If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 107
“…Well, it’s not something just anyone can know. But yes, you do see people like that from time to time.”
If it’s a couple whose souls are already aligned, like today, she can tell. In such cases, as long as they consummate the relationship, there’s a high chance they’ll conceive.
“My goodness! Truly, this is an incredible ability, young lady!”
“Wait a second.”
Ivan, who had been deep in thought for a moment, turned to Liam and asked:
“The maid, wasn’t she the wife of Baron Voight?”
“Yes, that’s right. She took a year off due to personal reasons, but even before that, she had an excellent reputation.”
“No, that’s not what’s important.”
“Then…?”
“Isn’t Baron Voight currently at the ducal estate? For a meeting.”
“!”
Liam froze, eyes wide with realization. What was the point of sending the wife home on such an important day, when the husband was still here?
Failing to hide his trembling eyes, Liam turned to Ivan.
“You have to allow this, my Lord. You know that reproduction is the beginning of prosperity, right?”
“Go bring her yourself.”
“Yes, understood.”
At Ivan’s command, Liam placed the iced tea and fruit on the table and quickly left the room.
“Ruby.”
Ivan turned his body back toward her, just like before, and called her name. She responded with just her eyes sliding to the side to look at him.
“What?”
“Nothing more you want to say?”
“…W-What do you mean?”
“I thought you were always honest, but turns out you can slip in a few lies too.”
At his words, Ruby’s lips parted slightly. In the end, her body turned to face him.
“How did you know?”
“So I was right.”
“…What?”
“You lied? How cheeky of you.”
“!”
Ruby realized a beat too late that she’d been tricked. But it was already too late.
Ivan, wondering how best to deal with this insolent little rabbit, grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him. As she slid effortlessly closer, he tapped his own lips with a finger, right in front of her face.
“From now on—three times a day. We’ll practice obedience.”
“…But you just tricked me too, Your Grace.”
“So you’re saying you won’t do it?”
“No, I’m saying it goes both ways! So now there’s no reason to do it anymore, is there?”
“Hah.”
Ivan let out a breathy laugh, his shoulders shaking. She really didn’t let a single word slide.
He gently pinched the tip of Ruby’s nose and gave it a little wiggle.
“Ah-ah?”
“Obedience is still obedience. Now tell me, why did you lie?”
Ruby covered her nose with one hand and leaned her upper body away from him.
“Tsk. Don’t run away. Answer me.”
“…Seriously. Sometimes, Your Grace is really weird.”
“Don’t change the subject. Out with it.”
Tch, not working. Ruby narrowed her eyes in protest but had no choice but to start confessing.
“It wasn’t good for them if I told you. And I felt awkward for an outsider like me to tell something like that to another man.”
“So, you saw something again.”
“No, it’s just… when that maid came in, there was this strange smell of milk. Faint, but it kept nagging at me.”
“And?”
“Turns out, it was the spirit of a baby that died at birth. It had been following her around, wanting to be born again as her child. How could I ignore that? So I just told her the truth.”
“Which means… Baroness Voight now knows about your ability.”
“I told her I didn’t mind not hiding it.”
“Hmm, that’s true, but still…”
Ivan, who had been lost in thought for a moment, brushing his hair back, suddenly remembered something important — something he’d completely forgotten about because of Ruby’s earlier tears.
“Ah, I had a problem today.”
“A problem? What was it?”
“When I went outside the estate, spirits kept clinging to me. It wasn’t like that yesterday.”
At his words, Jack’s earlier comment came to mind naturally. Ruby let out a soft sigh.
“Oh, that’s probably because all my energy’s gone.”
“Energy?”
“Yeah, from my heat cycle. I mean, how much did you lick up for the effect to last this long?”
“I guess I was right after all.”
“…You knew?”
