The Wolf Affair | Bts Ot7 fanfic

5. When Eyes Meet, Heads Bow

Que será, será. 

[ke se-rah se-rah] ph.

Spanish.

"Whatever will be, will be. The future is not ours to see. If it's supposed to happen, it will."

"Greetings, Father," Eun intoned, lowering her frame in a gesture of profound respect, her form an epitome of graceful subservience. "Greetings, Your Grace," echoed the knight, placing a hand over his heart and bowing deeply, the motion both elegant and powerful.

"Greetings, Sir Evane," the Duke acknowledged with a nod, his gaze then shifting towards Eun. "And you as well, my child," he added, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized her unyielding gaze. There was a subtle, unsettling tension in the air. "I trust my daughter does not find the splendor of the imperial palace too overwhelming," he mused, his tone laced with a thin veneer of concern.

As he spoke, his eyes bore into her, a silent, threatening weight behind them. Did he know of the king's proposal? The question lingered ominously.

Sir Evane glanced at Eun, his brow furrowing with concern. Her trembling lashes fluttered like fragile wings, and she clutched the fabric of her dress as though it were a lifeline. In all the hours he had spent in her company, never had he witnessed her in such a state of distress. He lifted his head, his gaze shifting back to the Duke.

"Her Ladyship possesses extensive knowledge of Pervinian architecture and history, Your Grace," Sir Evane interjected, his tone respectful yet firm, as though answering an unspoken query. Sungmin's lips curved into a faint smile. "Indeed..."

"You may withdraw, Sir Evane. I desire a private conversation with my daughter," the Duke commanded, turning to face the knight fully. Sir Evane's fist clenched at his side, his knuckles whitening. He loathed the way the Duke's presence cast a dark shadow over Lady Ahn, despised the transformation that overcame Ye Eun whenever Ahn Sungmin was near.

As the royal guard and vice admiral, it was his solemn duty to protect and escort the Lady throughout her stay at the palace. She need only express a wish to avoid her father, and he would ensure it. Yet, to his surprise, Eun glanced his way with a soft, reassuring smile, a silent communication of her wish for him to comply. And a knight, bound by honor, has no will of his own.

"Of course, Your Grace," he conceded, lowering his frame once more, his eyes briefly meeting Ye Eun's. "I shall await just outside the audience chamber, my Lady. Pray, summon me should you require my service." With a final, respectful bow, Sir Evane exited, the heavy doors closing behind him with a resonant thud.

"Ah—" Eun's heart spiked as Sungmin seized a fistful of her hair, the jewels adorning her head digging painfully into her scalp. "I adorned you to resemble an object of worth, fit to bear the name Ahn," he snarled, his teeth gritted in barely contained fury, the veins in his jaw and forehead standing out with palpable rage.

"Not so you could make reckless and foolish decisions on your own," he continued, his voice darkening as he closed the distance between them. Eun's eyes welled with tears, a mixture of pain and surprise. "I permitted you to meet that decrepit crone so you could nod and smile like the obedient puppet you are."

"How dare you defy me!" His voice thundered as he shoved her violently. Unsteady on her uncomfortable footwear, Eun stumbled and fell to the floor.

Her fist clenched in the fabric of her dress as frustration and helplessness bubbled within her. Why was it always like this? Why was she always on the ground before him? And why, out of all people, was he the one who hurt her the most?