If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 102
Standing tall with graceful poise, Ruby quietly observed the woman greeting her. Black hair, violet eyes. Dressed in a pale lavender gown that shimmered with a subtle sheen, the woman was someone Ruby hadn’t seen around the Duke’s household before.
“Hello, I’m Ruby of the Count de Rosa family.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you, Lady de Rosa.”
“About me?”
Ruby widened her eyes slightly. She hadn’t expected there to be much talk about her.
“Yes, this place is like a second home to me. Word spreads quickly when a special guest arrives.”
“So, you’re saying there are already rumors about me?”
“Oh, I didn’t mean it like that.”
Isabelle shook her head, looking a bit flustered. Ruby, who had been observing her impassively, suddenly flinched when Paul — the turtlefolk — popped up from the ground as if he’d been launched from it.
He leaned in so close to Isabelle that their faces nearly touched. Ruby was rarely startled by the sudden appearance of spirits, but even she couldn’t hide the surprise on her face this time.
Her rabbit ears twitched uncontrollably as Paul examined Isabelle with persistent intensity and muttered under his breath,
‘Ah, she’s that Ivan kid’s fiancée, isn’t she? She’s grown up a lot. I think I saw her when she was just a little girl… Have I really been asleep that long?’
At his words, Ruby’s ears perked up sharply. She hadn’t known the duke had a fiancée, and the revelation left her inwardly shaken. Of course, given Ivan’s rank and age, it was entirely plausible, but even so, she couldn’t calm the stir in her chest.
“Um, Lady de Rosa?”
“…Yes?”
“It feels like fate that we’ve met like this. Would you care to join me for a short walk? Even in winter, the Black estate is a beautiful place.”
With a proud smile, Isabelle looked every bit as confident as she extended her invitation, but Ruby politely declined.
“I’m actually looking for the head butler at the moment. I’m sorry, but I’ll have to excuse myself.”
“Then let me help you find him. The ducal estate is quite large. It’s easy to get lost.”
“It’s all right.”
“Don’t say that — come with me. I’ve been visiting here since I was little, so I know the place well.”
Though Isabelle’s tone was sweet and friendly, Ruby didn’t like the way she insisted despite her continued refusals.
“I really don’t…”
But before she could finish her sentence, a voice called out from the stairs above.
“Big sister Belle!”
“Alex! Are you feeling better now?”
“Yeah! I feel a lot better after resting!”
A young boy suddenly burst out of the mansion and threw his arms around Isabelle’s waist, snuggling into her affectionately.
“That’s a relief, Lex.”
As befitting a child of the Black Wolf Tribe, Alex had jet-black hair — and like Isabelle, he possessed striking violet eyes.
While Ruby narrowed her eyes, quietly studying the child, Paul leaned in with a curious expression and muttered:
‘Looks just like Ivan when he was young. His yang energy is no joke.’
Normally, Ruby would’ve asked what he meant regardless of who was around. But strangely, this time, she didn’t feel like it. If others found out about her abilities, who knows what kind of rumors might start spreading — just as Isabelle had warned.
Isabelle turned to Alex and said, “Lex, introduce yourself. She’s a guest staying at the ducal estate.”
“Hello! I’m Alex de Morado!”
The boy greeted her with a loud, cheerful voice, but his complexion didn’t quite match the energy he put forth.
“Hm.”
Ruby had already picked up on the reason why, thanks to the murmurs of restless spirits stirring nearby, but she decided not to meddle again. She’d already overstepped once today.
Besides, the boy would probably grow out of it on his own.
“It’s nice to meet you, Young Master Morado. I’m Ruby de Rosa.”
“Your hair is really pretty, big sis!”
“Oh, Lex — sweetheart, you shouldn’t call a guest that way.”
“…Really? But she is pretty.”
Ruby let out a soft chuckle, amused by his honest compliment. Maybe it was that sincerity — his clear gaze, or the way his words held no pretense — that made her shift her earlier judgment.
“He’ll grow up to be something special,” she murmured.
With that, she gently ran her bracelet-adorned hand over Alex’s small shoulder. The boy, covered in lingering traces of restless spirits, radiated an overflowing yang energy just as Paul had mentioned.
Not to the excessive degree that spirits clung to Ivan, but strong and still young enough that they were drawn to him as easy prey.
At least as long as he remained within the manor, he’d be safe.
“Uh…”
Alex blinked as the small hand brushed his shoulder. Strangely, he felt lighter, more at ease. He’d already started feeling better the moment he stepped into the Duke;s residence, but now it was like new energy had filled him.
“Well then, I’ll excuse myself now,” Ruby said with a small nod.
Ruby used the boy’s appearance as the perfect chance to slip away, but Isabelle’s voice hurriedly chased after her.
“I’ll come with you.”
Feeling increasingly suffocated by Isabelle’s insistence, Ruby turned her gaze, now chilled with indifference.
“Excessive kindness can sometimes be worse than none at all. I’ve told you several times now. I’m fine on my own, Lady Morado.”
At Ruby’s firm words, Isabelle flinched. Ruby was smaller, slighter in build, but why did she exude such an overwhelming presence?
