AUTHOR POV

Cassie entered her shared bedroom after helping in the kitchen and noticed her husband, Taehyung, already dressed and busy combing his hair in front of the mirror.

"Good morning." she mumbled softly, making her way toward the closet. She took out a red tie, her mood still low from his behavior yesterday.

This was her small life—being a wife to him while he worked and came back home. There were no personal goals, no ambitions of her own; she just loved him, and that felt like enough.

She walked toward his tall figure and stood beside him as he finished combing and straightened up. "Good morning, darling." he mumbled back, his voice raspy.

She tiptoed and began tying the tie around his collar. He always liked red ties with black suits—it was his favorite combination.

His hand came to rest around her waist as he looked down at her face while she worked silently. He knew she was upset, even though she hadn't said a word.

 "I'm sorry I couldn't come last night." he said, but his voice was flat, without a trace of regret. It was just plain, as if it were nothing more than a fact.

She ignored him, finishing the tie before stepping back, but his arm tightened around her, pulling her closer. 

She gasped at the suddenness and looked up, her hand unconsciously resting on his muscular chest.

"Why are you ignoring me?" he whispered. She was on the verge of bursting out at him, but before she could say a word, he pressed his knee between her thighs. 

The knee-length summer dress she was wearing made it easy for him to do so.

Her words broke into a soft whimper as he smirked and leaned down. "What was that? I don't think I heard you clearly." he said, his voice low and taunting. Her face flushed.

He knew the effect he had on her and used it to his advantage, though it was rare for her to stay upset with him for long.

"You know how much I adore my sister." she murmured softly. "I talked about her so much with you, but you didn't come with me. Dad was asking about you."

He hummed, as if contemplating her words.

"So, you decided to be upset with me?" he said, pulling her into his embrace with one arm. He then raised his hand, gently tucking a strand of her dark brown hair behind her ear.

It felt like pure magic; how she forgot why she was upset with him, and she could only remember the sensation of his hands and the close proximity between them. 

She gulped, preparing to speak, but he placed his finger gently on her lips, silencing her.

"I'll make it up to you, darling." he mumbled. 

She almost immediately asked. "How?" He raised an eyebrow, and she blushed furiously.

He hummed thoughtfully before replying, "How about we invite your family and your beloved sister for dinner? I'll be the most generous host of the night to them, hmm?"

Her expression lightened, and he hid his smirk, smiling instead at how easily he could make her feel better. She was never a problem to him; he knew just how to handle her.

But her smile fell as she innocently ask, "But what about the party we have to attend tonight?" He pretended to be surprised, exclaiming, "Oh, I completely forgot about that!"

"How about we invite them for dinner tomorrow instead? Your sister must be so tired, and the party is important to attend, you know?" he suggested, subtly manipulating the situation to get his way.

"Ah, you're right! She would be tired..." she agreed. He smiled, satisfied with his success, and leaned down, capturing her lips in a tender kiss.

She blushed, her hands tightening on his collar as she melted into the kiss.

Even after six months of marriage, she never quite figured out his tactics. His charm came so naturally, and she was too love-blinded to see through it.

He gave her a playful peck on the lips and pulled away, saying, "Give me something for breakfast before I eat you!" She shivered, her knees feeling weak, and scurried wobbly to the door and out.

Once she was out his sight, his expression turned blank again as he looked at himself in the mirror and murmured, "Bastard!"

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

AROHA

I stir awake at the sound of my door opening, nuzzling deeper into the soft sheets. I must have slept too long; my muscles feel relaxed, and a lazy heaviness lingers over me.

"Madame Aroha, sir came by a while ago to check up on you, but you were sound asleep, so he left. You need to wake up and eat, madame." A gentle, careful voice reached my ears. I stretch lazily, feeling my body gradually awaken.

"How old are you?" I mumble lazily, my eyes still closed.

"I'm 20 years old, madame." she replies softly.

"Call me Aroha from now on." I say as I carefully sit up in bed, turning my gaze toward the direction of the voice.

I hear a small gasp and furrow my brow. "Are you alright?" I ask, my voice laced with concern.

"I may sound rude, but madame... are you really not able to see anything?" she asks hesitantly, her voice curious.

I nod my head. "Yes, is there a problem?"

"No, it's just... you looked me straight in the eye. I thought..." her voice trails off, sounding both surprised and unsure.

I laugh softly. "Oh my, it's just that I can tell where you're standing by the sound of your voice!" I explain with a smile.

It felt as if the maid had already warmed up to me. My senses heightened as I noticed the bed sink slightly to my right, her voice now coming from much closer.

"Your eyes are very beautiful too! I've never seen anyone with blue eyes before." she said softly, her tone filled with genuine admiration.

"Thank you very much. And what is your name?" I ask, curious. 

"It's Lucie, madame." she replies.

I smile and extend my hands. She quickly slips her hands into mine, and I smile again, noting how cold and soft her hands are.

"You don't have to call me 'madame,' okay? Just Aroha is fine!" I say with a reassuring smile. I trail my hand up her arm and gently cup her cheek. I giggle as I feel the softness of her chubby cheeks.

"It feels a bit strange to call you by your name, but if you insist, Aroha." she says, her cheeks suddenly warming under my touch. I chuckle and ask, "Are you nervous, Lucie?"

"It's okay," I giggle. "I'm just going to feel your face, hmm? It helps me get an idea of how you look." 

"Yes, whatever you want, mada— I mean, Aroha." she corrects herself with a slight chuckle.

"You're so beautiful." I say with a smile as I gently feel her button nose, tenderly touch her eyes, and then her forehead. I notice she has a small, delicate face.

"What's going on here?" a voice calls out, and I immediately recognize it as Yoongi oppa. Lucie quickly pulls away, shifting out of my bed.

"I... Sir... I was calling Aro— I mean, madame, for breakfast." Lucie stutters badly, making me frown. I wonder why she's so afraid all of a sudden; it's not like oppa would do anything to her.

"Hm, go get back to your work." Yoongi oppa says. I hear shuffling, and the bed sinks slightly to the side again as oppa's familiar scent reaches my senses.

"Why did you scare her like that?" I ask, frowning. "Now, when did I ever do that?" Yoongi oppa replies.

"Just now." I say back, and I hear him sigh. "I'm not responsible if they are afraid of me." he responds.

"And besides, come here and tell me how much I've changed over the years." he says, taking my hands and gently placing them on his cheek.

My eyes go wide as I touch his cheek. "Oppa, why are you not chubby?" I ask in concern, hurriedly roaming my hand over his face.

His cheekbones are sharp, and so is his jawline; it feels so different from before. His face stretched into a smile as I dropped my hands and furrowed my brow, waiting for his response.

"It's just that I'm too old now, grown up. Can you imagine me being 28?"

I felt a tug at my heart; he was so close to thirty. I didn't like the idea of growing old. I wanted everyone to stay young and be with me forever, but I knew that wasn't possible.

"Don't grow up anymore." I said, knowing how childish it sounded. I reached out, holding his shoulders and pulling him into a hug.

He chuckled and rested his head on my shoulder, returning the hug. I missed him so much. And honestly, I didn't care if I seemed childish; I knew they would never judge me.

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