If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 111
The retainers, curious about the strange rapport between Ruby and Ivan, looked on in disbelief. That’s when Alex, sitting at the far end of the table, suddenly recognized her and piped up.
“Oh! It’s that big sis from before!”
“Lex, I told you not to call her that,” Isabelle scolded him gently.
Alex was seated nearly diagonally across the table. Ruby craned her neck forward to greet him with a warm smile.
“Oh, it’s the young master with a bright future.”
“So you haven’t just been holed up in your room after all.”
Ivan said, slicing into his steak. Ruby, having just acknowledged Alex and settled back into her seat, leaned in slightly to whisper.
“Actually, I was curious about how the meeting was going, so I wandered around a bit. But I didn’t really hear anything useful. I just ended up doing something silly.”
Ivan noticed her voice was brighter than usual. A quick glance at her wine glass told him it was already empty again.
“How many of those ‘silly’ things are we talking about?”
“Hmm, two?”
“One of them must be what happened earlier…”
As he spoke, Ivan subtly slid a piece of boiled carrot from his garnish onto Ruby’s plate. She, without missing a beat, casually picked it up, dipped it, and popped it into her mouth.
“The other one was that cute little young master.”
“Hm?”
Hearing a word she rarely used, Ivan’s gaze naturally shifted to Alex. Having known him since he was a child, Alex showed no signs of intimidation toward even Ivan, the clan leader.
Alex looked more energetic than usual, and when he waved, Ruby waved back with a cheerful smile. Ivan’s brow rose involuntarily.
“What exactly did you talk about with Alex?”
He assumed they’d exchanged simple pleasantries, but her reply was anything but expected.
“I told him that when he grows up, he’s going to be just as impressive a male as you are, Your Grace.”
Her voice was far from quiet. Count Morado definitely heard her, and probably everyone else in the room did too. Alex blushed, bowing his head with embarrassment.
“Goodness. Such generous praise. We’re very flattered.”
Although the count disapproved of Ruby’s presence, no parent could remain displeased when their child was complimented.
“Ah, are you that young master’s father?”
“Ruby, this is Count Morado.”
“Ah, right. We were introduced earlier.”
Ruby glanced back and forth between Isabelle and Count Morado.
The vassals found Ivan’s affection for Ruby strange.
But what puzzled them even more was the fact that Ivan hadn’t introduced Ruby to them.
Normally, the one who brings a guest would make the introductions, and Ivan certainly knew that, so everyone couldn’t help but find it strange.
Because of that, they had no choice but to treat Ruby with courtesy. Officially, none of them knew each other’s ranks.
“…But what did you mean by saying he’ll grow up to be a fine male?”
At Ivan’s subtle question, Ruby slowly blinked.
Then, instead of answering, she lifted her empty glass and looked at Liam.
Liam promptly stepped forward and refilled it.
All eyes turned toward Ruby as she took a sip of her wine.
Ivan and Count Morado, in particular, were quite eager to hear what she’d say next.
After emptying her glass once again, Ruby stared into it and smacked her lips.
“I think you’re drinking too fast.”
“Is that so? It’s just so delicious that I couldn’t help it…”
Ruby’s lips grew even redder from the wine as she stretched them out with a smile. Ivan quietly observed her, then casually passed her the remaining carrots.
Ruby, unaware, took them and put them in her mouth.
Unable to contain his curiosity, Count Morado finally asked, almost urging her.
“I know it’s a bit presumptuous, but I can’t help but ask — what exactly did you see in our Alex?”
He knew it was a light compliment, but he was desperate, as Alex had always been frail.
“Oh, well, he has an incredible amount of yang energy, just like the Duke.”
Ruby replied, and the room fell silent.
In particular, Count Morado trembled as though he had been insulted.
