The Villainess (Kim Taehyung ff)

☆ Chapter 11 ☆

A soft wind slipped into Y/n's chamber, curling through the tall window that stood wide open like a shy spirit returning home. It carried the scent of fresh blossoms-roses, jasmine, and something wild she couldn't name. The breeze played with the sheer curtains, tugging them like a child wanting attention, then wandered deeper into the room, brushing against her skin like a quiet touch.

She closed her eyes and breathed in. There it was again-that floral sweetness, delicate and full of life. The garden was waking. Somewhere in the garden below, blossoms had opened their eyes to the sun, and the breeze had kissed them all gently before gathering their perfume before slipping into her room like a whisper. It reminded her that life is beautiful.

Y/n sat curled at her favorite spot on the window seat, knees pulled up, a blanket draped loosely around her shoulders. She was still in her nightclothes, soft cotton fabric was thin and a little wrinkled, but she didn't care.

The world was still slow and sleepy.

A book rested in her lap, its pages old and worn, cover was faded, the spine cracked with age. She had found it by accident in a dusty corner of the library the day before, tucked behind a row of forgotten scrolls.

The words on the page were elegant, written in a language that felt close to hers, though a bit old. Formal, graceful, but strangely familiar. Her fingers brushed over the ink, tracing the careful letters. She read slowly, sounding out the lines in her mind. Every word felt like a small step into another life.

The soft golden light of morning spilled across the floor, touching her bare toes and turning the edges of the pages to gold. Birds chirped somewhere in the distance. A petal floated in through the window and landed on her book making her smile.

A soft knock echoed through the quiet room.

"My lady, time to wake up."

Y/n looked around the morning light poured through the tall windows, touching the walls with golden warmth.

"Come in, Minji," Y/N answered, her voice still soft from sleep.

The wooden door creaked open, and Minji stepped in, balancing fluffy towels and a bowl of steaming water in her arms.

"You woke up early, my lady?" the maid asked kindly as she made her way across the polished floor.

She placed the towels on the small table tucked in the corner, then disappeared into the bathroom.

Y/N sighed and closed the book resting on her lap, gently setting it on the window seat beside her. The blanket slipped from her shoulders like a whisper, and she let her bare feet touch the cold floor. She waited quietly, her eyes watching the soft dance of dust in the sunlight.

"I slept well last night," she said, stretching a little. "So I woke up early... thought I'd read a little."

Minji returned, drying her hands on the apron tied around her waist. Her eyes glanced at the book Y/N had left behind.

"Oh, is it about the empire's history?" she asked as she began smoothing out the sheets on the bed.

Y/N gave a small nod. "Yeah."

"The bath is ready, my lady."

With a small smile, Y/N stepped into the bathroom. The steam curled around her like a gentle hug. She undressed and slowly sank into the warm water. Her body relaxed at once, muscles unwinding as she leaned back against the tub. The scent of herbs and flowers swirled around her, calming her thoughts.

Minji entered once more, carrying a soft robe and hanging it neatly on a wooden peg. Then she came over and began brushing Y/N's damp hair with careful fingers.