54 The Flirty Turd Pt.1 (2/2)
”If father was alive, he would not have wanted you to marry him” he murmured solemnly. ”I feel as though I have failed him by letting Uncle sign your life away to him.”
”Do not blame yourself” Taeyeon kindly replied. ”I already knew my duty as the only daughter of Kim.”
Namjoon eyed her doubtfully. He could tell that she was only saying that to comfort him.
”But what about you?” she suddenly questioned, diverting his glum thoughts momentarily. ”Now that Cousin Minseok is married, are you not considering marriage too?”
Namjoon was taken aback.
Taeyeon inspected her brother closely before gesturing at the many guests that swarmed the household courtyard. ”Look around, dear brother. This place is teeming with eligible maidens. Handpicked by Uncle, no doubt.” Her tone was sarcastic as she added, ”He must be looking for our cousins' prospective wives.”
”Prospective wives?” Namjoon repeated, puzzled. ”If you are referring to Junmyeon, I doubt that he will settle down any time soon.” He thought for a moment before mentioning, ”And Jongin and Taehyung are still quite young.”
”That has never stopped Uncle before” Taeyeon replied, her voice icy and impertinent. ”I would not be surprised if he has already arranged your marriage for you too.”
Namjoon whipped his head around wildly before hissing, ”Sister, enough!”
”Why? It is not as if I am lying.”
”No,” Namjoon agreed, ”but your tone is offensive.” He glanced around warily again. ”What if Uncle hears you? It will cause unnecessary problems.”
Taeyeon pouted. ”Uncle has never taken kindly to me anyway...” she mumbled.
Namjoon eyed her pityingly.
”But that is beside the point” she continued, ”while it is still early, you should marry a maiden of your choice.”
”Sister, please do not rush me” Namjoon replied in a low voice. ”I... I have no desire to marry yet.”
Taeyeon gaped at him questioningly but said nothing. Eventually, she spoke again, ”If you have no maiden in mind, I can introduce you to someone.”
Namjoon suddenly looked up.
”She is called Lu Ten. She is a frequent visitor of the Lees and is of excellent breeding—”
”I am not interested” Namjoon interrupted.
”Then what type of maiden does interest you?” Taeyeon pried. She lowered her eyes as she made slight notions towards the guests who, she noticed, were sneaking glances at the pair. ”Must I point out to you that you are as eligible for marriage as Cousin Junmyeon?”
Namjoon followed her gaze and indeed noticed the sudden weight of the stares directed their way.
Taeyeon observed, ”If it is not the daughters that are eyeing you up, it is the mothers.” She subtly pointed to a plump woman who had been eyeing Namjoon up hungrily. ”You are like prized game in this party. All the mothers want you for their daughter.”
Namjoon accidentally met eyes with the plump woman and he turned around abruptly. Flustered, he replied, ”It is a shame but, I am not interested in marriage for now.”
”Then you must hurry and gain an interest” Taeyeon urged him. ”For it is better you marry a maiden of your choice in a hurry than being hurried to marry a maiden chosen for you.”