Entitled

Chapter 118*

That night, the warmth of the fire in your chambers added a cozy glow to the room as you and Severus settled on the sofa. The lingering scent of your bath filled the air, soothing and calming after a long day. Severus, ever attentive, was rubbing your feet, his touch both comforting and intimate as you leaned back against the cushions, letting yourself relax into the moment.

But despite the tranquility, the unresolved tension from earlier still hung between you, a quiet undercurrent that neither of you could ignore.

"I won't ask for permission to leave the grounds," you said softly, your voice calm but firm. "But I will tell you before I do."

Severus's hands stilled for a moment, his fingers pausing in their gentle massage. He shook his head softly, a small frown creasing his brow as he looked at you. "I don't accept that, Violet," he replied, his voice equally soft but carrying the weight of his disapproval. "It's not enough."

You sighed, shifting slightly on the sofa, your determination clear in your expression. "It's my best offer," you insisted, meeting his gaze with a steady resolve. "I need some freedom, Severus. You can't keep me locked away."

His hand resumed its slow, methodical rubbing of your foot, but his eyes remained fixed on yours, a quiet intensity in his gaze. "It won't do, Violet," he said, his voice gentle but unyielding. "You're asking for more than I'm willing to give. Your safety is my priority, and I can't protect you if I don't know where you are."

The power struggle between you simmered just beneath the surface, both of you holding firm in your positions. You could feel the weight of his concern, his love, but you also felt the need to assert your independence, to carve out some space for yourself amidst the overwhelming control he sought to exert.

"I understand that you want to protect me," you said, your tone softer now, trying to bridge the gap between you. "But I'm not a child, Severus. I need to be able to make my own decisions, to have some say in my own life."

His gaze softened slightly, but his resolve didn't waver. "And I need to know you're safe," he countered, his voice steady. "It's not about control, Violet. It's about ensuring that you're not put in harm's way."

The tension between you was palpable, the quiet struggle for control playing out in the space between your words. You both knew this was a conversation that wouldn't be easily resolved, but neither of you was willing to back down entirely.

Finally, you sighed again, leaning your head back against the cushions, your eyes closing briefly as you tried to find a way forward. "I can't give you more than that, Severus," you said quietly, your voice tinged with both frustration and resignation. "But I'll try to be more careful, more aware of how my actions affect you."

Severus's hand, still resting on your ankle, tightened slightly as he spoke, his voice low and firm. "If you leave the castle without my permission, Violet, I will punish you. That is not negotiable."

The words sent a jolt through you, and you instinctively tried to pull your feet back, a spark of defiance flaring within you. "This isn't what I agreed to," you protested, your voice rising slightly. "Honestly, I didn't agree to anything."

But Severus didn't release his grip, his gaze steady and unyielding as he looked at you. "You said you would try," he reminded you, his tone calm but with an edge of frustration. "And yet, you're not trying now—because you're not getting your way."

The accusation stung, and you could feel the tension rising between you again, the fragile peace you'd been trying to maintain threatening to unravel. You wanted to push back, to assert your independence, but there was also a part of you that knew Severus wasn't entirely wrong. You had promised to try, but in this moment, it felt like a battle you weren't willing to concede.