I Became the Obsessive Male Lead’s Ex-Wife

Low and serious voice. The words he uttered were the sentences we had promised to say when we met in the ballroom as proof that he was ‘Ferwin Carlisle.’ Clearly he was right. However, his appearance was completely different from what I expected. First of all, he won’t wear such bright and cute clothes. Pervin wore a tight-fitting pink uniform and a black cat mask atop his brilliant white-blonde hair. Also, a mask with cute triangle-shaped ears sticking out from the top. Among the many noblemen in the ballroom, he was the only one wearing a cat mask. They were all wearing high-quality masks decorated with jewels. Even though they were fancy masks, they were only changed to various colors such as red and green. As a cat lover, I couldn’t help but notice his appearance. A tall, well-built man wearing pink clothes and a mask with cat ears? A thousand thoughts came to my mind. Where did he get it, where did he choose these clothes, why did he choose these clothes? However, as I faced his mischievous green eyes hidden behind the black cat mask, this was all I could think of.

“You’re cute, you.”

He raised his tiptoes and tickled his ear with a low voice that only he could hear. Pervin’s face suddenly turned red. He wrapped his hands around my waist and buried his lips in my hair. His voice passing by my ear sometimes sounded angry and demanding, and sometimes it sounded like he was embarrassed and didn’t know what to do.

“I don’t say things like that carelessly.”

“Why?”

“Because, what if people are captivated by the words flowing from your sweet lips…?”

“Aren’t you possessed?”

I twisted my head slightly to get away from him, and I saw Pervin with red eyes under his eyes. He had his back turned to the light, so half of his feverish face was obscured. However, I could tell that his mouth had a strange smile on it. And, he didn’t deny my question.

“What man wouldn’t be captivated by such a lovely person?”

“Oh my, thank you for making me feel good with your pretty words.”

Pervin responded to my sly answer with serious eyes.

“You’re beautiful no matter what you look like, ma’am.”

Marchioness Celestine, who was observing with interest, chirped softly next to me.

“I don’t know what kind of man he is, but he is as charming as the Duke of Carlisle. Who the heck is… oh!”

The reason she screamed her single word. This was because Ibelin, a slender man wearing a blue mask, suddenly appeared next to her. He suddenly lifted his mask in front of me, revealing his bare face, as if he had no intention of hiding his identity. His face was even more flushed, as if he had been running around just a moment ago.

“I’ve been looking for you for a while, Duchess. I heard that His Majesty the Duke is busy with various things today, so I came here to see if your wife might be spending some time alone.”

“Ah, thank you for your consideration, but I already have a prior agreement.”

I pointed at Pervin next to me. Pervin bowed his head to him, as if trying to hide his identity from him as well. Even without going this far, Ibelin had no doubt that he was Pervin. When she saw the black cat mask he was wearing, her eyes widened in surprise and she said to him:

“I think this is the first time I’ve seen a man wearing a cat mask.”

Pervin must have heard what he said and cleared his throat and held my hand tighter. I shrugged my shoulders and said to Ibelin.

“In my eyes, there is no better mask than this.”

In response to my firm response, Ibelin sheepishly apologized to Pervin and then immediately left. Pervin seemed to catch his breath for a moment, then bowed down to me.

“Then shall we go dancing, ma’am?”

“It’s already been revealed that it’s you, Pervin. You don’t have to act like someone else.”

Pervin hurriedly denied my words.

“No, I am not Your Highness the Duke… Anyway, no.”

“Then how did you know the promised text?”

“The Duke is busy right now, so he asked me to dance his wife’s first dance instead.”

I looked up at him, slightly embarrassed. His eyes were also shaking violently, making him look quite embarrassed. Yes, the two of us decided to meet at the ballroom and dance well, so why are you hiding your identity now? Unable to understand his actions of pretending to be another man, I took a step closer to him. I clasped his hands and lightly tickled his fingers.

“Pervin, who loves me so much, hates me being looked at by other men, and hates even having other people’s hands touch my hand, asked me such a request?”

Pervin’s white face turned bright red, and he stared at his large hand overlapping mine. After seeming to ponder for a while whether to get out of the cage or stay there, he quivered his lips and took his hand away from me. The corner of his mouth let out a dull voice, as if he was regretting it for some reason.

“Yes, he did, he did, he gave me his wife.”

Pervin is good at everything, but the one thing he is bad at is acting. I let out a small sigh at the way he spoke as if he was reading a Korean language book. You should stop teasing me at this point. I don’t know why he wants to hide his identity, but I guess I’ll just follow his beat for now. I slightly lifted the hem of my loose dress.

“Then, let’s go dancing.”

Marchioness Celestine, who was next to me, spoke to me with concern.

“If you start your first dance with someone other than the Duke, His Royal Highness will definitely be jealous.”

“I know, right. But now that my favorite person wearing a cat mask has appeared, I can’t help but dance.”

Marquis Celestine, who heard what I said, looked at Pervin with a strange look and Pervin got even closer to me.

“That’s right. Anyway, if I ever encounter the Duke of Carlisle, I will make sure to report the situation. The person who asked for it wore a cat mask and the wife had a happy first dance.”

“Hoho, please tell me you danced happily with another man.”

At that time, Pervin’s eyes sparkled. He couldn’t hold back the emotions of the moment and folded my hands into his palms. The long, angular fingers intertwined with mine somehow felt like it took strength. Seeing him like that, I held his hand. Even if I try to pretend to be another guy, people will immediately recognize that it’s you because of these gestures. Anyway, it seemed like he wanted to pretend to be someone else, so I decided to accommodate him.

* * *

After Irwen left, Marchioness Celestine shook off her numerous applicants and finally encountered her husband. Marquis Celestine smiled cheerfully.

“Honey! I’m the first one to dance, right?”

“Of course, I am loyal. I turned down countless men who applied to me. So you, I’m the first?”

“There is no way I would leave my beloved wife to have my first dance with another woman.”

“Hmm.”

Marchioness Celestine grinned. They expressed their joy at meeting each other in a cheerful waltz. As she danced, Marchioness Celestin revealed to her husband a fun fact she had witnessed earlier.

“The Duchess of Carlisle is dancing with another man. I don’t know how angry His Majesty the Duke would be if he found out.”

“Other man? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure.”

Marchioness Celestin shrugged her shoulders.

“First of all, not only did he not reveal his name, but his voice was husky, and the Lord said, big! I heard you wore a cat mask that you shouldn’t wear and a pink uniform.”

“Ha ha ha ha ha!”

Marquis Celestine laughed out loud, wondering what was so funny.

“Well, last time I wore fishnets, and now I even have a cat mask. You really wrote it. It’s really true in many ways… What a friend. I never imagined that her wife would even wear a cat mask just because she likes it.”

“Wait. So the person wearing the cat mask is the Duke of Carlisle?”

“Of course, there’s a guy here wearing a cute cat-like mask, and a pink uniform, haha! That’s the only friend I have. “It’s clear that she put it all together just because her wife liked it.”

Marquis Celestine looked blank for a moment at her husband’s words. Come to think of it, she was the only Duke of Carlisle with such a well-toned body, brilliant white blonde hair, and mesmerizing green eyes. So, why is she hiding her own identity from the Duchess? Surely, he’s not using the classic method of pretending to be another man to find out what’s inside his wife?

* * *

I started dancing. Pervin put his hand on my waist and gently grabbed my other hand. It felt different from his usual rough hands, calloused from holding a sword all his life. Isn’t it true that my hands were taken care of by applying a lot of lotion all day long? He said, gently holding my hand.

“You were always beautiful, but today you shine especially brightly.”

“That’s cool too.”

“Is that so?”

A black cat mask filled my vision. And the green eyes sparkling behind it. Just as I can’t hide his handsome looks behind the mask, I can’t hide the way he gives me his usual eye smile. What is it that makes your eyes towards me curve so beautifully like a crescent moon on a moonlit night? If you’re going to pretend to be another man, make sure you act properly. He continued speaking casually.

“Count Rune was a hot topic in the market. He is popular with women for his handsome appearance and soft-spoken skills.”

Pervin’s pleasant voice seems to be slightly muddy. It was difficult to determine his mood from his voice because of the noisy chatter between men and women and the lively music. I held his hand, paced him, and opened his mouth.

“Handsome men are popular everywhere.”

Ibelin was popular with the noble ladies in the market. He would still be surrounded by women at a ball somewhere. Pervin smiled softly at my awkward answer. The lips that were clearly exposed under the cat mask that covered only the eyes were sweet. And he asked again as if nothing had happened.

“Most women like Count Rune, so I asked him about it.”

“Everyone will say that because he is so handsome and friendly.”

“Then, madam, do you like the Count?”

Are you asking that question here? suddenly? Pervin gave me a soft smile.

“I saw Count Rune come to take care of his wife earlier.”

“We just met by chance.”

I saw something powerful pulsating in the pale green eyes. He was testing me by trying hard to hide his feelings. As I squinted, he leaned his face closer.

“She doesn’t seem to know how attractive she is,” she said. “Why doesn’t she know that every man’s heart flutters with her just by looking at her?”

“I don’t know why she’s asking this question when you’re not even my husband.”

He hugged me slightly.

“If you tell me what kind of man she likes, I will be happy to cater to you.”

Before I could ask why I was asking this question when I was playing another man, Pervin put his face close to mine. The cat ears on her white blond hair fluttered as he approached her.

“I’ve done this, but if I fall in love with another man, I’ll get jealous and go crazy.”

He clings to me and growls. The green eyes behind the mask sparkled. The words “I’m going crazy with jealousy” struck my ears. Pervin Carlisle, jealousy incarnate. Now he seemed to have no intention of hiding himself. Revealing his true voice, I saw him growling, revealing his true colors to me. I asked without hesitation, without any more rhythm.

“Is that you?”

“…”

“Pervin?”

Pervin, who was making contact with her heat, suddenly silenced her. I felt his hand wrapping around my waist gaining more strength. I raised my eyes and tried to meet his eyes. But his green eyes were avoiding me as if he was embarrassed. Lively music played, and the dancing women lifted the hem of their skirts. It was time to take a spin. Several couples were seen giggling and pushing each other, as if they recognized who each other was. At this time, there was some tension in a friendly atmosphere. I looked at Pervin leisurely, and he gave me a nervous look. I don’t know why, but it seemed like he had no intention of revealing his true identity. I felt a little sweat drop in his hand as he held my hand firmly. I took a spin in his arms. And then I faced him again.

‘Pervin, why are you like this, like an amateur?’

‘I plan to hide my identity until the end.’

Although we didn’t speak, we had this conversation roughly with our eyes. I just laughed because this situation was so funny. Oh, you’re going to get away with it. At first, I thought I was acting because I didn’t want to be discovered in front of other people. But at this point, it is clear that there was another purpose. Are you pretending to be someone else to get something out of me? Then I guess I’ll just have to pretend not to know until the end. However, it will not fit all of them. Feeling playful, I danced peacefully in his arms again. I pretended to hold his hand and lightly scratched his palm. I felt him flinch.

“What was the question earlier? I was dancing so hard that I forgot about it.”

Pervin answered, clenching his teeth as if he was holding back something.

“I asked your wife if she liked a man like Count Rune.”

I answered without any hesitation.

“He’s a man that women can’t help but like. He is handsome, has good manners, and above all, he has an excellent knack for making people happy.”

“…Is that so?”

“You’re really handsome. Every time I see it, my eyes are taken away. Are all the people of Verma Principality that handsome? Your voice is good too.”

Pervin’s eyes sparkled. He pulled me closer. Tap, tap, tap! We synchronized our steps to the music three times. It was a very lively and lively dance, but for some reason, his movements seemed to be filled with emotion. I also thought that the prank had gone too far. I spun around in his arms again. He gritted his teeth and seemed to be barely able to maintain his sanity. The sight of his pale cheeks turning red with a nervous blush made me want to tease him for some reason. So why did you make the joke first? Would you please correct it again now? Just as I was about to speak, Pervin pulled me close and said,

“Then what do you think of the Duke of Carlisle?”

“Oh my, you’re asking such a personal question.”

I pretended to be embarrassed and walked slightly away from him. He said, pulling me towards him again. Unlike me, who was relaxed, he seemed in a hurry.

“You praised Count Rune so much, but why do you have no feelings for the Duke of Carlisle?”

“What does the Duke of Carlisle have to do with me? He is already married and has a wife, so there is nothing for women to covet.”

* * *

Pervin looked into the eyes of Irwen, who was smiling amusingly behind her mask. Her own goal was to borrow her mask and listen to her honest thoughts. A masquerade ball is a place where you can talk freely with strangers. So she deliberately dressed up in her unfamiliar clothes and approached her wife. Of course, there was a lot of behind-the-scenes work behind it. The outstanding beauty that could not be hidden even behind a mask and the graceful curves revealed in the dress attracted many men. Not only Sibelom, who discovered her in amazement, but also her guard, Sir Jean Daubre, and Montague Youngsik. Regardless of whether she was married or single, she waited for the music to start. She takes advantage of that moment to ask Irwen to dance with her. Pervin used her power as the event’s organizer to assign tasks to each of the men who approached Irwen. For Sibel Rome, she entertained numerous noble ladies. Lord Dobre was given orders to strengthen her outer security. Montague Yeongsik was given the name Stella. And as other men approached Irwen, he appeared before her. Wearing a cat mask that I have never worn in my life and a pink uniform. He showed the utmost sincerity he could for his wife, who loved her cats and liked red-colored clothes. Yes, I thought that if I borrowed her mask and talked to her about various things, I would be able to find out her true feelings. Especially about the Ibelin rune. But the more I ask this question, the more my heart explodes. And what, the Duke of Carlisle has nothing to covet? Her head was getting more and more painful. He had never even considered the possibility that Irwen was playing a prank on her. In her naivety, she assumed that I was not Per bin Carlisle, and that she simply believed me at her request. She thought that since he only told her truth to Irwen, she would always tell him her truth. I said so. Never in her wildest dreams did she know that he would think of her like this. Then what are those sweet eyes that she has been showing herself all this time? What captivated me with a gesture as sweet as cherry wine in bed? Didn’t you covet me? Pervin thought for a moment. Barely able to get her head together, she began reciting her good things about herself.

“I don’t know why you don’t know. Before he got married, he was the man every single woman wanted to marry.”

“But you’re already married.”

“It is said that his wealth is second only to that of the emperor. Villas, estates, etc. scattered throughout the empire. They say he is on par with, or even surpasses, His Royal Highness the Duke of Sibelom.”

“I’m sure the Duchess will enjoy it with His Royal Highness the Duke.”

“It is said that his handsome appearance, with brilliant white blonde hair and charming green eyes that change every moment, captivated the hearts of many noble women.”

Pervin sighed without realizing it. Why should I do this to Irwen? Am I not that attractive to her? Ask anyone in the Empire what Pervin Carlisle is like and you will get an answer. Irwen was probably the only one who had no awareness. Pervin felt ashamed of herself for trying to appeal to herself like this. She let out a sigh that made her jaw drop. She didn’t approach it rationally anyway. Now I’m holding on to Ogi. She is not Irwen Ibelin, until she praises herself.

* * *

Even with her dancing, Pervin continued to highlight her strengths. She seemed desperate, trying her best to get praise from me. She even said these words out of his mouth.

“He has a jawline and nose that looks like a cut, and a sturdy body that can hold quite a few women in his arms at once. This is what the single and married women of the Empire said. “He is so handsome that you will be mesmerized just by looking at him.”

Pervin spoke with difficulty and stared at me. He looked quite cute behind the cat mask. So he wanted to tease me one more time. I dragged my words as if to leave a lingering impression.

“Count Rune is really handsome too…”

Had the joke gone too far? In the end, Pervin couldn’t bear it anymore and let go of her own mask. The handsome face hidden behind the cute cat mask was revealed. As he pulled me into his arms, I could clearly feel his angry body.

“Irwen. How long are you going to praise another man in front of me?”

 

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