Chapter 12: please return before lunchtime
As I closed my eyes, trying to push aside the whirlwind of emotions, the sudden sound of the door opening jolted me back to reality. Opening my eyes, I saw Yura standing at the doorway, her presence sending a shiver down my spine.
I could feel my senses going on high alert as the sweet scent of strawberries filled the room. It was as if I was losing control of my mind, my thoughts becoming clouded by desire.
For a moment, all I could think about was marking Yura as my own. The thought sent a shiver down my spine, but the pull of her pheromones was too strong to resist. As she approached me, her scent enveloping me, I felt myself losing my grip on reality.
I struggled to fight against the overwhelming desire coursing through me, but the closer Yura got, the more her strawberry pheromones intoxicated me. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't help but release my own pheromones in response.
I was on the verge of giving in when I suddenly bit my tongue, the sharp pain snapping me back to my senses. With all the willpower I could muster, I managed to pull away from Yura and dart into the bathroom, making sure to lock the door behind me.
On the other side of the door, I could hear Yura knocking and trying to get in, her voice filled with urgency and desire. But I couldn't afford to give in to temptation, not when I was so close to losing control.
I leaned against the door, trying to catch my breath and calm my racing heart. The air in the bathroom was cool and soothing, providing a welcome respite from the overwhelming emotions swirling inside me.
For a moment, I considered giving in to Yura's advances, but I knew that it would only lead to disaster. With a heavy heart, I resolved to keep my distance from her, no matter how difficult it might be.
But as I stood there, the sound of Yura's voice outside the door, pleading and desperate, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I knew that I was hurting her, but I also knew that giving in to her desires would only lead to more pain in the long run.
With a heavy sigh, I leaned my head against the door, feeling the weight of the world pressing down on me. I knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but I was determined to stay strong, for both our sakes.
Feeling the heat coursing through my veins, I decided to step into the shower and turn on the cold water. Fully clothed, I let the icy water cascade over my body, the shock of the cold helping to extinguish the fire that raged within me.
As the cold water drenched my clothes, I shivered, but it was a welcome sensation compared to the burning desire that had consumed me moments before. With each drop of water that splashed against my skin, I felt the intense heat gradually subside, replaced by a sense of relief.
Standing under the freezing water, I closed my eyes and took deep, calming breaths, willing myself to regain control. The sound of the water hitting the tiles filled the bathroom, drowning out the chaos of my thoughts.
Gradually, the heat began to dissipate, leaving behind a cool, soothing sensation. The tension in my muscles eased, and I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. Leaning against the tiled wall, I let out a long sigh, the weight of the day finally catching up with me.
As the cold water continued to pour over me, I took a moment to compose myself. I couldn't afford to let my emotions get the better of me, especially not now. With a deep breath, I turned off the shower and stepped out, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
I stepped out of the shower, approaching the door but not opening it. I could still hear Yura behind the door. I simply sat down against the door, not even taking the time to dry myself. After a few minutes, I fell asleep just like that.
The next morning, as I opened the bathroom door to head back to my room, I was relieved to find that Yura was no longer there. However, I didn't feel as well as I had hoped. It definitely wasn't a good idea to shower with my clothes on, let alone not drying myself afterward. Quickly, I went through my morning routine before stepping out of the room, hoping to avoid encountering Yura. Luckily, I didn't run into her.
I made my way to the kitchen, greeted by the servants as I passed. As I entered the kitchen, I prepared to make breakfast.
For breakfast, I decided to prepare a traditional Korean meal. I started by cooking fluffy steamed rice, letting its fragrant aroma fill the kitchen. Then, I moved on to making some savory Korean pancakes, mixing a batter of flour, eggs, scallions, and various spices before frying them until they were golden brown and crispy.
While the pancakes cooked, I sliced some fresh vegetables, including crisp cucumbers and spicy radishes, to serve as side dishes. I also whipped up a batch of spicy kimchi, its pungent aroma adding a tangy kick to the meal.
As the pancakes finished cooking, I arranged them on a platter, garnishing them with sesame seeds and green onions for a pop of color. I placed the side dishes around the pancakes, creating a beautiful and delicious spread.
Finally, I brewed a pot of fragrant Korean tea to accompany the meal, its soothing aroma filling the kitchen.
After finishing breakfast, I called a servant to take the meal to Yura, and she quickly left. Meanwhile, I ate quickly, intending to head to my restaurant. However, a servant stopped me.
"Madam Jiyeon, if you're going out, could you please return before lunchtime." she asked seriously.
At the same time, the system screen appeared:
[New quest unlocked: Return home before lunchtime and prepare lunch, and take care of your wife.
Rewards: +10 favorability with Yura, a new recipe, and the opening of the system store.]
Feeling a mix of frustration and resignation, I realized that I had no choice but to comply. I couldn't risk upsetting Yura or missing out on the rewards. With a sigh, I nodded to the servant, indicating that I would return on time.
"Alright, I'll be back before lunch," I replied, my voice tinged with reluctance.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone