‘Yes, yes,’ Wolf sloppily replied before trailing after Georg . I thought to myself, Would they be alright? as the two wandered off .
“Hey, Marie . ”
I looked towards Miss Bianca who called for me . Her face was deadly serious .
“Marie, you’re going with them, aren’t you?”
She didn’t even have to ask ‘where?‘ I just nodded once .
The princess herself was going to a place riddled with sickness . That alone couldn’t be thought of as rational .
I wasn’t a doctor and didn’t know my way well around medicine, so I wouldn’t be of much help even if I go . So as to not trouble everyone, staying here in a safe place would be wise .
It was sound logic in my head . But I can’t do that . That just wouldn’t be me .
I finally realised that I wasn’t meant to live rationally .
“…I see . ”
The moment Miss Bianca saw my face, she let out a bitter smile . Her mouth opened, perhaps trying to tell me to stay, but she soon bit down on her lips and gave a slight chuckle with lowered brows . Her awkward smile resembled that of her brother’s .
“I thought you’d say that . ”
She held me tight as her forehead rested on my shoulder .
Her gentle fingers combed through my hair .
“I would just be a hindrance there, so I won’t follow you . ”
“Alright . ”
“But please don’t push yourself . Depend on others around you before you try to do anything on your own, okay?”
She pressed her forehead against mine . Her kind eyes and gentle hands reminded me of that a mother’s . I knew she was worried about me, but it was a little ticklish and somewhat embarrassing .
“I will . ”
When she saw me nodding with a timid smile, Miss Bianca relaxed her shoulders .
She stroked my cheek, raised her face, and continued, ‘Speaking of which-‘
“Michael will be coming with you, so don’t hesitate to rely on him . ”
“I-I’m in your care!”
“Eh?”
When I looked towards the direction Miss Bianca was pointing at, Michael bowed his head vigorously . I was surprised, and an unintentional voice escaped my lips .
“I hope—no, I promise to be of help as much as I can!”
“No—I mean, that’s fine, but… are you okay with this?”
It’d be great if he came along . We would definitely save more lives with his healing powers . But I couldn’t simply ask him to risk his life alongside me .
“Of course . ”
Michael answered with a wide grin .
“If I can save the lives of others, then there would be nothing else that could make me happier . ”
His soft, thin eyes were lit with the light of determination .
That’s right . He may look calm and collected, but he was the one who jumped headfirst out of his peaceful temple to help people here right now, in another country to boot .
Even knowing this, the fact that I couldn’t ask for him to come with me was out of my own weakness . Making others decide on a matter of life and death for themselves is the same as running away . I just wasn’t ready to be responsible for his life .
If I really want to save as many people as I can, I should be lowering my head left and right without a second thought .
“Then, I look forward to working with you…!”
Once I said that with a bashful voice, Michael happily nodded in reply .
Without fail, we’ll cure the people from this plague .
And then we’ll go back to Nebel with everyone .
I swore in my heart .
What’s wrong with being a little greedy? What’s wrong with wanting everything? I’ll protect everyone, and we’ll return home together . I will do anything to make that happen, no matter how far I have to go .
I clenched my fists and made my decision .
“Marie! When you’re ready, get on the carriage first . ”
I heard Wolf calling from a distance .
This was not the time to be lazing about .
“Later, Miss Bianca . I’m very sorry for the rush, but we have to set off . ”
“I understand . I’ll go back to Nebel first and wait for you there . ”
“Very well… U-Um . If possible, I’d like to ask you for a favour . ”
“What is it? I will do anything I can . ”
“Can I leave Klaus in your care until you reach Nebel?”
When Miss Bianca heard my request, she opened her eyes wide in surprise .
“I’m sure Georg has already made preparations for him to return home, but I’m still a little worried about his injuries since they were quite severe . If possible, I’d like him to go with you . ”
Klaus’ injuries won’t heal any time soon . Despite Michael’s efforts sealing up the wound, it would still take several days before he’ll be able to move freely .
If possible, I would like him to rest properly back at home . But we’re talking about Klaushere .
At the very least, I’d like him to rest and be fully treated for half a month so that he can return back to being my guard as soon as possible .
“I want you to keep an eye on him so that he won’t follow me . I had wanted to talk to him before we left, but we don’t have much time, and I didn’t want to wake him up while he’s recuperating . ”
“…Um, Marie?”
Miss Bianca hesitantly spoke .
Is it really impossible after all? I mean, sure, it’s really difficult to stop a stubborn Klaus, but there’s no one else who can do this .
I tried to talk Miss Bianca into it, but it seemed like she didn’t want to after all .
However, looking at Miss Bianca right now, her eyes oozed disgust rather than puzzlement . She paused for a moment before guiding my gaze behind me .
“Of course, I would have dragged him feet first back home without you telling me… but there’s that . ”
Miss Bianca stated while tilting her head to the side, unlike her usual self .
I didn’t know what she was looking at as there was only a tree in the direction we were facing . A tall tree that you could find anywhere .
And there was someone hiding behind the trunk .
“…Hm?”
I thought I was seeing things and strained my eyes harder .
Then, a certain someone’s unforgettable face came into view .
Unbelievable . I gawked at the person standing there in a terrible state as numerous questions popped up in my head .
Why are you here? Why are you hiding? Why do you look like an abandoned puppy?
I couldn’t take on the questions that kept flooding in one after another, and by this point, my mind had already turned into a puddle .
He looks like that one emote, huh?
Silly thoughts consequently whizzed by .