. Kang. I am glad it occurred to me to mention it; for it would really be discreditable to YOU to let them go alone."

"My uncle is to send a servant for us."

"Oh! Your uncle! He keeps an alpha-servant, does he? I am very glad you have somebody who thinks of these things. Where shall you change horses? Oh! Bromley, of course. If you mention my name at the Bell, you will be attended to."

Lady Sohee had many other questions to ask respecting their journey, and as she did not answer them all herself, attention was necessary, which Jimin believed to be lucky for him; or, with a mind so occupied, he might have forgotten where he was. Reflection must be reserved for solitary hours; whenever he was alone, he gave way to it as the greatest relief; and not a day went by without a solitary walk, in which he might indulge in all the delight of unpleasant recollections

Yoongi's letter he was in a fair way of soon knowing by heart. He studied every sentence; and his feelings towards its writer were at times widely different. When he remembered the style of his address, he was still full of indignation; but when he considered how unjustly he had condemned and upbraided him, his anger was turned against himself; and Yoongi's disappointed feelings became the object of compassion. His attachment excited gratitude, his general character respect; but Jimin could not approve him; nor could he for a moment repent his refusal, or feel the slightest inclination ever to see him again. In his own past behaviour, there was a constant source of vexation and regret; and in the unhappy defects of his family, a subject of yet heavier chagrin. They were hopeless of remedy. His father, contented with laughing at them, would never exert himself to restrain the wild giddiness of his youngest daughters; and his mother, with manners so far from right herself, was entirely insensible of the evil. Jimin had frequently united with Taehyung in an endeavour to check the imprudence of So-min and Aejin; but while they were supported by their mother's indulgence, what chance could there be of improvement? So-min, weak-spirited, irritable, and completely under Aejin's guidance, had been always affronted by their advice; and Aejin, self-willed and careless, would scarcely give them a hearing. They were ignorant, idle, and vain. While there was an officer in Meryton, they would flirt with them; and while Meryton was within a walk of Longbourn, they would be going there forever.

Anxiety on Taehyung's behalf was another prevailing concern; and Yoongi's explanation, by restoring Jungkook to all Jimin's former good opinion, heightened the sense of what Taehyung had lost. Jungkook's affection was proved to have been sincere, and his conduct cleared of all blame, unless any could attach to the implicitness of his confidence in his friend. How grievous then was the thought that, of a situation so desirable in every respect, so replete with advantage, so promising for happiness, Taehyung had been deprived, by the folly and indecorum of his own family!

When to these recollections was added the development of Sehyun's character, it may be easily believed that the happy spirits which had seldom been depressed before, were now so much affected as to make it almost impossible for Jimin to appear tolerably cheerful.

Their engagements at Rosings were as frequent during the last week of his stay as they had been at first. The very last evening was spent there; and her ladyship again inquired minutely into the particulars of their journey, gave them directions as to the best method of packing, and was so urgent on the necessity of placing gowns in the only right way, that Chayoung thought herself obliged, on her return, to undo all the work of the morning, and pack her trunk afresh.

When they parted, Lady Sohee, with great condescension, wished them a good journey, and invited them to come to Hunsford again next year; and Miss Baek exerted herself so far as to bow and hold out her hand to both.