Leashed Stepmother and the Widow Maid's Gaze
"Welcome home, my lord."
As always, Im Jeong-ok greeted him with her demure grace, and seeing her—now truly his wife beyond mere contract—filled Han Taeyang with quiet pride as a MILF hunter. The ultimate form of training a woman was, after all, molding her into an obedient wife. By day she lived as one woman, by night as another, embodying the perfect shape of the 'slave' he pursued.
And in that regard, the Im Jeong-ok standing before him... and Lee So-young, who even now glanced sideways at him from her side... their conditioning was essentially complete. Their fine-tuning as sex slaves remained unfinished, of course.
"...You're back."
Lee So-young spoke carefully, feigning a mother's demeanor. Watching her cheeks flush with eager anticipation, Taeyang smiled inwardly.
And then.
"I have important business with Mother today, so we'll eat a bit later."
"With... Mother-in-law?"
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"Ah... No. Please go ahead..."
Im Jeong-ok stammered softly. Taeyang could clearly picture her slaving away in the kitchen all day, but sometimes a little neglect was necessary.
Sorry, my dear wife, but it's time to add some balance here.
No matter how complete her training, Lee So-young's yandere tendencies posed a risk if ignored. Occasionally, showing favoritism soothed her. It was obvious from how she fought back a sly smile right there.
With that simple task done, Taeyang left the disappointed Im Jeong-ok behind and headed to the room with Lee So-young.
"...Thank you."
"For what?"
"...Just... thank you..."
Once inside, she murmured with flushed cheeks. Pretending ignorance, Taeyang brought it up.
"So, what of the task I requested?"
"It's... done. As you asked, I instructed our connected merchant groups to secure the items—porcelain, herbs, even the hunting falcons."
"Thank you, Mother."
For all her flaws, Lee So-young had managed the household for years, especially since Father's illness. She handled the family merchant guilds and connections too. Taeyang could reclaim authority anytime as family head, but no need. He knew her competence in this from the original story. A minor risk, but useful if managed well for his plans.
Having gotten the answer he wanted, Taeyang gazed at her with a deep smile.
"As expected, entrusting it to you gets things done right, Mother. My wife is meticulous, but hopeless with people."
"Hee-hee. What can you expect from her? Hiding her identity from the start—she couldn't handle public dealings. She's best quietly cooking and sewing indoors."
"Haha..."
Her words dripped open hostility, drawing a wry smile from Taeyang.
Well... not wrong.
Beautiful yet vaguely memorable, awkward with others—that was Im Jeong-ok. Even household staff who'd seen her a few times barely remembered her face. Wandering might cause trouble if recognized, so staying homebound was best, as Lee So-young said.
After listening to her trash-talk his wife.
"Well then. You've worked hard as ordered..."
"!"
"So, as your Master, I should give a proper reward."
He spoke gravely once more—not as her 'son,' but as her Master.
"Tonight, it's been a while since our walk."
"Wal... k..."
Lee So-young blanked for a moment, voice dazed. No refusal came. Her palpable excitement, heavy tension, and clear joy in her eyes. Her flushed, ecstatic expression as she became utterly his dog—Taeyang's lips curved into a thick smile.
"What's your answer?"
"...M-Master..."
*
"Hmmm..."
"...Mother, what's wrong? Something bothering you?"
"Ah... No. Go to sleep now, Eon-nyeon."
Hiding her worry, she tucked in her daughter. Yoo Cheon-hyang.
Born into Han family servitude, she was Lee So-young's closest attendant. Lowly slave though she was, she had no complaints. Her lady treated even her kindly, caring especially for the widow and child after her husband's death.
In gratitude, Yoo Cheon-hyang served Lee So-young with utter loyalty. Her cheerful nature seemed flighty at a glance, but her devotion ran bone-deep—she'd die for her lady anytime.
And lately, glimpses of Lee So-young stirred deep concern.
What on earth is wrong? She won't say outright, but something's clearly amiss...
Timing-wise, it started after the new bride arrived. Her bright face shadowed, her saintly expression tinged with irrepressible irritation. Recently, she'd even lain abed all day, refusing visitors over a mere head cold—unthinkable for Lee So-young, who handled daily tasks personally no matter what.
Tied to the new bride's arrival... but she seems harmless.
Quiet, unassuming Im Jeong-ok, always bowing politely to Lee So-young—no cause for complaint.
Puzzled deeper by the thought, Yoo Cheon-hyang lay sleepless into the night.
Then.
...Bathroom.
Sudden urge amid worries. She adjusted her clothes, rose, and headed to the outhouse.
Late night, pitch black—new moon veiled by clouds.
Whew... getting cold. Need to check the ondol soon...
Finishing up, she shivered hurrying back to the slaves' quarters.
*
"Eut..."
Cheeks burning, Lee So-young crawled forward slowly. The colder weather allowed a single skirt for mercy, but it deepened her shame.
Thin silk undergarment, transparent. It blocked chill somewhat, but amplified the lewdness beyond nudity.
"A pity. If warmer, we could've gone outside. Satisfied for tonight."
"M-Maaaster..."
Her trembling voice answered. Yet her face blazed, mouth parched.
Better than streets, but household slaves lurked—especially Im Jeong-ok in the inner quarters.
Sh-She wouldn't... see this? That bitch witnessing me like...
Chill ran down her spine at the thought. Yet she said nothing to her Master. Couldn't.
This thrill—the razor-edge peril—was too intense, too thick to refuse.
Aah... I shouldn't... If anyone sees me, Lee So-young, like this...
Surrendering to the primal sharpness atop the blade, she crawled on.
But then.
"Ma... Ma... ster?"
"!!"
"..."
A familiar voice pierced her ear. Shock and fear tangled in it—Lee So-young froze rigidly, turning slowly.
There stood Yoo Cheon-hyang, horrified, rooted in place...
"Cheon... hyang... ah...?"