Kuhn, who had been briefly unconscious, began to stir. The first thing waking thought that came to him was that his whole body hurt like fire. Every muscle was in pain. Not only was he severely tortured in the palace, but he had also used up his strength to escape.
“…Keut.”
He groaned as he lifted his upper body. From his side came a voice like a singing bird.
“Are you alright?”
Kuhn’s grey eyes turned towards the unexpected voice, and Mirabelle’s anxious face swam into view. As he looked into Mirabelle’s innocent-looking eyes, all the events that happened before passed him like a panorama. The young noblewoman took of her dress and exposed herself for the sake of Kuhn. She was Elena’s sister, and would soon become Carlisle’s sister-in-law, which meant that their difference in status was too great for her to ever reach him. And thus, Kuhn owed her a debt that he could never repay.
‘…Just let me go.’
He was not so helpless that he would give up his own life, but like so many people he had killed, he knew one day he would die. It didn’t matter if that moment was today. If he struggled to live but died anyway, it was inevitable.
Kuhn stared at her numbly, but she spoke to him with a voice full of concern.
“Would you like a glass of water?”
“…I’m fine.”
He refused her drink despite the rawness in his throat. However, when Mirabelle heard the way his voice cracked, she quickly left then returned with a glass of water from her room, and carefully tipped it towards his mouth.
As things went on like this, Kuhn simply drank the water that Mirabelle gave him. It was funny how a sip of water seemed to make him feel more energetic.
After he drained the cup, Mirabelle set the glass neatly aside. Come to think of it, Kuhn was still lying in the bathroom. Maybe his weight was too much for Mirabelle to carry, but his body was covered with heavy blankets, so it was not cold at all. He felt slightly guilty imagining Mirabelle heaving all those blankets inside.
“Your name…what is it?”
At her sudden question, Kuhn turned his head and looked at her. There was something cautious about her gaze. Or maybe she was too curious that she didn’t know what to do. What was his name…
“I don’t want to tell you. As you can see, my job is very dangerous.”
He wasn’t wrong, and he didn’t want to continue his relationship with Mirabelle any more. However, she had helped him, and if she would receive a gift that would be it.
“I want to know. I promise I won’t tell anyone, so…can you just tell me?”
“…”
After a moment, he thought it wouldn’t make any difference if she would never see him again anyway. He felt bad about being too difficult on her after she just saved his life.
“Kuhn…Kasha.”
He regretted it as soon as he spoke. He should’ve have given her an alias. Maybe his head wasn’t functioning properly because he was injured.
“Kuhn Kasha.”
Mirabelle repeated his name. The words tickled Kuhn strangely, and he forced himself to pull up his upper body. Mirabelle held him back with a surprised look on her face.
“D-don’t move. The wound is too serious–”
“These injuries are common. And if you don’t go now, you and I will be in trouble.”
However, something different had caught Mirabelle’s attention.
“Those injuries…are common?”
Kuhn’s primary mission before he was assigned to infiltrate the Empress’ palace was to keep by Elena’s side like a silent shadow. He had Mirabelle’s face from a distance. He could tell at a glance that she was a very bright girl like the sun. A type of person completely different from himself.
He didn’t know if Mirabelle acted like this everyday, but Kuhn felt troubled as her kindness and warmth was turned towards him.
“I’ll leave now.”
Kuhn staggered to his feet. It was not the first time that he had overcome a situation where he thought he was going to die like this. He stumbled straight ahead, and Mirabelle quickly went to his side and grabbed him by his arm.
“Can you really go on like this?”
“Yes, this is enough.”
He replied calmly as if he were used to this, and Mirabelle couldn’t help but think how unfortunate this situation was. She was looking up at Kuhn with shimmering eyes. It seemed to contain feelings he had never received from anyone. He spoke in spite of himself.
“…Thank you. “
Mirabelle’s eyes widened. Kuhn, who had finished talking, stumbled out of the room. Mirabelle went after him, and spoke to his retreating back.
“Since I saved you life, can you grant me a wish?”
“…?”
Kuhn stopped walking and turned his head back.
“Please…let me see you one more time. When you’re well, come see me. My name is Mirabelle Blaise.”
“…”
Kuhn tightened his lips and turned away without answering. Mirabelle stared sadly at him as he left.
