If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 109
This little rabbit had been sobbing about missing her family just a while ago. Then she’d gotten stubborn, told a lie, and now here she was — whispering with that same serious little face.
But in the most important moment, Ruby didn’t act recklessly. The way she asked for his opinion so earnestly made Ivan find her utterly endearing.
“It can’t be helped.”
Ivan gave a brief reply, then turned his attention to Baron Voight.
“Can you swear not to divulge anything you’ve heard here right now?”
“Yes, I will always submit to you, my Lord.”
“Good. You should. For your sake, and for your wife’s as well.”
“…Excuse me? Has my wife done something wrong?”
It was only then that Baron Voight remembered his wife had returned to the Duke’s household today. Now, he understood why he had been summoned separately.
With a solemn expression, the baron immediately knelt. Ivan, who had been standing while holding Ruby, casually settled onto the sofa, still keeping her in his embrace.
“I don’t know what wrong my wife has done, but please forgive her, my Lord.”
“…Why would you think that?”
“I deeply regret this, but my wife is still in pain. She had a miscarriage last year…”
The baron had kept the tragedy where their child died in the womb near the end of her term completely hidden. Not because he feared it would bring shame to the family, but solely to protect his wife.
If rumors spread, she would be forced to relive the painful story of the dead child over and over again.
It was then that Ruby quietly spoke.
“He had yellow eyes that shone like stars, didn’t he?”
“Excuse me?”
The baron, who had been speaking with his head lowered, snapped it up at Ruby’s words without thinking.
“How do you know that? Did my wife mention it?”
His complexion darkened. Although he had told his wife to forget the lost child, it was clear that he still struggled with the grief.
“No. I saw him myself.”
“…Even if you’re the Duke’s guest, such a joke is rather offensive.”
The baron’s voice grew icy, but Ruby merely shrugged her shoulders, as if accustomed to it now.
It must be hard for him to believe, given that he couldn’t see it himself.
She stole a glance at Ivan. The moment their eyes met, his silver gaze gleamed mischievously, as if giving her the signal to speak her mind. Ruby then shifted her focus back to the baron.
“Every clan has its unique abilities, right? My clan has spiritual powers.”
“…Spiritual powers?”
“Yes. That’s why I sent your wife home.”
“Why is that?”
“Because a little baby spirit was waiting by your wife’s side.”
The baron’s eyes and mouth opened in disbelief at Ruby’s words. She casually glanced out the window before continuing.
“The baby seems to have a deep attachment to his mother. It was determined to be reborn as her child no matter what. But time has passed, and the spirit has faded considerably. So…”
Ruby suddenly realized that she was still in Ivan’s arms and quickly stepped out of his embrace. He didn’t stop her.
As soon as her feet were on the ground, Ruby slowly pointed toward the window, where the setting sun was visible.
“Go home and have s-x with her.”
Ivan bit the soft flesh in his mouth again at the blatant expression. The rabbit who was ashamed of his marking but had no qualms about s-x, was very cute.
“Uhm, aah…”
The Baron stammered, unable to continue. He wobbled helplessly, then scrambled to his feet and bowed deeply to Ruby and Ivan.
“Thank you, my lord. I will remember this,” the baron said, his voice now steady, though still betraying the weight of his thoughts.
He looked like he wanted to get back to the house. But then Ivan spoke up.
“Baron Voight.”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“You may go home first today.”
“Thank you!”
“But before you go, there’s one thing you should know.”
“Yes, please, speak.”
“Just as the baron waits for a child, there are others who are also desperately searching for their families.”
At Ivan’s sharp remark, the baron immediately fell silent, his mouth tightly closed like a clam. He recalled the careless words he had spoken earlier in the meeting room.
Ivan’s words echoed in the baron’s mind, and he felt a sharp sting of regret. He had foolishly suggested that all they owed was to find the location of her family.
The realization that his actions and words had consequences weighed heavily on him, and the cool, calculating gaze of Ivan made him feel even smaller. With a simple motion of his chin, he dismissed the baron.
The baron, unable to lift his head, left the room quickly, his heart still heavy with the sting of his own foolishness.
