Chapter 118
“Eeeeek!!”
“Please refrain from randomly shouting from the top of your lungs . ”
I’m not doing it because I want to!
I wanted to retort, but all that came out were a series of incomprehensible grunts and screams .
“You want to reach the foothill as fast as possible, right? Then please suck it up for a little while longer . ”
Crowe ran down the mountain as he delivered his usual sarcastic remark . Despite carrying me on his back, he flew down the mountain at breakneck speeds .
The Kua Clan had completed preparations, and thus we decided to descend from the mountain to meet up with Georg, but there was one problem .
Me . My mere existence would slow down everyone else .
If I had kept at it at my own pace, the sun would’ve gone down before we even reach the goal . But we couldn’t afford to leave me, the person orchestrating everything, behind . That was when Crowe raised his hand . He offered to give me a piggyback ride .
Certainly, it would be faster than walking by myself .
I didn’t like the idea of Crowe probably reporting this to my father, but now wasn’t the time to be thinking about that .
When I replied, ‘I’ll leave it to you,’ Crowe accepted my request with a smile . He looked so happy to the point it was impossible for me to think he was acting, and it made me feel a little uneasy .
“I-I’m going to dieee!”
“You won’t, you won’t . You’re pretty sturdy yourself . Even if you did fall off, I’m sure there won’t be a scratch on you . ”
Like that’s going to happen!!
It’s a mountain path, you know?! And we’re on a cliffside, you know?!?
Instead of laughing like an ass, I’d rather you be more gentle! I’m a princess, you hear? A princess!!
In the end, none of these complaints escaped my mouth . My tears naturally flowed out from witnessing both the beautiful scenery and my swaying vision .
“Don’t scream or you’ll bite your tongue . Please close your mouth . ”
An open mouth is required to scream!!
Actually, I’d like it if you would comfort me a little instead!
“Or would you prefer if I’d slow things down a notch? I don’t mind if you’d rather walk by yourself . ”
Or so he said in the same voice as before . But for some reason, it felt like he was testing me instead .
But was that really the case? And even if I hit the bullseye, why was he testing me in the first place? Actually, it’d be more believable to say that he doesn’t have the mental capacity to think that far .
The next words escaped my lips without me noticing .
“Well, you know . As fast as possible… P-Please . ”
There’s no room to think twice about what to do when weighing my heart and the life of others .
Using the back of my hand, I quickly wiped the tears off my face .
Once my voice got smaller when I focused all of my strength clinging onto him, Crowe let out a hoarse laugh .
“Roger that . ”
I’m not sure if it was just me, but the speed increased even further .
On second thought, if you would be more gentle… who am I kidding? I was about to blurt that out before realising that there’s no point in saying it now .
Not long after, we arrived at the foothill village .
I was greeted with the four covered wagons as my soul floated out of my mouth . I saw wagons of various sizes, then suddenly…
“Marie!!”
At the same time I was called, someone wrapped their arms around me with considerable force . My face was buried in her chest, and I could smell a nice scent .
The scent in question was a refined fragrance that was not too overpowering, and it suited an attractive adult woman such as herself well .
“I’m glad you’re safe…”
“Miss Bianca…?”
Miss Bianca’s voice was shaking . Her arms were so tightly wrapped around me that they hurt; she was clearly shaken up . Seeing the usually cool and collected Miss Bianca riled up like this was really unhealthy for my heart . I wonder how much I’ve made her worry .
“I’m sorry for worrying you . ”
“If you’re okay, then it’s fine . ”
Miss Bianca was genuinely happy as she said so .
Guilt started to well up inside me . I had no doubt that she had been worried for me all this time, even when I was staying in the Kua village .
As Miss Bianca continued to squeeze the light out of me, I noticed Michael and Georg behind her .
Michael was laughing with his brows low . Georg, on the other hand, knitted his brows as his mouth quivered . I thought they were angry, but the vibes they were giving off were different .
“I’m sorry for making you two worry too . ”
“N-No . It’s alright as long as you’re doing well . ”
Georg took a deep breath, and his face crumpled . However, his expression—looking much like that of a child about to cry—disappeared the next instant and was replaced by his usual serene demeanour .
“And thanks for granting my unreasonable wish . I don’t know how many times you’ve helped me already . ”
When I gave my thanks for bringing me the wagons, Georg smiled a little .
“…I’d be happier if you would rely on me a bit more . I wanted to be helpful to you, but I was capable of doing only this much . Regardless of whatever challenges you face, you’ve always been able to solve it all by yourself . ”
I stood puzzled at Georg’s words .
What he did for me here was by no means considered as ‘only this much . ’ When Klaus was hurt, he was the one who brought Michael along, and this time was very much the same .
But Georg didn’t have the slightest sense of pride .
He turned his gaze towards me .
There were thirty-five people staring, including Wolf . All of them were wearing hooded cloaks so that their honey-coloured eyes wouldn’t be discovered . I haven’t told Georg yet, but there’s a high chance he already knew who these people were .
Georg originally came to Grenze to find the Kua Clan, not me .
But I didn’t follow his desire to wait and instead set off on a journey by myself .
At the time, I didn’t want to burden others with responsibilities while I watch them dirty their hands from my peaceful castle .
However, I deeply regretted betraying Georg’s kindness to me .
I should have talked to you so that you would have understood my feelings .
“I’m a little disappointed that you couldn’t leave it to me . ”
“…Georg, I’m-”
“But thinking back, that’s something only you would do . ”
“Eh…?”
I lifted up my face . Georg gave a slight chuckle when I looked surprised . Not the bitter smile he had before, but a genuine, calm smile . If I were to say, it was like a child’s innocent grin .
“You always do your best to save someone . That’s what makes you who you are, Marie . ”
Georg muttered joyfully, albeit with a noticeable hint of loneliness . He said that as if he was talking to himself and didn’t wait for me to react .
He immediately glanced towards Wolf and called out to him .
“Hey, you . ”
“That’s quite rude, you know, young master . ”
With a quick quip back from Wolf, Georg raised an eyebrow .
“There’s a mountain of things I want to speak to you about… But I’ll leave it for another time . Distribute the supplies to the people . Come on . ”
Wolf shrugged his shoulders and smirked .
Speaking of which, does he know that Wolf was the one who kidnapped me?
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