Widow Gisaeng, Hero's Mother - Trained, Future Mother-in-Law - Trained, Stepmother - Slave
"Sister."
"…"
"Sister?"
"! Wh-why... why did you call me? H-has... has a guest arrived, perhaps?"
"What are you talking about? You've been asking nonstop what to have for lunch today."
"…Ah... j-just... do as you see fit... whatever..."
She answered the young gisaeng's question in a dazed, absentminded voice, as if her soul had wandered off somewhere. Aero, the eldest gisaeng here. Watching her, the young gisaeng asked with genuine concern in her tone.
"Are you okay, sister? You've seemed a bit off lately... Is something wrong...?"
"! Wr-wrong...? N-no... there's no such th-thing..."
Aero stammered in denial. The young gisaeng, puzzled but unable to press further, could only shrug it off and move on. But separate from this exchange, an undeniable problem loomed inescapably over Aero's life at that very moment.
He's... coming... right? T-today as well... I'll be in that man's hands again...
Terror. No word captured her situation more perfectly. She was the de facto owner of Myeonghwa Pavilion, the big sister and mother figure leading all the gisaengs here—yet before the horrifying dread approaching her today, her pride and self-respect were nothing more than scraps of paper.
This would make it the fourth time. The number of times she had lain with that man, per their contract.
Yet with fifteen more to go even after today, that number felt to Aero like an impassable, towering mountain range.
It wasn't mere fatigue. Each time she shared a bed with him, the overwhelming pleasure pushed her mind to its limits. The experience eroded her body and soul like seawater soaking paper, slow and relentless.
It had awakened a dormant craving for pleasure, making her body ever more sensitive, eagerly accepting his touch. And the most terrifying part...
Her heart, pounding rapidly even now. She could no longer deny that this was the emotion of anticipation.
That's why she was afraid. Of lying with that man.
If things continued like this, she really would... truly become that man's possession.
What... should I do? What... what can I do...?
She knew breaking the contract here was impossible. Even risking her marriage, she could never abandon her son.
But if she stayed like this, she would become a prisoner to that man's cock. Her body, even now waiting for him, proved it.
Aero felt the need to make a decision once more, for herself.
It might be... dangerous. But... I can't just... let myself be taken like this without fighting back...
A contract was ultimately an agreement between parties, one that could require adjustments depending on circumstances. Of course, to make the other side accept, she would have to take risks in return... but to avoid being utterly devoured, she had no choice but to play her hand, no matter the strain.
I can... do this... I have to... I can't collapse like this. I can't ruin my happiness with my husband... like this...
With that resolve burning inside her, Aero clenched her fists until her nails drew blood. And at last, the promised time arrived. Steel ing her will once more, she entered the room.
"You've arrived."
"Yeah, have you been well? You don't look so great."
"...What do you mean? I'm perfectly fine."
"Is that so? Well, whatever then."
The man sat before her with his usual arrogant posture. Han Taeyang. From the moment she faced him, she felt her body begin to tremble faintly, but she suppressed it as best she could and carefully poured the tea.
"Please have some. It's a rare tea from China."
"Hmm... I didn't think our relationship was one where you'd bother with this."
A casual remark laced with thorns. Aero let out a small sigh and replied.
"Don't worry and drink. There's nothing mixed in. No matter what, would I, as a gisaeng, violate the basics when serving a guest?"
"True... anyone else, maybe, but you're not the type."
Han Taeyang spoke as if he knew her inside out. It was the same demeanor he'd shown since their first meeting, yet it still left her with a strange feeling. His words weren't empty flattery—they pierced her precisely, as if he saw right through her.
As if he had truly known what kind of person she was all along.
Did he investigate my background...? But no mere background check could reveal this much about me...
Feeling a quiet unease, along with an unwelcome tickle in her heart she didn't want to acknowledge, Aero gathered her thoughts while watching him hold the teacup. What mattered now wasn't these emotions, but the conversation ahead.
Then.
"So. What is it you want to talk about?"
"!..."
His unexpected words jolted her. Startled, Aero looked at Han Taeyang's face in bewilderment.
"Why so surprised? Serving someone like me with this fine tea means you have something to say, doesn't it?"
"...Y-yes... that's right."
His words struck dead center. Though her momentum faltered from the start, Aero composed herself, regaining her calm expression as she met his gaze.
"I have a request. I'd like to revise the contract we made."
"Hmm? Why? We haven't even hit halfway yet. Can't handle it already?"
"…"
Honestly, that was exactly it, but admitting the truth here would be foolish. Pulling a cold, displeased expression, Aero spoke in a grave tone.
"As if. Your touch means nothing to me. It's just that doing this meaningless act sixteen more times, starting today, feels like a colossal waste of time."
Her voice steady and unwavering, Aero projected an air of utter boredom, trying to show strength before Han Taeyang. For a gisaeng, acting was second nature to her profession, and in this moment, her words rang true.
At least, for this moment.
"After making that face last time, you're awfully brazen. Eyes rolled back, pissing yourself like a slut."
"...Ugh..."
Her past shameful displays were too vivid to gloss over with mere acting. If they weren't, she wouldn't need to demand a contract change.
"You accepted this contract yourself. No intentions of changing it over something so trivial."
He set down his teacup, refusing firmly. This was the reaction she'd expected. She knew words alone wouldn't suffice.
The real game began now, as she prepared to play her card. Mustering all her resolve, Aero spoke gravely to the man before her.
"I'll give you information. On the Baek Man Merchant Group, which I have access to."
"Hmm..."
"I know. That you... that the Han family does business with the Baek Man Merchant Group. But even legitimate deals are rife with schemes and tricks. Let me help with that, and in return, reduce the number of times."
"…"
Han Taeyang showed a flicker of interest. It was indeed a dangerous card for her to play—essentially betraying her husband by leaking info. If caught, even she would face severe punishment.
But from the Han family's perspective, this was a massive venture involving tens of thousands of nyang. Aero was certain the Han heir before her wouldn't refuse.
I need to cut the number as much as possible... somehow... before this body crumbles completely...
But.
"Not really tempting."
"...Pardon? Wh-what do you...?"
He dismissed it with infuriating lightness. Stunned, Aero pressed urgently.
"Th-think about it. Depending on the situation, it could net thousands, even tens of thousands of nyang. Compared to just reducing a few sessions..."
"Even so, is that worth as much as you? Besides, if we keep going, you'll be completely mine. Can't let immediate gains make me miss the bigger prize."
"!"
An answer born from reading her perfectly. Her ace, so proudly played, seen through in an instant. Pinned on the defensive, Aero barely managed to speak.
"...So confident...? That you can conquer me so easily...? Hah!"
"We'll see when I do it."
With that, Han Taeyang yanked her body toward him. As vivid terror surged, fear filled her face.
N-no... not like this... if it goes this way, I'll... I'll really...
Then.
"But if you really want it, I suppose I could revise the contract. I don't want to waste more time either."
"Wh... what?"
His unforeseen words. As Aero reeled in confusion, he slowly extended two fingers.
"Two times. Including today, I'll reduce the remaining sessions to two."
"!... Wh-what...?"
An unimaginable concession. Gazing at her mix of doubt and deeper unease, Han Taeyang flashed a cold smile.