If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 29
Of course, that doesn’t mean he had feelings for her, but should he say that his standards were being tested? Yeah, it’s not necessarily actions based on affection. He could just wipe off the leaf stuck to his hand. He concluded that for someone who had collapsed due to not eating properly for two weeks, she might feel it was a waste to discard a leaf even smaller than a fingernail.
And hadn’t they built some kind of friendship during the week they spent together every hour? It was actually a pleasant thing that she did that without hesitation when she was so wary of him before.
“….Yeah. I guess I’ve been a bit out of sorts.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. You should eat more if you’re still hungry.”
“Yes, I was planning to have another plate anyway.”
The corner of Ivan’s mouth twitched as he watched Ruby pick up her fork. In a way, she was quite remarkable. If he’d been in her shoes, he might have just lost his mind. The mere thought of losing his entire tribe darkened his expression considerably.
As they sat down to a refreshing dessert after a rather raucous meal, Ruby spoke up.
“Oh! Right. So, when will you draft the contract?”
“….Contract?”
Ivan, who had been leisurely sipping his tea while watching her happily eat her dessert, asked a beat too late. Ruby swallowed the last of the dessert in her mouth and placed a new one in front of her.
She beamed and replied, “Yes, you agreed to help. So naturally, you’ll have to draft a contract, right?”
Ivan smirked, realizing that unlike him who was only planning on making a verbal commitment, Ruby was actually thinking about a contract.
He supposed it’s better to be bold than indecisive.
* * *
Ivan, after finishing breakfast the next day, had Liam prepare the contract.
Article 1 (Purpose of the Contract):
This contract aims to define the necessary mutual cooperation between ‘Party A’ and ‘Party B’ regarding the fulfillment of a one-year commitment, sincerely and faithfully carrying it out.Article 2 (Definition of Commitment):
The commitment defined in this contract is as follows:
1. ‘Party A,’ Ivan de Negro, will locate the position of ‘Party B,’ Ruby De Rosa’s tribe.
2. ‘Party B,’ Ruby de Rosa, will secure the safety of ‘Party A,’ Ivan De Negro, from spiritual beings and cooperate in devising improvement methods.
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Article 10 (Contract Period):
The contract term is for one year and can be renewed on an annual basis upon mutual agreement, with the expiration date as the reference.
Reviewing the contents of the contract, Ivan smiled contentedly. He had diligently drafted the contract, ensuring clarity and certainty.
Curious about Ruby’s expression upon receiving the extensive ten-article contract, Ivan awaited her appearance as she rustled in the dressing room while changing her clothes. Soon enough, Ruby emerged, clad in a long-skirted maid’s dress that had been altered twice.
“My lady, come here for a moment.”
“Yes.”
Sitting across the table, Ivan promptly handed her the contract. “Here is the contract prepared as you wished yesterday. Please read it over and sign.”
“Ah, yes.”
Grateful for his promptness, Ruby took the contract and began reading the contents carefully. As she read, her initially tense expression gradually relaxed.
Observing silently, Ivan swallowed his smile and asked, “If there’s any clause you’d like to change, feel free to say so.”
Feeling a sense of lightheadedness, Ruby shifted her gaze from the document. She felt the urge to playfully tease him. She didn’t originally intend for the contract to be this formal. However, seeing Ivan’s curious yet somewhat mischievous gaze, she found herself wanting to say something unnecessary.
“…There’s one part I’d like to adjust.”
She wanted to see the look on Ivan’s face.
