The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
A faint grey light slipped through the window.
Dawn.
Valentine's eyes slowly opened.
She blinked once… twice…
Then turned her head slightly.
Artavius.
Still asleep.
For a moment—
She just looked at him.
Then shifted a little closer.
Carefully.
Her gaze moved to the side—
A small clock.
4:00 AM
A faint smile appeared.
"We slept late…"
She whispered to herself.
"He should be awake by now…"
But he wasn't.
For once—
He looked… peaceful.
Different.
Valentine hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then—
A bold move.
"You're not that much evil…"
Her voice was barely there.
Soft.
Her fingers lifted slowly—
And gently—
She brushed the back of her hand against his cheek.
Warm.
She froze for a second.
As if realizing what she just did.
But didn't pull away.
Instead—
Her eyes shifted.
A small glint caught her attention.
A locket.
Resting near his neck.
Her brows furrowed slightly.
"…this…"
Something about it felt familiar.
Her heartbeat slowed.
"…this type…"
A memory flickered.
"…he had one too…"
Her fingers moved slightly closer—
As if trying to see it properly—
Suddenly—
Artavius shifted in his sleep.
Valentine pulled her hand back instantly.
Her breath caught.
The moment—
Broken.
She turned away quickly.
Heart racing.
"…what am I even doing…"
Behind her—
Artavius stilled again.
Still asleep.
But his fingers—
Curled slightly.
As if he had felt something.
Morning settled quietly over the house.
Soft light.A calm that didn't last.
They sat across from each other.
Simple breakfast.
Valentine broke the silence first.
"So… Cassian has a child?"
Artavius didn't look up.
"No."
A pause.
"His wife died… before I was even born, I think."
Valentine's expression softened.
"You don't know the date?"
"No."
Flat.
Silence lingered for a moment.
"So both brothers are alone…"
Artavius let out a faint breath.
"…yeah."
A slight pause.
"That's what makes that villa a hell."
Valentine watched him for a second.
Then suddenly—
"Hey, Artavius… let's go out. Fresh air."
He glanced at her.
"You can't stay in one place, can you?"
A small pause.
"…but fine. As you wish."
They went to a riverside.
The river flowed calmly.
Wind soft.Sky pale blue.
Artavius picked up a stone.
"Watch this."
He threw it—
It skipped across the water smoothly.
Far.
Valentine's eyes widened.
"Wow."
Then she smirked.
"My turn."
She picked a stone confidently.
"You know I'll win, right?"
A glance at him.
"I'm a pro at everything."
Artavius raised an eyebrow.
"Sure."
She threw the stone—
Bad angle.
Too much force—
Her foot slipped.
"Wait—"
Splash.
She fell straight into the river.
"OH SH—"
Artavius didn't think.
He jumped in immediately.
Water splashed around them.
He grabbed her arm—
Pulling her up.
"Are you—"
Valentine surfaced, coughing slightly.
Then—
An awkward, sheepish smile.
"…sorry."
Water dripping from her hair.
Artavius stared at her for a second.
Half annoyed.
Half relieved.
"You can't do anything without creating a problem, can you?"
Valentine frowned instantly.
"Huh?!"
"I just slipped!"
He sighed, running a hand through his wet hair.
"…unbelievable."
She crossed her arms.
Even while half soaked.
"You jumped in pretty fast for someone who thinks I'm a problem."
Silence.
He looked away.
"…you would've drowned."
A pause.
Valentine tilted her head slightly.
A small smile forming again.
"See?"
He frowned.
"You're not that evil."
He froze for a second.
"…shut up."
But this time—
It didn't sound harsh.
after some time.
The water calmed again.
Like nothing had happened.
Valentine stepped out of the river carefully.
Clothes soaked.
Hair dripping.
A small shiver ran through her.
"…it's cold."
Artavius climbed out right after.
He looked at her.
Just for a second.
She tried to act normal.
"I'm fine."
Another shiver betrayed her.
Silence.
Artavius exhaled quietly.
Annoyed.
Or pretending to be.
"Unbelievable…"
He pulled off his jacket.
Walked toward her.
And without looking directly at her—
He placed it over her shoulders.
"…you'll get sick."
Valentine froze.
The warmth hit instantly.
Not just from the jacket.
She looked at him.
A little surprised.
A little… something else.
"You'll be cold too."
He turned away.
Already walking ahead.
"I'm not weak like you."
A pause.
Valentine smiled softly.
Holding the jacket closer.
"Liar…"
He didn't respond.
But his ears—
Slightly red.
The wind blew again.
But this time—
She didn't feel cold.