If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 25
Ruby squeaked and glared pointedly at Ivan. For a moment, Ivan stared into red eyes filled with resentment, but then he noticed the stares of his aides
“L-let’s take a break!” he ordered.
“Yes!”
They hastily left the office without tidying up, clearly sensing the unusual atmosphere. As they departed, the aides repeatedly rubbed their ears as if trying to wipe away the unpleasant sound that had invaded their ears from the high-pitched squeal.
Ivan couldn’t escape the sharp glare from Ruby’s eyes.
“It’s impolite to touch a humanoid’s ears!”
“…I, I apologize.”
“What’s gotten into you—you should have known better! I inadvertently made a whimpering sound, didn’t I?”
“A, a whimpering sound?”
“Didn’t you know that a humanoid’s ears are erogenous zones?”
He did know. He was aware but hadn’t remembered. Understandably, he hadn’t touched a humanoid’s ears for quite some time.
“Really… Duke, since you usually display gentlemanly conduct, I understand it was a mistake. But please, be more careful next time!”
“Y-yes, I will. However…”
Ivan, still holding onto Ruby’s ear, inquired, “Is it too much just to hold?”
“I’m sure the Duke would know if he’d ever been caught by the ear. Would you like me to demonstrate?”
“No, but don’t you think you’re overreacting?”
“Are you blaming me for this right now?”
“How can such a moan come so naturally from a lady’s mouth?”
“You make human sounds when you’re in human form.”
“…Perhaps it’s better to put your ears back in.”
“Why do you feel the need to do a perfect human impersonation when it’s perfectly natural for us to be animal people?”
The back-and-forth reminded him of his first meeting with Ruby. Feeling an unexpected surge of annoyance, he pressed firmly on the ear he had been holding onto.
“Hmmph!” she moaned.
“Look at this. Isn’t this exposing a vulnerability?”
“…Are you purposely touching it right now?”
“I’m saying it’s better to practice putting it back in when possible.”
“Why am I… Hmph!”
Despite her continued whimpering, Ivan couldn’t bring himself to stop. What kind of rabbit fur could be softer than silver fox fur? He kept running his hands over it, squirming at the texture, so different from his own wolf fur.
“Hmph, Ahh, S-stop!”
“…That’s enough.”
He pulled his hand away from her bunny ears with a look of bitter regret. Even as he pulled away, his hand twitched several times, almost as if wanting to grab it again.
As soon as his hand dropped, Ruby grabbed her ear and pulled herself back.
She thought he was playing a prank on her, but she wasn’t in the least bit inclined to play along.
“Liam will bring some tea. Let’s move to the sofa.”
“…Alright.”
As Ivan moved to the sofa, he sat beside her this time, unlike the previous day. However, Ruby instinctively moved further away, keeping her distance as if on guard.
“…I won’t touch you.”
“You said it was a mistake earlier and still touched it several times!”
“I promise.”
“…I need to be able to trust you.” Grumbling, Ruby edged a bit closer to him and pursed her lips, making a squeaking sound.
Ivan, in a serious tone, said, “But I want you to keep your ears in, and I mean that. If your tribe’s whereabouts become a major issue, I have an obligation to inform the Emperor.”
“…What does that have to do with my ear?”
“Huh, seems like you’ve never left the village since you were born. It is strictly illegal for an animal humanoid to take out their ears within the capital.”
“What?”
“If you need to go to the capital for the sake of your tribe, it’s a law you must abide by.”
“…Is that really the law?”
“Mhmm, His Majesty the Emperor himself decreed it. Don’t speak of it lightly.”
“…Okay.” Ruby blinked in confusion, visibly embarrassed.
Watching her, Ivan turned to her and said softly, “Do you want me to help you with your ears?”
