Killing Your Sweet Breath - Chapter 40

Chapter 20.2

“Please don’t take this the wrong way. I’m not accusing you. I just want to find out where the song came from—”

“Do you really have to take that risk?”

Before Winter could finish her sentence, Ian grabbed her wrist.

Hearing her speak as if she felt guilty for even asking made his heart feel like it was being torn apart.

Winter’s eyes widened in shock. She pulled her arm free with a sharp tug, her wrist throbbing where Ian had gripped it.

Though it only lasted a moment, a red handprint was already forming.

“The emperor’s eyes and ears are everywhere. He must’ve heard the song by now. You need to escape. Now. I will protect you.”

Winter rubbed her wrist as she listened, paying close attention to the firm, commanding tone Ian used—something unlike him.

His reaction felt foreign.

This wasn’t like Ian at all.

He wasn’t the type to push her like this, to grab her without consent, or intimidate her with his voice. This wasn’t the Ian she knew.

What had driven him to act this way?

Was it the fear that Winter might lose her life?

Or was it the desperation of a man trying to win her love?

‘If that were the reason… he would have done this long ago.’

Sure, the song could have sparked something inside him. But if that were the case, Ian would have come to her before she called him.

But right now, Ian looked as though he had been waiting for this moment, just hoping Winter would come to him.

Winter’s head fell forward as she let out a hollow laugh. She slowly lifted her gaze to meet his, and the sound of her laughter only grew louder.

“Haha! Sir Ian, so it seems you somehow are connected to this matter.”

Ian’s heart skipped a beat at Winter’s accusation.

Her eyes were cold and sharp like daggers made of ice.

“You act like you were just waiting for me to call on you and ask about the song.”

“…That’s not true.”

Ian fought the urge to look away. This wasn’t the Winter he knew.

She had pure, innocent eyes that were free of any malice, just like how they were back in Ruhen.

But now, her eyes looked just like Duke Van Helgram’s.

Eyes that sneered at the world, trusted no one, and walked the fine line between life and death, consumed by the thirst for revenge.

‘That’s why I have to separate you from him.’

Why did Van Helgram have to find her first?

Ian couldn’t help but wonder if things would have been different had he found Winter first, before she became obsessed with revenge. He could have made her much happier.

Even if Winter hated his methods, he was prepared to endure it for her sake.

“Whether I’m involved in this or not, you have only one option, my lady. The emperor will soon learn who the ghost of the snowy mountains is. Before that happens—”

“Sianna!”

Winter shouted, deciding she had heard enough.

Sianna quickly burst through the doors and turned to Winter.

Ian, caught off guard by Winter’s sudden shout, could only stand there and watch, glancing between the two women.

“Tell Sheeran I’m heading to the imperial palace and to prepare a carriage immediately. Also, ready an outfit suitable for a visit to the palace.”

“My lady!”

“And Ian, you will wait by the carriage. You’ll be my personal escort.”

“What on earth…”

Ian had no idea what was happening.

In a situation like this, shouldn’t they be fleeing? Yet, she was ordering him to escort her to the palace!

But he had no room to object. Winter was already heading back to her room to prepare for her visit.

* * *

“Your Grace! L-Lady Winter is—!”

Van Helgram was already feeling the start of a headache, so Sheeran’s frantic entrance didn’t help. He narrowed his eyes and rested his chin on his hand.

The sight made Sheeran flinch, freezing him mid-sentence. He took a deep breath to compose himself before continuing.

“She’s heading to the imperial palace. Right now!”

“…What?”

Van’s expression darkened further at Sheeran’s words.

“I-I wasn’t able to get all the details because she ordered us to prepare immediately, but apparently, she heard the recent rumors spreading in the capital, spoke briefly with Sir Ian, and then—”

“Hah.”

Van Helgram’s frown deepened.

Sheeran had never seen Van look this irritated before.

“That damn bastard again.”

With Van Helgram’s face and lips twisted in displeasure, Sheeran dared not say anything more.

“I’ll speak to her myself, so stop the preparations.”

“But… she’s already left…”

“And who gave the order to prepare a carriage to the palace?”

“Your Grace, you said Lady Winter’s orders should be carried out immediately, no questions asked!”

Van leaned back in his chair and rubbed a large hand over his face.

Translator’s Note:

Listening to Champagne Coast while editing Winter and Ian’s scene was the definition of heartbreak.