If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 8
The innocence reflected in her demeanor struck him silent for a moment. Perhaps it wasn’t her name he should be asking about but rather her age.
He began to sweat as he remembered last night’s events, through no fault of his own, and wondered if he had been forced to cross a river he shouldn’t have.
“I’m…”
“Well, let’s start with your age.”
“…Huh? Why my age?”
Ruby, feeling a newfound ease from savoring something delicious, blinked her eyes open and questioned again, Ivan awkwardly tried to conceal his discomfort as he spoke.
“I ask because, apparently, this is your first time away from your tribe.”
“…Tribe, ah…”
She trembled, recalling the village and her own tribe. Each quiver of her plump, crimson lips caused the grass clinging to them to shiver,but it didn’t fall off.
Observing her, Ivan felt a mix of sorrow and an urge to burst into laughter. Oh, but he mustn’t laugh…
Biting the inside of his cheek subtly, he repeated his question. “It would be good if you could tell me your name and age.”
At least, he needed to start with the basics. He couldn’t keep referring to her as ‘that woman’ or ‘that rabbit person.’
Liam offered Ruby a cup of water, noticing her struggling to hold back tears. “Here, have some water.”
“Ah, yes…”
Liam skillfully placed the glass on the table and handed her a napkin. Ruby gratefully took the napkin, tidied her mouth, and gulped down the water.
“Phew…”
Ivan patiently waited for her response. There was no need to lose his temper in front of a herbivore; it served no purpose.
But more than that, he had to tightly bite his lips to prevent his laughter because of a clinging blade of grass that remained inexplicably stuck despite using the napkin to wipe her mouth.
In the meantime, the genuine Ruby greeted him with a quite polite demeanor.
“I am Ruby de Rosa of the Pink Rabbit Tribe. I don’t know why you’re wondering about my age, but I’m a full-grown adult.”
“…Are you really an adult?”
“Of course I am. If you knew how many young ones are under me in the tribe, you’d be surprised.”
Her words must be true, for no one could match the Rabbit Tribe in terms of reproduction. Ivan felt somewhat reassured, yet still harbored skepticism observing Ruby still had a blade of grass stuck to her lip.
Upon hearing her name, Ivan was inwardly surprised. She hadn’t struck him as noble, no matter how he looked at her.
No, wait. The provincial nobles positioned within the Empire’s margins are said to differ from the central nobility…
Despite being a Duke, he couldn’t possibly know every noble in the empire. Moreover, due to their species’ inherent nature, the beings like Ruby tend to be more secluded.
Nevertheless, Ruby’s surname felt remarkably unfamiliar, and Ivan was at a loss for words.
Meanwhile, Ruby herself felt oddly overwhelmed. Having always resided in the village, this was her first formal self-introduction.
While they were both lost in their own thoughts, Ivan broke the silence first. “Forgive me for prying, but now that you’ve entered my territory, I can’t help but ask.”
She glanced at Ivan, realizing that he was the owner of this estate. She’d expected it, seeing as how he had a butler.
“Yes, please ask.”
“…You seem like a Rabbit Tribe member, but I’ve never heard of a Pink Rabbit Tribe with pink ears. Are those really your ears?”
He had heard of a recent fad in the capital for pins or headbands in the shape of animal ears, and it occurred to him that her pink bunny ears might not be real either.
But before he could finish his question, Ruby startled him by leaping up.
“How very rude of you! I’m a descendant of my mom and grandma, and the kids were so jealous of me for having ears with the deepest shade of pink in town!”
“…I’ve never met a rabbit with pink ears before, so I misunderstood. I apologize.”
Ivan meekly apologized, and Ruby calmed down.
“I accept your apology. But doubting our tribe is a great disrespect, so please watch your words next time.”
“I agree with you. I’ll be more careful from now on.”
While eating the rest of her vegetables, Ruby scrutinized the humanoid before her. Despite a rugged and fierce appearance, he seemed to be a good guy.
Her gaze naturally shifted to the man behind him. Ruby, feeling a little wary of the still figure, cautiously called out to Liam with her eyes.
“Hmm? Did you call me?”
“Yes, I did.”
The woman who had just been speaking loudly now whispered softly, causing Liam to instinctively bend, bringing his ear closer.
“Yes, what is it?”
Pointing with her finger behind Ivan, she asked in a hushed voice, “Who is that? Is that servant allowed to be here?”
