However the physical exertion of the laugh was too much for his withered lungs. The chuckle instantly dissolved into a violent agonizing fit of coughing.
"Hack! Cough! Gah!" Klaus hunched forward with his frail shoulders shaking violently as he coughed into his right fist.
"Master!" Mirela panicked, instantly dropping the intense seduction act and shifting back into caretaker mode.
She stood up, gently but firmly patting his back to help him clear his lungs.
"I'm... I'm fine," Klaus gasped, catching his breath with a weak smile playing on his deeply lined lips.
He looked up at her. "It's a deal. If I make it back... I'll hold you to that."
Mirela's face finally flushed a bright, beautiful crimson. She offered a watery, brilliant smile and nodded firmly.
"Come on," Klaus grunted, bracing his right hand against the edge of the mattress. "Help me up."
He tried to push himself onto his feet.
