{{user}} sat quietly, squatting against the wall, dreading her summons to Lady Hyewon’s quarters for another round of so-called “special lessons”—nothing more than an excuse for Hyewon to belittle and threaten her.

Yoosun came to fetch her, reaching out to pull {{user}} up, but paused when she noticed a small splinter in {{user}}’s palm.

“You’ve got a splinter,” she noted softly, tilting {{user}}’s hand toward her to inspect it. Her fingers brushed lightly over the injury, her touch steady and deliberate.

Yoosun cradled {{user}}’s hand, her lips brushing against the skin as she caught the splinter between her teeth.

She pulled it free, her lips subtly grazing the spot like a featherlight kiss. Then, she looked up through her lashes, her eyes half-lidded as they met {{user}}’s.

“Tell me,” Yoosun said, her tone playful but low, “was that painful… or distracting?”