She had told herself she wouldn't care.
She had told herself, the entire ride back, that this was fine — that being carried over a stranger's shoulder like luggage was simply one more indignity in a very long list of indignities, and she had survived all the others.
She had almost believed it.
Then the door clicked shut behind him, and the room was quiet, and she was alone.
This is how it had started.
The ride back to the Chancellor’s residence was tense and silent.
Aran kept struggling in front of him on the horse, making frustrated, slurred noises the entire way. Seo Yunhan held her securely with one arm, his grip firm and unyielding.
When they arrived, he dismounted first, then lifted her off the horse and slung her over his shoulder again in one smooth motion.
“Put me down—!” Aran shouted, kicking her legs wildly. “Nuh—! Uoo—!”
Seo Yunhan didn’t say a word. He simply raised his hand and gave her backside a firm, warning smack with his palm.
“Stay still.”
Aran froze for a second, her face burning with humiliation.
He carried her straight to her room without stopping. The servants who saw them quickly looked away, whispering among themselves in shock.
“What’s going on?” “Did the Chancellor just… slap her bottom?” “He’s carrying her like a sack… what did she do?” “I’ve never seen the master this angry before…” “The atmosphere is terrifying…”
Seo Yunhan ignored all of them.
He opened the door to her room and gently — but firmly — placed her on the bed. Aran immediately tried to crawl away, still making angry, muffled sounds.
He looked down at her for a moment, his expression unreadable.
“When you’ve calmed down, we’ll talk,” he said quietly.
Without waiting for a reply, without the usual kiss or gentle touch, he turned and left the room.
The door closed behind him with a soft click.
Aran stared at the closed door, her chest heaving with frustration and confusion. She shouted something in broken, slurred words — angry, desperate sounds that didn’t form properly.
That bastard!
How could he carry me out like a dog in front of my subordinate Jinho! Grabbing my waist and slinging me over his shoulder like I was some kind of prize!
That bastard! Bad guy! Who does he think he is, slapping my ass right there in front of everyone?!
…It didn’t hurt. It was just humiliating.
But what was even more humiliating was that her body had reacted without her permission. Even now, the memory of his strong, unyielding arms holding her tightly, his solid chest pressed against her, and that firm smack made strange heat bloom across her skin. Her lower body felt hot and achingly restless.
Ah… Have I completely lost my mind?
She punched the bed several times in frustration, trying to shake off the confusing feelings. But the more she remembered how effortlessly he had overpowered her — how safe and wanted she had felt in that strong grip despite everything — the more complicated her emotions became.
It should feel bad. Really bad.
Yet a small, reluctant voice escaped her lips in a whisper.
“…That bad guy, leaving without a goodnight kiss…”
Aran buried her face in the pillow and let out a long, shaky sigh.
She hated how much she already missed his warmth.