Prospective Mother-in-Law Falls, Stepmother Submits
"Then this humble son-in-law will take his leave, Father-in-Law."
"Yes, please take good care of my daughter from now on."
Han Taeyang mounted his horse, and at the same moment, the bride climbed into the palanquin behind him. Seo Yu-cheon, watching her final glimpse—head bowed low, still heavy with makeup—forced a strained smile onto his lips.
Ugh... I'm gonna die... Did I overdo it last night?
The aftereffects of last night's binge hadn't worn off yet. He'd caroused with the guests, and even in his drunken haze, he'd kept pouring drinks while embracing his concubine until he passed out. He loved his liquor at the best of times, but this was his daughter's wedding—a major event. Why not go all out today? he'd thought, giving it everything. The result? Even now, with the morning sun up, the hangover lingered, leaving him in rough shape. His vision was blurry, his stomach churning. He could barely make out his daughter's face departing before him, but he saw her off to the end anyway.
It wasn't just for his daughter. More importantly, he needed to borrow the power of his new son-in-law, Han Taeyang. He couldn't afford to give anyone cause for complaint.
"We'll be off, then."
"Yes, Young Master."
The procession slowly receded, led by Han Taeyang. Once it had dwindled to a dot and vanished, Seo Yu-cheon finally let out a small sigh of relief and retreated inside.
"Are you all right, my lord? Your complexion looks poor."
His concubine immediately sidled up to him the moment he passed through the gate. Seo Yu-cheon managed a faint smile on his weary face at her usual clingy affection.
"Ah... yes. I overdid it yesterday, so I need more rest today. Prepare my bed."
"Of course, my lord."
Dragging his heavy body toward his quarters, Seo Yu-cheon suddenly recalled someone he'd momentarily forgotten.
Wait... where the hell is that wife of mine? What could she be doing that she still hasn't shown up?
His wife, Im Jeong-ok, hadn't appeared since the wedding ceremony began the day before. She'd at least overseen the feast preparations, so she hadn't shirked her duties entirely. But skipping her daughter's final send-off felt off.
Is she... staging some kind of protest? Refusing to accept this marriage to the bitter end?
Im Jeong-ok had always been meek and obedient. Yet she'd openly opposed this union, even raising her voice uncharacteristically and posting about the groom's misdeeds. Still, Seo Yu-cheon had pushed it through with iron will, and the wedding had concluded. Given the circumstances, it wasn't surprising if she harbored deep resentment. That she'd managed the wedding feast as lady of the house was something to be grateful for, really.
"Damn... always causing trouble."
Grumbling under his breath, though a twinge of unease lingered, Seo Yu-cheon turned from his quarters toward the annex.
He hadn't set foot there in nearly ten years, except for major household matters. The woman approaching thirty no longer held much feminine allure, but if the lady of the house kept herself shut away indefinitely, that would be problematic in its own right. Tedious, but I suppose I should placate her a bit, he thought. Standing before the annex door, he called out.
"Madam, I'm coming in."
He raised his voice to summon Im Jeong-ok inside. But no response came from within.
"...Madam?"
Even after repeated calls, silence persisted like a dead mouse. Irritation flared; he scowled.
What the—? Even so, ignoring me outright like this?
No reply to the master's summons. Anger rising, he yanked the door open and stormed in.
"What the hell are you doing? When your husband arrives, you should greet him at once—?"
His furious words halted mid-sentence. The modest annex felt a touch cramped, but contrary to his expectations, Im Jeong-ok was nowhere to be seen. Only a neatly swept bare floor... and a single letter lying there.
"Wh-what...? Where the hell did that wench go...?"
The stark emptiness of the room filled him with deep bewilderment. He picked up the offending letter from the floor.
I will stay at my parents' house for a while. Do not come looking for me.
"This bitch... Even so, pulling this without a word to me...?"
The sudden declaration of her return to her family home—practically a runaway act—drew a sharp tsk from Seo Yu-cheon amid his seething frustration.
"Tch... Looks like she's really pissed off good. Making a fuss over something like this. The young master was right—dealing with lowly folk and women is a pain for good reason."
He vented his irritation verbally, yet deep down, he understood to some extent. As his relationship with her had grown distant, he'd spoiled their daughter rotten. Sending her off to marry the notorious playboy of the generation must have broken her heart, even if she hadn't shown it outright. Her love for their daughter ran deep.
But how long will she stay away? A few days, and she'll slink back on her own.
No lady of the house wasn't ideal, but Seo Yu-cheon didn't dwell on it. The winner of such spats was obvious, and he had bigger priorities.
I've finally allied with the Han family as desired. Now, borrow their power to reclaim my ministerial post... Back to those dreamlike days!
Putting his wife out of mind, he returned to his routine. But... he had no idea.
What situation his wife was in.
What she was doing there.
And by the time he learned the truth... it would be too late.
*
Sunset. The procession stopped for the night at a post station.
It was a day's walk originally, but with the palanquin and dowry, the pace had slowed inevitably. The palanquin bearers and servants bunked in a small room, and Im Jeong-ok had stepped out of the palanquin briefly.
Unlike earlier, when she'd had to hide her face, these were all Han Taeyang's people—bearers and servants from his side. Few in the Han family even knew her face, so the risk of exposure was gone.
No longer needing to veil her face or watch her step, she followed Han Taeyang cautiously into the room and sat.
The quiet atmosphere carried a hint of relief. Silently, Im Jeong-ok poured wine into the cup before Han Taeyang, who sat across from her.
"Have a drink yourself, Madam."
"I... I..."
"Go on."
"...Yes... my lord."
Her hand trembled slightly as she took the cup he offered. She sipped the wine he'd poured, cautiously. It had been ages since she'd drunk—since her bond with her husband had faded. Bitter as it was, it brought a subtle sweetness, much like her current plight.
After a few exchanges, her initial tension eased. A pleasant buzz warmed her. Gazing silently at the man watching her—Han Taeyang—she ventured to speak.
"...May I ask one thing?"
"Go ahead."
Despite the wine, he showed no tremor. His steadfast presence stirred something in her as she voiced the question she'd long wondered but never dared ask.
"Why... did you do this? What made you choose a woman like me? No offense, but... I'm already discarded by my husband—no, Lord Seo. Worthless as a woman. Why make me your wife...?"
She knew he held her and her daughter's lives in his hands. But demanding her—old and plain—in exchange for silence? It baffled her. It could backfire on him. Better to use it to collar Lord Seo or extort the Seo family's wealth, no?
Her earnest doubt hung in the air. Then...
"!"
Han Taeyang's hand gently caressed her cheek. He grasped her chin lightly, drawing her slowly toward him.
And.
*Smack.*
A deep, full kiss pressed to her lips. Though similar to last night, the sensation differed. Her heart raced unwittingly. As he slowly pulled away, Han Taeyang spoke calmly, sincerely.
"You are beautiful."
"!"