Killing Your Sweet Breath - Chapter 13
Chapter 7.1
Even though Winter usually had trouble sleeping, last night had been especially difficult.
She had tried to take a short nap to conserve her energy, but she ended up staying awake all night.
She couldn’t tell if it was anticipation or anxiety. It felt like standing alone in a thick fog, unable to see what lay ahead. Having willingly joined this revenge plot, uncertain of whether it would succeed or fail, she had no choice but to move forward.
After getting dressed and finishing her meal, the maids withdrew, and Sheeran paid a visit to Winter’s room.
Watching a grown man scurry in with a flushed face was an all-new experience for her.
“Your identity is complete. Please read this and memorize everything as you see it.”
He didn’t stutter like yesterday, but his hands still trembled as he handed over the documents.
Winter flipped through a couple of pages, then paused and lifted her gaze, zeroing in on Sheeran. He stood there with his hands neatly folded together, waiting for her to speak.
“Winter Frost? The duke must want me to freeze to death.”
She made the joke to ease his nerves, but—
“…That’s a real viscounty here in the Helgram territory.”
“…Oh, my apologies.”
It had the opposite effect. She wondered if this was how Van felt when he joked with her yesterday. Feeling awkward, she turned her attention back to the documents.
Winter Frost. A free country girl who lived on the outskirts of the Helgram territory. She was orphaned and maintained her livelihood by spending time doing things she enjoyed in her village before she was adopted by the Frosts, who had lost their own daughter. She caught the eye of Van Helgram during one of his patrols of the territory.
The profile detailed her birth date, level of education, relationships with neighbors, and memories of Helgram, all written with such precision it almost felt real.
Beneath the carefully crafted document was a note: “Please act as a lovely and innocent country girl. I beg you.”
Sheeran had tried to disguise the handwriting as his, but the script was unmistakably different.
That’s when the door to her room opened. Without a knock, of course.
“My lovely and innocent country girl. I missed you last night.”
The man who had casually left that note on the document was none other than Van Helgram.
* * *
Van took her to the largest and most famous boutique in the capital. Sheeran waited with the carriage while Winter and Van stepped inside the shop.
“We’re here to tailor a dress for my fiancée.”
It seemed to be the first time the clerk had seen the infamous Van Helgram in person since he looked flustered as he guided them away.
He led the way with his head bowed, but occasionally glanced back at them, which was amusing.
Even the young noble ladies and their mothers who were browsing through the gowns peeked at them from behind their fans.
It might’ve been because Van placed a particular emphasis on the word “fiancée.”
The Idle gossip coming from the noble ladies was loud enough to be heard.
They speculated about the engagement, saying they had never heard of it, or suggesting that they must be rushing the wedding because she was pregnant. That was not pleasant to hear.
After all, for someone as prominent as Duke Helgram to suddenly appear with a fiancée, it was bound to spark some scandalous rumors.
“By tomorrow, the entire capital will be buzzing with gossip.”
Van whispered to Winter with a smile that appeared deceptively gentle, as if he were satisfied with the outcome.
“I’ll show you to the second floor.”
The clerk said, still looking unsure of what to do. Winter spoke in a small voice once they were out of earshot.
“Fiancée? When did this engagement ceremony happen that I seem to have no recollection of it?”
“Ah, Sheeran must have forgotten to include that in the paperwork. There’s no need to hold a ceremony twice in the capital.”
“A fiancée without a ring? The perfect recipe for a pity party.”
“Does that upset you? I suppose I’ve been a little thoughtless.”
Winter simply smiled, and although it brightened her entire expression, to Van, it was clearly a sneer.
“Take off your glove.”
Okay… but why so suddenly?
As Winter just stared at him in confusion, Van lightly grabbed her arm and removed one of her lace gloves himself. Seeing the many scars on her pale skin, Van was once again reminded of Winter’s profession.
“There will be plenty of rumors that the Lady of Helgram is an incompetent peasant. Though, that’s still better than being an assassin.”
Despite his frivolous comment, Van did not let go of Winter’s hand.
Just as she was about to ask, “What are you doing?” Van removed an old platinum ring off his pinky finger and slipped it onto Winter’s ring finger.
Since he’d worn it on his pinky, the ring should’ve been too big, but it slowly adjusted to fit Winter’s finger perfectly.
He wouldn’t just casually hand over a family heirloom, and it seemed to be enchanted with ancient magic.
The Helgram territory was full of mysteries, so it wasn’t surprising to find out it held such objects.
“It’s an engagement ring.”
Just as Winter was about to respond, the clerk called them, and the two continued up the stairs.
Upon reaching the second floor, they were greeted by a room reserved for special guests.
Sitting on the red velvet-covered sofa, she discovered it was as soft as the ones in Van’s home. It was a luxury fitting for a place of such grandeur.
“Would you mind… waiting here for a moment?”
The clerk sought Van’s permission to leave, looking extremely nervous as he brought out a tray of tea.
The unfortunate prince who killed two of his half-brothers. It seemed his notoriety was as strong as the sympathy he garnered.
Van nodded with an indifferent expression, and only then did the clerk breathe a sigh of relief and leave.
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