Chapter 174 - The Pain Was Good (1) (2/2)

Mirabelle stared upwards with a confused look. Kuhn picked up the picnic basket without hesitation, then hurried over to the seated Mirabelle.

“We’ll have to hurry back. It’s going to rain soon.”

“Ah, yes.”

Mirabelle stood up with a look of regret. They could get caught in the rain in the middle of the mountainside, and so the pair diligently made their way down to where the carriage was located.

Unfortunately, heavy raindrops began to fall before they reached it. Spring showers weren’t unexpected, but Mirabelle didn’t expect the weather to be so capricious. Her breathing became more labored as she trudged down the path.

“Ha, ha.”

She started to pale as her body chilled in the rain. At the sight, Kuhn recalled the day when he first met Mirabelle and she had collapsed to the floor in pain. He worried that it would happen again. He pulled off his jacket and placed in on Mirabelle, and her pale lips lifted in a faint smile.

“Thank you, Kuhn.”

“Are you alright?”

“Yes.”

Mirabelle acted as calm as she could, but Kuhn noticed that her condition was worsening. He tossed the picnic basket to the ground, causing the contents to rattle inside, but he ignored and bent down to offer his back to Mirabelle.

“Get on. We’ll get back as soon as possible.”

“I’m—heus—I’m fine— “

“Quickly.”

At Kuhn’s urging, Mirabelle replied in a fading voice.

“…I’m sorry.”

As soon as Mirabelle’s small body leaned against back, Kuhn rose up and began to run forward. She was lighter than he expected, so much so that he worried she would disappear. Kuhn wondered for a moment at his unexpected feelings, but now was not the time to contemplate it.

He hurried down the slope, and Mirabelle was amazed at the speed.

“Kuhn, you’re going really fast. It’s like a ride.”

Mirabelle’s voice was faint in his ears, and she was noticeably shivering on his back. Kuhn spoke to her firmly.

“Hang in there.”

He took a deep breath and sped down the slope. Mirabelle clung feebly as she was jostled on his back, and she swallowed her groans of pain as to not worry him. She forced a faint smile despite the agony that radiated from her stomach.

“What’s happening to me…”

Since Mirabelle was a child she had suffered from an unknown disease, which was even worse as no one knew the proper treatment. When the pain suddenly came like this, she felt like she would die…

Well, if she had to pick a time and place to do so, this was a good one.

“…I hope the road never ends.”

As long as she could be with Kuhn, the pain was good. She gradually began to lose consciousness on his back, and could faintly make out Kuhn’s voice yelling at her.

“Young Lady, you have to stay awake!”

Mirabelle wanted to answer his desperate cry, but she lost the battle to keep her eyes open.