_SHADOWS Of LOVE (Taehyung ff)

Chapter 2: Word of heart

The soft light of morning streamed through the ornate curtains as Y/N lay in bed, lost in thought. The door creaked open, and Jieun entered with a maid named Yeji trailing behind her.

"Good morning, Y/N," Jieun said cheerfully, though her eyes held a hint of concern. "This is Yeji; she will be your personal maid from now on."

Yeji offered a polite bow, her demeanor professional but warm. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady."

Jieun continued, "I want you to dress beautifully for breakfast today. You'll be sitting with Jungkook and my father-in-law, Namjoon."

Y/N nodded, remaining blank. The thought of facing Jungkook again filled her with a mix of resignation and unease.

"Please join us at the dining table," Jieun urged, her voice laced with encouragement. "It's important to make a good impression."

As Y/N prepared, she felt the weight of expectation settle on her shoulders. She chose a simple yet elegant dress, one that felt both appropriate and stifling.

At breakfast, the dining room was adorned with lavish decorations, but the atmosphere felt tense. Jungkook sat beside Jieun, his expression unreadable, while Y/N took her place across from them. She felt like a ghost haunting the table, trapped in a role she hadn't chosen.

Namjoon entered, his presence commanding. He greeted Jieun warmly before turning his attention to Y/N. "Good morning, Y/N. How are you settling in?"

"Fine, thank you," she replied, her voice steady yet distant.

"Jieun tells me you've studied history and political relations. That's impressive," he said, his eyes lighting up with genuine interest.

"Thank you," Y/N responded, surprised by his praise.

"I'd like to extend an invitation for you to join our publishing agency. We could use someone with your background," Namjoon offered, a hopeful smile on his face.

Jungkook, however, remained stoic, his eyes fixed on his plate. Y/N felt a flicker of hope, but she hesitated. "I appreciate that, but I really want to learn music," she said, her voice gaining strength.

"Music?" Namjoon echoed, intrigued. "That's a wonderful pursuit. Do you have a particular instructor in mind?"

"Yes," Y/N said, her heart racing. "I want to learn from Yoona, the courtesan from Love Lane."

The air shifted instantly. Jieun's expression darkened, her anger evident. "You can't, Y/N! That's not appropriate," she snapped, her tone sharp.

Y/N stood her ground, feeling a surge of defiance. "Why not? I can learn from her if I choose to. No one can stop me."

Namjoon's face hardened at the mention of Love Lane, a shadow crossing his features. "That place is a den of vice," he said, his voice filled with disdain. "I won't allow you to go there."

"Jungkook should explain this to you," Namjoon continued, glancing at his son. "It's not a suitable environment for my daughter-in-law."

Jungkook's response was icy. "She's not my daughter-in-law; she's just a responsibility now." His words cut through the tension, leaving Y/N feeling exposed and unwanted.

With that, Jungkook stood abruptly, and Jieun followed suit, casting one last disappointed look at Y/N before leaving the room. The sound of the door clicking shut echoed like a finality.

Namjoon sighed heavily, his expression conflicted. "I'm sorry, Y/N," he said, his voice softening. "I wish things were different."

Without waiting for a reply, he too exited, leaving Y/N alone at the table. The silence enveloped her, and she felt the weight of rejection settle heavily in her chest.