Midnight Leash: The Stepmother's Crawling Humiliation
In Joseon, there was a curfew system. From I-gyeong (9 p.m.) until O-gyeong (3 a.m. the next day), wandering the streets inside the capital and other cities was strictly forbidden by law. This regulation, implemented since the early days of the dynasty to maintain order within the city walls, was enforced with ironclad rigor—even yangban nobles faced severe punishment for violations. There was even a case during King Taejong's reign where a high-ranking official, the Chief State Councillor, was stripped of his post after being caught roaming at night, relying on his influence. Officials were held to the same unyielding standard.
Yet at this very moment, Lee So-young was traversing the world forbidden by this solemn national law... the streets of the capital in the dead of night. For the first time in her life.
It was midnight (12:00), when most people were deep in slumber. The usually bustling streets of Hanyang were eerily silent. The only sounds were the chirping of night insects, the distant barking of dogs echoing faintly... and Lee So-young's own ragged breathing.
"Hah... hah... haaah..."
Her body drenched in sweat, she gasped for air. But the trembling in her limbs and the flush burning her cheeks weren't just from breaking the law and venturing outside.
Wh-what is this... Not only defying the national law, but how... how could I be out here in such a depraved state...?
At this moment, she wasn't wearing anything that could be called an upper garment. No outer robes, not even underclothes—essentially naked. In this utterly shameful state, Lee So-young crawled on all fours across the ground, every instant gripped by tension. She had no time to worry about the pain from the gravel and sand scraping her skin. Far more terrifying was the fear that someone might spot her like this.
I-it's... it's fine... At this hour, no one's out... Ahh, but... how utterly lascivious I must look... I, the lady of the Han family... how could Lee So-young end up like this...?
Even in the near-deserted night streets of the capital, it was still outdoors. A place teeming with people just hours ago. The extreme pressure of inching forward naked, one knee at a time, brought a tension she'd never felt before—and a strange, indescribable sensation.
In that haze of her mind fraying in real time, she paused to catch her breath. That's when it happened.
"What are you doing? At this rate, when will you finish your 'walk,' Mother?"
"Eek... Th-that's... but... kuhk!"
Lee So-young opened her trembling lips. But before she could finish, an immense pain seized her entire body. From her neck, between her breasts, around her waist and hips, to the center of her mound. With a mere gesture from Han Taeyang, the pressure crushed her whole form, blending agony with an indescribable, bizarre pleasure.
Wh-what is this... Just ropes binding me—how could they...?
The ropes coiling around her body. This bizarre binding technique, completed by Han Taeyang before they left, was something she'd never even heard of. It evoked the shell of a turtle (Turtle Shell Binding). Yet it didn't greatly restrict her movement—merely tugging it sent intense shocks through her body... sharp pain mingled with an eerily exquisite pleasure.
Overwhelmed by the flood of sensations, Lee So-young collapsed, sprawling on the ground, panting. Toward her lay her "Master."
In a quiet voice, he said,
"I told you, didn't I? Right now, you're not a person—you're a dog."
"! ...Ah... aaah..."
"Do you think a dog can speak human words?"
"!"
His words recalled the "punishment" he'd described earlier. He'd said that if she lived as a "dog" for the day, he'd forgive her offense. With no choice, Lee So-young had accepted... but she never imagined it would be this brutal and terrifying.
Dogs don't wear clothes.
Dogs don't walk on two legs.
And... dogs don't speak.
"Bark. Like a dog."
No jest—this was chilling sincerity. Unable to resist the command, after several hesitations, Lee So-young finally opened her quivering mouth.
"M-mer... meong..."
"Louder."
"M-mong! Kuhk... meeeong!"
Forcing the sound from her throat, her already flushed face burned hotter with surging shame. Yet... why? Amid this horrific humiliation, a strange sensation writhed persistently in her heart.
Han Taeyang's outrageously excessive commands. Each time she obeyed, that chilling, indescribable thrill. Not just the visible ropes, but the invisible ones tightening around her soul. Feeling that, Lee So-young slowly raised her body again and crawled forward.
How long had she moved? Facing the cold air on her bare skin, a chill began to set in. Then she noticed one sensation welling up.
Ugh... ha... of all times... why now...?
The intense urge building from below. Given the situation, she tried desperately to hold it, but the relentless cold wind sharpened it further. At least, thankfully, Han Taeyang had turned toward home at some point.
Just a bit more... hold on a little longer... it'll end soon...!
Clinging to that faint hope, suppressing the rising pressure, that's when...
— "Hey, did something just move over there?"
— "I saw it too. Let's check it out."
"!!"
The sudden voices of soldiers. Clearly on night patrol. Panic flickered across Lee So-young's face.
"M-Master...?"
"..."
Calling out to Han Taeyang in a desperate voice, forgetting she was supposed to bark like a dog. In extreme tension, she looked up at him anxiously.
Yet Han Taeyang remained utterly calm, even in this crisis. Knowing what would happen if they were caught, he showed no urgency. As if it didn't matter if they saw—rather, flashing a cool smile.
"Ah... aaah..."
Despair and panic overwhelming her, Lee So-young frantically scanned the surroundings in terror. The footsteps grew louder. With each one, her fear sharpened. Like the footsteps of grim reapers. Her heart felt raw-squeezed.
And then...
"There it is!"
"You scoundrels, how dare you at this hour...!!"
*The soldiers stood before us. Looking at them, I opened my mouth in a quiet voice.
"You've worked hard patrolling so late."
"Ah... aren't you...?"
"Indeed. Han Taeyang, eldest son of Lord Han Sook-beon."
As I revealed my identity, the two subtly lowered their spears. Watching them glance cautiously, I spoke in a grave tone.
"My father's illness took a turn, so I was rushing back from the apothecary. Sorry to trouble you unintentionally."
"N-no, sir. We've heard the rumors. With Lord Han's condition critical, no need to detain anyone leaving the estate at night."
"Forgive our failure to recognize you. Please, go on."
"I'd like to, but... it might take a bit."
With that, I casually showed the rope in my hand. It led from me into the nearby thicket. The dense bushes hid the details, but the soldiers got the gist.
"Even at this hour, traveling alone is risky, and bringing servants felt awkward, so I brought a dog."
"Ah... I see."
"Sometimes a dog helps more than people. Annoying when it whines anywhere, like now, though."
"Huhu, true. Quite... troublesome."
I let a faint smile crack my stern face. Then, I lightly tugged the rope.
"What are you doing? Time to go."
My stern voice carried a subtle tremor through the rope. And then...
"...Me... meong..."
A surprisingly dog-like whine. Suppressing a laugh, I kept a straight face.
"Looks like it'll take longer, so go about your duties. I don't mind, but there might be real thieves lurking."
"Ah... yes, sir."
"Then, excuse me."
The soldiers straightened and departed. With the last variable neatly resolved, I slowly approached my "dog" hiding in the thicket.
"Hahk... hah... hahk..."
My dog—Lee So-young—panted roughly, tension released. But I could tell her state was poor. Twisting her legs restlessly... clearly...
"M-Master... please... home... this girl can't... anymore..."
"Strange."
"Y-yes...?!"
My icy remark froze her. Then,
"I've never heard of a dog using the privy."
"!!"
At those words, a single vivid emotion settled on her face... despair.