#03
"...Taehyung."
"…"
Taehyung froze in place. He looked at her with a dazed, almost entranced expression, as if he'd been bewitched.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
"...More..."
"Hm?"
"Please… call my name one more time..."
Taehyung suddenly grabbed her hand, earnestly asking to hear his name again. Curious about his reaction, she tilted her head but obliged, calling his name once more.
"Alright, Taehyung—"
Take a picture
As soon as she said his name, Taehyung gently brought her hand to his lips and placed a slow kiss on the back of it.
"Hearing my name in your voice…"
"…"
"It makes me so happy. This feeling… I don’t think I can describe it in words."
"I’m just saying your name… You like it that much—"
"My lady, may I kiss you?"
"…What?"
Where did he even learn the word kiss? He asked, but by then, their faces were already inches apart. If he moved just a little more, they’d be touching. Taehyung had already wrapped her tightly in his embrace.
"...I want to."
"A k-kiss? Where did you learn that word—"
"Isn't it what humans call the act of putting lips together? Did I get that wrong?"
"…T-the dress is ruined anyway. Let’s just hurry home—"
She hastily pushed him away and barely escaped his arms. Meanwhile, Taehyung chuckled softly behind her and trailed after her like a puppy. She didn’t notice, too busy trying to hide her now fully flushed cheeks.
—
The carriage came to a stop again. After returning home safely, Taehyung shifted back into his animal form. Cradling him in her arms, she walked into the house, unaware of the tense atmosphere waiting inside.
"I'm back—"
"My lady..! The master is waiting for you in the study..."
Lucia’s face was filled with concern—a rare sight. Her hushed tone only added to the unease that crept over her.
So… they found out already.
"Lucia, take him to my room."
"Yes, my lady..."
She handed Taehyung to Lucia and made her way toward the study with heavy steps. A stern aura seeped from behind the door. She swallowed dryly, took a deep breath, and turned the handle.
"Father… I heard you were looking for me."
"Brie, I had such high hopes for you, my only daughter..."
"..."
"How dare you disappoint your own father?"
His tone was sharp, biting. Hands clasped under his chin, he glared at her coldly from across the room.
"What you did today has severely damaged the reputation of the Brie family. Do you even understand what that means?"
"..."
"Marry the Duke."
"...What? Father, that's—"
"Enough talk. Marry him before I have to punish you further."
"I refuse."
"What did you say?"
At her defiance, her father's brow furrowed deeply. His eyes narrowed, and a twitch in his raised eyebrow betrayed the anger boiling within him. Her defiance, her challenge to his authority, was clearly unacceptable in his eyes.
"I will marry someone I choose. Please stay out of it, Father."
"You’ve gone mad. Don’t tell me you’re talking about him? The one who was lying half-naked beside you—"
She hadn’t expected him to know that much. The words that came from his mouth were shocking. So this is the social world—where rumors move faster than reality itself.
"Did you have someone follow me...?"
"That doesn’t concern you. Focus on preparing for your marriage to the Duke. Don’t see that worthless man again."
"...Don’t speak about him like that."
"What?"
"I said don’t speak about him so carelessly!!!"
SLAM
She stormed out of the study, furious. Furious that her father would speak so dismissively about Taehyung, furious that he treated her like a puppet to marry off for gain. The tears she had been holding back broke loose. Sobbing uncontrollably, she rushed into her room—and the first thing she saw was Taehyung, now in his human form.
"My lady, what happened—"
"Hhngh… here…"
Without a word, she ran into his arms where he sat on the bed. He didn’t question her. He simply held her gently and softly patted her back as she cried.
"Here… here…"
"My lady, cry as much as you need. I’ll stay right here with you."
Unlike her father, his words were warm. She hadn't realized how comforting such simple words and a gentle embrace could be. In that moment, all she wanted was to remain in his arms—to be comforted by him through the night.
She wasn’t sure when she’d fallen asleep, but she woke still wrapped in his arms, bathed in the soft morning sunlight. Seeing his peaceful sleeping face brought yesterday’s pain flooding back.
"...Thank you."
She leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, hoping he wouldn’t notice. After brushing his hair softly with her fingers, she tried to slip off the bed.
"...My lady."
"—Wah!"
Startled, she turned to find Taehyung awake, holding her wrist. Before she could react, he pulled her into his lap, wrapping his arms tightly around her from behind and resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Did you really think I wouldn’t notice if you kissed me while I was asleep?"
"I just... wanted to thank you for comforting me yesterday. It was a gesture of gratitude."
"If you keep teasing me like this, My lady…"
"..."
"...I won’t be able to control myself."
His voice was soft and low, whispered directly against the nape of her neck. It made her shiver—and let out a soft gasp before she could stop it. Slowly, he began to press kisses along her bare neck, then to her cheek, each one lingering as if marking her as his.
"Th-That’s enough."
"...?"
"...We need to go to the tailor. I said I’d get you some clothes."