~Chapter 34~
Unaware
“Since I’m already in a good mood, you don’t have to act like that in front of the maids and guards.”
“Is that so?”
For some reason, he smiled again. Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile as well. The tension between us dissolved in an instant.
“You’re smiling.”
“You’re smiling too, Eyzar.”
Once the atmosphere lightened, we began discussing what to do after getting off the carriage. Even after buying gloves, we would still have time, so it might be nice to look around the duchy.
But there was one unexpected problem—my appearance and his face were both far too eye-catching.
If we go into town like this, all eyes will be on us. What should we do?
After a moment of thought, a fun idea came to me, and I spoke to Eyzar.
“What do you think about getting off midway and disguising ourselves?”
“A disguise?”
“Yes. The weather’s getting warmer, and I heard there’s a village festival going on. I’d like to join, but if we go like this, we’ll attract too much attention. It’s a shame after dressing up so nicely, but I want to enjoy it comfortably.”
“I don’t mind. In that case… shall we even change our hair color?”
“Hair color?”
“Yes. I actually disguise myself quite often when inspecting the territory.”
“Oh my. I had no idea.”
In the novel, his daily life was only ever shown when he was with Bertisha. It never really described what he did when he wasn’t with her.
“It’s quite fun. I’ll make sure no one recognizes us.”
“Pfft. Alright.”
Though honestly, it would be hard to hide his looks completely.
The carriage slowed to a stop as we arrived at the glove shop.
We had come because we’d heard this was a good store nearby—but apparently, it was also a place Eyzar frequently visited.
The ducal house had more than enough money, so it made sense he would choose high-quality shops. Still, a thought crossed my mind that maybe I should have prepared the gift secretly instead.
As Eyzar stepped inside familiarly, the shop owner immediately came out to greet him. He was an elderly man.
“Welcome. Duke of Ferhaem, I see. Are you here to purchase gloves again? And the lady beside you is…?”
His gaze turned toward me. Come to think of it, the people of the territory probably didn’t recognize my face yet.
“My wife.”
At that, the old man’s face brightened.
“I see. So this is the Duchess I’ve heard so much about—just as beautiful as the rumors say. You make a fine pair.”
It seemed the rumors about me weren’t of the unpleasant kind.
“Yes. This time, my wife will be choosing my gift.”
“To think this day would come. Time truly flies. Please wait a moment—I’ll bring them out shortly.”
He disappeared to the back of the shop. I turned to Eyzar.
“You know him?”
“Yes. I used to come here with my father when I was young. He insisted that gloves must always be bought here.”
“That’s unusual. Don’t artisans usually come to the ducal estate to deliver their goods?”
“Well… when we asked them to deliver, they politely refused, saying their work wasn’t of a quality worthy of being presented directly to such esteemed people. So my father asked if it would be acceptable for us to come in person instead—and that’s how it began. Since I visited often as a child, we became acquainted.”
“He looked quite old. He must be very skilled.”
“He is. Though due to his health, his son now runs the shop under his guidance. Still, whenever I visit, he comes out personally.”
Before long, the owner returned with several pairs of leather gloves. Even to an untrained eye like mine, they looked exquisitely crafted.
“The sizes should fit you. Please choose based on color and preference. Since the weather is getting warmer, I’ve selected lighter materials.”
Eyzar turned to me.
“Then, my lady, please choose my gift.”
I had been quietly observing, but now I adopted a serious expression.
“Are you sure I can choose?”
“Yes. I would like it if you did.”
“Well then… I’ll choose carefully.”
I recalled asking about his preferences before and picked up a pair that caught my eye. The materials all seemed similar, and since he usually wore blue-toned leather, that would probably be the safest choice.
But… I thought black leather would suit him just as well.
As I hesitated, Eyzar spoke softly.
“I would prefer something that matches your taste.”
“My taste? Not your usual style?”
“Yes. I want to receive something you like.”
It was as if he had seen right through my dilemma. Still, I wondered if it wouldn’t be better to stick to his usual style.
Then the shop owner added,
“It seems the Duke wishes to wear gloves chosen according to the Duchess’s taste. In that case, you needn’t worry—perhaps you should choose the black leather pair you were considering.”
Encouraged from both sides, I carefully handed the black leather gloves to the shop owner.
He smiled and asked,
“Would you like them wrapped as a gift?”
I tilted my head, then nodded—it seemed like an obvious question. But the owner continued,
“However, it seems His Grace has no need for wrapping.”
I looked at Eyzar, confused. His hands looked unusually bare today.
“Eyzar… come to think of it, you’re not wearing gloves today.”
“I intend to wear the ones you give me. I didn’t want to wear anything else beforehand. So I’ll accept them with gratitude.”
Just as the owner had said, he took the gloves without waiting for them to be wrapped and immediately put them on. Then he showed them to me.
The black leather fit his hands as if they had always belonged to him.
“How are they?”
“They suit you.”
Truthfully, anything would have suited him. I felt that no matter what I had chosen, it would have looked good.
Naturally, his hand reached out and took mine.
“Shall we go look around the town now?”
“Ah—yes!”
As we left the shop, I greeted the owner. He bowed, watching us with a pleased expression.
Before heading into town, we changed into inconspicuous clothes at a boutique Eyzar knew. The maids had protested tearfully, saying it was a waste to change after dressing up so beautifully—but honestly, these clothes were much more comfortable.
“You’re out?”
When I stepped out, Eyzar was waiting. He was dressed simply in a shirt and trousers.
“Yes. We definitely won’t stand out dressed like this.”
“Then please take this as well.”
He handed me a small glass bottle.
“This changes hair and eye color?”
The liquid shimmering inside looked fascinating.
If I’d known about this sooner, I wouldn’t have stayed cooped up—I could’ve gone out in disguise.
The thought came briefly, but I shook my head. If I became too comfortable moving around in disguise, I might accidentally get entangled with the main characters.
“Yes. It lasts about half a day. We should return to the carriage by sunset.”
“Does it taste good?”
“To be honest… it doesn’t. That’s why it’s not ideal for frequent use.”
Hearing that, I swallowed it in one gulp.
Immediately, a terrible sensation churned in my stomach.
“E-Eyzar! This isn’t just tasteless—ugh…”
I felt sick instantly. Now I understood why this potion never appeared in the novel. No one would make the heroine drink something this awful.
“My lady, are you alright?”
I gratefully gulped down the water he handed me, as if it were an oasis.
“Haah… I’m glad I ate the lunch you prepared beforehand. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to taste anything afterward.”
It was truly horrible.
“It is that bad. Though you do get used to it after a few times.”
I had no intention of drinking it that many times.
Just then, Eyzar’s appearance began to change.
I blinked at him.
“Oh… your eyes are brown.”
“Yes. Brown.”
He looked at me as if nervous. I admired him.
“My goodness… a handsome man is still handsome, even with different eye color.”
His usual blue eyes were beautiful, but this suited him just as well.
Yet for some reason, he seemed slightly disappointed.
After thinking for a moment, I added,
“But your blue eyes are definitely clearer and prettier. They’re just like you—so clean and comforting to look at.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
Thankfully, his expression brightened again. Relieved, I looked at his hair too—his brilliant blonde had darkened.
“Your hair is darker now too.”
“Blonde stands out too much.”
“That’s true.”
“Then, Eyzar… what about my hair and eyes?”
Curious, I asked.
“Your hair has turned orange, and your eyes are black.”
“Really? That’s fascinating.”
I found a mirror and stood before it. A woman with orange hair and black eyes stared back at me.
Despite the awful taste, it was a unique experience.
“It’s like wearing colored lenses and dyeing my hair… but without damaging it.”
“So, where should we go now?”
“Shall we look around the shopping street? It’s more interesting than you’d expect.”
“I’ll trust you, since you’ve been here before.”
“Yes… Rieta.”
At the sudden nickname, I froze for a moment.
