Chapter 24. How Sweet It Is
“Then let’s do it.”
Seo-hyo doubted her ears. She couldn’t immediately grasp what her butler meant.
“Let’s… confirm it.”
Judging by Cha-eon’s gaze, it was obvious that the “confirmation” he spoke of had nothing to do with checking the doors or cleaning the room.
It was a strange way to describe it, but it felt like looking at a calm surface of water while something beneath it was boiling violently.
If you unknowingly dipped your hand in, you’d be startled by the heat.
I’ll do as you wish, my lady. I’ll kiss you.
But I won’t simply comply.
Taking advantage of the moment Seo-hyo was overwhelmed by his presence, the butler laid out his conditions—clearly something he had thought through carefully.
“First, this will be the first and last time.”
“No, but—”
“I’m not finished. And you may not request any changes.”
Then what exactly am I allowed to do? Seo-hyo grumbled inwardly. Sometimes she genuinely couldn’t tell who was the master and who was the servant—and this felt like one of those times.
“Second, do not touch me without my permission.”
“…What?”
“I’ll assume you understand and move on.”
“Wait a second.”
Seo-hyo waved her hand in protest. Putting aside how the usual roles between man and woman seemed reversed, even with her lack of experience, this felt too much.
How are you supposed to kiss someone without touching them?
Is that even possible?
What kind of posture do you take?
Do I just stand there with my hands behind my back like a schoolteacher and stick my lips out?
“That’s weird.”
“What exactly is weird?”
“No matter how I picture it, it just doesn’t make sense.”
“Then don’t picture it.”
“It’ll look… ridiculous. Shouldn’t you at least put an arm around my shoulders or something?”
Standing stiffly with puckered lips would be absurd.
She wasn’t a duck, after all. And if she really put her hands behind her back, she’d probably end up sticking her hips out awkwardly—not dignified at all.
But perhaps her answer displeased him.
Cha-eon’s eyes flashed coldly.
“Ridiculous, you say?”
Seeing that, Seo-hyo’s gaze awkwardly slid to the side, as if creaking like a broken hinge.
“Ah…”
She had thought it might be funny, but that concern vanished instantly. Was her butler planning to take revenge?
Right now, his expression didn’t look like someone about to kiss her—it looked like he might bite her.
“You think this is funny?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Her tone became short and meek without her realizing it.
Seo-hyo began fiddling with the tips of her nails. If only she had a hangnail, she could pretend to focus on that—but her hands were smooth and flawless. She could only idly pick at nothing.
“I’ll handle everything, so you are not to move at all, my lady.”
“You want me to be a statue? Fine.”
“Third.”
Seriously? Three conditions just for a kiss? She almost sighed out loud.
But Cha-eon continued without care.
“Do not bring this matter up again.”
First, don’t move—now, don’t even talk about it. What am I actually allowed to do? she wanted to ask, but she simply nodded.
If she didn’t accept his terms, there would be no “confirmation.”
Cha-eon looked at her nodding with a hint of distrust.
A long silence followed.
This is… really awkward.
Seo-hyo glanced into the kitchen. She had long forgotten her hunger. Then she looked outside. Maybe she should move somewhere else?
“If we’re not doing it right now—”
“We are doing it now.”
“Huh? R-right away?”
Startled, she asked again, but he answered without hesitation.
“I’ve already finished everything for today. Cleaned inside and outside, repaired the walls, even finished the dishes. This is the only thing left.”
Excuse me, butler…
There’s still way too much time left in the day for this to be your ‘last task.’
There were still two hours before dinner.
Seo-hyo looked up at the sun, still shining brightly without any intention of setting. It was a perfectly clear afternoon.
It felt like her butler had allocated far too much time for this “confirmation.”
“Um… well, I…”
She slowly slipped out of the kitchen door, stepping backward toward her room. Seeing her retreat, Cha-eon closed the distance.
“There’s no ‘ready, start’ warning.”
Her steps halted.
Trapped between the wall and her butler, she suddenly felt very small.
“Wouldn’t it be better… to close your eyes?”
“Should I?”
“It’ll be easier to endure.”
The way he said it made it sound less like a kiss and more like punishment. He’s not going to bite me, right? she worried.
But she couldn’t think further.
Because he stepped closer and gently cupped her cheek.
It was nothing like the way he used to pinch her cheeks.
Unable to meet his gaze, she slowly closed her eyes.
At once, the world went dark—except for the warmth of his hand against her cheek.
A faint breath approached.
Then, soft—slightly dry lips touched hers.
They brushed gently against her moist lips, then slowly parted them, as if drawing in a flower petal.
Back at Yahwaru, there had been a piece of paper between them.
In terms of boldness, Cha-eon had been far more forceful then. Now, he was careful… gentle.
Then why does it feel like my heart’s going to burst? Why is this more dizzying than before?
There was only one answer.
Because this time, they were truly touching.
When Cha-eon slightly tilted his head, Seo-hyo’s brow softened. Her chest tingled unbearably. Without realizing it, her hand moved.
Just as he was touching her cheek, she wanted to reach out to him too.
“Didn’t I say… not to?”
His voice came just above her lips.
Reluctantly, Seo-hyo clenched her hands. She thought it was over, but seeing her keep her promise, he resumed the kiss.
Why is my breathing getting… heavier? How long does this usually last?
It felt like being slowly drawn into sweet candy.
At first, she had been completely stiff, but her tension gradually melted away. Instead, her senses sharpened.
He said not to touch him.
…So as long as I don’t use my hands, it’s fine, right?
Her whole body tingled; she couldn’t stay still like a wooden doll.
So Seo-hyo did as he did—she gently drew in his lips.
Cha-eon, who had treated her as delicately as a feather, suddenly froze as if struck by lightning.
“Ah—!”
In an instant, he lifted her up and pressed forward with overwhelming force.
“W-wait! Mmph! Too—mm!”
Now positioned higher than him, she felt dizzy and startled by his sudden change. She tapped his shoulder, but—
Her mind went blank.
So this is what it means to be swept away…
“Haa… ha…”
“Ah…”
Only after a long time did their lips finally part.
Seo-hyo gasped, dazed. Cha-eon’s eyes were unfocused, his usually cool, porcelain-like face flushed with heat.
Is my face as red as his?
She touched her cheek.
No—this was beyond red. She felt completely overheated.
“Mm?”
Just when she thought he would set her down, Cha-eon carried her toward her room.
W-what?
Isn’t it over?
That kiss had already been far more intense than expected—enough to haunt her dreams. Yet he didn’t let her go.
“This is the only thing left.”
His earlier words resurfaced.
Don’t tell me… he plans to do more?
At this rate, either her head, her heart, or her lips would give out first. And his gaze didn’t look normal.
“Cha-eon?”
“My lady.”
His voice was low, as if strained by a severe cold.
“From now on, do exactly as I say. No arguments.”
“…What are you going to make me do?”
All kinds of embarrassing thoughts flooded her mind.
Ah, how shameless. No—stop thinking that! What am I even imagining? I’m worse than him!
Meanwhile, he opened her door and set her down.
“First, close the door.”
“The door?”
He was still outside.
When she hesitated, he shut it himself.
From the other side, his voice continued.
“You can lock it from inside, right?”
“Yes.”
“Lock it.”
It was a strange order, but she obeyed. It wasn’t even a strong door—any grown man could break it down easily.
Why lock it? This feels pointless…
“Is it locked?”
“Yes.”
“Good. I’ll go for a short walk.”
“…Huh?”
Why suddenly go for a walk?
She wanted to cool down too. Though she wasn’t sure she could walk beside him right now.
“Count to a hundred—no, to five hundred—before coming out.”
He repeatedly told her not to come out until long after she heard the front gate close.
By the time she counted to five hundred, even a fast walker like him would be far beyond the neighborhood.
“Understood?”
“I guess, but…”
“I’m going.”
And just like that, he left without hesitation. She could tell because his footsteps—unusually loud—faded quickly away.
“Phew…”
Seo-hyo barely made it past a hundred before forgetting to count entirely and stepping outside.
The empty house still seemed filled with a strange warmth.
Cha-eon walked.
He walked quickly—so fast it was almost like running.
Anyone watching might think he was being chased by a tiger or a constable. If only that were true. A tiger or a pursuer could be dealt with.
But he couldn’t get rid of Seo-hyo.
And what about himself, tormented by the urge to cross the line?
He couldn’t even end his own life.
Arrogant fool. Still overestimating yourself. Utterly idiotic.
He brushed shoulders with a passerby, but no one dared complain—the dark aura around him was palpable even from afar.
Conditions? Ha. You set conditions?
Ridiculous.
What had he been thinking, agreeing to her request?
And then telling her not to move. Not to touch him.
As if you didn’t touch her yourself.
Just touching—was that all? If the last shred of his reason hadn’t restrained him, who knew how far he would have gone.
“I’ve lost my mind.”
He let out a breath.
“I must have gone insane for a moment.”
He walked all the way to the castle, putting distance between himself and Seo-hyo.
Entering, he passed stalls and finally sat at a roadside tea shop, taking deep breaths.
Inhale deeply—forget.
Exhale completely—don’t think.
Inhale again—
“Cha-eon, wait! Mmph! Just a little—!”
The memory of her tapping his shoulder resurfaced mockingly.
Her pretty lips.
Her soft touch.
“Welcome! What would you like?”
The server greeted him cheerfully, placing down a cup of cheap tea.
He considered ordering alcohol—something strong enough to wash away the memory.
You’re already on edge. What do you think you’ll do drunk?
If he returned intoxicated, it would be disastrous.
Seo-hyo would be waiting, unaware, with that innocent face.
Even if she tried to support his staggering body—
That would be the end.
Grinding his teeth at even the thought, he finally spoke.
“Water. Cold.”
“…Yes, sir?”
“Ice-cold. Enough to chill me to the bone.”
If only it could cool both his mind and body.
But he knew better.
By a vast pond veiled in mist stood a pavilion.
A middle-aged man in official robes stood there, gazing at a gray stone slab.
It reflected scenes of the human world.
“…Hmm.”
He had been watching for quite some time.
“Do you realize half a shichen has passed?”
A white-haired figure appeared, dressed in deep blue like the sea.
“You’ve been coming here more often lately.”
“Have I? Haha.”
“You said the same yesterday.”
“Didn’t know you cared so much.”
“Spare me.”
The newcomer glanced at the slab.
“…Still concerned?”
The man smiled faintly.
“How could I not be?”
“I wish Seo-hyo could understand your feelings.”
“In the human world, they call that greed.”
The Heavenly Emperor shook his head.
On the slab, Seo-hyo appeared—restless, tidying, washing, finding things to do.
“All for the natural order, is it not?”
“…Would she see it that way?”
The God of Memory hesitated.
“For now… perhaps not.”
The Emperor waved his hand, and the image dissipated like smoke.
“What do you think?”
As the mist slowly cleared, he gazed beyond the pond.
“…It seems the time has come.”
The flowers and grasses swayed gently toward him.
