Since as long as she could remember, it was… cold.

Unlike normal infants, she did not get to share the same bed with her parents. Unlike regular toddlers, she did not have anyone in her family to hold her hands, making sure that she would not trip over. Unlike most other children, she barely understood what the word ‘play’ meant.

The rare moments together, all she heard were apologies.

“I am sorry dear, I missed you.”

“I am sorry little girl, it was for your own safety.”

She would hear these same phrases over and over again. But she never the reason for these actions. She never understood why would they apologise. It was normal, was it not?

Soon, like all other noble children and of course- the royal ones, the lady who had dedicated her life to her taught her how to read.

That was when she learned of the outside world. She lost herself in those stories they called fantasies. The fact that she did not have any emotions did not mean that she had the inability to imagine.

There she learned what parents were supposed to do. But she did not mind a bit. Because she could not. The lady then began to teach her magic; the woman had told her that she was destined to stand at the peak.

Decades past but that ‘at the peak’ still remained in her mind. It was ingrained in her very being.

She began to train at an age where kids did not even knew that something called ‘magic’ existed out there. And this regime made her life even colder.

Tens of high grade magic crystals, that too of the extremely rare ice attribute were embedded into her room- to boost the efficiency of her absorption and training.

A couple of decades passed. At the mere age of twenty five, she hid herself. She comprehended the nature of her attribute and decided to free her very being- her mind, her ageing and even her soul. She became unfathomable even in the eyes of the mighty Everking and clairvoyant Everqueen.

But none asked her anything. All these years, she had but one goal and one wish. Her goal- it was something that even she was unclear of. And as for the wish- it was to see the world for herself, not through those stacked papers, but her very own eyes.

And years later, finally it had come true. But she did not feel anything. All she had was the desire to see all her eyes could take.

The past few days, were undoubtedly the best she had ever spent; she could think of that even without her sense of emotion- and the warmest.

But everything had got cold again. But it was fine. She did it for decades; what was so hard about sleeping alone for another day?

She was fast asleep alright, but something… felt empty. Maybe they were right, something’s value can be felt only after they were lost.

But suddenly, something filled that void. That uncanny coldness disappeared. What replaced it was warmth, and it felt even more so than her previous nights.

She opened her eyes and turn to her left. Her tutor, Adrian was smiling at her. Like always, one of his hands wrapped around her.

Unbeknownst to her, his body was warmer today because of his ‘fiery’ encounter.

Her facial muscles did not twitch a bit as she turned her whole body left, now facing him with her entire being. Without hesitation, she used her own right arm to envelop his solid body, closing the gap in the process.

Adrian gave the final push. Now, their bodies were in contact. But her face remained indifferent as always. His warmth was all she needed right now.

“Missed me?” He smirked as he entwined her legs with his.

She looked into his abyssal eyes and said with a blank face, “Yes.” Her eyes closed again, immediately falling to sleep.

Adrian followed and closed his. He was tired from all that transpired.

The next morning. Unlike the smoggy atmosphere in the Red Light District, the lower marketplace was clear.

The meeting room at the ground floor of the tavern was full again. Every single one of the members of the Blue Rose Syndicate, who rarely congregated together, was below the same roof once again.

Like the previous day, they had a solemn look on their face. But this time, the degree of graveness was even more intense.

“Are they not awake yet?” Asmond, the adventurer, asked.

“Shhhh.” Eustace the Greedy, the brown haired youth, gave him a glare. “They must be tired.” He kept his voice as low as possible, despite being aware of the soundproofing circle in this room.

Everyone kept quiet, not daring to make an unnecessary sound. The last thing they wanted to do was disturb a couple of arsonist in a building made of wood.

“Well well. What do we have here?” Adrian stretched his upper limbs as he walked down the stairs. The cold Irene followed.

“Greetings. Sir Darkheart.” Elise, the black eyes woman gave the giant Caleb a glance.

Caleb nodded before pulling two of the most comfortable sofas and keep them side by side at one end of the room, creating the illusion that they were two thrones in a courtroom.

Adrian nodded in commendation before taking one of the seats; Irene took the other. They were the only ones wearing extravagant dress in a crowd of commoners.

Along with their positions, they really looked as if they were the King and the Queen in this shabby hall.

“I don’t remember summoning anyone.” Adrian said as he rested his back on the sofa.

Irene stayed silent, playing the good spectator as she was supposed to.

“Sir…” The previous leader stepped forward, only to find his palm facing her.

“Stop.” Adrian declared. “‘Sir’… this word doesn’t go well along with the setting, does it?”

She raised her brows. Everyone else had the same reaction.

Adrian smiled as he moved his palm back.

“From now on, call me ‘Boss’.”