Aero's Binding Contract
Han Taeyang arrived once more at Myeonghwa Pavilion, sitting alone in the room in quiet anticipation. As planned, he had summoned the top gisaeng Aero, though the maid assigned to handle his request naturally balked at the idea. It was to be expected—the woman only entertained royalty or high-ranking officials like prime ministers. Even as the heir to Joseon's most prestigious family, he wasn't someone she would meet easily. And outside the family estate, with his pre-possession infamy still lingering, it was even less likely.
But Taeyang was certain she would come. He already knew from the original story that Aero was a woman with strong maternal instincts.
Waiting calmly like that, the door finally slid open with a soft rasp.
There she was—the woman in question. Aero, the gisaeng, entered the room accompanied by attendants carrying a teapot and instruments.
They quickly finished setting up for the entertainment.
"...Everyone, withdraw."
"Pardon?"
"What do you—"
"Now."
"...Yes."
"Mm... Understood."
Aero issued her command firmly, clearing the room of the others. Watching her display the authority befitting a top gisaeng who dealt only with the elite, Taeyang could confirm she was exactly the woman he remembered: the "Aero Mom" from the original story.
In the now-quiet, subdued atmosphere, Aero carefully took her seat and poured tea before him.
"...Thank you for summoning me. This humble girl Aero will do her utmost to ensure the guest enjoys a wonderful time."
She recited the standard gisaeng greeting, bowing politely. Of course, it was just rote salesmanship, devoid of real gratitude, so it meant little.
'Of course... my goal is to make her mean it sincerely.'
With that thought, Taeyang slowly lifted his teacup, taking a moment to admire her face. Golden hair that gave off a mysterious allure, piercing blue eyes. Even in her mid-thirties, not a single wrinkle marred her skin, yet she exuded the mature, dignified charm of an elder. She was the epitome of a MILF.
'Damn, she really is smoking hot... No wonder she ranked second in popularity polls right after the heroine in the original.'
Licking his lips as he eyed his prey, Taeyang set down his teacup.
"Then, shall we get straight to—"
"Before that."
"..."
Aero cut him off abruptly. Fixing him with a cool, guarded tone, she said,
"Trust is the most important thing in all matters. You claim to know about my son, but first... prove your words are true. Make me believe you."
"...Hoo."
True to form, Aero wasn't one to go easy from the start. Unlike the dim-witted female characters in those cheap Aero NTR fics who spread their legs at smooth talk, she was on another level intellectually. From the outset, she seized the initiative, her demeanor radiating unyielding resolve.
Impressed inwardly, Taeyang replied,
"Proof of trust, eh..."
Already savoring the thrill of eventually having such a woman under his thumb, he smiled leisurely and pulled something from the bundle he'd brought.
"Nothing grandiose. But this should suffice for now."
With that, he held out a pair of pants right before her eyes. Fine fabric, but the hems were heavily worn.
The moment she saw it, Aero's face stiffened.
"Th-that... No... It can't be..."
Her voice urgent, she reached out with trembling hands to examine it. At a glance, it seemed like ordinary trousers, but this was the real deal—one he'd swiped earlier under the pretext of preparing a disguise for Joo Yeok-in's escape. According to the original story, Aero had sewn and mended most of her son's clothes herself. No one else would recognize it, but she certainly would.
"Wh-where... where did you get this? How do you have it...?"
Her voice quavered; the calm composure from moments ago was gone.
And rightly so. No matter how hard she tried not to be played, cruel reality left her defenseless. Life was like that.
With her momentum shattered from the start, Taeyang spoke softly.
"Before I answer that... let me ask first. Does this earn your trust? In my words."
"!...Kkh..."
Aero received her own words thrown back at her. She grimaced but managed to compose herself, replying in a voice that still trembled despite her efforts at calm.
"I... trust you. Your words... So tell me. Where did these pants come from? And... what happened to my son?"
Her tone was quiet, laced with subtle hostility.
Grinning deeply with genuine sincerity, Taeyang said,
"No need to worry. Your boy is doing just fine~ As payback for the hassle he caused me, I went out of my way to pull some strings for him."
"! N-no way..."
Aero's face hardened further. Seeing her reaction to his utterly truthful words, Taeyang smiled and slowly lifted his teacup again.
And then.
"So now, I'd like some repayment from you. Including extra for the trouble you went through for him."
"!"
He held out his empty teacup. Sometimes, being too clever was its own poison.
In response, Aero's hand twitched, but she slowly refilled it.
"...What... what do you want from this humble girl?"
"Obvious, isn't it? What does any man want from a gisaeng in a pleasure house? Not the formal songs or dances. The real thing. You know exactly what I mean."
"!...Kkh..."
Aero bit her lip. Tea spilled over as she poured, her dilemma deepening.
And then.
"...You know... I have a husband, right? If he finds out about this..."
"Of course. And that man would be thrilled if something happened to your son. I know that full well."
"!"
In the original story, he'd relentlessly plotted against the protagonist Joo Yeok-in. If he learned of this, he'd celebrate. He wouldn't sit idle about his wife being touched, but would he truly go all-out to save Joo Yeok-in in the process?
Aero, sharp as she was, knew the answer better than anyone.
"...Kh... Kkhuk..."
Realizing too late there was no escape, that she was cornered, Aero trembled, her face etched with despair as she fell silent.
Weighing her son's safety against her marriage vows—it was endlessly entertaining to watch.
Of course, Joo Yeok-in was already out of his hands, in no danger at all... probably enjoying a blissful time with overflowing bliss. But she had no way of knowing that now.
For a worldly-wise woman like her, every "kind" word from his mouth would feel like a dagger at her son's throat.
Thus, after flailing in the quagmire she'd dug herself, she had no choice but to decide.
As a mother first, before a faithful wife.
"Even this body... if that's what you want... I understand. I'll give it."
"Wise choice."
"...How many times? How much must I do to fully settle this debt?"
Even in submission, she resisted to the end. Stubborn beyond belief—yet right on cue.
Taeyang gave the answer he'd prepared.
"19 times. That should cover the principal nicely."
"...Ugh..."
A number larger than expected, yet not excessively so. Precisely her son's age this year—surely symbolic.
After hearing it, Aero steadied her emotions and spoke gravely.
"...Promise me. Once the debt is paid... you'll release that child... my Yeok-in, unharmed."
"Done. Need a contract in writing?"
"...That... Kh..."
It was solid proof of a promise, but could also bind her further depending on circumstances. Still, she had no choice.
"Of... of course. This is a proper contract. It must be documented in writing."
"Very well. I'll have the contract prepared right away. Then..."
Without a single lie, recognizing her conquest complete, Taeyang commanded her per their "fair contract."
"Undress."