If You're Being Held Hostage, Wiggle the Carrot! - Chapter 86
Between the vassal conference and the discovery of the cursed doll, the Duke’s household was truly bustling. There was no idle hand among them, except for one person. Ruby, despite her protests, had been ordered by Ivan to stay in her room and rest.
“I know everyone is busy. Are you sure it’s okay for me to stay here just like this?”
Ruby’s question caught the attention of the doctor, who was changing her bandages, and Liam, who was standing next to her. She mumbled, biting into an apple absentmindedly.
“I’m the one who found them, so why aren’t you giving me a job? I can help.”
“Haha, you’ve already done more than enough, young lady.”
“Yes, and besides, the wounds are quite deep. There might be scars, so it’s better to focus on your healing for now.”
“Really? It doesn’t hurt that much.”
“Didn’t you say it was painful last night?”
Ignoring the physician’s words, Ruby continued to eat her apple as if she hadn’t heard the question.
Despite Ivan’s efforts yesterday to tend to her wounds, Ruby still felt a lingering pain, and her wound began to burn with heat once more. She groaned in discomfort, and it was the doctor, called by Ivan, who had found her in this state.
Ruby had no words to counter the doctor’s statement, as everything he said was true, so she could only silently chew on her apology.
Liam, unable to hide a smile at Ruby’s adorable expression, began explaining the outside situation.
“Tomorrow is the meeting, and a crucial matter concerning the family is being revisited, so the Duke mentioned he won’t be able to visit often today.”
“What happened a hundred years ago?” Ruby asked, pretending not to know. But as expected, Liam, being the butler, responded with a soft smile that effectively silenced her curiosity.
“Would you like another glass of iced tea?”
It was winter, but Ruby had been in her room all day, feeling a bit stifled, so she had specially requested iced tea. The iced tea made from herbs grown in the Negro estate not only tasted great but also had mild healing properties, so Ruby had already been sipping on several glasses.
“Yes, please,” she replied.
While Ruby was sipping the freshly brewed chilled tea Liam had just brought, the physician packed up his medical bag and stood up. Handing a paper-wrapped medicine to Liam, he spoke.
“I’ll come by again for another round of disinfection in the evening. Please take this medicine an hour later.”
“Understood.”
“Yes, then I shall take my leave.”
“Take care.”
“You must rest well, so the wounds will heal quickly. Well then…”
After politely bidding farewell to both Liam and Ruby, the physician exited the room.
Wondering why the physician handed his medicine to Liam, Ruby subtly broached the topic.
“Can I please go to the study for a moment?”
“Miss…”
She glanced at Liam, who looked embarrassed, then threw up her hands and buried herself in the back of the couch.
“No, it’s nothing. Forget I asked. Don’t worry about it. Hurry up and go. Isn’t the butler the busiest person in the house right now?”
“I wish I could say I wasn’t. I apologize.”
“I’m just a mere guest. Please don’t mind it too much and go attend to your work.”
“I don’t think so. How could you be a mere guest? However, since you’ve granted permission, I will gladly go and take care of my duties.”
“Yes.”
Even as Liam moved his feet, he couldn’t easily leave the room, feeling a tug at the back of his head. Next to Ivan, he knew Ruby’s brash personality well enough to be concerned.
But she was right, it had been a busy day. He slipped out of the room, knowing he had a lot of work to do if he was going to be able to properly entertain the vassals who would be visiting tomorrow.
