If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 17
The office was more silent than usual. The Duke’s aides remained tight-lipped, their curious eyes darting around amidst the suffocating atmosphere. Behind Ivan, Ruby stood uncomfortably close, sneaking glances. Still, she often found herself lowering her gaze repeatedly under his unusually fierce presence and generally slowed down.
Ivan sensed the tension in the office, but since he had nothing to say about it, he ignored it and tried to focus on his work in silence.
Schick, schick—
However, a small noise had been testing his concentration since earlier. It was almost like it was taunting him to turn around and check.
Ruby knew she had to prove her abilities, but before that, she felt like she might go crazy from the sheer boredom. Being used to constant movement since childhood, this silent environment was becoming painfully suffocating for her.
At that moment, they were all getting very stressed. When it was only Ivan and Liam, it didn’t quite register to Ruby that this was carnivore territory. However, upon leaving the Duke’s chamber, it dawned on Ruby that this was indeed a den of wolves.
Every employee they crossed paths with in the hallway stared at her with curiosity or discomfort. Most of them were from the wolf tribe, evident from the way they eyed her and swiftly darted away upon seeing her. Even without displaying their ears and tails, the air they exuded was unmistakably similar to that of Ivan and Liam.
No matter how much she turned her head, everyone around her was some sort of carnivorous species. Feeling slightly breathless, she fidgeted with the hem of her skirt nervously.
“…Mmm.”
With a small throaty rumble, Ivan wiped his forehead in a slightly weary manner. “Let’s take a short break.”
After conveying the message to the others, Ivan turned slightly towards the back.
Schick, schick—
Ivan narrowed his eyes upon hearing that annoying noise. He turned his head to locate its source and immediately caught sight of the skirt followed by the small hands that were fiddling at its hem. Since the employees wore garments made of low-quality fabric, even the slightest brushing against it made noise. He was speechless, never before seeing something that emanated such intense restlessness. Slowly, he lifted his gaze and saw Ruby, her face tense and her eyes scanning the aides as they made their way out of the office.
“Hmm…”
He cleared his throat softly. He thought she was all brashness and bravado, but apparently, that wasn’t the case. He was about to say something, but the look on her face shut him up.
Instead, he politely asked, “Would you like a cup of tea?”
“…Uh, yes.”
“Hmm, well then, please have a seat over there.”
The Duke’s office was quite spacious, not exactly vast but with desks neatly aligned to accommodate ten aides comfortably. Behind Ivan’s desk stood a tall bookshelf almost reaching the ceiling. On one wall hung a tapestry while on the opposite side, a large window and balcony let in plenty of sunlight.
Ruby waddled over to the couch in front of the balcony and plopped down wearily on it. Being in a small space with several carnivores was mentally draining.
“I thought you were carefree, but apparently not.”
Ivan, who found her behavior rather endearing, reluctantly brushed himself off and stood up. He was about to sit down across from her when he was startled and moved to her side.
“…”
He’d been in a hurry earlier, so he’d let it slide, but Ruby’s outfit was odd to look at again. It took all his willpower not to stare at the shapely legs beneath her short skirt.
However, Ruby gave him a strange look and asked, “Why are you sitting next to me? You usually sit across…”
“…Ah, it’s because I like the sunshine. Don’t worry about it.”
“Oh…”
His words drew Ruby’s attention to the sunlight streaming in. Though it might be cold outside, the office felt warm with the fireplace and the sunbeams.
Ivan glanced at Ruby, who was basking in the sunshine with her eyes closed.
He coughed and said, “Hmm, I certainly don’t feel the chill I sensed in the hallway earlier. Are you really a psychic?”
