Killing Your Sweet Breath - Chapter 47
Chapter 24.1
“…I’ve often been mistaken for her, but it’s merely a resemblance,” Winter clarified, dispelling the priest’s assumption.
The priest composed himself, finally recovering from the shock. He sighed, whispering a quiet prayer as memories of a brutal past surfaced.
“Yes, that child couldn’t possibly be alive. Niella, I ask that you watch over the girl who perished in the face of fire and a knight’s sword…”
Finishing his prayer, the priest turned back to Van.
“…I won’t discuss this any further unless you put all your cards on the table. If that’s what you want, you know where to find me.”
Van set his utensils down neatly, his appetite gone. The temple’s silverware clinked softly against the stone table.
“There’s nothing more to discuss. Now that the emperor and the consort have seen the ceremony, my business here is complete.”
“…Was that truly your only goal?”
“What more could I want? The emperor will believe that Niella has seen through to the depths of my heart. And now, the rumors circulating in the capital will be reduced to meaningless gossip.”
“So he’ll be led to think you’ve abandoned your plans for revenge.”
“All I can do is be grateful for these eyes Niella has blessed me with.”
The priest also placed his utensils down, leaving his meal unfinished.
Van waited patiently for Winter to finish her own meal, leaning back against his chair while she took a sip of water and wiped her mouth.
As soon as she set down her napkin, he smoothly rose from his seat.
“That was a delightful meal.”
Winter followed suit, straightening her clothes. Just as they were about to leave, the priest asked a final question.
“If what you’ve discovered isn’t true, then the two of you would be dead by now.”
“Perhaps it’s all just part of Niella’s plan.”
The priest fell silent, unable to respond to the apostate who mocked a dead god.
The mystery Niella left behind was now just an empty shell, and it seemed she wouldn’t be able to deceive her followers for much longer.
* * *
That dinner had been as poor as the rest of the temple’s ceremony, but at least the bedroom was decent. Perhaps a small gesture for the couple’s first night together.
The room was as spacious as the one Winter used back at the estate, and most necessities for the night had been provided.
The blankets, in particular, were luxuriously soft, comparable to those in any noble household.
The only downside was that everything was overwhelmingly white. Definitely not the kind of place you’d want to stay for long.
“A man who knows of God’s death. A secret even the emperor himself isn’t aware of. Once again, I’m impressed by the Helgram family’s reach.”
Winter remarked, tying up her hair. Fresh from a bath, she was dressed in nothing but a robe.
“My mother used to pray to Niella every time my father went off to war, but no, knowing how much of that time was wasted on empty prayers, it doesn’t bring any comfort.”
Van’s gaze lingered on the exposed skin of Winter’s neck and collarbone.
Seeing the scars etched into her pale skin stirred a mix of anger toward those who had caused them, along with an unsettling desire.
But acting like a beast tonight would surely displease her. No matter how often she’d compared him to a dog[1] before, tonight he would not behave like one.
After silently chiding himself for nearly crossing the line again, Van Helgram managed to rein in his surging emotions, masking his expression as he replied.
“Without the power of a god, there’s no way an ordinary human could wield such mysteries.”
“You’re right. If the truth ever got out, plenty of people would be lining up to throw themselves into the Sillion River.”
“The priest would probably be the first once his flow of donations dries up. Or maybe the emperor will have his head once he realizes he’s been deceived.”
Winter thought of someone who’d take action even before the priest. The alchemist who had sold her cheap drugs.
If those alchemists, who’d wasted years trying to recreate ancient mysteries, heard the truth, they’d be furious.
A perfect revenge for the one who sold her those worthless drugs.
As she watched Van’s back disappear as he went to wash up, Winter reflected on the day’s events.
Holding the wedding at the temple had proven to be an excellent decision.
When their blood had merged and vanished into the holy water, she’d caught a fleeting look of joy on the emperor’s face.
Judging from Van’s conversation with the priest, it was clear that failure had never been an option in his mind.
Beyond God’s death, she still hadn’t learned why the trial had punished the unworthy in the past, yet had spared Van Helgram.
They managed to achieve such success without any real risk. How remarkable was that!
Having been recognized as noble souls in front of both the emperor and empress consort meant their guards would be lowered.
Van’s calculated decision to bring up that legend during the meal with the priest was also a smart move.
Given the priest’s anxious behavior, he was terrified of any word leaking out, so that would ensure he’d never confess the full truth to the emperor.
This wedding had allowed the two of them to secure everyone’s trust without losing a thing. Better yet, the priest might one day prove useful in keeping their secret.
“You seem to be in a good mood.”
Van noted, emerging from the bathroom, accompanied by a cloud of white steam.
His robe was loosely tied, barely clinging to his frame.
Beads of water trailed down his toned chest, highlighting the contours of his muscles that were left almost entirely exposed.
“Well, it’s just like you said. I’m finding more and more reasons to keep living.”
Winter thought it might be wise to hold off on telling the alchemists about the secret of magic for now.
After all, had she died back then, she would’ve forever lost her chance for revenge.
This night had turned out to be surprisingly pleasant.
Translator’s Note:
1. Winter often called Van a “개새끼” in a lot of the earlier chapters. The literal translation of this word is “dog,” but as an expletive, it can be translated as “bastard, f*cker, son of a b*tch,” etc., which is how I translate it in earlier chapters! ↩
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