Killing Your Sweet Breath - Chapter 56

Chapter 28.2

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.

But to prevent that fate from becoming a true curse, she had searched for someone who, by her standards, would be the perfect match. Her choice had ultimately led her to Winter, the daughter of House Ruhen.

The reasoning behind her choice was ironic. The Ruhens had earned Niella’s recognition, and Van’s mother was convinced that their daughter must have inherited a pure soul.

“She was born to parents with pure souls, so she will surely never betray you. And do you know how beautiful her red hair is, Van? One look at those sunset-colored locks, and you won’t be able to help but fall in love with her.”

Back then, he hadn’t cared about such things. But the moment he met Winter, Van realized—his mother had been right.

Skin as white as snow gathered from the frozen mountains of Ruhen. Cascading red hair that fluttered like a butterfly’s wings. A heart so soft that she cried at the mere sight of a single drop of blood on his hand.

“Fortunately, it seems I take after you more than my mother, Heylia. I have no intention of being bound by the Helgram curse.”

If meeting Winter had blossomed into a love that lasted a lifetime, that would have been ideal. But love was not something Van could decide on his own.

At first, he hadn’t realized that.

He simply thought that avenging their past together was the perfect ending fate had ordained.

Two people, united by their hatred for the emperor, coming together to take his head.

Dancing hand in hand at his funeral.

The very thought of it had been exhilarating.

That was why Van had sought out Winter, why he had stopped at nothing to find her.

But the more he watched her, the more he was reminded of Helgram’s fate, something he had long forgotten.

If he were to let someone into his heart, wouldn’t it be her?

And with that thought came another. A certainty that she still held feelings for him, too.

But the truth had blindsided him. Winter had told him she felt nothing for him and that her heart belonged to someone else. Some damn knight from Ruhen. That bastard Ian.

It had been a shock, but it wasn’t a problem. The solution was simple. Until Winter loved him, he would make sure not to love her in return.

As for that traitorous heart of his, the one that raced at the sight of her? He would freeze it over.

“So don’t worry. I’m not blinded like my mother was.”

* * *

Heylia snorted as she made her way back to her office.

He could say he didn’t love her all he wanted, but to Heylia, it was plain as day. Van was already a man in love.

His mind was just too clouded by his thirst for revenge to realize what he held in his grasp. But once that vengeance was satiated, he would.

And by then, Winter might already be gone.

But there was no need to point it out. No need to stir the curse awake.

If love was something he could never have, then denial was the kinder fate.

Van was clever. Even if he came to realize his own feelings, he might still choose to bury them for the rest of his life.

Just as she had.

“Mother, it’s Keter. May I come in?”

Without knocking, the door cracked open, and a small boy with black hair and golden eyes peeked inside.

“Of course, Keter. Come here.”

The boy dashed forward and threw himself into Heylia’s arms.

His tenth birthday was only a few days away. As he glanced at the mountain of paperwork on her desk, uncertainty flickered in his eyes.

“If you’re this busy, we don’t have to do anything for my birthday this year…”

“How dare you suggest I skip my own son’s birthday?”

“No, I mean, I don’t mind… It’s just that you seem so busy, Mother.”

Heylia pulled the troubled boy closer, pressing a kiss to his forehead.

Though her embrace might have felt a little stifling, Keter only smiled, looking utterly content. He returned the kiss on his mother’s cheek before fidgeting with the fabric of her dress.

He hesitated, clearly debating whether to speak, before finally voicing the question that had become an annual ritual.

“Um… Father won’t be coming again this year, will he?”

“I imagine he’ll send you a letter instead, just like every other year.”

Seeing the disappointment on his face, Heylia exaggerated a cheerful smile and continued.

“But this time, your big brother Van and his wife will be visiting from the capital! I bet they’ve prepared a fantastic gift for you.”

“Oh, really?”

Seeing Keter’s eyes light up, Heylia nodded.

Keter adored Van with a devotion that went beyond admiration. The moment he heard the news, he broke into a grin and ran out of the room, giggling excitedly like the child he was.

Heylia watched her bundle of carefree joy disappear, her smile turning bittersweet.

Keter was living proof of the choice she had risked everything to bring into this world.

The faint freckles that surfaced in the summer sun. The adorable little snaggletooth that peeked out when he smiled.

Little traces that didn’t belong to the Helgram bloodline.

And every time she saw those traits on Keter’s face, she was reminded of the man who had once confessed his love for her.

The man she might have come to love in return.

But Heylia had survived without him. In the end, she had chosen not to love him.

There were moments when she wavered, but she had ultimately chosen not to be swayed by love. Something so unpredictable, so easily lost. Instead, she had ensured that her child would carry on the Helgram name.

The possibility she had created would change Helgram. So that the Helgram bloodline would never be carelessly snuffed out by something as fragile as love.

Even if it meant living a loveless, barren life, that was still better than dying a meaningless death.