Chapter 41 - The Only Time (1) (1/2)

Ch. 41 …The Only Time (1)

As soon as Elena arrived at the inn, she was informed that Mirabelle had lost consciousness and collapsed. It was clear that Mary had not been expecting the situation and was bewildered at what to do.

“What? Why didn’t you tell me right away?”

“Well…I sent someone but they must have missed you, My Lady.”

“Did you call the doctor?”

“Yes, she’s already seen the doctor…”

“Which room is Mirabelle in now? Take me to her right away.”

Following Mary’s lead, Elena rushed to the room where Mirabelle was. Nobles rarely ran, but Elena did not bother with dignity now. Her heart pounded painfully in her chest at the thought of Mirabelle getting hurt while she was away. The screams of Mirabelle being defiled in her last life echoed loudly in Elena’s ears.

Bang!

She flung open the door and ran inside–

And saw Mirabelle lying on the bed breathing evenly. Elena gave a gasp of relief.

“…Thank God.”

Fortunately, Mirabelle didn’t look like she was in pain. Elena approached her sleeping sister, drawn to her like a magnet, and gently brushed her hand against her face. Mirabelle’s warmth brought tears to Elena’s eyes. Elena looked at her dear sister’s face, anxious to find signs of any hurt when something that wasn’t supposed to be there caught her attention. It was a coat. The blankets covering Mirabelle had mostly obscured it at first, but now Elena could see her sister wearing the oversized piece of clothing. Mirabelle clutched to it tightly, and Elena had no choice but to ask questions.

“…Where did this come from?”

However, a keen memory informed her of the owner of the coat.

Kuhn Kasha.

Why would Mirabelle have his coat? Elena turned towards Mary standing behind her. Mary immediately noticed what Elena wanted to enquire about and opened her mouth to speak.

“Well–!”

“Shh.”

Elena lifted her finger to her lips, then pointed to the door and nodded that they should go outside. The two women quietly left the room and only spoke after they were some distance from it.

“Whose coat is that?”

“I don’t know. Actually…It was when I left to room to ask the inn clerk to raise the heating that I heard that Miss Mirabelle had collapsed.”

“You heard? From whom?”

“I think it was an employee, but I was too busy to remember.”

After listening Mary’s account, Elena remembered where she had asked for Kuhn to wait for her.

“Was it my room where Mirabelle collapsed?”

“Yes, that’s right! It was in your room, Lady Elena. Maybe she went there herself.”

“I see…”

Maybe it was Kuhn who helped Mirabelle when he saw her collapse. But that didn’t solve the mystery why Mirabelle was wearing his coat, or why she was holding on to it so tightly. Elena would ask Kuhn in person and find out. Before doing so, however, Elena had to confront Mary.

“Mirabelle has a weak consitution, and you left your position without leaving someone to take your place. What if something more serious had happened to Mirabelle while I was gone?”

“…I’m sorry, My Lady.”

“I will let this pass this time, but if this happens again, you must be prepared.”

“Yes, My Lady, I will never leave Miss Mirabelle unattended.”

Mary’s face, too, was quite tired-looking. Of course was Mary’s fault that she left Mirabelle alone, but Elena knew that it was difficult for the maid to attend to everything on her own during the trip. There were a few other servants besides Mary, but she was responsible for leadership and communication. But despite Elena’s cold-hearted reasoning, Elena couldn’t help but notice Mary’s drooping shoulders and her remorseful eyes.

“Mirabelle is very frail. I ask you to pay attention next time.”

“Yes, yes! I will. I’m truly sorry…really.”