If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 16
In a place where wolf packs resided, it was rare to see rabbit ears swaying so softly.
Ivan shifted his gaze to make sure he was seeing things correctly. Due to the characteristics of the Black Wolf Tribe, most had dark and robust fur, which is why the attire of the Duke’s servants was notably white. Of course, the attire of the serving maids, who primarily handled household chores, was typically gray. However, the incorporation of white fabric with black accents was generally reserved for those working within a noble household.
But there was something subtle about her maid’s outfit that he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Was it the outfit or her body? Or maybe it was just the rabbit ears that made her feel out of place, but it raised doubts about whether it was appropriate for her to go out like that.
Ivan wasn’t the only one who was concerned. Liam also regarded Ruby with an inquisitive gaze.
“I know you’re in a hurry, but don’t be scared,” said Ruby. “You have me now.”
Since he had been touched by spirits earlier when he went out into the hallway alone, Ruby simply thought that he was scared now.
“Wh-who’s scared!” Ivan retorted in a bewildered, muddled pronunciation.
He couldn’t exactly tell what might be going through the mind of this tiny herbivorous being.
Me, the leader of the Black Wolf Tribe, scared?
“Huh! You kept to your village and don’t know much about the outside world. Treating us carnivores lightly could lead to a rude awakening.”
Ruby tried to act casual around him, but she knew better than anyone. She didn’t show it, but when she first saw a wolf person, she was frightened.
Why are their fangs and claws so sharp…?
Due to her experience with the Golden Lion Tribe, she had become afraid of carnivores, but she tried hard not to show it. She was alone in enemy territory, so she couldn’t let them see her weakness.
But honestly, Ivan, their leader, felt surprisingly approachable. After all, he was so scared of spirits that he couldn’t help but seem less intimidating.
“I’ve never been comfortable around carnivores.” While silently swallowing the thought “except for you,” Ruby stepped closer to him.
Just as much as him, she wanted to quickly prove her own abilities. She had already spent two weeks just getting to this place, and now she needed another week to prove her abilities. It meant that she wouldn’t learn what happened to her family and clan until roughly a month from now.
Her impatience was palpable. Ruby pushed Ivan’s back with a desperate look in her eyes. “…You said it was urgent. Hurry, let’s go.”
“Huh!”
As much as Ivan wanted to scold this rabbit person for having the audacity to touch him, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. It was only a light touch, yet it brought a strange sense of calmness. It felt like being submerged up to the neck in a hot spring that was just the right temperature. So he stepped out, pretending to be pushed by her strength, which was weaker than what he had in his pinky finger.
The sound of Ivan’s grumbling voice and Ruby’s stern retorts grew fainter as they moved away. Left alone, Liam stared at the open door, unable to hide his amusement. How many times today had he seen a side of Ivan that he had never shown before?
Realizing that his master’s condition and the young lady’s abilities were most likely related, Liam followed the two out the door. The once occupied space now echoed with silence.
Thunk!
Thud, thud, thud!
Clang, clang, clang!
No one was in the room to hear them, though they were all simultaneously banging on the walls and slamming doors in frustration.
