The Masquerade (11/13)

[london9calling]

The Masquerade
Pairing: Xiumin / Luhan, side Kai / D.O.
Genre: Romance, Mystery, Regency inspired AU
Rating: NC-17
Length: Multi chaptered (93,555 words)
Summary: Minseok reluctantly attends the Kim family masquerade ball after three years of being shunned by high society due to a broken engagement. Luhan, the catch of the season, meets who he thinks is his boyfriend in a secluded alcove, greeting him with a passionate kiss. It is unfortunate that Minseok is wearing the same costume as Luhan’s boyfriend…or is it? A Regency Xiuhan story.

Previous Chapters [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10]

Kyungsoo ran after Minseok, hoping he could stop him before it was too late. Minseok all but ran down the stairs, alarming Jongin and his brothers.

“Stop him!” Kyungsoo shouted to the other men, two of whom were still quite inebriated and slow to react. Jongin however, was sober, and tried to stand in Minseok’s way. Jongin’s attempt was unsuccessful, Minseok pushing him aside with alarming force. The door to the hovel banged shut as Minseok left.

“We have to go after him.” Kyungsoo dashed down the stairs, grabbing onto Jongin’s arm. “Come on. Before it is too late.”

***

Jongdae and Junmyeon made it to the East End in a surprisingly small amount of time. Their short commute was in part due to Jongdae’s insistence that they pay the hackney driver a bit extra and let him know it was perfectly fine if he drove a bit dangerously if need be.

“The house is over there.” The hackney drive pointed to a rundown house matching the address Jongdae gave him, dropping Jongdae and Junmyeon off a little up the road from the home. After thanking the driver the duo alighted the carriage.

“Are we going to knock on the door?” Junmyeon asked, eyeing the dilapidated building. He had never been to the East End before and was experiencing culture shock to say the least.

“If we want to talk to my Uncle, yes. If we want to actually know what my Uncle is doing, than I suggest we approach this in a stealthier manner.” Jongdae scoped out the building. The road in front of them and behind them was congested with carts, pedestrians, horses, and stalls selling all manner of products. Minseok’s wanted poster was visibly tacked to every building and post available, flooding the streets with his image. Jongdae had seen the posters before, but not in these numbers. Yunho must have flooded this location in particular with the fliers.

“And how are we going to approach this in a stealthy manner, old boy?” Junmyeon glanced at the busy street and then to the house, trying to understand how they would garner any insight to what was occurring in the home without entering through the front door.

“Leave it to me.” Jongdae started walking towards the hovel, Junmyeon once again struggling to catch up.

Junmyeon would have to remember to remind Jongdae, once this was all done and over, that it was excessively impolite to walk ahead of a friend like that.

***

Minseok had never felt like this before. No, not like this – a burning sense of despair overwhelming him. Regret perhaps mixed in. The feeling that the man he loved, the man who was so stupid as to stand by him, was prepared to take everything on his shoulders. Minseok couldn’t let that happen. No, this wasn’t Luhan’s battle to fight. It was his.

If Yunho had set a trap using Sehun, Minseok would oblige. He would let himself be captured, let himself be taken to prison, in the hopes he could set Yunho straight. In the hopes no one else would think that his guilt or innocence was something they needed to prove.

Minseok noticed the fliers. It was hard not to. They were everywhere. He was certain it wouldn’t be long before someone shouted out his name- that is if one of the patrols that Taemin and Minho reported didn’t capture him first. He probably wouldn’t even make it to where Sehun was being held, wherever that was. Minseok only knew it had to be close because Kyungsoo had witnessed it. He wasn’t sure of the exact location.

Minseok walked quickly down the road, towards the life he had once known, in the direction of the side of the city he recognized. He walked, past his wanted fliers, ignoring the din around him, not bothering to acknowledge if anyone happened to be whispering or pointing at him. He had all the experience in the world at ignoring whispers, after all. He walked, not daring to stop, making progress while he waited for someone to approach him, put him in chains, and end this madness once and for all.

***

Jongin took Kyungsoo’s hand, guiding him as they traversed the crowded street. Kyungsoo would have pulled his hand away or blushed or fallen into another internal monologue about Jongin being too helpful if he wasn’t so fixated on finding Minseok.

Minseok had left less than a minute before Kyungsoo and Jongin, yet they were having a terrible time finding him amidst the crowd. The crowd seemed to surge as the street became even more congested. Kyungsoo found that holding Jongin’s hand was a good idea, lest they be separated amidst the swarming sea of people.

“That bloke looks like the flier!”

Kyungsoo and Jongin heard the shout, turning they witnessed a portly man pointing towards the crowd. Kyungsoo knew it must be Minseok, somewhere ahead of them, somewhere close by. Jongin quickened their pace, pushing through the crowd, not letting Kyungsoo’s hand go. Hopefully they would catch up with Minseok before more people loudly exclaimed his identity.

***

Jongdae edged closer to the house. There was a small alleyway on the side of the hovel, which he fully intended to duck down once he was certain no one from inside was watching. Junmyeon followed, thankfully remaining quiet as they slowed their footsteps.

If he could only sneak around to the back of the hovel there may be a way to see inside, or perhaps even eavesdrop on what was going on within. Jongdae knew his Uncle probably had people watching the place, so he would need to scope the place out thoroughly before making his move. He would have to ensure anyone guarding the hovel was looking the other way when they made their move.

Jongdae noticed a man watching from the house next to the hovel. He seemed to be very intently observing the comings and goings in front of the house. He was likely a guard, Jongdae decided. He nudged Junmyeon, using hand gestures to fill him in on his suspicions. Junmyeon nodded, confirming that he understood Jongdae’s meaning.

“We should walk past the house for now.” Jongdae whispered. Staying on the far side of the road, they walked slowly past the hovel, hoping that the crowd would keep their presence nearly invisible to the guard. Hopefully they would not be noticed before they had any idea of why Yunho and Sehun were holed up in a shack in the worse part of town.

***

Sehun was bored. Very bored. He never remembered being this bored. Or this uncomfortable. Ever. Not even when he volunteered for charity this or that per his Great Aunt’s insistence.

Sehun glared at Yunho, trying to figure out why the man was still there. Couldn’t he leave? Wouldn’t his men capture Minseok if he showed up? Did he really need to be there himself?

Yunho had taken it upon himself to monitor the bait. Yunho had arrived at the hovel early that morning, after only a few hours away. Sitting in the small wooden chair in the room where Sehun was being held, he waited and watched. And Sehun bristled under the surveillance.

“Don’t you have important things to do? Things that do not involve staring at me?” Sehun finally voiced his frustrations.

“Hm.” Yunho snorted, not bothering to offer a conclusive answer one way or another.

“Isn’t it boring, watching me?” Sehun stood up, cracking his back as he stretched. He hadn’t slept at all the night before. He was too afraid to get near the disgusting mattress and he wasn’t keen on sleeping on the hard floor so he had sat with his back against the wall, his hands hugging his knees. The effect of sitting like that was killing his back.

“Not really.” Yunho pulled out his pocket watch, checking the time.

Sehun’s frustrations grew. Yunho had to be the worst company he had ever been in, hands down. Sehun wondered if he could possibly make a run for it. Looking around the room he quickly decided that was not a possibility. The door to the room was locked and there were men outside – how many Sehun was unsure of. Sehun wouldn’t indulge fantasies about his own ability to fight, knowing full well he couldn’t even get through Yunho on his own.

Sighing he sat back down with a thud. He began drumming on the floor with his fingers, tapping out an upbeat rhythm. And then a loud crash was heard. Yunho’s attention was immediately directed towards the door. He stood up in a flash, walking towards it.

Sehun grew tense as he listened to shouts. It sounded like they were coming from downstairs. Had Minseok arrived? Had he taken the bait after all?

***

Junmyeon was the first to notice him. Junmyeon had always had a rather difficult time keeping quiet when he was surprised, so he practically squawked out “Minseok!”

Jongdae stilled, looking to where Junmyeon was pointing. Sure enough his dear friend, The Viscount D’Adderleigh, was currently stalking up the road, as if he had no care in the world. Jongdae bolted, rushing towards his friend. He wasn’t sure what had happened or what was about to happen, but he was overjoyed he had found his best friend first, before Yunho did.

***

Jongin’s hand found Minseok’s shoulder, whipping him around. “Sir! Please, come back!” Kyungsoo whined as soon as Minseok was facing him.

“Kyungsoo, I can’t.” Minseok answered, trying to wrench himself free of Jongin’s grasp. The valet was surprisingly strong, however, and Minseok had to grab his arm and all but throw it from him in order to resume his walk. As he flung Jongin’s arm from his shoulder he jumped at sudden contact, surprised as Kyungsoo threw himself forward and hugged onto Minseok with all his strength.

“I am not going to let you do this, Sir.” Kyungsoo squeezed, attaching himself to Minseok in a way that made it impossible for the other man to move.

“Kyungsoo, get off me!” Minseok roared, trying to pry Kyungsoo’s arms off of him. It didn’t help that Kyungsoo had wrapped his legs around Minseok too, effectively imprisoning him in a full body hug.

“Sir, I won’t let you go.” Kyungsoo buried his head in Minseok’s chest and held on for dear life, ready to be flung aside or shoved. Or hopefully none of those things, hopefully Minseok would realize the err of his ways and agree to return with them.

“It is the wanted man!”

Jongin started to feel panicked. Minseok was not moving and Kyungsoo was all but melded into him – and as they stood there more than one person was pointing at them and remarking on the Minseok’s likeness to the fliers. He wanted desperately to grab Minseok and Kyungsoo and drag them back, but he was certain he didn’t have the muscle strength to do so.

And then came a saving grace.

“Minseok. Thank god we found you.” It was filled with emotion. Minseok recognized the voice immediately.

“Jongdae?” Minseok wanted to cheer. It was over then, Jongdae would be the one to arrest him. He would take him away, after peeling Kyungsoo off of him of course.

“We need to go, come on.” Jongdae decided it was best to not remark on the fact that Minseok’s valet was currently hugging the life out of the man.

“Kyungsoo, let go. I am being arrested.” Minseok tried to pry Kyungsoo off of him again, but the smaller man would still not budge.

“No! They will have to arrest me too, Sir!” Kyungsoo screeched.

“Arrest?! I am not here to arrest you.” Jongdae shook his head “We need to run, come on, people are recognizing you.”

Minseok wasn’t sure he understood what was going on. Jongdae was there, but not to arrest him? How was that possible? Jongdae was working for the Home Office and the last time Minseok glanced to his left or right he could tell he was very much wanted by the Home Office at the moment.

The crowd seemed to close in on the five men, pushing forward as some people yelled about catching the criminal. “We don’t have time, come on!” Jongdae grabbed Minseok’s arm and pulled, hoping they could still get out of this mess before Yunho noticed. Kyungsoo finally let go, once he heard Jongdae state clearly that he was not going to arrest Minseok.

“A cab!” Junmyeon pointed up the road to where a Hackney carriage was stopped. “Come on!”

It was exceedingly difficult to move. Minseok knew he pushed and elbowed and shoved more than one person as they attempted to grab at him, a sea of faces, some angry, some oblivious, a nightmare come to life. The other men were no less calm about the matter, he watched as Jongdae knocked a man off his feet as he rushed at them. As the physical altercations escalated the situation became more dire. Minseok felt a hand reach out and grab his side, pulling him. He tried to move out of the person’s grasp, but found himself being torn away from Jongdae.

Jongdae noticed Minseok’s predicament. He reached into his coat pocket, exclaiming “I didn’t want to have to do this.” Pulling out a revolver he raised it, shooting towards the sky. The shot rang out, causing panic.

“He has a gun!”

“Run!”

The shot had the desired effect as Minseok was able to free himself, rushing forward he made it to the hackney cab.

“Sorry, old boy. I truly am.” Jongdae felt bad about what he had to do, but desperate times called for desperate measures. As the cab driver watched, his eyes wide and his face pale, Jongdae reached over and knocked him out with the butt of his gun.

“Get in!” Junmyeon opened the carriage doors, holding them open as Minseok, Kyungsoo, and Jongin scurried inside. Slamming the door shut he jumped into the driver’s box.

“I hope you know how to drive one of these things.” Junmyeon remarked as Jongdae snapped the reins, lurching the team of horses into motion.

***

“Was that a gun shot?” Sehun paled at the loud noise. He could hear a commotion outside. What was going on?

Yunho fetched the key from his pocket, fumbling a bit he approached the door. He didn’t have a chance to unlock the door before it was quite literally kicked down. Sehun plastered himself against the wall, as if he could meld into the woodwork lest anyone with ill intent had burst down the door.

Yunho was taken by surprised when the door was kicked in. He was even more surprised to see who had done so. It wasn’t Minseok, or even anyone he recognized. It was tall man, with a killer look in his eyes.

“Who are you?” Yunho spat, readying himself for a fight.

“None of your business.” The man answered before launching a very well-coordinated attack on Yunho.

Sehun watched as the two men struggled, too shocked to move. Too shocked to scream or join in or…

Yunho fell to the floor, apparently knocked out.

“Come on, let’s go.” Tao held his hand out, asking Sehun to take it.

“Ttt…ao?” Sehun couldn’t believe his eyes. “How did you know I was here?”

“I followed you when you left. I can’t believe you were so stupid as to get yourself kidnapped.” Tao scolded him.

“Hey! I am not stupid!” Sehun started to protest when the distinct sound of footsteps rushing up the stairs could be heard. Tao moved swiftly, quickly making short work of the agent who had rushed towards them.

Sehun didn’t think twice about taking Tao’s hand. He ran, letting Tao lead him out of the hovel, a very unconscious Yunho left behind.

***

A gunshot and a fast approaching hackney carriage did wonders with crowd control. Pedestrians leapt out of the way of the carriage, no longer intent on catching the man in the fliers and claiming the handsome reward. Fear for their own safety had taken over, leading the residents of the street to favor self-preservation over reward money.

Jongdae raised the reins, about to whip them again, when he was forced to hold them back. Two men stood in the middle of the road, apparently not about to move in the face of the speeding carriage. It was almost too late when the horses slid to a halt, only a few feet from the men.

“Sehun? Tao?” Jongdae couldn’t believe his eyes.

“We need a ride.” Tao stated as though he was asking for a simple favor not stopping a getaway in the middle of utter chaos.

Jongdae had only a split second to consider. He didn’t know why Sehun was standing in the road, or why Tao was there. He didn’t know if Sehun was working with Yunho. He didn’t know if letting Sehun on the carriage would doom them all. He didn’t know at all – until he heard the unmistakable voice of his Uncle.

“Get them!” Yunho emerged from the hovel, holding a hand to his head as a trickle of blood made its way down his cheek. It was all Jongdae needed to verify he could trust Sehun.

“Get in! Now!” Jongdae shouted. Sehun and Tao scurried into the carriage. Before the door was all the way shut Jongdae whipped the reins, the horses jerking into a gallop. He didn’t turn around to see if his Uncle was chasing them, of if anyone was following. He was sure they would be and he would need to do everything in his power to make sure they were not captured.

***

Yunho was angry. Angry that Minseok had likely escaped. Angry Sehun was gone. Angry his head had a nasty gash in it. Angry that Jongdae appeared to be aiding and abetting a fugitive. Angry that he had to write the letter.

As valuable as our relationship may be, I warn you I cannot keep this up for much longer lest everything deteriorate before our eyes. I am not sure that my actions are any longer to your benefit.

He sealed the note with his wax seal, angry that it had to be written at all.

***

“Why can’t I have a happy day, at least once?” Baekhyun was frustrated. He reclined back in his chair, folding his arms behind his head.

“You speak as though you live a life of misery.” Chanyeol smiled “When we both know that is not the case.”

“Not the case? Not the case? Have you bene paying attention to what I have been speaking about?” Baekhyun kicked at Chanyeol.

“I have been paying attention.” Chanyeol had not really been paying that close of attention. At times it was best to let Baekhyun talk and feign the action of listening. It had always been like that between them. Chanyeol wanted to give Baekhyun comfort, but even he had its limits when it came to his friend’s whining.

“Well, then what shall I do?” Baekhyun asked, not daring to figure out his predicament for himself.

Chanyeol considered his friend’s question. He could be honest, though he knew Baekhyun wouldn’t want to hear his honest answer. He could play it safe because Baekhyun would likely do whatever he pleased any way. Yes, he would be vague and let Baekhyun figure it out himself.

A knock sounded on the parlor door.

“Come in.” Baekhyun called, not bothering to look towards the door. He wasn’t very good at acknowledging the presence of his servants.

“You have a caller, Sir.” The maid announced, “The Earl of Easton.”

Baekhyun immediately perked up. He looked at Chanyeol, his eyes wide.

“Don’t you dare do something foolish.” Chanyeol warned, knowing that Luhan’s visit would likely facilitate some reckless behavior on Baekhyun’s part.

“What if –" Baekhyun started, but Chanyeol cut him off.

“Baekhyun, think. Please. Do not do something you will regret.” Chanyeol warned, standing. He would need to leave, though he desperately wanted to be present lest Baekhyun leaned towards idiocy. He would have to trust his friend, however difficult it would prove to be.

***

Heechul had a very good, very reliable friend. Well, good friend in that she asked no questions as long as he paid her well. It was the easiest money she could make given her other, more lucrative business dealings. Very reliable in that she dealt in gossip, only the best, most scandalous, most secretive of gossip.

“Rosie, my dear. “ Heechul planted a kiss on the woman’s cheek “How are you?”

“Tired.” She answered. It was a rather standard answer from her. Heechul had known her since she was the toast of the town for her bit part in the fabulous play “A Gentleman and A Wager.” Ever since her acting debut she had been sought by a string of wealthy men, all of which she turned down. I prefer to look for love, she had uttered more than once, Heechul nodding in agreement. She often complained that such unwelcome attentions drained her energy and left her in want of a nap every few hours. Heechul thought she just really liked to nap.

“Hm. Yes. Well, we can’t all be such a Cyprian –“

“Bird of Paradise. I prefer the term Bird of Paradise.” She corrected him, waving her feathered fan for effect.

“Of course.” Heechul smiled “Now, my bird of paradise, tell me everything you know about the owners of Herringwoods.”

The woman sighed as if Heechul had requested that she recite the entire history of the country in great detail. Moving her fan from side to side, feigning boredom, she began “Well what an interesting question. I suppose you have yet to meet the owner. A very interesting man, he is. They say he looks like a cat.”

Heechul listened intently, exceedingly interested in who she was referring to.

***

“Where are we going?” Sehun asked, trying with all his might to not vomit from the rocking and lurching of the carriage.

“Why did we let him on again, Sir?” Kyungsoo narrowed his eyes at Sehun. He truly disliked the man. It had been a little over an hour since they had boarded the carriage and made a run for it. Jongdae, thankfully, was a very skilled driver, able to shake off the pursuing agents. They had just made it out of the city, entering the countryside and leaving the teeming metropolis behind.

Sehun rolled his eyes at Kyungsoo, earning a jab from Tao’s elbow “Sehun, they rescued us, this is no time to be rude.” Tao lectured his boyfriend, which had Kyungsoo smirking at the scene.

“Jongdae – stop the carriage!” Minseok pounded on the roof. They were far enough out of the city that they should be safe to stop for a moment. They needed to regroup. Minseok desperately wanted to know why Jongdae had helped him escape and had not arrested him.

Jongdae complied, pulling the carriage to a stop off the dusty road. They were out of the city, though the roads north were well travelled. Jongdae had purposely taken a less travelled, rather rough path, hoping to avoid any agents that may be combing the road north. There was no one ahead or behind them within sight, allowing Jongdae to feel that it was safe enough to stop.

Minseok walked some feet from the carriage, wanting to converse in private with Jongdae. His thoughts of privacy were halted when Kyungsoo, Jongin, and Junmyeon approached the spot as well. When Sehun and Tao left the carriage and did the same, the notion of a private conversation with Jongdae was obliterated.

“Why didn’t you arrest me?” Minseok started, wanting to know the answer to that question more than anything else at the moment.

“Because I believe you are innocent and Yunho is hiding something.” Jongdae turned to Sehun “Why were you with him in that house?”

“He tricked me into playing bait for Minseok.” Sehun explained.

“You mean you weren’t really kidnapped?!” Tao’s mouth dropped open in surprise “I beat up all of those men for no reason!”

“I was really bored, that is a good reason for rescuing me, right?” Sehun tried to look cute, but Tao was not about to fall for his charms.

“So you were his plan to get Minseok to turn himself in.” Jongdae regretted not realizing that right away.

“It was a trap, Sir.” Kyungsoo remarked to Minseok, finding some vindication that his instincts were correct.

“Are you no longer working for the Home Office?” Minseok turned his attention to Jongdae. Jongdae would surely have more information on recent events than anyone else.

“No, I am afraid not. Neither is Junmyeon, we were asked to leave the case when our opinions differed with Yunho’s opinions.”

“There was a witness who saw the thief.” Junmyeon chimed in “And he most certainly was not you. She didn’t get a look at his face, however she described him as tall.”

Minseok would have protested a jab at his height if he wasn’t so wrapped up in finding out more of the situation at hand. “Tall? Any other leads since I have been away?”

It was a full fifteen minutes of discussion that followed. Jongdae filled Minseok in on the murder of the Baroness and of Baekhyun’s sister, of finding out that Yunho was withholding information from him. Minseok shared what they had learned about Baekhyun’s families financial difficulties and the person only referred to as “Vic”. Sehun interjected frequently asking what was going on, until Tao dragged him away, muttering apologies while calling Sehun an annoying brat. Kyungsoo decided Tao was his new favorite person, or one of them anyway.

“So where do we go from here?” Junmyeon asked, once all of the evidence had been shared.

“We definitely cannot go back to the city right now.” Jongdae vocalized what they all were aware of, the city was teeming with agents out for their heads. Or at least some of their heads.

“What of the estate?” Kyungsoo offered, though rather reluctantly. He could honestly not think of any other options. He knew Minseok wouldn’t be eager to return to the place, but it may be their only option.

“The estate?” Minseok considered it. The D’Adderleigh estate would likely be watched, however the expansive grounds had more than one place to hide. Minseok knew the place well, knew of all of the small cottages on the hundred plus acre sprawl, all of the places where even a Home Office Agent wouldn’t know to look.

“Sorry, old boy, I don’t think we can go anywhere near my family’s home. Not when Yunho is probably vilifying me to my parents as we speak.” Jongdae explained. Junmyeon confirmed the same, there was no way his parents would not know he paid a visit to his family’s country home.

“There is a small cottage on the grounds of the D’Adderleigh estate that is all but hidden from sight.” Minseok thought back to the secluded place, where once, in happier times, a hermit had lived. It was a fashionable move, to have a hermit dwell on the grounds of a family estate, and he had done so before moving on after Minseok’s father’s death. As far as Minseok knew the house was now empty.

“How far away is your family estate, sir?” Jongin had remained largely quiet during the ordeal. Now that they were out of the city he was feeling drastically out of his element. He had lived in the city his entire life, never before had he left the place other than to accompany Luhan on trips to the Hayden estate. A very short, rather structured trip that had him never feeling out of place. But now, with the road ahead of them and an unknown journey certain, his nerves were getting the better of him.

“We can reach the place by nightfall, if we make good time.” Minseok worried for the horses, if they were being considerate they should change them out somewhere along the road. But doing so may be their downfall, they would have to trudge ahead.

“To the north we go.” Jongdae announced, staring down the road. Now he just hoped that they would make it without any difficulties.

***

Baekhyun beamed as Luhan entered the room. He felt a happiness burst forth in him that he had thought was dead, especially after the rather tense letter from his Father that morning.

“Luhan. What a pleasant surprise. Please, sit.” Baekhyun gestured towards the red velvet chair, “You have never before visited me at my apartment.”

Luhan was having a difficult time remaining composed and he had only just arrived. It was difficult to see Baekhyun, to suspect Baekhyun was behind it all, and greet him with a smile. Yet he had to. He had known Baekhyun long enough to know how he would react to harsh words. He had to play it safe.

“Yes, well, there is a first for everything.” Luhan was relieved his voice sounded calm and composed.

“I would have thought you would be otherwise engaged in planning your wedding.” Baekhyun said rather nonchalantly.

Luhan swallowed, reminding himself to keep calm. Keep calm. “Yes, well that is indeed a very momentous task.”

“I was shocked that it was not announced at your family’s gala. I will admit,” Baekhyun flashed a sheepish smile “I held a little hope that the lack of announcement meant I still have a chance.”

Luhan could scream, hit him, tell him in a hundred different ways why he would never have a chance. Was Baekhyun a murderer? A thief? Was he that depraved? Even if he wasn’t he still behaved in a most unwelcome manner towards Minseok, Luhan couldn’t forgive him for it.

“Baekhyun, I am here for a reason.” Luhan took a deep breath and began “I know that we did not end on the happiest of notes, though I still do think of you as a very good friend. A very good friend I could always trust.” Yes, ply him with compliments, boost his ego.

“Thank you, Luhan. I have always felt the same. Albeit I wish we could be more than friends.” Baekhyun clasped his hands together, looking ever the composed young nobleman.

“Baekhyun, I need you to do me a favor. I need you to be the honest friend I so dearly cherish.” Luhan wanted to vomit in his mouth at his words, but he struggled through them “I need you to tell me if you have had anything to do with the recent thefts. Please, I won’t turn you in. I just want to know.”

Baekhyun didn’t move for a few seconds as if Luhan’s words had frozen him. When he did move it was to throw his head back and laugh loudly. “My, Luhan, you certainly have an interesting sense of humor.”

“I am being serious.” Luhan watched as Baekhyun continued to laugh, though his laughter began to fade as Luhan stared at him.

“You honestly take me for a thief? I am sorry, old boy, but the word on the street is that your future husband is wanted for such crimes. Or ex-future husband, perhaps?”

“He is innocent.” Luhan answered with far too much conviction, checking his tone he said “Or so I believe. Baekhyun, I learned some things and unfortunately you seem to be involved in these terrible acts. I know you couldn’t do such things without reason. Please, tell me, for old time’s sake?”

“You want me to confess to you so your darling Viscount can go free?” Baekhyun was no longer laughing “You thought you could waltz in here and use our past relationship to earn a confession? What do you take me for, Luhan?”

There was no way for Luhan to answer that question and not anger Baekhyun further, so he remained silent. He watched as Baekhyun stood, sighing heavily and walked towards the window. Baekhyun stood and stared out the window, not saying anything. Finally he spoke, his words barely above a whisper.

“How badly do you want Minseok free? What are you willing to do?”

Luhan felt his blood turn to ice. It was an eerily conniving question. One that he was certain would have long lasting consequences. Yet it was the truth – what he would do to see Minseok free. “Anything, I will do anything.”

“Good. Very good.” Baekhyun turned away from the window, a sadistic smile on his face.

***

The Duke and Duchess of Hayden were sitting in the Duke’s study when Luhan arrived. He had requested a conversation with the both of them, an unusual request that surely indicated a serious matter. In lieu of his recent disappearance the Duke and Duchess took his request very seriously, ready to show a united front and talk their son out of any subsequent foolishness.

Yet, he apparently wasn’t going to be foolish anymore. No, apparently not.

“I would like both of you to give your consent to a formal engagement between Byun Baekhyun and myself.” Luhan didn’t betray any despair at the request. He didn’t seem to be upset.

The Duke and Duchess nodded at each other, a code between spouses who had been together for decades, a queue that they were in agreement. Luhan’s fixation on Minseok had been their utmost worry of late, he had even run off with the man. It had been a very large sum that was paid out to cover it up, and the couple had feared their son would return without having given up on the match. Their fears were apparently for naught.

“I will approve the match if you promise that you will never try to contact the Viscount D’Adderleigh again and will completely disavow your prior engagement to him. I have made some inquiries and I can cover up your engagement to the man as a foolish prank, but only if you promise me that you will no longer pursue him.” The Duke spoke firmly, waiting for his son’s response.

“I agree to your conditions, sir.” Luhan answered. He had never felt such self-loathing as he did at that moment.

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