“...Go over there, kneel, and face the wall.”
First, let's get Cheongwol out of the way.
She's a distraction.
In this situation, even handling just Dang Soran is making it hard to breathe, so with Cheongwol right there beside me, there's no way I can focus.
It's tough enough rolling with one; you want me to handle two at once?
Besides, I always thought SM was something that shouldn't have an audience.
Outdoor exposure and outdoor walks are major SM plays too... but even those are fundamentally about hiding rather than revealing.
The thrill only works if no one else knows, if you don't get caught.
A secretive, taboo act that no one should ever see.
But with Cheongwol watching the whole time...?
...No thanks.
Maybe that's why I prefer SM play just between two people even more.
Every time Cheongwol's gaze lands on me, it makes me uncomfortable.
Her eyes seem to say something like this.
'I told you to humiliate her and chase her out, right? I'll watch how much you do. Remember what you did to me?' ...Something like that.
Looking at them, they just seem like sworn enemies.
If Cheongwol had lost in the spar, she would've broken, but since Dang Soran lost, now Dang Soran is the one shaking.
In the original story, Cheongwol ends up killing Dang Soran.
On top of that, there's this order to torment Dang Soran even more and drive her away.
But I can't do that to Dang Soran.
I don't want to die.
The Tang Clan of Sichuan is famous for never forgetting a grudge. I have zero desire to get on their bad side.
I have to stake my life on controlling the intensity.
So, to make sure no one has any complaints, it seems best to keep Cheongwol from seeing this play altogether.
As long as her gaze is there, I won't be able to focus on Dang Soran either.
“...What?”
“Go over there, kneel, and face the wall.”
Once I got a bit honest with my emotions, part of me just wanted to punish her.
You got off easy, really. I've been losing hair for days because of you.
Go face the wall. I don't have time to deal with you.
And please, just behave today.
“...Why is Senior Dang sitting in the chair while I have to kneel—”
“—Forgot the rules already?”
That was code for: if you don't like it, get out.
“...”
A flash of betrayal crossed Cheongwol's eyes.
As if she never imagined I'd say something like that to her.
...This girl really is a masochist.
I'm offering to spare you the humiliation and shame, and you react like this...?
Scary, scary...
“...O...kay.”
Not wanting to leave, Cheongwol turned her body with a reluctant expression, moving cautiously.
Her footsteps toward the wall somehow looked forlorn.
They were straight, but her shoulders seemed slumped, and her movements were slow.
Dang Soran and I watched her shuffle along.
Cheongwol paused briefly facing the wall, then lowered herself alone in the corner, kneeling rigidly.
Her expression was hidden behind her black hair, but the emotions weighing on her back were palpable.
Still, I had to ignore it.
...But she actually obeyed.
“...This... doesn't make sense.”
Dang Soran whispered quietly.
She couldn't comprehend my command, nor Cheongwol following it.
“...Young Master, what exactly have you been doing here...?”
I looked at Dang Soran and countered.
“Why? Don't want to?”
Dang Soran started to open her mouth but stopped, realizing something as she pressed her lips together slightly.
“...O...kay.”
“'Okay' but you complain anyway.”
“...”
I let out a deep internal sigh and pulled out the prepared rope.
My heart was pounding. I secretly wiped away a bead of sweat from my forehead.
Dang Soran eyed the rope in my hand warily.
She'd been somewhat relaxed until just now, but now she was on full alert.
I spoke as calmly as possible.
“First, I'm tying your arms to the chair. That's fine, right?”
“Why tie my arms...!”
I expected that reaction.
But no need to explain.
“...Don't want to?”
“Ugh...!”
Dang Soran bit her lip briefly, glanced at Cheongwol still facing the wall, and answered.
“...O...kay.”
Like she was thinking, since Cheongwol obeyed me, it must mean something.
Her desperation to resolve her heart demon peeked through in that short reply.
But still.
This is just regular rope—even a bit of internal energy would snap it.
A first-class martial artist could break free anytime they wanted, so why react so sensitively?
Is the very fact of physical restraint enough to trigger such instinctive rejection?
And yet, strangely, it tickles something in me too.
Dang Soran resists on the surface, saying she hates it, but says 'okay' with her mouth.
Of course, 'okay' doesn't really mean she likes it... but that duality stirs some instinct in me.
I started tying Dang Soran's arms to the chair's armrests.
Gently, gently.
I repeated to myself inwardly.
Tie too tight, and she'll have marks like kiss bruises tomorrow.
Not going that far.
Just enough to prevent sudden movements.
I finished the left side first, then moved to tie the right arm.
Turning my head, I caught Cheongwol sidelong glancing at me.
Watching me with a dissatisfied look.
As if she didn't like this treatment.
Suddenly, I felt scared, but I couldn't back down.
“Didn't I say face the wall?”
“...”
“...Acting up more than usual today?”
Only then did Cheongwol turn back to the wall.
Dang Soran looked back and forth between me and Cheongwol.
And in that fleeting moment, the corner of Dang Soran's mouth twitched up.
“...”
“...”
Both she and I noticed it at the same time.
...Look at her?
Something's definitely off with this girl? It's a side I never saw in the original.
But that's actually good. Maybe my approach is more fitting.
It's easier to punish her if she's not completely innocent.
I let out a hollow chuckle and asked.
“...Still think this is a joke?”
It is a joke. But if I laugh, it'll ruin the mood...
Should I tie tighter to make her take it seriously?
Dang Soran rolled her neck, hiding her smile again. By then, her arms were fully secured to the chair.
I had Dang Soran bound to the chair and looked down at her from in front.
To look at me, Dang Soran had to crane her neck way back.
“...Young Master, is this it?”
Dang Soran asked.
“...I still don't get it, and I feel nothing.”
I brought over a small wooden footrest and placed it in front of her legs.
“Put your legs up.”
“Okay.”
A quicker reply this time.
Dang Soran's legs went up onto the footrest.
I began tying both legs together.
This time, she squirmed a little.
Every time my fingers brushed her thighs or calves, she flinched, as if repulsed.
I finished tying her up and caught my breath.
So far, the binding went smoothly enough.
Now for the next part...
“...”
“...Young Master?”
I had a plan, but do I really have to do this?
I really don't want to. I'm really scared.
No idea if my prediction will hit or flop.
Like with Cheongwol, it's time to gamble.
Jump in once more.
If Dang Soran hates it like crazy, it's over. If she endures a bit, I buy time.
With a prayer to the heavens, I flipped the coin.
And looked at Dang Soran's feet.
Dang Soran wore delicate silk shoes embroidered with fine green thread.
Worlds apart from the straw sandals a lowly guy like me wears.
Their elegant, prim curves felt like a warning: 'Don't you dare touch me.'
Something I couldn't afford even after a year at the Leather Room.
...But right now, no time to worry about that.
I reached out, pressed her ankle, and gripped the shoe lightly.
Dang Soran startled and shouted.
“Wait—!”
I yanked off the shoe before she could stop me.
“What are you doing?!”
In an instant, her bound leg revealed a soft, pale foot.
Unlike civilized modern Korea, I hadn't seen many feet in this Central Plains.
People don't take off shoes when entering homes here.
Maybe I'd seen the uncles' twisted, dirty feet.
But a young lady's foot? First time.
It was small and cute.
Toenails not too big. The ball of the foot plump and adorable. Skin soft.
As a hidden part never exposed, Dang Soran's foot was still pure white.
Embarrassed, she curled her toes tight.
But with arms and legs bound, she couldn't hide anything more.
That embarrassed look is what I want to see, but no time to savor it now.
Gotta do it. Gotta go!
For the later carrot to be sweeter, swing the whip now.
Create the drop. Give her humiliation.
A good guy gets flak for one slip-up; a bad guy gets praise for one good deed.
I decided to be the bad guy first.
I slowly lifted her silk shoe.
Dang Soran's cheeks flushed red as she watched.
As if anticipating what was coming.
“What... what are you...”
Cheongwol was staring at me now too. Eyes wide open.
But I didn't stop.
Slowly, very slowly.
I brought the shoe to my nose.
“Sniiiiif...”
And inhaled deeply with exaggerated breathing.
“You're insane!!”
Dang Soran screamed. Face full of genuine shock.
...Why does it smell like herbs?
But I couldn't say that.
“...Acting all prim and proper.”
I smirked mockingly.
Dang Soran's face twisted in shame.
“...Kinda funky smell?”
Content Warning: This chapter contains BDSM-themed content involving consensual non-consent play, humiliation, and restraint. Reader discretion advised.