The next day, I woke up. Freya wasn't in the room, and her absence left a strange void. The stillness was heavy, yet familiar, like the silence after a storm. I couldn't tell how long I had been lying there,time had long since blurred into an unending, monotonous stretch. The sun, trapped in an eternal frost, no longer rose to mark the passage of day and night. Only the pale, silver light of the moon remained, casting its cold glow over this frozen world. It was a light that offered no warmth, no solace.
I sat up, my hand instinctively reaching for my chest. The bruises from last night throbbed with a dull, persistent ache. I pressed lightly against the spot where Julius had grabbed me, wincing as pain flared under my fingertips. My ribs protested with every breath, the sharp sting a annoying reminder of my weak body. I coughed, the sound harsh and grating in the quiet room, and for a brief moment, I wondered how I had managed to survive this long in such a merciless environment.
The thought lingered, like a shadow at the edge of my mind. Was it sheer luck? Or perhaps some inherent will to endure, buried deep within me? It didn't matter. Survival wasn't something to be questioned, it was simply a fact, as cold and indifferent as the world outside. I pushed the thought away, swinging my legs over the side of the makeshift bed. My movements were slow, deliberate, as I adjusted to the stiffness in my limbs.
The torn shoes they had given me offered little protection from the icy floor, but I slipped them on without complaint. Each step reminded me of the cold that seeped into every corner of this place, a relentless force that seemed to pierce through even the thickest layers of fabric. I walked toward the living room, the faint murmur of voices guiding me. The sound grew clearer with each step, breaking the oppressive silence that had settled over the house.
When I entered, I found them gathered around a small table, the dim light casting long shadows across their faces. Julius, Jason, and Freya sat together, along with a few others whose names I hadn't bothered to learn. They spoke in low tones, their conversation punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter. It was a rare moment of warmth, a fragile ember in the otherwise frozen reality.
Julius was the first to notice me. His sharp eyes, set deep in his weathered face, locked onto mine. A smile spread across his lips, the kind of smile that carried both authority and warmth.
"Good morning," he said, his voice deep and resonant, filling the room with an unexpected warmth.
"Good morning," I replied, the words leaving my lips out of habit rather than sincerity. They felt hollow, like an echo in an empty room.
The others turned to acknowledge my presence, their gazes ranging from curiosity to indifference. Freya, however, lit up as she saw me. She rose from her seat, her emerald eyes sparkling with uncontainable energy. She approached with the grace and enthusiasm of someone untouched by the harshness of the world outside. Her hand reached out, brushing lightly against mine.
"Are you cold?" she asked, her voice soft and filled with genuine concern. Her smile was bright, almost blinding.
I pulled my hand back instinctively, the warmth of her touch lingering on my skin. "I'm not," I said flatly. "You shouldn't touch someone as dirty as me."
Her smile wavered for a fraction of a second, but she quickly recovered, letting out a light, melodious laugh. It was as if she refused to let anything dampen her spirits. Jason's voice cut through the moment, drawing everyone's attention.
"The hunt has been postponed for a day," he announced, his tone firm and authoritative. "Consider yourself lucky, slave."
Freya's face lit up with excitement. "That means Null can stay a bit longer!" she exclaimed, turning to her father with a hopeful expression. "Father, can he stay?"
Jason's brows furrowed, clearly unamused by her enthusiasm. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, Julius let out a hearty chuckle.
"Yes," Julius said, placing a hand on Jason's shoulder. "I'll make the arrangements. And perhaps we'll start some training while we wait."
Freya beamed, her joy palpable. She threw her arms around her grandfather, her laughter filling the room. It was a sound so rare in this frozen world that it felt almost out of place. Yet, it was undeniably comforting.
Her excitement didn't end there. She turned to Jason once more, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Can I take Null out into the village with me? Please?"
Jason sighed, rubbing his temple as if her energy was exhausting just to witness. "Fine," he said at last. "But he can't go out looking like that. Get him some proper clothes."
I stood silently, watching the exchange with my usual detachment. Soon, several women servants, most likely brought out a set of warm, well made clothes. They dressed me in layers of thick fabric, each piece adding a new layer of protection against the cold. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, I felt warmth spreading through my body.
It was….strange. I stared down at the clothes, my hands running over the soft material. Is this what real warmth feels like? The thought lingered in my mind, a fleeting curiosity that I couldn't fully grasp. I bowed slightly to the women, a gesture of gratitude that felt more mechanical than genuine. Then, I stepped aside, waiting for Freya.
Jason approached me, his eyes hard and unforgiving. He leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper. "If anything happens to my daughter, you'll lose your head. Understand?"
I met his gaze without flinching. Although,i couldnt care less i replied,"Understood."
A few moments later, Freya emerged from her room, a vision of light in this dark world. Her black hair shimmered under the pale light, and her green eyes sparkled with an infectious joy. She was a whirlwind of energy, her laughter and cheerfulness filling the room.
She was so different from the girl I had seen yesterday. Her demeanor was bright, almost radiant. I couldn't help but wonder what had caused this sudden change. Was it her grandfather's presence? Did his return bring her such joy and comfort? These questions lingered in my mind, but I didn't voice them. Instead, I followed her quietly as she led the way toward the village.
For now, I would observe. As I always have been.
---
Freya's grip tightened as she led me through the door, the faint shimmer of the slave chain catching the pale, frozen light. The cold outside was unforgiving, sinking its teeth into my skin the moment we stepped out. My breath escaped in white clouds, curling in the frigid air before vanishing into nothing. I'd grown used to this chill, yet it still gnawed at my bones.
The vast, icy village stretched before us. Sturdy tunnels and structures carved into the frost covered rock connected the settlement. The moon, ever-present, bathed everything in its pale, unchanging light. It hung frozen in the sky. I glanced up at it briefly before my attention was drawn to the transparent walls of the tunnels, beyond which the stars glimmered faintly. They seemed so far away, so indifferent. I could appreciate their silent beauty, even if it stirred nothing within me.
Freya's steps slowed, her cheerful expression fading. The bubbly girl who had clung to her grandfather just moments ago was gone, replaced by someone colder, more calculating. Her emerald eyes, once bright with warmth, now held a distant, noble gaze. I observed the shift in her demeanor, my mind noting the transformation without judgment. Her true self, perhaps? Or was it simply a mask, as fleeting as her previous joy? I didn't know, and I didn't care to speculate.
Still, I wondered. Was this change something I could only recognize because I lacked emotions myself? Or was it something anyone could see, had they been paying attention? My thoughts lingered for a moment longer before I dismissed them. It wasn't my place to question, not when my role was as clear as the chain between us.
The cold wind tugged at my silver hair, sweeping it back and revealing my cold cursed eyes. I felt the weight of stares on me almost immediately. The villagers, especially the women, paused to take in the sight of me, their gazes filled with curiosity, fear, and perhaps a hint of pity. None of it mattered. Their opinions, their lives, their fleeting interests they held no place in my mind. I had seen too much, endured too long, to be swayed by the fleeting gaze of strangers.
Freya's hand gripped mine tighter, grounding me in the present. Her pace quickened again as she guided me toward the heart of the village.