Killing Your Sweet Breath - Chapter 55

Chapter 28.1

“To be loved by a Helgram, huh… Van did mention something about a family secret. At this point, I’m genuinely curious. What could this great secret be?”

“I cannot be the one to tell you, of course. But I ask that you take care of him.”

“…You must already know our circumstances. Our marriage is purely contractual, and I have no interest in developing any feelings between us. I’ll assume your request refers only to the terms of our agreement.”

“I don’t mean to pressure you, Lady Winter. I only hope that you might find it in yourself to feel even the smallest bit of sympathy for him.”

“Haha, who am I to pity anyone?”

Winter turned her head, a bitter smile on her lips.

Had she not endured a painful past of her own, maybe she could have answered Elizabeth’s request with a simple alright.

But to ask her to pity Van Helgram?

At the very least, he had people who supported him. He was allowed to live freely, to exist without having his very being erased from the world.

Even after killing two of his half-brothers, no one dared call him evil. No one pointed fingers at him.

And yet, she was supposed to pity Van Helgram?

She wasn’t angry. Just… unbearably sad.

It wasn’t the sharp sting of sorrow, but something deeper. Heavier. Like her heart had sunk into dark waters, numbed by the weight.

“I think I’ll retire early tonight. The long journey has worn me out, and after that satisfying lunch, I doubt I’ll manage dinner.”

Elizabeth didn’t stop her, nor did she offer an apology.

Instead, she summoned a maid to escort Winter to her room and instructed her to prepare a warm bath, allowing Winter to leave without another word.

* * *

Helgram Castle was alive with an energy it hadn’t seen in years.

Van Helgram.

The last time he had set foot in these lands, he had been just a child. Now, he had returned as a grown man—but only after Aethernin, beloved by all of Helgram, had passed away.

After inheriting the lordship from her sister, Heylia, he insisted he wasn’t fit to rule and handed the territory’s governance back to her.

Then, he had locked himself away in the castle, consumed by revenge, only to leave for the capital soon after.

And now, he had returned. Not just to settle his vendetta against his half-brothers, but also as a married man. How could the castle not be buzzing with excitement?

“Van, welcome back to Helgram. It may not be for long, but take the time to rest while you’re here.”

Heylia smiled as she combed back his hair.

Raven-black strands rippled like seaweed, and golden eyes gleamed in the darkness. The unmistakable features of a Helgram.

Yes. That was why.

That was the reason why he had chosen this place, Helgram territory, for his honeymoon.

She looked just like his mother, and every time he saw that resemblance, the embers of revenge, which had cooled ever so slightly, flared back to life.

Side by side, the two who had lost someone precious walked down the corridor.

As they passed deeper into the heart of the castle, tapestries lined the walls, and portraits of the previous dukes began to appear.

Starting with Roen Helgram—the founder of House Helgram, a woman cursed by God, and the one who had killed Niella—the line of portraits continued until they reached Aethernin Helgram, Van’s mother.

Van slowed his pace, his gaze lingering on the paintings, until he stopped in front of his mother’s.

The portrait was well-maintained, untouched by even a speck of dust.

Inside the frame, her smile remained frozen in time.

“Mother. I’ve killed two of that wench’s sons.”

Heylia stood a step behind him, lowering her head slightly and closing her eyes, waiting as Van paid his respects.

“Now, all that remains is that wench, her last son, and my father.”

His low, chilling voice echoed through the corridor.

Declaring the intent to kill the emperor was nothing more than casual conversation among the villagers of Helgram territory.

Who here would dare defend the emperor?

The ruthless ruler who stole their lord, deceived her, and drove her to her death.

“Oh, and I found Winter.”

At the name, Heylia’s eyes lifted slightly.

Van’s wife.

She still remembered the shock she felt when she first received that letter.

To learn that Lady Ruhen—believed dead by all—was not only alive but married to Van? It was astonishing.

“I’ll bring her to meet you in a few days.”

His cold, heavy voice had softened ever so slightly.

And yet, he didn’t move. He simply stood there, staring at the painting, unwilling to touch it for fear it might crumble beneath his fingers.

* * *

Deep within Helgram Castle, the reception room doors remained firmly shut.

Setting down her teacup, Heylia turned to Van.

She tried to keep her expression neutral, but the displeasure was clear on her face.

“So, in the end, things played out exactly as your mother wanted.”

“I’d say it was fate.”

“Sheeran’s letter specifically mentioned that you were the one who went out searching for her.”

“I believed finding her was my destiny.”

“And? Does she love you?”

The question cut straight to the heart of the matter, making Van furrow his brow.

Perhaps things were not going as smoothly as he had hoped. His expression certainly suggested as much.

“Hmph. At her age, it’s only natural for a girl to have at least one man in her heart.”

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t love Winter, either.”

“Just don’t end up like your mother.”

At Heylia’s words, Van lowered his head, letting out a quiet chuckle.

Ever since he was a child, his mother, Aethernin, had spent years searching for the perfect partner for him. Someone he could truly love.

She would whisper about how romantic the Helgram curse was, proudly declaring that their noble blood meant they were destined to love only one person for a lifetime.