Bonus Chapter: Iris the Canary
CANARY-YELLOW wigs were the latest trend. My husband, Lucas, had a dazzling head of bright yellow hair, attracting the attention of aristocrats, and it was apparently seen as a symbol of prosperity.
I’d heard rumors of this trend, but when I saw a line of superb wigs on mannequin torsos within the Stock Trading Company drawing room, I couldn’t hide my shock.
“These need to be specially bleached, so it takes a lot of work,” Coldola explained to me. “We’ve got some factories that know how to make normal blond wigs, but our president’s hair color is unique… If you add too much color, it becomes too dark, and you need to add some gloss or polish to make it dazzle with that hue.”
“Which is why you want Kiki and me to check on the quality since we’re used to seeing Lucas,” I concluded.
“That’s right. I’m sorry to have you come all this way, madam…”
“Um,” Kiki piped up as she raised her hand while gazing at the wigs beside me. “Why not call Leik as well?”
Coldola furrowed her brows. “He’ll go, ‘Huh? You think a mere factory can replicate my lord’s hair?’ and glare at us. He’s a real piece of work, I tell you.”
“I can imagine…” Kiki replied with a forced smile.
I studied the wigs. This set was aimed at women—the coiffures were tied up or braided to create a fabulous design. Upon closer inspection, the chignon hairstyle had been padded. This shape likely turned high profits and would fit the needs of the consumers.
“Since you’ve got the chance, why don’t you wear one, madam?” Coldola offered.
Because of my long hair, containing it all within the wig was difficult. I wore it simply over my head and had my hair stuffed inside. After I smoothed the wig out, I nervously gazed into the mirror and peered at myself.
“It doesn’t suit me at all,” I muttered.
I was almost impressed by how off-putting I looked as I inspected my blonde self in the mirror. It made my skin look dark, and my dark eyes and the mole by my eye stood out unnaturally like a sore thumb. Only my hair color was different, and it was completely unfitting for my appearance. Both Coldola and Kiki groaned about how awkward I looked as they averted their gaze.
I shrugged in response. “If we make a color that matches Lucas’s too closely, we might inadvertently narrow our market. Perhaps it’s best to have several hues and recommend one that suits the customer best.”
“You’re right,” Coldola agreed. “The president’s hair is just too bright and vibrant.”
“Lord Lucas’s hair reminds me of a baby chick. It’s cute,” Kiki added.
I thought about my husband; his skin must’ve been clearer and paler than I’d thought. Even his eyelashes had the same vibrant color, and it all looked natural on him. Just as I was about to remove the wig, I had another suggestion in mind.
“I’d like to go outside under the sun,” I said. “Perhaps that will affect the colors.”
“You’re right! Let’s head out!” Kiki agreed.
The three of us marched out into the corridor, where we bumped into Lucas.
“Lucas,” I said.
“Mr. Stock,” Coldola added.
“Lord Lucas,” Kiki chimed in.
The pocket watch he had tumbled out of his hand, dangling in front of him on its chain. It was bouncing about as Lucas turned pale.
“Iris! Your hair!” he cried as he hastily ran toward me. He stroked my hair as he panicked. “Hey, what happened? What did you do? What went on? Your dark hair was gorgeous. Were you still worried about it being too plain or something? Why did you… I’m always telling you that there’s nothing more beautiful in the world than your hair. And yet…”
I fell silent as he spoke swiftly; I didn’t have time to butt in and could only stand there in astonishment. Behind him, Leik crouched down while trying to stifle his laughter. It apparently was difficult to laugh without making a sound.
“No, if you willingly chose to dye your hair, I don’t mind that,” Lucas went on. “You should do what you like since it’s your own body. I’m not forcing you to maintain your black hair. B-But, I…I really loved your hair. You bleached your poor strands until they turned so brittle and rough… Why did you… If only you told me. I would’ve at least thought of a way to dye your hair without making it so rough.”
“Lucas. Lucas, I must have you calm down,” I said.
“How could I?”
“I didn’t dye my hair. It’s just a wig. Take a closer look.”
“Huh?”
I felt sorry for him and removed the wig from my head. My dark hair, messily kept underneath, cascaded out for all the world to see. There was a moment of silence as Lucas’s face went through a swift transformation. He became shocked, then relieved, then confused, and finally, redder than a beet.
“Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!” Leik burst out laughing, unable to contain himself any longer.
“Leik! Damn it, stop laughing!” Lucas roared.
“Pffft… H-He’s right, Leik…” Coldola said as she tried her best to stifle her laughs. “Y-You can’t… Heh heh…”
“Oh, you’re one to talk, Coldola!” Lucas growled. “You should see the face you’re making right now!”
“Ha ha…” Kiki and I chuckled. We were the only ones who maintained a straight face, though we could only smile awkwardly as we also masked our laughter.
“U-Um, I’m sorry, Lucas,” I said. “I was just testing these wigs out, so no one’s at fault here. I should be to blame for wanting to step out with this wig on.”
“No, I get it now,” Lucas replied. “You want to test how it feels and see the color and stuff, right? Yeah, I get it. Really, I do.”
He placed a hand over his face to hide his flurry of emotions.
“All right, we’ll head back to work,” Coldola said.
“P-Pardon me!” Kiki said.
Once everyone left, Lucas took my hand and pulled me into an empty drawing room. He held me in a tight embrace and stroked my hair.
“My heart almost stopped,” he whispered softly by my forehead. “I love your hair. It’s so beautiful. If you don’t mind, I would prefer if you didn’t dye it…”
“I’ve got no plans to,” I replied. “I like it when you stroke my hair.”
As he kept me in his arms, he reached out to comb my long locks that cascaded down my back.
“Hee hee,” I giggled. “It’s tough for Kiki to maintain for me.”
I looked up at my beloved. Even in the shadows, his hair emitted a brilliant glow.
“Lucas,” I said.
“Hmm?”
“May I…also touch your hair?”
“Of course.”
He carried me to the sofa, sat me sideways on his lap, and offered his hair to me. I gently stroked his locks along his scalp with both hands, his yellow fluff illuminated by the afternoon sun. His silky strands tickled the back of my hand as Lucas closed his eyes. Naturally, his eyelashes, eyebrows, and vellus hairs were the same canary-yellow hue, shining brightly to accentuate his white skin. Stunning didn’t even begin to describe him. He looked comfortable as I stroked his hair, and he seemed blissful.
“What’s wrong?” he asked when my hands stopped.
Even his amber irises that reflected me were vibrant. He was much taller than me, and it was rare to be so close to his eyes and touch his hair. I felt blessed to have this chance and kissed the spot by his eye, just as he’d always done for me. He couldn’t hide his shock, his cheeks turning red as he looked at my face.
“Iris?” he asked.
“I’m sorry,” I replied with a smile. “You just looked so cute, so I…”
He drew me close in retaliation, stroking my hair that he claimed to love, and rolled me onto the sofa beneath him, completely encapsulating me in his arms.
“Lucas, what about work?” I asked.
“You think I can just head back to work now?” he whispered back.
I said not a word. He scooped up my dark tresses that spilled over the sofa and kissed a lock as he smiled, his amber gaze turning sharp like a hawk’s.