𝐅𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐑 [Kim Taehyung FF]

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟔 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐫

Fiorella sat on the edge of the grand bed, the silken sheets pooling around her like water. Her hair, still damp from the bath, clung to her pale skin. Her eyes, once vibrant with defiance, now held a quiet resolve.

The heavy doors of the chamber swung open, and her maid Hye ji entered, carrying a tray laden with food. The aroma of roasted meats and fresh bread filled the air, but Fiorella's gaze remained fixed on the floor. She didn't need to look up to know who had sent them.

"Princess," she spoke timidly, bowing her head. "His Majesty has ordered that you eat."

"I'm not hungry."

"Princess, You haven't eaten since last night. The emperor insists-"

"Tell your emperor," Fiorella interrupted, her voice cold and sharp, "that I would rather starve than accept anything from him."

Hye ji glanced nervously, unsure of how to proceed. setting the tray on the small table near the window, she lingered for a moment, hoping she might change her mind.

Suddenly the door opened again, this time with a cold, deliberate force. Taehyung stepped into the room, his presence like a dark storm cloud descending upon her.

His gaze swept over the untouched tray of food before landing on her. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in the air was palpable.

"You didn't eat,"

his voice was low and controlled, though there was an edge to it that made her pulse quicken. But there was no response. His jaw clenched

"Leave us alone."

The maid immediately bowed and quietly left the room.

As the door closed behind them, Fiorella exhaled, her body trembling with suppressed rage. She could feel the weight of his control pressing down on her, suffocating her.

He took a step closer, his eyes narrowing. "You're testing my patience, Ella"

"Good," she replied, her tone defiant. "Then maybe you'll realize you can't control everything."

A muscle in his jaw tightened. He walked over to the tray, picking up a piece of bread. The simple act was charged with an undercurrent of tension, as if he were barely restraining himself.

He held the bread out to her, his gaze locking with hers. "Eat."

She stared at the bread in his hand, then back at him. The look in his eyes was commanding, almost daring her to defy him.

But she couldn't-wouldn't-give him the satisfaction. With a deliberate slowness, she turned her head away, refusing to take it.

Taehyung's hand hovered in the air for a moment before he lowered it. His voice, when he spoke, was deadly calm.

"You think this is a game, Princess? You think by refusing me, you can somehow reclaim the power you've lost?"

Fiorella's heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to remain composed.

"This isn't about power. It's about dignity. Something you wouldn't understand."

His eyes darkened, and before she could react, he reached out, gripping her chin with a firm but controlled force. He tilted her face up, making her look at him.

"Don't forget who you're speaking to," he murmured, his voice dangerously soft.

"Don't tempt me."

She swallowed, her throat dry, but she refused to back down.

His grip tightened ever so slightly, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something-regret, hesitation-in his eyes. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by the cold, unyielding emperor once more.