If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 13
“…”
“It’s something that can only happen if I’m by Your Grace’s side.”
“Ha, so you want me to use you as a gatekeeper to keep the ghosts away?”
“Yes, I’ll definitely protect Your Grace, and I will also find a way to stop them.”
“…Does that mean there’s a way to stop them even without you around?”
“Yes, that’s our family’s secret. In the past, our tribe lived in harmony with other species, making tools that could repel spiritual beings. But one of our ancestors took the tribe and went into hiding.”
“And the Golden Lion Tribe found that place?”
“Yes, our village is situated on the outskirts of the Stege Empire, a two-week journey from here if you were to travel as fast as possible. It’s a valley surrounded by mountains, so well concealed that it’s impossible to find from outside. Yet, the Golden Lion Tribe found it without any exploration parties.”
If they had explored the nearby areas, surely she would have had precognitive dreams. But she had only dreamt of what had just happened. That, in itself, was deeply suspicious.
“There must be other clans helping the Lion Tribe. Psychics and shamans like my tribe.”
“If there are, how many…are there?”
“Yes, so I need you to track them down and find out where my tribe is, and then I’ll take it from there.”
Ivan admired Ruby as she spoke of single-handedly rescuing her tribe. It wasn’t an arrogant assertion of her abilities but a genuine belief that she could do so.
“…First, I’d like you to show me what you’re capable of.”
Ivan was cautious, but there was no way around it. It was too weighty a matter to make an immediate decision.
But Ruby smiled again, this time innocently, as if she were pleased with the answer. “Being cautious is a good thing. My mom always told me to be cautious.”
Her voice grew more earnest the more she spoke. Ivan thought he could understand, just a little, what had brought her here.
“Stay by my side for a week. If your abilities are proven, I’ll certainly repay you.”
Yes, those red eyes were a problem. Eyes that looked like an intense sun, but when they were filled with sorrow, they looked as fragile as the vibrant red maple leaves facing winter.
She looked as if she could fall off at any moment, and he was tempted to aid her on his own, if she proved capable.
“Haa..” With a small sigh, he stepped outside to call for Liam.
Pitter-patter…
“…Why are you following me?”
Though he had only taken a few steps, Ruby was trailing closely behind. It was quite unsettling, especially how closely she stuck to him.
“You said you wanted me to prove myself.”
“Not much happens during the day.”
“Do they haunt you mostly at night?”
“…Yes.”
“Well, why didn’t you just say so?”
“I’m guessing you’ve heard the phrase ‘loose lips’ before.”
“I do tend to blab a bit. I’ve heard that often.”
“Ha… Wait here for a moment. I’ll call for Liam.”
“Ah, alright.”
Ruby took a step back at his words, nodding vigorously. The corners of her mouth turned up slowly, and he didn’t like the look of it.
Ivan sensed something unsettling but chose to ignore his instincts as he went outside. He thought about asking Liam more about her place, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
“Ugh!”
Barely waving to Liam in the hallway, he hurried back to the room and clung to Ruby.
“…Phew.”
For some reason, as soon as he left the room, a chilly sensation, like frosty feet, enveloped him. It’s clearly daylight now, so why on earth would…
After a moment of thought, his silver eyes quickly locked onto Ruby’s. Her red eyes narrowed as they met his.
“You…”
“Though I understand that His Grace is a noble of high standing, I’m still a genuine Countess. Please refrain from addressing me so casually as ‘you.’ Could you be a bit more cautious?”
Ivan once again grabbed his neck at her cheeky words. Unable to see but only feel, he couldn’t fathom what trick she had played. His skyrocketing blood pressure momentarily made him dizzy.
Oh, he’s truly brought along someone quite bothersome.
