Chapter Text
“Your Grace.”
Johnny grips tightly onto his mother’s small, warm hand, digs his heels into the carpet when she tries to usher him forward like a prized cow. His gaze darts up at her but hers remain on the seventh Duke of Cheongdam, lips twisting in a kind smile.
“And this must be Youngho.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” Johnny’s mother nods. She angles Johnny to face the duke properly, “Can you introduce yourself?”
Johnny swallows thickly, shrinking inwardly at the duke’s hazel eyes, “Er. Hello, sir.”
“Your Grace,” his mother corrects.
“Your Grace,” Johnny echoes, bobbing into something like a curtsy. He tangles his fingers into the hem of his shirt, “My name is Johnny. I am six. I like horses.”
The duke’s eyes color in surprise, “Johnny?”
“Christened,” Johnny’s mother explains quickly. She smiles at Johnny warmly, giving his tiny hand a gentle squeeze, “After his father.”
Johnny nods, clamping his mouth shut.
“A fine young boy,” the duke hums. He gives Johnny another discerning look, “Six, you say?”
“Yes.” Johnny adds belatedly, “Your Grace.”
“And what about the horses?”
“I like them.” At his mother’s quiet encouragement, he sucks in a deep breath and goes on, “I like brushing them and watering them, bringing them out for rides on courses and making sure they’re happy.”
The duke raises a brow, “Happy?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Happy.” The duke assents, “And of that you’ll certainly make a fine companion to my son.”
Johnny’s mother breathes a sigh of relief, though so softly Johnny’s sure the duke didn’t catch it.
A companion, Johnny thinks.
He doesn’t know much about being a companion, being six and all, but he knows just how important it is for him to get the duke’s approval. How important it is, his mother had said this morning while getting him ready, for Johnny to secure his place in the household, to secure his future with the Jeongs.
“But what if I want to stay with you?” Johnny had said sadly, while she fussed over his shirt buttons.
“Mama won’t be around forever,” his mother replied serenely. She licked her lips, white and dry, “When the time comes, will you promise Mama you’ll be a good boy and stay with the Jeongs?”
Johnny reached out to tug at her sleeve, “But where are you going?”
She blinked up at him from where she’d crouched over on her haunches, eyes glazing over when she smiled, “Somewhere not too far away, I promise.”
“He will stay with you in the servants’ hall,” the duke decides, snapping Johnny out of his reverie. He speaks to Johnny’s mother, “You have my word that he will receive an education and the likes, and the protection of the household name. Once able, he will pay companion to my son. When the day his services are no longer needed, I will see to a residence deeded in his name and sufficient funds as needed.”
The duke inhales deeply, “As repayment for your husband’s sacrifice, Mrs. Suh.”
Johnny feels his mother’s grip tighten at the mention of his father. Her voice shakes when she says, “We thank you kindly, Your Grace.” She pats Johnny lovingly on his crown, smoothing out the dark hairs atop his head, “I trust Johnny will be happy and safe in your care.”
“He will,” the duke promises. Then, with a twinkle in his eye, “Though I can’t say for certain he’ll be able to tolerate my son’s overbearing demands.”
Johnny frowns, already worried.
“You’ll come to know how - stubborn he can be. Insisting on setting out into the forest no matter the time of day, which, of course, infuriates my wife to no end,” the duke goes on, rolling his eyes.
The tension between the three of them seems to fade away, and a new air of hopefulness fills the duke’s study.
“So, I’m afraid you’ll have to hold his hand as he climbs over logs and stones, or go after him when he dashes into the sea - he’s always seemingly intent on getting himself soaked in god awful saltwater, honestly, we don’t know what to do with him sometimes. A true stubborn boy, he is.”
The duke is very obviously complaining but there’s a fond smile on his face. Mrs. Suh laughs, though Johnny continues to frown, perturbed by his future that’s starting to solidify without him getting a word in.
“Don’t worry, boy,” the duke reassures Johnny, sensing the growing animosity in the young boy’s gaze. He rests his weight against the large oak desk behind him, “I’m sure you will grow to become fond of him. You’ll keep him happy, won’t you?”
Johnny doesn’t believe the duke in the slightest, “Keep who happy?”
“My son, of course.” The duke announces grandly, “The eighth Duke of Cheongdam - Jeong Jaehyun.”