The cold hit instantly.
Sharper than inside.
Cleaner.
Valentine stepped out slowly—
the chain between them shifting with a soft clink.
She looked around.
Trees.
Endless.
Quiet.
A breeze passed.
Cold enough to make her inhale sharply.
"…it's colder here," she said.
Artavius glanced ahead.
"Yeah."
A pause.
"I think it might snow soon."
Valentine's eyes lit up—
just a little.
"…really?"
He didn't answer.
Didn't need to.
She took a few steps forward—
then suddenly sat down on the ground.
Without thinking.
The grass was cold.
Damp.
But she didn't care.
"…I love snow," she murmured.
A small moment.
Too normal.
Artavius watched her for a second—
then, without a word—
sat down too.
Not close.
Not far.
The chain rested loosely between them.
Then—
he leaned back.
Lying on the grass.
Like it didn't matter.
Valentine hesitated—
then slowly did the same.
The sky above them was pale.
Clouds gathering.
The wind brushed past again.
Cold.
Quiet.
For a moment—
neither of them spoke.
Then—
"…hey."
Her voice was softer now.
Careful.
He didn't look at her.
"…what?"
A pause.
She turned her head slightly.
Looking at him.
"…if you ever got orders to kill me…"
The words came out slower than she expected.
"…would you?"
Silence.
Artavius frowned slightly.
"…what?"
He turned his head now.
Actually looking at her.
"I'm asking."
Another pause.
"…no."
Flat.
Immediate.
"I won't get orders like that."
Valentine's brows pulled together.
"…why?"
He looked back at the sky.
"The person behind this—"
A pause.
"…knows your father."
Her breath stilled slightly.
"They work together. Sometimes."
Silence.
"This isn't about killing you."
His voice stayed calm.
"It's about control."
Valentine swallowed.
"…then what happens to me?"
A beat.
"He wants your father to follow instructions."
No emotion.
Just facts.
"I don't know what they are."
The wind picked up slightly.
"…and if my dad refuses?"
That—
lingered.
Artavius didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…then you become leverage."
Her chest tightened.
"Maybe he forces signatures."
A pause.
"Assets. Ownership."
The words felt heavier than they sounded.
Valentine looked away.
"…so I'm just a deal?"
Silence.
Artavius didn't respond.
Because—
there wasn't a better answer.
The wind moved again.
Colder this time.
Then suddenly—
"…if I did get that kind of order—"
Her eyes snapped back to him.
"I wouldn't do it."
A pause.
"…why?"
He exhaled quietly.
"I don't hurt people like that."
Simple.
No drama.
Then—
he added—
"…you're not special."
The words landed—
strangely.
Not comforting.
Not insulting.
Just…
true.
Valentine looked at him.
Longer this time.
Trying to understand—
what kind of person says that…
and still means it.
The sky above them grew darker.
And somewhere in the distance—
the wind whispered louder.
Minutes passed the wind had slowed.
But the cold stayed.
Silence stretched between them again.
Then—
"…by the way."
Valentine's voice cut through it.
Artavius didn't look at her.
"You didn't ask my name."
A pause.
"…I didn't need to."
Flat.
That annoyed her.
"Well, you should."
He exhaled lightly.
Like this was unnecessary.
"…fine."
A beat.
"What is it?"
She turned her head slightly.
"…Valentine."
Silence.
Then—
"…what?"
He actually looked at her now.
"Valentine?"
There was clear confusion in his voice.
She frowned.
"Yes."
A pause.
"I was born on Valentine's Day."
Another silence.
Then—
"…creative."
Dry.
Valentine's eyes narrowed.
"Hey."
No reaction.
She huffed slightly.
"…what's your name?"
A beat.
"…Artavius."
She blinked.
"…Artavius?"
Now it was her turn.
"That sounds like—"
She squinted slightly.
Thinking.
"…like some Greek god or something."
A pause.
Artavius frowned.
"…what?"
Genuine confusion.
Valentine let out a small breath.
"You know—like those ancient names."
He looked at her for a second.
"…it's just a name."
Flat again.
But something about the exchange—
felt different.
Less distant.
Not closer.
Just—
less unknown.