“I’ve already calmed down, so you don’t need to act like this in front of the maids and guards.”
“Is that so?”
Something pleased him, and he smiled again. I couldn’t help but smile too, and I laughed along with him. In an instant, the tension melted away.
“You’re smiling.”
“And you, Yezar, are smiling too, aren’t you?”
Now that the mood had lightened, we discussed what to do after getting down from the carriage. Since we still had time after buying gloves, it would be nice to take a look around the vicinity of the duchy.
But something unexpected occurred to me—my attire and his face were far too conspicuous.
‘If we go into the village like this, all eyes will be on us. What should I do?’
After a brief moment of contemplation, an amusing idea came to mind, and I suggested to Yezar that we change our appearances midway.
“Disguise?”
“Yes. The weather’s gotten warmer, and they’re holding the village festival this year, right? I’d like to join in, but if we go as we are, we’ll attract too much attention. It’s a shame to undo all the effort put into our looks, but I’d rather enjoy things more comfortably.”
“I don’t mind at all. Then, shall we change our hair color too?”
“Hair color?”
“Yes. I often disguise myself when inspecting the surroundings.”
“Goodness. I had no idea.”
In the novel, his daily life was always portrayed only with Bertisha. There was never any detailed mention of what Yezar did when he wasn’t with her.
“It’s quite fun. I’ll make sure no one recognizes you.”
“Pfft. All right.”
Still, his good looks would be hard to completely conceal.
[This is the timeline separator]The carriage slowly came to a stop—had we arrived at the glove shop?
I had come here because I was told this was a decent shop in the area. But upon hearing more, I learned this shop was actually one that Yezar frequently visited.
Given that the ducal family had more than enough money, they naturally sought out high-quality shops, so it made sense that their choices would overlap. Still, a fleeting thought crossed my mind—maybe I should’ve secretly given him a gift instead.
Yezar opened the door and stepped in as if he’d done it countless times before. The shop owner immediately came out to greet him, as though he’d been waiting. He was an elderly man who looked quite aged.
“Welcome, Duke Ferhaem. Here to buy gloves again, I presume? Though this time, there’s someone beside you…”
His gaze turned toward me. Now that I thought about it, the townspeople probably didn’t recognize my face.
“My wife.”
At that answer, the old man’s expression brightened with delight.
“I see. So it’s the Duchess, the one I’ve heard so much about—truly beautiful. What a lovely sight.”
It seemed the rumors circulating about me weren’t of the unpleasant kind.
“Yes. This time, the Duchess insisted on choosing my gift herself.”
“To think this day would come. Time truly flies. Please wait a moment—I’ll bring them out right away.”
He disappeared to the back of the shop. I called out to Yezar.
“You know each other?”
“Yes. I’ve been coming here with my father since I was a child. My father insisted that we must only buy gloves from this shop.”
“That’s unusual. Don’t craftsmen usually come to the ducal residence to deliver their goods?”
“Well, when the ducal family requested direct deliveries, they politely declined, saying their quality wasn’t good enough for such a noble household. So my father asked if it would be acceptable for him to come here personally to purchase them. That became the start of our visits, and ever since, we’ve kept coming. Since I accompanied him here often as a child, we became acquainted, and we occasionally exchange greetings.”
“He looked quite elderly. I suppose his craftsmanship is exceptional?”
“Yes. However, due to health issues now, his son has taken over the shop under his guidance. Of course, he still comes out personally whenever I visit.”
Not long after, the shop owner returned with several pairs of leather gloves. Even to my untrained eye, the craftsmanship was clearly outstanding—no wonder he was a renowned leather artisan.
“The sizes should fit perfectly. Please feel free to choose the color you like. Since it’s getting warmer, I’ve prepared gloves made of cooler materials.”
Then Yezar turned to me.
“Then, my lady, please choose my gift.”
I had been quietly observing, but now I deliberately put on a serious expression and said:
“Are you sure I can choose?”
“Yes, I’d be glad if you chose it for me.”
Since he said so, I carefully examined the gloves and replied:
“All right. I’ll choose carefully.”
I recalled the times I’d asked about his preferences and began by touching the first pair that caught my eye. The materials seemed roughly similar across the board, and since he usually preferred leather with a bluish tint, this would likely be the right choice.
But then again, black leather might suit him quite well too.
Seeing me hesitate, Yezar gently said:
“I’d prefer whatever matches your taste.”
“My taste? Not your usual style?”
“Yes. I’d like to receive something you truly like.”
His answer seemed to see straight through my hesitation. Still, I wondered if it wouldn’t be better to stick with his usual style, and I remained torn over whether to pick the black pair.
Then the shop owner added:
“Since the Duke wishes to wear gloves that match the Duchess’s taste, you needn’t worry—just go ahead and choose the black leather pair you were looking at.”
With both of them encouraging me, I carefully handed the black leather gloves to the shop owner. He smiled and asked:
“Would you like this gift wrapped?”
I hesitated for a moment before nodding. The question seemed too obvious. But then the shop owner said something unexpected:
“Though, the Duke usually doesn’t require wrapping.”
I wondered what he meant—then noticed his hands looked unusually bare today.
“Yezar. Now that I think of it, you didn’t wear gloves today.”
“I wanted to wear the gloves you’d give me. I didn’t wish to wear anything else beforehand. So I’ll accept them gratefully.”
As if to prove his point, he immediately snatched the gloves and put them on right then and there. Then he showed them to me. The deep black leather gloves fit his hands as though they’d always belonged to him.
“How do they look?”
“They suit you well.”
As if anything wouldn’t suit him. I imagined any other pair would’ve looked just as good. His hand naturally reached for mine.
“Then, shall we go sightseeing around the village now?”
“Oh, yes!”
As I left the shop, I bowed politely to the shop owner. He watched our departure with a pleased expression and lowered his head in return.
Before exploring the village, we changed into inconspicuous clothes at a tailor’s shop Yezar knew. The maids grumbled that it was a shame to undo their careful styling, but I found the new outfit much more comfortable to move in, so I didn’t mind.
“Are you ready?”
When I came out changed, Yezar was waiting for me. He wore a simple shirt and trousers, dressed for comfort.
“Yes. Definitely, this outfit won’t draw attention.”
“Then take this as well.”
Yezar handed me a small glass vial.
“This changes hair and eye color?”
The liquid shimmering before my eyes looked fascinating.
‘If I’d known such a potion existed, I could’ve disguised myself earlier and wandered around instead of staying secluded.’
A brief pang of regret surfaced, but I quickly shook my head. Even if I could move around freely like this, letting my guard down might lead me into entanglements with the main characters.
“Yes. Its effect lasts about half a day, so we’ll return to the carriage by sunset.”
“Does this potion taste good?”
“To be honest, it doesn’t taste good at all. That’s why it’s not ideal for frequent use.”
Listening to him, I swiftly gulped down the shimmering liquid. Immediately, a bitter, churning sensation rose from within.
“Y-Yezar! This isn’t just tasteless—it’s… urgh.”
My stomach turned instantly. Now I understood why this potion never appeared in the novel. How could the author possibly make the female lead drink something this revolting?
“Madam, are you all right?”
I drank the water he offered to rinse my mouth as if it were an oasis. I had to get rid of this awful taste as quickly as possible.
“Phew. I’m glad I ate the lunch box Yezar prepared before drinking this potion. Otherwise, with my appetite ruined, I wouldn’t have tasted anything at all.”
It was truly the worst taste imaginable—so bad that I now considered it fortunate I’d never taken interest in this potion before.
“It really is that unpleasant. But after a few uses, you do get somewhat used to it.”
I had no intention of ever using it again. I decided I’d never bring up disguising myself again. And just then, Yezar’s eye and hair color changed.
I blinked, staring at him.
“U-uh… brown eyes.”
“Yes. Brown eyes.”
He looked at me as if nervous. I gazed back, amazed.
“Goodness. Truly, a handsome man remains handsome even with different eye color.”
His eyes, once as blue as the sea, were undoubtedly beautiful—but this new color suited him well too. Then again, what difference could eye color make on a man already so handsome?
But for some reason, he seemed disappointed, as if my words hadn’t pleased him. Wondering what might have upset him, I quickly added:
“Still, blue eyes are definitely clear and lovely. They’re just like Yezar—so pure that looking at them makes me feel happy.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Thankfully, his mood seemed restored. I breathed a sigh of relief and turned my attention to his changed hair color. His brilliant golden hair had darkened, as if shadowed.
“Your hair is much darker too.”
“Blond hair draws too much attention.”
Indeed, his hair, which sparkled like sunlight, had a way of capturing everyone’s gaze.
“Then Yezar, how about my hair and eye color? How do they look?”
Suddenly curious, I asked as I looked at him. He replied, gazing at me:
“Your hair has turned orange, and your eyes are black.”
“Really? How strange.”
I glanced around and spotted a mirror, stepping in front of it. A woman with black eyes and orange hair stared back from the reflection.
The potion was bitter and disgusting, but experiencing a completely different hair and eye color was an entirely new sensation.
‘It’s like wearing colored contacts and dyed hair. Still, being able to change instantly without damaging my hair is nice.’
“Then, where shall we go now?”
“Why not take a walk through the shopping district? It’s surprisingly enjoyable.”
“Since you’ve been here many times, I’ll trust your judgment.”
“Yes, Rietta.”
He suddenly called me by a pet name, and I froze without realizing it.
Male lead is a Divorced Husband
She said to him: “Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change it!”
Liu Changning transmigrated into a female cannon fodder character in a female-dominant novel.
After reading the first half of the novel’s plot, the first thing she did upon transmigration was to divorce the Pan Jinlian-style male protagonist she had just married.
She indulged herself, pretending to be ugly and poor.
But as time passed, the way that man looked at her became more and more unusual…
Liu Changning was dumbfounded: Tell me, what makes you like me? I’ll change!
――
This lifetime, Pei Yuanshao was rejected by the same woman twice!
The first time, she drove him away. Forced by the situation, he endured the waves of anger in his heart, yielding and humbling himself.
That person lay slanted on a rocking chair, her sallow face emotionless: “If you don’t want a divorce, go cook!”
Pei Yuanshao’s face was dark and gloomy: “You!”
The second time, after the crisis in Jinling City was resolved, the new emperor sent someone to pick him up. He turned around, stammering: “I… I have to go. If you keep me…”
That person lay on the kang bed, her back to him, as if she had long anticipated this day, crisp and clear: “Goodbye!”
Pei Yuanshao was so angry his fingers trembled: “You… you!”
The mission of family and country made him restrain himself, averting his eyes and turning to leave this broken household.
Two years later, they met again. Seeing her ethereal face, his body shook like a sieve.
“She was originally a ‘she’!”
At the Qionglin Banquet, the top scholar of the imperial examination, a talented person with exceptional speech and conduct, all the unmarried young gentlemen from aristocratic families looked at her with shy and timid eyes.
The peerless imperial official Pei Yuanshao felt the anger in his heart erupt. He pointed at the woman surrounded by the crowd at the Qionglin Banquet, his thin lips slightly curled: “Little sister, I wants that person to be the wife-master of my Mingde Prince Manor.”
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