Killing Your Sweet Breath - Chapter 18

Chapter 9.2

The guards were immobile, shocked by the unexpected disaster, but when they heard the emperor’s booming voice, they sprang into action without a moment’s hesitation.

Antonio was so blinded by rage that they had to drag him outside. They quickly closed the doors to the audience chamber, and moments later, a group of maids entered to begin cleaning the blood off the floor.

“…Are you alright?”

Winter was the first to approach Van. He was bleeding from his arm, and the blood seeped through his black uniform, dripping onto the floor.

“As long as you’re safe.”

Winter applied pressure to his arm to stop the bleeding. The court physician wasted no time arriving and began treating him on the spot.

Fortunately, Van’s clothes prevented Antonio’s sword from cutting a deep wound, but the blade still left a wide gash.

“You’re lucky the sword he carried is only used for ceremonial purposes.”

Van remained composed even as they disinfected his open wound.

Which made sense, given that his body was covered in numerous scars, both large and small. It’s likely he had to face death multiple times.

The court physician managed to control the bleeding and then advised the emperor that the wound needed to be stitched up at the ward. The emperor reacted with a weak nod, his face ashen.

Once they moved to the ward, the maids once again wiped down Van’s wound and applied an antihemorrhagic.

The court physician skillfully stitched up Van’s wound while Winter removed her blood-soaked gloves and set them aside.

A perceptive maid approached Winter, offering her a bowl of warm water and a handkerchief.

Van’s blood slowly turned the clear water red. Ironically, Winter felt that her revenge was drawing near.

She had willingly thrown herself into the heart of revenge.

Standing at the very center of the chaos she had only dreamed of, she felt as if everything had been orchestrated by someone from the moment she took on the job of assassinating Van.

“You don’t need to worry about me so much.”

Van’s voice broke through Winter’s reverie.

It was as if he was reminding her that now was not the time to get sentimental.

“How can I not worry when Your Grace is bleeding?”

Her voice came out soft and shaky, even as the words she effortlessly uttered were insincere. Her pale hand hovered over the stitched wound, but she couldn’t bring herself to touch it.

“Throwing yourself in harm’s way for my sake… how foolish of you.”

“I didn’t do that just for you. It’s obvious that I would struggle if you were gone.”

The words they exchanged could only be understood by each other. “For you,” wasn’t something that could exist between them—only rational decisions to avoid failure in their revenge mattered.

A brief silence followed, interrupted by a voice announcing the emperor’s arrival.

The emperor entered the ward with the same expression he had when they first met, having barely recovered from the shock.

However, he seemed at a loss for what to say.

As the supreme ruler, he couldn’t possibly offer an apology, nor could he ask someone who was clearly unwell if they were alright.

“I deeply regret that this interrupted our first meeting.”

The emperor finally managed to say to Winter. She sank into a deep curtsy and assured him that it was fine.

The emperor maintained a strained façade of dignity. He beckoned for Winter to come closer.

As she approached, a maid stepped up from behind the emperor and presented a luxurious-looking jewelry box.

The emperor opened the lid to reveal a bracelet made of red gemstones and purple lace.

“It’s unfortunate that this welcome gift now seems like an apology.”

With each sentence, the emperor emphasized his regret, making it clear that he had not intended for this to happen. Winter simply bowed her head in response.

The emperor extended his old, wrinkly hand with his palm facing up. Winter forced herself to calm down and gently placed her hand on his.

She felt an overwhelming urge to vomit but had to suppress it.

‘Not now. I can’t bare my teeth just yet.’

Repeating the mantra endlessly in her mind, she managed to feign a smile even as the emperor fastened the bracelet around her wrist.

Even a real country girl wouldn’t be smiling if she were in this situation, which worked to her advantage.

Finally, as his snake-like repulsive touch left Winter’s wrist, he paused and began to examine her fingers.

“…It’s been a long time since I’ve seen this.”

He was referring to the Helgram ring on Winter’s finger.

“The Helgram ring. I used to wear it myself.”

“I do recall His Grace mentioning that.”

Winter had, in fact, never heard of the story, but she quickly fabricated a lie, pretending to be well-informed of the ring’s history.

“It seems Antonio was gravely mistaken. Since Van has given you the Helgram family ring, I no longer have any doubts. The former empress, Aethernin, gave me this ring with a kiss. She said it was meant for her lifelong partner.”

The emperor gently tilted his head and closed his eyes, as if reminiscing about a beautiful past.

“Truly, what a romantic magic it is. The fact that it activates with a kiss.”