If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 20
“…The distance doesn’t bother me.”
“I want clear proof of your abilities,” he persisted.
When Ruby looked at him as if questioning what more he could possibly want, Ivan turned his head, his ears reddening.
He hated the sound of it, even if the spirits were only making it because they couldn’t get in. He felt a strong urge to keep her close to him, almost like a weapon to protect himself.
“The bed is wide. You don’t have to worry about touching. Besides, we slept together last night as well.”
That was a lie. Ivan slept on the couch last night.He remembered not feeling much of a chill, but it was as perfect as it sounds.
“…Was it like that yesterday?”
“Yes, and why were you collapsed on the mountains anyway?” asked Ivan, noticing the footprints on her back.
“…I was so hungry. I survived on a single carrot for two weeks”
“…I see.” Not knowing the details, Ivan felt bad for asking.
“But before I collapsed, I distinctly remember seeing a carrot this big.” Ruby gestured the size of the carrot she had seen with her hands, saying, “It was this thick. I’ve never seen such a big carrot in my life!”
“…”
“I’m sure I put that carrot in my mouth… but I don’t remember anything after that. Could I have been so hungry that I was seeing things?”
Ivan felt his whole body heat up. He knew very well that the ‘carrot’ she was talking about was his most precious belonging. It was an accurate representation of the size and thickness when it was e***t. On one hand, it didn’t feel entirely bad. Isn’t bigger always better when it comes to a man’s precious possession?
“Well… but how can you be so sure that it was a carrot?”
“Well, the White Rabbits clung to it and licked it. But why were they licking it? Carrots are meant to be bitten into and chewed slowly for the best taste.”
“Stop.”
Ivan couldn’t bear to listen any further. However, honestly admitting the truth was not an option. She had clearly chewed it properly, that’s what he meant.
Seeing Ivan’s face flush with embarrassment, Ruby cocked her head and asked, “Are the spirits really that terrifying?”
Believing that he was looking at her with such teary eyes because he was scared, she nodded emphatically and added,, “Alright. I’ll sleep with you. Geez, I didn’t expect you to be this timid.”
“Timid…?!”
“Yes?”
“…That’s a strange word to use. Don’t provoke me, young lady.”
“Why? I thought you wanted me to sleep with you.”
“I’m not asking you to sleep with me. I’m asking you to share a bed with me to narrow the gap between us.”
“That’s what sleeping together is.”
Ivan squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head away. It seemed as though she selectively didn’t hear half of the things said. Even with those round, wide eyes, it was hard to tell if she was even looking.
Ivan nodded curtly and rang a silver bell. Liam came in, tidied up the dishes, and placed pillows and blankets at both ends of the bed to allow the two to lie down together.
“Well then, goodnight.”
After Liam politely bid his farewell and left, Ivan quickly grew tired and drifted off to sleep.
Once Ruby was sure he was asleep, she slipped out of bed, knowing there was work to be done if she was going to get a good night’s sleep.
“…I couldn’t help it.,” she whispered to a sleeping Ivan. “I hope you don’t feel too bad about being tricked.”
She smiled at the spirits that had reassembled without them noticing. A brief red glow flashed across the bedroom, then faded, and Ruby laid herself down, feeling refreshed. A long, tiring day had come to an end.
