If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 66
Leslie leaned in and whispered very softly into Ruby’s ear, “I have something important to tell you. Please come by later for a private meeting.”
Without waiting for Ruby’s response, Leslie swiftly left the dining room. Soon after, Liam appeared with the food.
As Ruby stared at the door, she turned her attention back to Liam.
“Is something bothering you, miss?” Liam asked, puzzled by Ruby looking towards the door.
“…No, it’s nothing.”
Hungry, Ruby quickly grabbed her fork and dug into her salad. She was lost in thought while chewing on the lettuce and carrots. It seems like the Wolf Tribe had a subtle way of broadening their influence. How many times had she seen them make friendly one-sided promises and then disappear like that?
She concluded that wolves and lions were two completely different carnivores.
With the reassurance that she didn’t have to be afraid, the carrot in her mouth tasted sweeter than ever.
* * *
After finishing her meal, Ruby told Liam she was going out alone and went to find Leslie. Wandering around their designated meeting spot, she caught the attention of hidden spirits, who quickly dispersed upon noticing her. Ruby nonchalantly glanced at them.
It was then that Leslie appeared from behind her and said, “You came?”
“…Uh, yes.”
Ruby had expected Leslie would have been waiting for her, but it seemed like she had just arrived. And she wasn’t alone—she was accompanied by others dressed in the same outfit.
They encircled Ruby as soon as they arrived. Even though they were fellow women, they were carnivores who were much taller and larger than most herbivores like her.
Ruby stared up at them as they covered her perfectly.
“Heh, you look like a complete idiot.”
“True. She’s nothing special up close.”
“Hey, there wasn’t much to see from afar either.”
They laughed and chatted among themselves, with Ruby standing in the middle. Feeling strangely uncomfortable, Ruby turned to Leslie.
“Miss Weaver, what did you want to talk about?”
Ruby was eager to deal with matters quickly and meet up with Louis. She looked at Leslie, her intention to leave as soon as possible evident on her face.
Leslie glared at her disapprovingly and said, “Your ears, did you put them in?”
“Oh, the rabbit ears? The Duke taught me how, so I was able to tuck them in.”
Ruby awkwardly fumbled near her temples, still not fully accustomed to it. She hadn’t mastered it yet, and her bunny ears would pop out when she was startled or caught off guard.
At her response, the group that had been chatting among themselves all fell silent. Like Leslie, they scanned Ruby from head to toe with their cold eyes.
Ruby felt uncomfortable with their judgemental stares. It didn’t help that the spirits of the estate had gathered around to join in on their scrutiny.
When Ruby stared at her, Leslie’s expression softened. “Hey, guys, don’t scare her too much. We don’t want her to panic and pass out.”
“Psh, what did we do?”
“Lady Rosa is just a small rabbitfolk the size of a bean. As carnivores, we should show some manners.”
Ruby noticed that Leslie addressed her differently than before. Was she no longer treating her as a guest? That would be uncomfortable.
Perhaps she needed to receive guest treatment to feel comfortable around here and eat whatever she wanted…
Having already signed a contract, however, Ruby considered herself not much different from other employees.
“Would you mind telling me exactly what you want?”
“…Well, my lady, you seem quite bold.”
“Yes, even the Duke praises my audacity.”
Silent but seething inside, Leslie couldn’t help but be angry, not knowing the true situation behind Ruby’s confident response. Thinking that Ruby was deliberately flaunting her relationship with the Duke, Leslie addressed her colleagues.
“Who’s going to show Lady Rosa the laundry room?”
“…:Laundry room?” One of the maids responded, seemingly puzzled by Leslie’s words.
Leslie chuckled brightly and explained patiently, “If you become a maid, you naturally have to wash the Duke’s clothes. Lady Rosa has been quite comfortable until now, but shouldn’t she start taking responsibility and finally attend to her duties?”
“Oh…Yes, of course!”
Nonverbally signaling each other, they quickly surrounded Ruby, grabbing her shoulders.
