Embrace Of The Wolf And Fox [Taejin]

7 | Hidden In Plain Sight**

The soft glow of candlelight flickered around the study, casting delicate shadows over the stacks of scrolls and manuscripts surrounding Seokjin as he sat, engrossed in his work. His brush moved steadily across the paper, each stroke precise, filling the air with the light scratch of ink on paper. The room was quiet, wrapped in the tranquility of the late hour, and the subtle rustling of paper lent an air of solemnity to Seokjin's focus.

Min-ah entered quietly after obtaining Seokjin's approval. She closed the door behind her with gentle hands, her steps measured, respectful, almost as if hesitant to disturb his solitude. She stopped a few paces from him and offered a deep bow.

Seokjin looked up from his work, his brows lifting slightly as he took in Min-ah's damp attire. A faint glint of amusement softened his gaze. "Did he prove challenging to handle?" he asked, his tone gentle yet edged with a knowing smile.

"My Lord," Min-ah began, lowering her gaze respectfully, her tone calm yet tinged with a subtle frustration. "He is unlike any other I have tended to before. I can scarcely believe he—" She bit back further complaints, knowing Seokjin would not indulge her grievances. With a faint sigh, she continued, "Nonetheless, I have attended to the guest's needs in the bath and ensured he is properly groomed. His hair was rather unruly, so I took the liberty of trimming it," she added, her voice steady, though a slight hesitation betrayed her unease.

Seokjin allowed a subtle smile as he acknowledged her words. "I am grateful," he replied, his tone as soft as silk, though laced with a gentle reprimand. "However, do remember—he remains a guest under this roof and is to be treated with patience and respect."

He felt the need to remind her, recalling the commotion that had reached his ears earlier, when Min-ah had barred Taehyung from entering the study after his bath. The firmness in her tone then had seemed out of place, especially for a guest.

The subtle scolding stung. Min-ah's gaze lowered, and she dipped her head in obedient silence, though a faint flicker of resentment shadowed her eyes. "My Lord," she murmured, choosing her words with care, "I serve only you. This... Wolfian—surely his presence is not to be a lasting one? If word of a Wolfian dwelling here reaches others, it may reflect poorly upon us."

Seokjin set his brush aside, his gaze meeting hers, calm yet unwavering, his expression imbued with quiet authority. "The conduct of this household follows my wishes, Min-ah. Let that be your only concern."

Anxious tension flickered in her gaze as she cast her eyes downward, her fingers curling ever so slightly, grasping at the damp folds of her robe. The arrival of the Wolfian, five months prior, had shifted the delicate balance she once held in Seokjin's life. For more than a millennium, she had been his closest attendant, the one he depended on for every need and comfort. But since Taehyung's arrival, Min-ah had felt the change. In those months, Seokjin would often practice with the Wolfian, dismissing his attendants and leaving her to wait outside, confined to the edges of his attention.

Without realizing it, she drew closer, her heart betraying her with a subtle, silent plea. Lowering herself to his side, she knelt gracefully, her hand drifting to rest upon his thigh, hesitant yet deliberate. She lifted her gaze, her eyes meeting his, revealing a quiet but unmistakable yearning hidden within her expression.

"My Lord," she whispered, her voice a gentle caress yet laced with urgency, "it has been far too long since I last tended to your... personal needs. If it pleases you, I am here, ready to serve as you desire."

Seokjin's gaze softened slightly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile brushing his lips. His hand rose gently, and with a featherlight touch, his fingertips traced over her lips, causing her to shiver as she felt the warmth of his skin. He held her gaze, his silence speaking louder than words. Min-ah's heart quickened at his touch, taking it as a permission that rekindled a sense of closeness she longed for.