Chapter 146
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Ivan silently wiped his face with his hand. Not because he was angry, but because, even in the middle of this, the impure thoughts surfacing in him made him feel like a pervert.
He licked at the water that had seeped between his lips, and it was far sweeter than the water he’d drunk a moment ago, leaving him at a loss for words. He had a feeling that one day he’d even chew on a carrot her hand had touched and call it delicious.
That would be a bit of a problem, though.
When he frowned slightly, Ruby shot to her feet, lifted the hem of her skirt, and began wiping Ivan’s face.
“I-I didn’t do it on purpose! I was just startled without realizing…”
At the sight of her flustered scrambling, Ivan pressed his lips together. It was a rare sight from the saucy rabbit who, brazen as she was, wouldn’t bat an eye at most things.
Though he wasn’t angry, he kept his mouth shut. Because he wanted to watch the flustered rabbit a little longer.
“Ah, this is no time for that. Let me bring some washing water first!”
When she finally moved to bolt out, Ivan caught her by the wrist, pulled her back, and sat her on his lap.
“It’s fine, so first just hear the rest of what I have to say.”
“It’s fine? It’s water that flew out of my mouth.”
“Ha, I drink down all your love juices too…”
When Ivan said something outrageous again, Ruby hurriedly clapped a hand over his mouth.
“Phew. So the Serpent Tribe confessed?”
“Yes. They said not a single one was hurt, that they’re all safe.”
Even with her hand over his mouth, his voice came through clearly, so Ruby lowered the hand.
“…They’re not lying, are they?”
“Why that face. You don’t look glad.”
Contrary to what he’d expected, Ruby instead seemed subdued, and Ivan, puzzled, asked.
“No. Of course I’m beyond glad. It’s just strange.”
“What is?”
“Well, why on earth did they abduct my tribe?”
Could it be they meant to inflict a suffering worse than death? She felt hope and, at the same time, a deep unease.
She didn’t even know why they’d seized her tribe in the first place, so it was only natural to feel uneasy.
“For now, don’t think about anything else. As long as they’re alive, all we have to do is rescue them.”
“You’re right, Your Grace…”
“We’re tracing their route, so before long we’ll be able to find where your tribe is being held.”
“Yes, I’m sure we’ll find them.”
Ruby felt tense. The tension would probably only grow each time she heard news.
She wanted to rescue them even a day sooner. She wanted to live peacefully again, the way they had before.
Ivan looked at her with a worried expression as she sank deep into thought.
“I think I’d better change my clothes.”
“Would you like to wash up and change?”
“No need. Just bring me a towel.”
Ivan set Ruby down and went into the dressing room. Ruby quickly went out, grabbed a towel, and came back.
Stepping straight into the dressing room, Ruby faltered for a moment in fluster.
“Did you bring a towel?”
Because Ivan, stripped to the waist, was watching her come in as he pushed back his wet bangs.
“…Yes, here.”
“What are you doing? It’s water you spat, so you should be the one to deal with it.”
Ivan didn’t take the towel himself, but with a bold expression he demanded that she wipe him down. And since it was, again, a fair enough reason, Ruby approached slowly.
Even though she’d done far more than this with him, it was the first time she’d seen his bare torso, and she was thoroughly embarrassed.
Even with his clothes on, you could tell his body was quite muscular. She’d even been pinned beneath that body before, so there was no way she wouldn’t know.
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