TKEP 76🔐

Chapter 76

“But this time, Seojun said he would put me to bed first.”

There was an excuse.

But it wasn’t something she could use to escape entirely.

Seojun led the conversation with a calm, almost joking tone. It was an opportunity for Yeon.

A chance to refuse if she didn’t want to.

Yet, Yeon held onto him.

Even with his body not fully recovered, Seojun had returned to Korea following her, and Yeon desperately wanted him too.

Being drawn to him was irresistible.

Yeon’s thoughts had shifted from the past to the future.

Specifically, what would happen after leaving the bathroom.

Could this finally be the night they spent together properly for the first time?

Surely, his offer to “put her to bed” didn’t mean the literal sense of the words, right?

Cold water continued to hit the top of Yeon’s head, and her cheeks burned.

Her body twisted strangely.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind, and her expression darkened.

“Wait. I’m injured… is that even possible?”

She had no experience, but from what she’d learned through various sources, it seemed unlikely.

“This won’t do. We should sleep separately.”

Though it would be a bit lonely and she longed for someone’s warm care, she didn’t want a night that would be torturous for both of them.

After reaching that conclusion, the bathroom suddenly felt extremely cold.

Yeon turned the faucet toward hot water and quickly finished her shower.

As she roughly dried her hair and stepped out, she was startled.

Seojun was standing right in front of the bathroom.

He slowly scanned her in the shower gown.

“I knew it.”

“Excuse me?”

“I knew you wouldn’t dry your hair before coming out. You’ll catch a cold.”

He took the towel from Yeon’s hands and led her to the vanity.

“And why is your body so cold?”

Yeon opened her mouth to explain that she had showered in cold water, but Seojun, slightly awkwardly, began drying her hair.

It was his first time drying someone’s hair in his life, and seeing him express it so openly made her smile and relax.

“How is it?”

Seojun handed her long hair into Yeon’s hands.

“Nicely dried. You could work at a palace beauty salon without shame.”

“If it’s a recruitment offer, I’ll think about it when I have nothing else to do. Now, shall we head to the bedroom?”

Seojun took Yeon’s hand and pulled her along.

But Yeon didn’t move, as if her feet were glued to the floor.

“Don’t want to?”

Seojun turned to her.

“It’s not that…”

Yeon glanced at his abdomen, then added a rather surprising comment:

“It… must be hard for you…”

From her eyes and twisted posture, he could clearly see what she was thinking.

Her sly demeanor poked at the patience Seojun had built up.

Seeing any more might lead to danger, so he pulled Yeon into his embrace.

Gently stroking the hair he had dried, he whispered:

“I don’t know if it’s hard or not… since I’ve never done it. Shall we try?”

Yeon flinched and lowered her head deeply.

Her exposed ears and nape turned a perfect peachy shade, just right to bite.

“I don’t want to take a risky gamble.”

Still, Yeon wrapped her arms around his back.

No gamble, but she intended to tease.

Seojun tilted his head back.

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down like swallowing something fierce.

“Alright, now let’s keep that mouth of yours shut.”

Yeon, I might end up causing trouble.

Seojun pressed his lips close to her ear and whispered.

She tightly shut her eyes.

He brushed the strands of her hair off her cheek and approached.

As his nose brushed her skin, her back stiffened.

“You smell nice.”

Yeon held her breath and listened to his low, husky voice.

Her skin, which had been cold moments ago, now burned with heat.

“You smell like me… did you use the same shampoo?”

Most likely, the same shampoo and body wash.

“I want to check.”

He meant he wanted to kiss her.

Unable to hold back, Yeon exhaled sharply.

The moment her red lips parted, Seojun didn’t miss the chance and moved in.

His tongue, warm with his body heat, entered her mouth.

He held the back of her head so she couldn’t pull away.

Yeon gasped but gladly swallowed the saliva he shared.

It was completely different from the time they had kissed when she was drunk.

Feeling every movement of his, a strong wave of desire washed over her.

Seojun let her go briefly.

Yeon gasped like someone floundering in water.

“Am I being too fast?”

He wiped her saliva-drenched lips with his fingers.

Blushing, Yeon shook her head.

Honestly, she was willing to go further.

Seojun gazed down at her.

His deep, intense eyes pierced through her skin, muscles, and veins, hitting her heart directly.

“Let’s go to the bedroom. I promised to put you to bed.”

Saying it as if reaffirming his promise, he held her tightly and moved step by step.

Walking chest to chest was awkward, but neither of them let go.

They matched their steps like toddlers learning to walk, stealing kisses whenever their eyes met.

The hurried kisses slowly transformed into steady, deliberate ones.

Soon, Yeon found herself lying on the bed.

Her long eyelashes, once downward, curled upward.

“Shall… we sleep together?”

Seojun leaned over her, arm beside her face, with a wry smile.

Though he wanted to dive into her, he couldn’t take advantage of her cornered position.

Yeon was exhausted.

He couldn’t control himself with a tired Yeon in his arms.

“Yes, just sleeping.”

Yeon nodded and wrapped her arms around the back of his neck.

Though she wanted to pull him closer, she refrained, worrying about his injury.

Instead, she lifted herself slightly and kissed him first.

Seojun gripped Yeon’s slim hips and turned his head.

When their lips met perfectly, his hands explored her waist firmly.

Until they fell asleep, Seojun and Yeon shared their warmth.

They fell asleep, holding each other tightly.

The next morning

Seojun woke early, kissed Yeon, and left Nakseonjae.

Yeon didn’t ask where he went.

She guessed he was handling matters related to the roses and Yuseoyeon, letting her mind wander.

“Your Highness? What are you thinking so intently about?”

Startled by Shilan’s voice, Yeon withdrew her hands from her lips.

“Are you feeling unwell? Your face is red.”

Shilan touched Yeon’s forehead.

“You don’t seem to have a fever.”

Yeon pushed Shilan’s hand away, tilting her head.

“It’s just a bit warm.”

Actually, the warmth was from thinking about her kiss with Seojun, but Yeon shamelessly lied.

“The air conditioner is blasting, and you’re still hot?”

“Mm.”

Yeon mumbled awkwardly and picked up the tablet PC she had briefly set down.

Just then, a timely email notification popped up.

It was from Alex, a journalist who had spent their trainee days with Yeon.

Unlike Yeon, who had temporarily stopped journalism, Alex was in the U.S., working in the political desk.

The email began with “Dear Yeon” and detailed U.S. political trends, including sensitive and important public opinion information.

Some of it Yeon already knew, some she hadn’t noticed.

Contrary to public knowledge, the U.S. president’s approval rating was falling daily.

The analysis indicated the president was desperate to boost approval by promoting a “stronger America.”

Meanwhile, China was rising, Russia was breaking from U.S. control, making Korea’s support even more important.

“We could negotiate the contribution ratios to our advantage.”

There was hope in the room for negotiation.

“They want quick results.”

The U.S. House elections were coming. The president needed achievements before the elections.

“This is doable.”

Negotiation was a game of push and pull.

Yeon could control when to push and pull, but expert advice was needed for leverage.

“Set up a meeting with the Defense Minister.”

Medicine to the pharmacist, defense advice to the Defense Minister.

Shilan adjusted Yeon’s schedule.

At that moment, the Crown Prince called Go Junhwan.

“How are you even doing your job? Are you secretly colluding with Kang Seojun?”

As Go Junhwan entered the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince threw something at him immediately.