Killing Your Sweet Breath - Chapter 53

Chapter 27.1

Elizabeth chuckled as she watched Johan pile portions of food onto Winter’s plate. Turning to him with a gentle smile, she said,

“My dear, young ladies tend to prefer fresh vegetable salads over meat. And after such a long journey without proper meals, eating only meat might upset her stomach.”

At her words, Johan stopped mid-motion, then called for a nearby maid to bring another plate.

A few moments later, the maid returned, setting down a small plate of salad in front of Winter.

“I don’t understand the appeal of these scraps of greens, but if you want, you can eat that first. Then, the meat.”

Looking satisfied with his adjustments to Winter’s meal, he finally settled back into his seat.

Winter smiled and thanked him.

Glancing at Johan, she thought it was easy to see how his large stature, even in older age, was a testament to his apparent love for meat.

“Thank you for the meal.”

Winter finished the greens quickly, then slowly began working her way through the mountain of meat on her plate. But not even halfway through, she already felt full. Still, she was determined to finish all the meat he had served her.

“You didn’t have to force yourself to finish everything.”

“No, it was delicious. I couldn’t help myself.”

But in reality, every time she considered setting her fork down, she caught Johan casting furtive glances her way, his expression impassive. Despite his apparent “disinterest,” she had a feeling he was watching.

“Well then, it’s time for dessert. We’ve prepared a cream cake topped with plenty of raspberries.”

Goodness, no more. She wouldn’t survive another bite.

Winter wasn’t just worried about a stomach ache. Her dress was going to literally burst at the seams if she ate anything more.

“Um, how about I save dessert for… later? I’ll have it with dinner instead.”

For a moment, a flicker of disappointment crossed Johan’s stern features, but Winter quickly stood, eager to change the subject.

“The mansion is so beautiful. I’d love to explore a bit before the sun sets.”

“That’s an excellent idea. Johan is in charge of the mansion’s upkeep. He may look intimidating, but you’d be surprised by how gentle he can be.”

“I’ll show you around myself.” Johan rose from his seat, already done with his meal.

His face, usually so stern, seemed to soften just slightly. Winter noticed the faintest blush creeping into his expression, perhaps a response to Elizabeth’s praise.

* * *

Just like Elizabeth had said, the Frost mansion wasn’t overly grand, but it exuded an understated elegance with a cozy, welcoming charm.

The shrubs were pruned into soft, neat shapes, a stark contrast to Johan’s rugged appearance. The small garden behind the mansion was filled with blooms that looked like wildflowers, and their colors blended together naturally. This was uncharacteristic in most noble estates.

According to the information Sheeran had shared, Johan had once been the commander of the Helgram Knights. His weathered, sturdy appearance certainly fit the role, but Winter felt there was more to him. Beneath the surface, he seemed softer, gentler.

She wondered if he’d cared for his knights with the same quiet kindness she’d witnessed.

“I heard you were once the commander of Helgram’s knights.”

“I was. A long time ago.”

“You still seem too young to be retired.”

Johan didn’t respond to Winter’s comment. Instead, a fleeting expression of anguish crossed his face, so Winter decided not to press further.

Some tragedies were too heavy to share, even with a bitter smile. Most likely, it had something to do with the daughter he had lost.

They continued walking in silence until they spotted a girl running toward them, her small form kicking up a cloud of dust behind her. She wasn’t dressed like a noble, but her clothes were neat and well-kept.

“Grandpa!” she cried, her voice trembling. “I— I don’t know what to do!”

The little girl’s face was scrunched with the effort of holding back tears.

Looking more closely, Winter realized she was holding a small, lifeless chick in her arms.

“It was eating and drinking just fine earlier… but after I played with it for a little, it ended up like this. Sniff… Mommy said it died, but that’s not true, right? Grandpa, you can save it, can’t you? You fixed my toy last time!”

The little girl’s voice quivered as begged and pleaded with Johan. She looked up at him with tears streaming down her cheeks, leaving her face a mess.

With a deep sigh, Johan knelt, lowering himself to her level.

Despite his imposing frame, stern features, and status as a noble, the girl didn’t seem intimidated. She simply kept sobbing, begging for him to bring the chick back to life.

“Fran, a chick isn’t a toy. It’s a living creature. Once a life is lost, it can’t be brought back.”

“Hic, but my little brother was sick before, and he got better. Maybe Yellowy just needs some medicine to come back…?”

“You’re right. Sick people can get better with the right care. But if they’re not properly looked after, they might leave us forever.”

“Does that mean it’s my fault? Because I didn’t take good care of it…? Waaah!”

“N-no, I mean that, even with the best care, they can still pass away. Some creatures are born fragile, and no matter how much we love them, we can’t stop them from going to heaven earlier than others.”

At first, Johan had said that neglect could lead to death, but seeing the little girl’s face darken with guilt, he quickly backtracked, explaining that even with proper care, some creatures are just too weak to survive.