If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 113
Ruby didn’t just address Count Morado, but the vassals in the room as well.
“Each clan has its own abilities, right? Our clan can see spirits. Of course, there’s some variation in ability. But it seems like the wolf tribe is particularly skeptical. If they can’t see something with their own eyes, they automatically doubt it…”
She took another sip of her wine as she continued.
“You’ve probably met many different clans, so why are you so narrow-minded?”
“Ugh.”
Ivan couldn’t hold back his laughter any longer. The look on Count Morado’s face when Ruby mentioned “narrow-minded” was just too funny. He looked as though he had heard something completely foreign.
“…The young lady is not wrong.”
Count Morado, while still thinking Ruby was being rather audacious, couldn’t help but reflect on his own attitude.
The Stege Empire was a place where various beastfolk lived together. If one were to belittle another clan’s unique abilities just because they couldn’t see them, they would have no right to complain if the abilities of the wolf tribe were similarly dismissed. They were all citizens of the Stege Empire, after all.
This thought reminded him of something the clan leader had said during a meeting.
“You needn’t worry too much, Count.”
“What do you mean?”
“The young master is still young. It’s something that will naturally resolve with time. Having an excess of yang energy since childhood can actually be harmful.”
“…I see. Thank you for your words, young lady.”
Ruby moved her finger sideways and narrowed her eyes. It was as if she were gauging something. Then, she shook her head at the vassals.
Just that one gesture made everyone in the banquet hall tense up simultaneously. Ivan bit his lip, trying to hold back laughter. It was so funny that he almost burst out laughing.
“Hmm, there’s a barrier set up at the manor, so it won’t be visible immediately…”
At Ruby’s words, the people who had tensed up let out a collective sigh of relief.
She rested her elbow on the table and propped her chin on her palm. Tilting her head slightly to the side, she rubbed the rim of her wine glass with her fingertips before speaking to Ivan.
“Your Grace.”
“Yes?”
“Do you remember that maid from before?”
“…Hmm, why do you ask about that maid?”
At this point, she seemed completely drunk, and Ivan had to swallow his laughter, finding it hard to respond. The trembling of her lips was obvious, and everyone in the room except Ruby noticed it.
“I forgot to mention something,” she continued.
“Hmm, what is it?”
“Well, the maid was wearing the staff’s uniform from the Duke’s house, and there was a female spirit near her.”
“What?”
“The spirit was full of resentment, and it was glaring at her like it wanted to kill her.”
“Ruby, you mean the spirit of Lady Weaver, right?”
“Yes. Soon, it might catch her, and maybe even eat her?”
After the chilling words, Ruby’s head tilted back, and she almost fell backward, prompting Ivan to quickly reach out with his hand.
“Hoo…”
He carefully cupped her small face in his palm, making sure she was settled, and gently stood up. Everyone in the room watched in silence. The Duke’s behavior was even more intense than the rumors suggested, and they were all too aware that any clumsy move to handle Ruby could lead to serious consequences.
Isabelle was left disheartened. The shock of seeing the Duke, who usually showed basic manners with any woman, now anxious and fearful around this outsider, was enough to make her heart feel like it was shattering into pieces.
Distracted by Ivan’s behavior, no one among the guards remembered Ruby’s drunken ramblings. Ivan, still holding Ruby in his arms, turned to his vassals.
“Since the lady is drunk, I’ll get up first. It’s nice to have a day like this once in a while.“
“…Yes, understood. We’ll see you tomorrow, my lord.”
Count Morado rose and answered on behalf of the group. He could only silently watch Ivan leave with Ruby in his arms. His mind was in turmoil. Ruby’s unexpected abilities had become even more crucial than he’d anticipated. The count glanced at Alex and Isabelle, then sighed deeply.
His son or daughter? He had to choose between the two of them.
