If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 62
“!”
How did he know even though she hadn’t uttered a word? Ruby looked at Ivan with a genuinely puzzled expression.
“I already knew that you were afraid of carnivorous beastfolk. You were so obvious about it, how could I not know?”
“…I’m sorry.” Ruby apologized sincerely.
Daring to compare him to a lion tribe member—She would have been just as offended if a carnivore thought all herbivores were the same and treated them the same.
Watching Ruby hesitate, Ivan silently took her hand, lifting it to his cheek. He placed her small hand on top of his head and whispered,
“You’ll know it’s different when you touch it.”
“But…”
“I’ve given you permission, so it’s okay.”
Hesitating for a moment, Ruby finally brushed her fingertips over his pointed ears.
The texture was different from her own fur, and she fiddled with it, extending her reach a little at a time.
“Hu…”
While Ruby was deeply engrossed in exploring his wolf ear, Ivan had a brief moment of reflection. In the future, he resolved to be gentler with Ruby’s bunny ears.
Each time her soft fingers brushed against his wolf ear, his lower abdomen clenched. If he continued like this, she might notice his growing arousal beneath her.
Despite revealing intimate parts of themselves, the two had not engaged in a s*xual relationship—more precisely, they hadn’t mated. To maintain boundaries, Ivan kept his tattered shirt intact, despite the strong desire to discard the uncomfortably hot and sweaty garment.
He had overcome the lure of female pheromones and maintained that boundary, but now he couldn’t help but feel a bit regretful.
Ivan, with his ear relinquished to her, stared blankly into space, feeling her touch. He secretly enjoyed the sensation as her small hand diligently exploring his ear.
“Your Grace, can I touch your tail too?”
On the other hand, Ruby was beginning to understand Ivan’s feelings a bit. Since she had never paid much attention to the ears of beastfolk from other species, the experience of touching them now felt fascinating and pleasant.
Now, she became interested in the wolf tail that was twirling between them like a pinwheel. The way it rotated so gracefully caught her eyes.
With an expectant look on her face, Ruby gazed at him.
“…Just be gentle with it.”
“Yes, I will.”
“Then… Can I touch yours too?”
“…Sure.”
Tense, they each reached out their hands to the opposite side. Although Ruby’s tail was covered by clothing, he felt the round rabbit tail and gently stroked it.
Ruby cautiously placed her hand on the tip of his tail, brushing it gently. The two were completely absorbed in each other’s tails without saying a word.
As their breaths became increasingly labored, the atmosphere gradually took on an unusual intensity. In the quiet space, Ruby’s soft voice echoed.
“But why does your tail move like this?”
Despite its seemingly soft appearance, Ivan’s tail moved with such solid force that she could feel its strength.
The round rabbit tail, despite being touched, only wiggled slightly, so Ruby found it rather curious.
As she fiddled with the tail in her hand, Ivan couldn’t answer her question right away. How could he explain that the tail was expressing his good mood on its own? Feeling awkward about saying his feelings aloud, he hesitated for a moment.
While Ruby awaited Ivan’s response, Liam reentered the room. Holding a bowl with medicine, water, towels, and ice, he was taken aback, unable to conceal his surprise. Even the fact that the two were close was surprising, but now his master had his ears and tail out. It was a sight rarely seen within the Duke’s residence, and Liam’s jaw dropped.
Seeing Liam’s expression, Ivan, clearing his throat, spoke loudly.
“Ruby wanted to see, so there was no helping it.”
Understanding that Ivan was addressing him, Liam pursed his lips and didn’t utter a word. He wondered that surely this wasn’t the same person who had mercilessly refused his younger cousin’s plea to see him last year.
Liam, placing the items he had brought on the table, said, “The medicine should be taken twice a day, morning and evening. I also brought towels and ice to use as a cold compress, so please use them as you see fit, miss.”
“Oh, yes.”
“I also brought some carrot juice for you to drink after you take your medicine.”
“Thank you!”
At the mention of carrot juice, Ruby quickly slid down from Ivan’s thigh.
Seated somewhat awkwardly at the table, she quickly took the medicine. Meanwhile, Liam gazed at Ivan with a curious expression.
