Cyrus stared at the bewildered Ariana, then turned his gaze away.
‘Why am I like this?’
His insides were boiling.
He knew that the hair, which used to reach his waist, had become shoulder-length. Long hair was fine, but he had also thought that short hair suited him well.
However, when he found out it was because of Donghuje, something very uncomfortable and annoying erupted from within.
“What on earth does he intend to do with Ariana’s hair?”
Usually, when a man requests a woman’s hair, it’s to use it as a talisman. The thought of Donghuje carrying Ariana’s hair around like a talisman irritated Cyrus.
In the end, Ariana gave what she rightfully should have, having lost the bet. Regardless of who possesses her hair and whether it’s used as a talisman or not, it shouldn’t bother him. So why does it make him so angry?
Cyrus suppressed his emotions, tapping his knee with his index finger.
“The princess needs to cherish her body a bit more.”
“Cutting a bit of hair won’t cause any trouble.”
Of course, it won’t cause any trouble. The reason I’m so anxious and angry right now is not because it’s causing trouble, but because I’m half out of my mind.
Fortunately, before more foolish words could come out, the carriage arrived at its destination.
+++
Contrary to its reputation, the Merchant Guild was located in the basement of a very small building. The interior had a tavern-like atmosphere with a counter and a few wooden tables scattered around.
People who seemed to be guild members gathered at the tables, playing cards or drinking. The man guarding the counter, yawning as if bored, suddenly stood up when he saw Cyrus.
“Your Highness of the Northern Crown!”
At his shout, everyone inside stopped what they were doing and turned their heads towards Cyrus.
Cyrus nodded lightly in response to the greeting and asked the man at the counter, “Where’s Penny?”
“I’ll call her right away. Please wait a moment.”
Cyrus and Ariana were guided to a narrow room inside the tavern. Before long, a woman entered the room.
She had short, curly hair and wore a plain outfit.
“Your Highness, Princess. Guildmaster Penny of the Merchant Guild’s Northern Crown branch greets you.”
Ariana was secretly surprised by Penny’s introduction.
Although she expected Penny not to be an ordinary person since Cyrus introduced her personally, she turned out to be the guildmaster of the Northern Crown branch, quite a significant figure.
“You know me.”
“Throughout the continent, there’s no lady with sky-blue hair and skin as fair as alabaster except for the Princess of Dongryeong.”
Penny spoke elegantly.
“It’s an honor to be able to greet the beautiful princess in person.”
“I’m pleased to meet you too, Penny.”
“Penny has outstanding abilities, even among various branches.”
Without showing any difficulty in response to Cyrus’s words, Penny nodded.
“Your Highness is correct. I’ve dedicated my loyalty to the Karha family for generations in the Northern Crown branch. I’ve personally received great favors from Your Highness. So, I will do my best to help Your Highness in every possible way.”
Even calling Cyrus his precious one is an exaggeration.
When people call Ariana ‘Je-Hoobi,’ she can sense it, just like when others refer to her as the Crown Princess. However, Cyrus didn’t show any signs of being upset this time either.
“I currently don’t have abundant funds to hire you as I wish, but if the opportunity arises, I would be grateful to offer assistance.”
Ariana’s words surprised Penny, and she raised both hands in astonishment.
“Oh my, Your Highness, it wouldn’t be appropriate for someone favored by the Northern Crown to receive such a favor.”
Now, the expression ‘favored by’ is being used.
Ariana became really anxious, glancing at Cyrus once again. Cyrus, who had been silent, turned to Ariana without looking and asked.
“Why does the princess keep checking my expression whenever someone says something?”
Of course, she checks. Isn’t it a problem that he remains silent, even when such a phrase as ‘favored by’ is used? Surely he doesn’t not know the meaning of being ‘favored by’? Ariana was stunned, but it was hard to say such things outright.
It seemed more comfortable to be kidnapped or have a sword at her throat than the current situation.
Penny, who had been observing the two, smiled gently and said, “If you wish to repay me, wouldn’t the Princess of Dongryeong be able to assist me whenever I need help? Serving such a noble person is a great reward in itself, so there’s nothing for you to worry about.”
“Thank you for saying that. To be of assistance to Penny, I need to strengthen my position.”
The meeting with Penny turned out to be quite useful.
Penny informed them about the current trends on the continent.
While Ariana was already aware of most of it, these were things she had experienced before dying. So, it was difficult to find words to answer when people asked how she knew. Thanks to Penny, it became easier.
From now on, they could proceed with the information obtained from the Merchant Guild.
When they came out after spending a long time in the Merchant Guild, the sun had already set.
The Northern Crown’s sunset was truly beautiful. The orange glow that dyed the white snowy mountains was so splendid that Ariana momentarily lost herself, watching the scene.
“It’s really beautiful.”
“It’s one of the pride of the Northern Crown. Mother loved this sunset.”
Whenever Cyrus talked about his mother, Ariana felt that his voice became remarkably warm. She could tell how much love he had received from his parents in his early years.
So, it hurt her heart.
It was regrettable that such a precious presence was no longer by his side.
It’s not my business, but why does my heart feel so heavy?
Instead of conveying the emotions she felt, Ariana quietly responded.
“There’s a saying that people feel affection for things that resemble themselves. I’m sure the previous Northern Crown Je-Hoobi was as beautiful as this sunset.”
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.”
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
