The morning after his dream, Seo Yunhan sat with Aran for breakfast as usual.
He lifted her onto his lap and fed her carefully, placing bite-sized pieces of meat into her mouth. As she chewed, his gaze lingered on her lips — plump, pink, with a trace of meat juice glistening at the corner.
He swallowed hard without realizing it.
Aran noticed his stare. What’s with him today? she thought. Staring at me while I eat like some kind of pervert. Is he one of those people who gets turned on by watching others eat?
She continued chewing vigorously. Looking at him the past month … this peony scholar really seems starved for women. He’s probably a lifelong virgin. Who would want a man with such a pretty face and no masculinity?
Then her eyes fell on the hand holding the chopsticks. His hands are surprisingly large… The veins on his wrist and forearm stood out prominently. This doesn’t look like the arm of a delicate scholar at all.
Suddenly, her heart began to race. Her face grew hot.
Why am I like this? Am I coming down with something?
Meanwhile, Seo Yunhan dropped his chopsticks with a clatter.
What’s wrong with me? Have I lost my mind to lust?
Lately, whenever she ate, his eyes kept drifting to her lips. When they went for walks, he couldn’t stop staring at the gentle sway of her hips. He tried to look away, but his gaze kept returning to her body.
This is madness. I’ve completely abandoned my dignity as a scholar and a man of high position.
She trusts me so innocently, yet here I am, secretly imagining undressing her and holding her in my arms. What a despicable, ugly desire this is.
I’ve always prided myself on living righteously, yet I’m having such lewd thoughts about a woman I haven’t even married…!
No. I must hurry the marriage and put an end to this insanity.
This is nothing but my own ugly greed. I must not give in to my base instincts. A proper man — a gentleman — must never follow such urges.
Fifteen days had passed since Seo Yunhan made his decision.
In that time, Aran’s condition had steadily improved. She could now speak short, simple sentences when she was calm — especially after kissing Seo Yunhan and resting peacefully in his arms. Though she still struggled when nervous or excited, and she continued to hide her true identity, her pride refusing to let her beg for recognition.
Her movements on all fours had become more natural, almost graceful in their own strange way, and she no longer seemed as frustrated by her limitations. The curse’s heavy chains were slowly loosening.
Seo Yunhan had quietly ordered the servants to cover every floor with thick, luxurious carpets. The entire residence now felt softer, gentler — as if it had been remade just for her.
That evening, Seo Yunhan visited the family estate for the first time in three years.
After greeting his father, he sat alone with his mother in the quiet inner courtyard.
Lee Sunrye poured tea for her son and asked softly, “How is Aran?”
Seo Yunhan held the warm cup between his hands. A faint, unusually gentle smile touched his lips.
“She’s… doing well.”
Lee Sunrye watched her son’s face for a long moment. In her eyes, a quiet satisfaction flickered.
The High Monk was right. That child is the one who will change my son’s fate.
She had known it the moment she first saw Aran crawling on the mountain path. The girl’s body, despite its current weakness, had an unusually fertile shape — full breasts and wide, child-bearing hips that stood out even in her frail condition. Even if she couldn’t speak properly yet, even if she still crawled instead of walking, it didn’t matter.
As long as she could give her son happiness and perhaps even a child one day, that was enough.
Seo Yunhan lowered his gaze to the steaming tea. At first, he hadn’t wanted to know what the monk had meant. He was afraid — afraid that if he learned something unfavorable about her past, his family might oppose their relationship.
But now, that fear had completely vanished.
He wanted to know everything about her. No matter what secrets she carried, no matter what burdens she bore — he wanted all of it. Even if the entire imperial family, even if the Emperor himself stood in their way, he would tear down every obstacle to keep her by his side.
Because she was his one and only.
He had seen women before. In the capital, at court, even the ladies of the palace. He had passed by countless beautiful faces. Yet not a single one had ever made his heart race like this. Not once had anyone captured his entire being in a single glance.
Aran was different.
He was certain — she was his fated match. He couldn’t even imagine another choice.
From a young age, he had given up on the idea of children or continuing the family line. The Seo bloodline was said to be cursed to end with him, and he had accepted that fate without much regret. But now, none of that mattered.
He didn’t need heirs. He didn’t need legacy.
Aran’s very existence had brought color and meaning back into his once-empty life.
He took a slow sip of tea. The warm liquid did nothing to calm the strange fluttering in his chest.
“…Mother.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve already asked the High Monk to choose an auspicious date.”
Lee Sunrye’s eyes widened slightly, then softened with quiet understanding. She didn’t ask if he was sure. She simply nodded.
“I see.”
A long silence settled between them. Only the soft rustle of leaves in the courtyard could be heard.
Seo Yunhan stared into his teacup, his usual cold, rational expression nowhere to be found. In its place was something softer. Almost vulnerable.
Every evening when he returned home, Aran would be waiting — sometimes crawling toward him with that stubborn look in her eyes, sometimes sitting quietly on the garden bench. The moment he saw her, the heavy exhaustion from the imperial court melted away. The endless political fights, the stubborn officials, the suffocating responsibilities… all of it lost its meaning.
Only Aran remained.
The faint, clean scent of her silver hair. The way her fierce eyes gradually softened when they looked at him. The warmth of her body when she leaned against his chest.
He, who had never lost his composure in the face of any political storm, became completely helpless the moment he thought of her.
Seo Yunhan set down his teacup and spoke quietly.
“I want to marry her.”
Lee Sunrye smiled gently, a hint of relief in her eyes.
“Then you should.”
Back at the Chancellor’s residence that evening, Seo Yunhan found Aran in the garden.
She was sitting on the wooden bench by the lake, silver hair glowing under the setting sun. When she heard his footsteps, she turned her head. Her eyes lit up — just a little — before she quickly looked away, pretending not to care.
Seo Yunhan walked over and sat beside her. Without a word, he gently pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist.
Aran made a small, indignant sound but didn’t resist.
He rested his chin lightly on top of her head and murmured,
“Aran.”
“……Hm?”
“I’ve decided.”
He tightened his embrace, his voice low and steady.
“You’re going to stay with me. For a very long time.”
Aran stiffened slightly, then slowly relaxed against his chest. She didn’t answer with words. Instead, she grabbed a fistful of his robe and buried her face deeper into his shoulder.
The setting sun painted the lake in warm gold.
And in that quiet moment, the Chancellor made his decision — silent, irreversible, and completely certain.