Chapter 94
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The next day, Ivan woke up before dawn. He glanced over to confirm that she was lying beside him as usual.
Ruby, with only the tips of her rabbit ears peeking out from the opposite end of the bed, was curled up under the covers, sound asleep.
Perhaps due to her habit of sleeping in burrows, she needed complete darkness to sleep properly.
So the first thing Ivan did when he got up was to double-check the curtains he had drawn the day before to ensure that not a single ray of sunlight could enter.
Once satisfied that the curtains were tightly closed, he approached the direction where Ruby was sleeping.
He lit a small lamp and gently brushed his thumb over the protruding rabbit ear. At the touch, Ruby made a murmuring sound and peeked her face out from under the blanket.
As if waiting for this, he used his other hand to stroke her warm cheek and then leisurely traced her ear with his fingers.
“Mmm…”
The sight was so adorable that Ivan loosened his lips into a slight smile. He played with her rabbit ear for a while before slipping his hand through her hair to gently massage her scalp. Although it might have been ticklish, Ruby still didn’t open her eyes.
“You sleep so well.”
In truth, he had no intention of waking her up. He just wanted to touch her. After gently stroking Ruby’s neck, Ivan extinguished the lamp he had lit and left the room.
Leaving the bedroom alone, he greeted Liam, who was waiting for him.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, my Lord.”
After washing up and changing into fresh clothes, he headed straight for the office. Although today was a day for meetings, he proceeded with his usual routine, seemingly unfazed.
However, as soon as he stepped out of the mansion, a chill enveloped his body. The unpleasantness he hadn’t felt in a long time made him turn back, panting.
Liam, who was accompanying him, was taken aback by Ivan’s sudden behavior.
“My Lord?”
“…What?”
“What’s wrong? Could it be…?” After checking if anyone was around, Liam continued in a hushed voice, “…Are you sensing spirits again?”
Ivan hesitated for a moment, then opened the door and stepped out—only to hastily rush back inside.
Seeing that everything seemed normal in the mansion, it appeared that the barrier she mentioned was still intact.
“I was fine yesterday. Why would it suddenly change like this?”
Stunned, he was speechless for a moment, but then he repeated her words.
“She said the area that was cordoned off was the mansion. So the reason I was comfortable outside until yesterday was because Ruby’s energy was still there.”
Ivan remembered her in heat.
At the same time, Liam also recalled a few days ago and made a subtle expression before asking in a solemn tone, “Shall I fetch the young lady?”
“…No, we shouldn’t wake up Ruby—she loves to sleep.”
“In that case, what shall we do?”
“Hmm, I guess I shouldn’t go to the office today. As long as I don’t leave the mansion, it should be fine.”
“Yes, understood.”
“But just in case, I’ll have to meet Ruby later. When she wakes up, give her a word.”
“Yes, my Lord. Shall we proceed to the dining room, then?”
“Yes.”
Over breakfast, Ivan read the papers his aide had brought him. It was a survey of what was publicly known about the Serpents, though it was more a general overview than a detailed report.
One word in particular caught his eye.
“Magic, huh…”
What could be the difference between the witchcraft wielded by the serpent folk and the psychic abilities Ruby possessed?
Thinking it would be better to show Ruby after further investigation about the serpent folk, he headed straight to his study as soon as he finished his meal.
As he sipped tea and looked over his papers, a carriage pulled up to the Duke’s entrance.
Ivan stood up and stared at the carriages as they rolled in, organizing his remarks for today’s meeting.
Standing up from his seat, Ivan gazed at the carriages coming in line and organized his thoughts on what to say during today’s meeting.
Though he knew the meeting would commence soon, there was one decision he hadn’t made until the last moment. Whether to inform the guests of his condition and reveal Ruby’s abilities.
He tapped his hand against the window, deliberating, and then came to a decision.
Ruby’s concern is for the status and safety of her clan, so there was no need to disclose their relationship.
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