If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 10
Caught off guard by the unfamiliar questioning, Ruby fell momentarily speechless. Ivan’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“If you tell a lie, I will deal with you according to the laws of my House. It would be for your own good to tell the truth now.” Ivan’s words were cold, in contrast to the gentleness with which he had treated her up to this point.
Ruby glared at the young man who stood in front of her, then turned back to Liam, hoping to see if he would offer any help, but he was already off in the distance. Watching from afar, it was as if he was determined to stay out of this.
Perplexed, unable to articulate her thoughts, Ruby hesitantly looked up at Ivan, her mouth faltering.
“Why don’t you say something?”
The chill in the air was palpable, and his eyes were even more fierce. He believed her to a certain extent, but he couldn’t rule out the possibility. If she was a spy who had realized his weakness and crossed him, the consequences would be disastrous. His father’s words echoed in his mind telling him to not let just anyone into the estate.
Under his fierce gaze, Ruby felt a surge of fear. Even in his human form, she could feel the pressure, knowing that this man was the leader of the Wolf Tribe. It was enough to make her heart clench.
Suddenly, memories of the Golden Lion Tribe that had invaded her village flashed through her mind.
The apparition that had been babbling in front of her moments ago suddenly approached, initiating a conversation.
As she observed him, he examined Ruby back. ‘So, you can only watch quietly? You can’t do anything to me, can you?’
Its mouth widened into a grin as the apparition stared intently at Ruby, drawing closer.
Ivan felt a shiver run down his spine. The chill he had only felt at night now seemed to pervade the daytime, causing every hair on his body to stand on end. Though he couldn’t logically explain it, he was inclined to think that what she said might be true.
It was then that Ruby, who had remained silent, spoke up. A cold tone came out of her mouth, completely different from her previously innocent demeanor.
“If you can’t do something about it, how dare you poke fun at the man who lives here.”
Jingle–
The earring hanging from her rabbit ear made a sound. Once, twice, the dazzling trinket swung slowly without any wind. Sharp red eyes glared fiercely into the void.
Ivan, right beside her, observed Ruby’s reaction. The unflinching, fixed red eyes seemed genuinely fixated on something.
“You…”
Before Ivan could say anything else, Ruby was on her feet, a tinkling sound accompanying each step she took.
“Leave this life behind, for it is no longer yours.”
‘W-what the hell!?’
Ruby flicked her left hand as she spoke, and the bracelet she wore jingled along with her earrings. With each light wave of her hand, the apparition began to ripple and squirm in agony. No one except her could see this spectacle, yet the wolf-tribe spirit agonized in writhing torment.
‘N-No way! This can’t be happening!’
The spirit, as if refusing to acknowledge its end, knocked over the dishes on the table.
Clang–
Everyone’s eyes were drawn to the bowl that flew away and landed on the floor, even though there was clearly no one nearby.
In the midst of this, Ruby murmured toward the spirit. “Release the burden, soar away freely.”
Rattle–
The crystal-clear sound was heard again, and everyone’s attention shifted back to her. Ruby’s gaze remained unwaveringly fixed ahead.
‘Ah…’
“The longer you remain in this life, the more your soul will become clouded. Return to your place before it is completely colored by darkness. That is your path.”
Contrary to her initial fierceness, she now spoke kindly towards the dissipating spirit. Her expression was as polite as a farewell.
‘I’m just worried about my sick wife…’
“I’ll take care of her for you, so you can leave in peace.”
‘Is that really true?’
“Yes, just tell me her name and where she lives.”
‘…I see. Beryl, her heart, …ing. So…’
“Yes, I’ll definitely find her. So please, leave your worries behind and go.”
‘Ah… I feel strange… It’s somewhat refreshing…’
The wolf-tribe spirit didn’t manage to finish his sentence as he disappeared into thin air. Ruby stared in silence at the place where he had vanished.
She stood still, head bowed and hands clasped together. Those around her couldn’t utter a word. Especially Ivan, whose eyes remained wide as if he had witnessed something miraculous.
