My Younger Brother Is Salivating After Me - Chapter 7

Following his gaze downward, Yeohee realized the sheer robe she wore revealed her bare skin. She hastily wrapped her arms around herself.

“Embarrassed now? After letting me kiss and devour every inch of you all night?”

Jaeyeon chuckled as he approached.

Standing behind her, he wrapped his arms tightly around her, resting his chin on her shoulder.

“Does your body still hurt? You seem better, since you’re out of bed.”

“It still aches… I just wanted a little fresh air.”

“Then let’s go outside. The sunlight’s nice.”

“But first… please let me change. I can’t go out dressed like this.”

“There’s no one in Saerimwon but us. It doesn’t matter.”

Flushing crimson at his teasing, Yeohee shook her head frantically. No matter how secluded they were, she couldn’t go out half-exposed.

“You’re right. You might catch cold dressed like that.”

Jaeyeon smiled and draped his own outer robe around her.

“I had you wear only a sleeping robe because you were in pain whenever anything touched your skin. If we dress you properly now, you might cry.”

Scooping her up into his arms before she could protest, he carried her outside.

True to its role as the residence for the Lady of the Jang family, Saerimwon was spacious, nearly matching the main estate.

Though Yeohee had passed through it many times, she had never truly explored it. Along the smooth stone paths, rows of yet-to-bloom trees stretched out. Deeper inside, there was a large circular pond filled with lotus leaves, and beside it, a small pavilion.

Jaeyeon sat down on a stone bench inside the pavilion, with Yeohee still perched on his lap.

“Please let me down.”

“Stay like this. Your feet will get dirty.”

Yeohee squirmed awkwardly, trying to tuck her legs back inside his robe.
Chuckling at her struggles, Jaeyeon gently took hold of her tiny, wiggling foot.

When she reached out to stop him, he leaned down and kissed her lightly on the lips.

“Ah…”

The fleeting kiss brushed her lips, then her cheek. Yeohee’s face burned.

Trying to hide her blushing face, she lowered her head and quietly asked:

“My marriage… you said it’s been called off. What happened?”

“I went to Lord Seo’s house myself and broke off the engagement.”

Startled, Yeohee’s head snapped up. Jaeyeon caught her chin and stole another brief kiss.

“Why? Are you disappointed that I canceled it without your permission?”

Yeohee shook her head. She felt no sadness, no regret. When she had been in his arms, the only thing she felt was overwhelming relief—that no matter what, she wouldn’t be married off to the second son of the Seo family.

“I have no intention of letting you go,” Jaeyeon said softly.

“But the Lady Dowager… she’s still trying to arrange your marriage with Miss Juhwa.”

“I’ll cancel that too. Who cares what arrangements she made without my consent? Or would you be fine seeing me marry another woman?”

“I… I’m just a humble servant in this household. It’s not my place to interfere.”

“A humble servant? You’re the Lady of the Jang family now.”

At his bold declaration, Yeohee’s eyes widened in shock.

Jaeyeon simply smiled and playfully tapped the tip of her nose.

“Why are you so surprised?  You haven’t already forgotten, have you? The man who shared your first night was me.”

“That’s true, but…”

“I poured everything into you that night. There’s even a chance that my child could be growing inside you now.”

His palm smoothed over her belly, pressing down gently. Her mind told her it was unlikely—but her body tensed with nervous anticipation.

“I had my first wet dream at fifteen. And in that dream, it was you I saw. I was consumed with guilt afterward. I knew you thought of me as a younger brother… yet I harbored such wicked thoughts when I looked at your face.”

“……”

“I never wanted you to know. So I threw myself onto the battlefield, swinging my sword at enemies, trying to kill the sinful desire inside me. But when I returned to the capital—
every time I saw you, my body burned with unbearable pain. Even after relieving myself each night, I still wanted to stay your gentle younger brother, the one you cared for.”

His voice dropped even lower, filled with raw, aching emotion.

“But then… the thought of another man touching you— it drove me mad. I wanted to strangle Grandmother for daring to send you to someone else without my permission.”

His smoldering gaze captured Yeohee completely.

Jaeyeon pulled her body flush against his.

“I have no intention of giving you to anyone else, I have always intended to make you my wife. No one but you will ever bear my children. This body only reacts like a beast when it sees you.”

He took her hand and guided it down to his arousal. Within her small palm, his manhood throbbed and swelled.

“Do you hate it? Do you hate that a beast like me will be your husband?”

Yeohee shook her head. There was no way she could hate him.

Wrapping her arms around his neck without hesitation, she clung to him, openly, greedily.
A pleased smile curved Jaeyeon’s lips as he pressed a deep, lingering kiss to her flushed cheek.

* * *

Jaeyeon slowly glanced over the documents spread across his desk. Reports from the provinces had piled up like mountains during his time away on campaign.

“Is Hong Juhwa still in Grandmother’s quarters?”

Jaeyeon asked casually while organizing the reports that had arrived from Sanhyang.

He had heard about an hour ago that Hong Juhwa had gone to visit the Lady Dowager.
Earlier that morning, his grandmother had informed him she would speak to Juhwa about annulling the marriage proposal, and afterward, she said she would finally return to Sanhyang.

It was suspicious. The Lady Dowager, who had once visited Saerimwon to demand he take Yeohee as a concubine, was hardly the type to give up so easily. The fact she was backing down so readily made Jaeyeon wary.

“And Sister?”

“My lord, Lady Yeohee is still in Saerimwon. Last I heard, she was out for a stroll.”

Though there had been no grand wedding ceremony, ever since Yeohee moved from Yeondang to Saerimwon, the people of the Jang family had begun treating her as their rightful mistress.

“I’ll have my dinner sent to Saerimwon, then. Let her know. And—”

“My lord, you have a guest.”

Jaeyeon looked up at the voice from outside. At his nod, Guard Yang opened the door and peeked out.

Standing in the courtyard was Hong Juhwa, accompanied by a single maid.

“What brings you here, my lady?” Yang asked.

“I’ve come to pay my respects to the Lord of the House,” Juhwa replied, lifting her chin proudly.

When Jaeyeon stepped out, she dipped into a graceful bow.

“It is an honor to see you, my lord.”

“I thought you had come to see my grandmother. There was no need to trouble yourself by coming here.”

“I heard from the Lady Dowager. She said you wished to annul our engagement.”

“And what, have you come to pour out your resentment?”

“Of course not. I understand your decision. But since I will no longer have any reason to visit the Jang household, I thought this might be my only opportunity to offer my thanks.”

“I don’t see why I must meet you separately.”

“Would you even deny me the chance to express my gratitude?”

“I hardly think I’ve done anything that warrants your thanks.”

“If you’ll allow me to explain, I’m sure you’ll recall. I only ask for a moment of your time.”

Juhwa bowed again with excessive politeness.

What exactly was she scheming?

If she had thrown a tantrum about the broken engagement, that would have been easier to understand. After all, when they first met, she hadn’t even been able to hide her displeasure at hearing Yeohee called a guest.

Jaeyeon silently stared down at the top of her bowed head, then flicked his gaze toward Steward Go. The steward, quick-witted, gathered a few important documents and quietly left.

Juhwa glanced meaningfully at Guard Yang, standing like a sentry by the door. Clearly, she considered him an obstacle.

Jaeyeon chuckled and signaled Yang to leave as well.

Once they were alone, Juhwa took a tray from her maid and entered Jaeyeon’s office.

Uncovering the tray revealed a pale jade teacup and a small selection of sweets.

“This is Longjing tea, brought up from Gyoryeong. The Lady Dowager enjoyed it and suggested it would please you as well.”

“I thought I told you before, I only drink tea prepared by Yeohee.”

“Even if it’s just a token of my gratitude?”

Jaeyeon merely glanced at the teacup she placed before him.

“Let’s hear it, then. What exactly did I do for you to deserve your thanks?”

“Don’t you remember the Lantern Festival last year? Near the Yeowol Bridge—you saved me from a group of ruffians.”

Jaeyeon raised an eyebrow, rifling through his memories. After a moment, a faint smile curved his lips.

“Ah, that day.”

“You remember now…”

“I do. But it seems you are mistaken.”

“What… do you mean, mistaken?”

The smile froze on Juhwa’s lips.

“I didn’t step in to save you, Lady Hong. I acted only because Yeohee tried to intervene.
Had she not tried to help you, whether you were dragged off or not would have meant nothing to me.”

His words cut sharply.

“If you wish to thank someone, thank Yeohee. It was only because she drew my attention that I moved.”

“…I didn’t know that,” Juhwa muttered stiffly, clutching her skirt.

She forced a smile, trying to hold her composure.

“Then… should I deliver this tea to that Yeohee girl instead?”

“There’s no need,” Jaeyeon said.

“But— One must give thanks properly after receiving help. If not, then at least, my lord, will you accept this tea on her behalf?”

Juhwa lifted the teacup in offering, watching him intently. If he refused, she would surely run off to find Yeohee herself.

Jaeyeon picked up the teacup, tilting it slightly from side to side.

So determined to make me drink this?

He brought the cup to his nose and inhaled. The tea had already been brewed, and the cup felt lukewarm against his fingers.

“Very well. My wife would benefit more from medicinal tonics than tea anyway.”

With that, Jaeyeon drained the cup in a single gulp.

He deliberately set the empty cup back on the tray.

“And how does it taste, my lord?”

“It seems my grandmother’s tastes have changed. If she thinks this is good tea… well, that says it all.”

“Oh dear,” Juhwa said, laughing awkwardly. “I worked hard to prepare it. If I’d known it would disappoint you, I would have brought wine instead.”

“Perhaps wine would have been better,” Jaeyeon said dryly— then abruptly coughed, clutching his throat.

A sudden coughing fit burst from Jaeyeon’s mouth. He pressed a clenched fist against his lips, but the sensation of a fire crawling up from his chest was unstoppable. His throat burned fiercely, and his whole body shuddered as he coughed uncontrollably.

Watching him, Juhwa curved her lips into a slow, wicked smile.

“Feeling hot, are you?” she said mockingly. “This is what happens when you dare to look down on me in favor of that lowly girl.”

Laughing softly, Juhwa stepped toward him. Her excited eyes were bloodshot, veins burst crimson across the whites. Jaeyeon’s breath came rough and ragged, like a beast in heat.