Killing Your Sweet Breath - Chapter 54

Chapter 27.2

Winter wasn’t sure how to console the girl, so she simply stepped back, watching their exchange in silence.

“This chick was weak from the moment it hatched, wasn’t it?” Johan asked, resting a large hand on the little girl’s head.

His touch was clumsy and stiff, and his words were gruff—like a man who had talked to a child before in his life. Even so, he was trying his best to console the girl sobbing in front of him.

“Yeah. The egg had a crack in it, and it took a long time to hatch. Mommy said if we had left it alone, it would’ve died inside the shell.”

“Then, in a way, you already saved its life once.”

The girl wiped her tears with the back of her hand. Though her big eyes were still brimming with unshed tears, she seemed to understand, at least a little, the comfort Johan was offering.

“Then… what do I do with Yellowy now?”

She looked down at the small, lifeless chick in her hands. Having never experienced death before, she didn’t know what to do. She turned to Johan again, seeking guidance.

She was trying so hard to be brave.

Johan scooped her up, making sure she was settled on his shoulder before glancing over at Winter.

“I’m taking Fran to bury the chick. It’s a shame. There were still many places I wanted to show you.”

Winter nodded slightly, signaling that she didn’t mind.

Touring the mansion wasn’t nearly as important as comforting a grieving child.

* * *

As Winter wandered the mansion alone, she realized her stomach had finally settled. The sky had shifted from a clear blue to a soft, dusky orange.

Stepping inside, she was greeted once again by the scent of food wafting through the air.

It smelled delicious, but… wasn’t it still a little early for dinner?

“Johan told me you explored the mansion on your own. How was it?”

“Yes. I hope it’s alright that I say this, but I really liked it. It makes me sad that I’ll have to leave in just a few days.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

Elizabeth talked to her from the sofa, where she was working on a piece of lace.

“I asked them to prepare a light dinner, so don’t worry. Lunch was a bit over the top, thanks to Johan, wasn’t it?”

“Haha, I can’t exactly argue with that.”

The warm glow of the setting sun filtered through the windows. The quiet, rhythmic motion of Elizabeth’s hands as she worked.

Everything about this moment felt peaceful, and Winter chose to take a seat on the sofa. The aged leather was so supple it almost felt warm against her skin.

“Your stay may be short, but I hope you can spend the rest of your time here comfortably. Johan seems to have taken quite a liking to you as well, Lady Winter.”

“He’s been nothing but kind. That young girl, Fran, even calls him ‘Grandpa.’”

“He’s very affectionate. Soft-hearted, too. Especially when it comes to children.”

“He’s a good man.”

“When His Grace used to visit us as a child, he also called Johan ‘Grandpa.’”

Winter let out an unexpected laugh.

Van was slightly older than her, and ever since she had first met him as a child, he had always seemed kind, so mature.

Even back then, it was obvious he was destined to stand at the pinnacle of the empire.

And yet, imagining that same Van Helgram trailing after Johan, calling him “Grandpa”…

“I think he envied the other children who had someone they could call ‘Grandpa’. His Grace’s grandfather, the previous Niello, passed away too soon.”

“So even Van Helgram had an adorable phase once, huh?”

“Oh, of course. Though that’s not something I would dare say out loud now.”

“You don’t seem like the type to hold back just because of that, madam.”

Judging from their previous conversation, Elizabeth had a close relationship with Empress Aethernin. That must be why Van Helgram had entrusted Winter to her care.

“Even so, His Grace is now the Lord of Helgram. I must maintain his dignity.”

She covered her mouth with her hand, chuckling softly.

“Haha… If only he were half as concerned about maintaining that dignity as you are, madam.”

Winter’s smile slightly faded as her thoughts wandered back to Van.

Ever since that night, he had never spoken to her first.

Throughout the entire journey to Helgram, he had acted as though she didn’t exist. And yet, the first words he spoke to her had been after they arrived at the Frost Mansion.

Not only did he lack noble decorum, but he also seemed incapable of even the smallest courtesy.

‘Since when did he become so desperate for love?’

Elizabeth, who had been diligently working on her lace, suddenly set down her needle and thread on the table.

She studied Winter for a long moment, then turned away with a small sigh. As if making up her mind, she quietly spoke Winter’s name, her voice sorrowful.

“To be loved by a Helgram… can sometimes be an excruciating burden.”

There was something in the way she said it that made Winter listen more carefully.