"This hospital room is so boring. Noelle, could you take me outside for some fresh air?"
Ellin looked at Noelle with a smile.
"I..."
Standing beside the hospital bed, Noelle lowered her head.
Ellin's smile stopped every word she had been about to say.
All she could do now was nod and say, "Okay."
There were few people in the Cathedral square that afternoon.
Ellin sat in a wheelchair as Noelle pushed her to the railing at the edge of the square.
From here, they could see the setting sun shining on Cider Lake, turning its surface a brilliant gold.
Once they arrived, Ellin, dressed in a loose nightgown, said nothing. She simply rested her chin on one hand and gazed at the distant scenery.
Ellin's silence left Noelle even more at a loss.
She could only stand quietly behind Ellin, not daring to say a word.
Time ticked by, and Noelle trembled slightly. Every extra second in this atmosphere was an unbearable ordeal for her.
She was like an ant on a hot pan, not knowing what to do.
This wordless silence was the worst punishment she could receive. She would rather Ellin scream abuse at her. At least that would make her feel a little better.
"Ellin, I'm sorry... I..."
At last, unable to bear the torment, she spoke up.
But Ellin seemed to have already guessed what she wanted to say.
"Shh...!"
Ellin spoke softly. She calmly watched the last light of the sun in the distance, a faint smile still on her lips.
She patted the wheelchair's armrest, signaling for Noelle to bend down.
"Noelle, come closer. There's something I want to whisper to you."
"Oh... oh, okay..."
Noelle froze for a moment, but bent down anyway, bringing her ear close to Ellin's cheek and