Warmth Amidst the Snow

Snow fell over the city of Stockholm, covering its streets and rooftops in white. Hundreds stood with their boots pressed into the snow, their angry shouts drowning the peace of the falling snowflakes. Every anger was directed at the condemned man, kneeling on the scaffold with his head down and hands bound behind his back.

A court official stepped forward and unfolded a sheet of parchment. Slowly, the crowd fell silent, their eyes fixed on the man kneeling before them as the official began to read.

“By the order of the royal court of Sweden. The man before you, Edvin Nilsson, has been found guilty of the murders of Henrik Falk, head of Falk Timber Company, and Johan Berglund, Chief Prosecutor of Stockholm.”

A wave of screams erupted from the crowd.

“Henrik was the hero of our city!”

“He was building a better future!”

“Off with your head!”

Edvin remained still. His head stayed down, and his gaze never left the wooden platform beneath him, as if he wasn’t even listening to the barrage of curses hurled at him.

The official waited for the angry yells to die down before continuing.

“Having confessed to the crime of his own accord during his trial and been found guilty beyond reasonable doubt, Edvin Nilsson is hereby sentenced to death.”

He lowered the parchment.

“His execution shall now be carried out before the people of Stockholm.”

A roar of approval erupted from the crowd.

“Justice for Henrik!”

“Give him the axe!”

“Death!”

The executioner stepped toward Edvin, carrying his axe. He glanced at the crowd and let out a sigh before stopping beside Edvin. “Got any last words?”

Edvin kept his head down. “What happened today was because of my choices alone. Don’t feel bad. Just do what you have to do.”

The executioner let out a sardonic laugh. “Annoyingly selfless till the very end, huh?” he said as he begrudgingly raised his axe above Edvin’s head.

Just as the axe was about to fall...

“Excuse me.”

A calm and elegant voice carried across the silent square.

Every head turned toward the source.

A young woman stood in the front row. Her finely tailored winter clothes and elegant posture set her apart from the rest of the crowd. She calmly raised a gloved hand.

“I would like to buy that man.”

***

A few hours had passed, Edvin sat motionless in a prison cell while officials held a heated discussion with the young woman over her request.

The door to Edvin’s cell opened.

The young woman stepped inside. Edvin never looked up.

She closed the door behind her and observed Edvin for a moment.

“My name is Sofia Rosen.”

Silence.

“Your name is Edvin Nilsson, I presume?”

No response.

Sofia folded her hands. “Do you truly have nothing to say to your savior? I’m beginning to wonder whether I should have interrupted your execution at all.”

Not even a twitch.

Sofia sighed as she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Very well, guess I’ll have to do the talking for the time being.”

Sofia knelt beside him. “I’ll get straight to the point. My family disowned me last week.”

She brushed off a speck of dust from her glove. “Because of that, I’ve decided to leave Stockholm. A few months ago, I secretly purchased a small torp deep into the countryside beyond Stockholm. That’s where I’m headed.”

A faint sigh escaped her lips. “The problem is that the circumstances surrounding my ‘dismissal’ from House Rosen have earned me the resentment of a great many people.”

She looked at Edvin. “That's why I saved you. I need a bodyguard for the journey.”

“You chose poorly,” Edvin said, his head still down.

“I'm glad to see you've finally remembered that you are still among the living.” A small smile crossed her face. “Now, are you sure about that?” she asked, tilting her head.

Edvin remained silent.

“I’ve learned enough about you to know otherwise. You served in the royal guard for several years before being recruited into a private service for Henrik Falk, one of the very men you later killed.”

“It takes skill to protect someone important. It takes even greater skill to overcome the kind of protection you once provided.” She folded her hands in her lap. “I believe those skills are exactly what I need to reach my new home in one piece.”

Edvin sighed and scratched the back of his head before finally looking up to meet her gaze. “Look… Miss Sofia-“

“Just call me Sofia,” she interrupted.

“… Sofia. I can see that you’ve done your homework. But there are plenty of cheaper and more law-abiding ways to hire a bodyguard.”

“So, you won’t do it?”

“Does my opinion even matter? You bought me. For all intents and purposes, I belong to you now.”

Sofia tilted her head. “I see, so that’s how you see it.” She gave a small nod. “Oh well, I suppose that makes this easier.”

Sofia stood up and offered her hand to Edvin. “Come then, let’s go.”

Edvin simply stared at her.

“You said you belong to me, right? Then do as I say,” she said.

Edvin looked at her hand.

A few seconds later, he took it.

Sofia pulled him to his feet. She then turned and walked toward the cell door without another word. Edvin quietly followed her.

The two walked through the prison as guards watched them with cold stares.

***

The sun was setting. Edvin stood near the entrance of the tailor’s shop, watching Sofia sort through rows of winter clothes. Every so often, she glanced back at him. Possibly because she was trying to judge what size would fit him, or possibly because she was making sure he hadn’t run off. Not like he had anywhere else to go, he thought.

During the short walk to the tailor’s shop, Edvin quickly understood why Sofia felt the need for a bodyguard. Most of the people they passed by gave Sofia looks ranging from quiet resentment to open hatred. He could hear the people gossiping among themselves.

“Isn’t that the Rosen girl? The one who bankrupted two major shipping companies?”

“My brother lost his job because of her.”

“I heard the disgrace put the count in an early grave.”

No one seemed particularly concerned whether Sofia could hear them. Sofia, for her part, simply kept walking without sparing them a glance. Judging by her lack of reaction, she had likely become accustomed to this sort of treatment, if not worse.

“What?” Sofia asked, her gaze still fixed on the coats.

“Hmm?” Edvin muttered, only then realizing that he’d been staring at her.

“I could tell you were staring at me.”

“Just thinking that you don’t need to buy me a new coat.”

“I’m not letting my bodyguard freeze to death.”

“… All right. You know, you could just ask me to try them on. It’d save you some trouble”

“You don’t strike me as the sort of man who enjoys trying on clothes.”

“I don’t. But I’ll do it if you tell me to.”

“Then I am ‘telling’ you to trust my instincts. I’m good at judging sizes.”

Edvin shrugged. “All right, it’s your money anyway.”

***

The two stood outside the tailor’s shop, Edvin tugged at his new coat, surprised by how well they fit.

“You weren’t kidding, this coat fits perfectly.”

“Told you,” Sofia replied with quiet satisfaction.

They left the tailor’s shop and headed toward the market district. As they continued down the street, a man brushed past Sofia’s shoulder.

“Watch where you’re going.” He grumbled.

Sofia turned towards the man. “Sor-“

Before Sofia could finish, Edvin immediately grabbed the man’s arm.

“Drop it.”

“I don’t k-“

“Three.”

“Th-This is assa-“

“One.”

The man clicked his tongue and let the coin purse fall into the snow.

Edvin released the man. He immediately disappeared into the crowd, muttering curses under his breath.

Edvin picked up the coin purse and handed it to Sofia.

“Thanks.”

Edvin nodded.

He was quick. Years in the royal guard clearly hadn’t been for nothing, she thought.

***

By the time they reached the inn, night had fallen. Edvin and Sofia sat at a table in the crowded dining room. Their food had just been served.

Edvin looked at the food with an unusual sense of anticipation. It was probably the first proper meal he’d seen since his imprisonment, Sofia realized.

“If you want, feel free to order seconds.”

Edvin nodded.

That was easier than the coat. He must be hungrier than he’d let on, she thought.

The dining room buzzed with conversations of varying topics as they ate quietly. Before long, a familiar topic reached their ears.

“Isn’t that the Rosen girl? The one who got herself disowned?”

“Why’d she have to stay here? Couldn’t she have gone to one of those fancy inns instead?”

“Heard she bought Henrik’s killer. Hasn’t she shamed House Rosen enough?”

Upon hearing the rumors, Sofia set her utensils down. The appetite she’d had moments ago vanished.

“Edvin.”

Edvin looked up from his food.

“I’m going to the restroom.”

“Need me to walk you there?”

“No, you stay here and continue eating.”

Sofia stood and headed toward the restroom.

Sofia closed the restroom door behind her and let out a tired breath. She turned on the sink and splashed cold water onto her face before looking into the mirror.

After a moment, she straightened her posture, smoothed out her coat, and walked back outside.

Waiting just outside the restroom door was a drunk man. The moment Sofia stepped out, his bloodshot eyes met hers.

“You.”

The man grabbed her.

“I lost my job! My wife left me because of you!”

For a second, Sofia stood there with a stunned expression.

She then shoved him away and ran. The man's grip caught the sleeves of her coat, tearing the seam before she managed to break free.

The man chased after her. “Get back here!”

Just as his hand reached for Sofia. Edvin caught his arm.

“Sorry for the wait.”

The man glared at Edvin. His expression slowly changed to horror. “Y-You're… Henrik Falk's murderer!” he screamed as he pulled away from Edvin's grip and stumbled backwards,

‘Tch, you both deserve to rot in hell!” he said as he turned and ran.

Edvin's gaze turned to the tear in Sofia's coat.

“Your coat… “

Sofia glanced at the tear before looking away. “It's nothing. Let's go,” she said as she began to walk.

***

Later that night, Sofia sat alone in her room, looking at her damaged coat.

“... Father.”

She folded the coat carefully before lying down.

Later that night, Sofia, half asleep, heard muffled noises from the room beside hers, Edvin's room.

Sounds like he's getting out of bed, she thought.

She heard footsteps, followed by the creak of a door opening. The footsteps drew closer, until it stopped outside her door.

Ah, he's right outside my door, is he planning to steal my things and run? Or maybe he wants to kill me. Heh, killed by the very man I saved, how ironic.

Suddenly, more sets of footsteps approached. Quiet bickering broke out just beyond the door, followed by the sounds of a fight. A short while later, most of the footsteps faded into silence.

Then her door creaked open. One set of footsteps made its way into the room.

So, this is it, she thought.

A moment later, the footsteps exited the room, and quietly closed the door.

What… just happened? she thought before finally drifting off to sleep.

***

When Sofia next opened her eyes, she was greeted by the morning sun.

She blinked at her hands.

“I'm… still alive.”

She got out of bed and checked her belongings.

“Everything's still here.”

She let out a sigh of relief. She unfolded her coat and paused. The tear from yesterday had been neatly stitched back together.

“Edvin… “

A knock came from the door. Sofia opened the door to see Edvin carrying a tray of food.

“Oh, you're up already.”

“Morning Edvin.”

“Likewise, I've taken the liberty of bringing your breakfast.”

“I see,”

“After what happened last night, I believe it’s best that you eat in private and leave the inn as soon as possible.”

“Yeah, that’d probably be for the best.”

“I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

Edvin was about to close the door behind him when Sofia stopped him.

“Hey, Edvin.”

Edvin turned back.

“You fixed my coat.”

“Yes.”

“I didn’t know you could sew.”

“I can.”

“I never asked you to.”

“You didn’t.”

“Then why did you?”

“You shouldn’t leave this town looking defeated. It doesn’t suit you.”

“Doesn’t suit me, you say?”

Sofia looked down at the coat and let out a bitter laugh. “I suppose Father’s words were correct. Clothes really do make the man. They even convinced you that this wretched, pitiful girl is some proud, dignified woman.”

“Sofia?”

“You can go now.”

Edvin hesitated, then quietly left the room.

Sofia flopped face-first onto the bed and groaned. “Why did I say that?”

She buried her face into the pillow. “... Saying something like that. How cheeky... Edvin.”

***

The horse pulled the sleigh through the snow-covered countryside while snow fell steadily around them, the bustle of Stockholm long behind them.

“Finally, peace and quiet,” Sofia said as she leaned back against the seat.

“We ‘are’ in the middle of nowhere. I figured that was your goal,” Edvin said, keeping his eyes on the road.

Sofia closed her eyes. “It is.”

A moment of quiet passed between them.

“Hey, Sofia?”

“Yes?”

“Why did you buy me?”

“I already gave you the reason.”

“What you gave me was bullshit.”

Sofia opened her eyes. “Edvin… Look at me.”

Edvin glanced at her.

“No. Properly.”

Edvin brought the horse to a stop and turned towards her.

Sofia cupped his chin. “It’s because… you are beautiful.”

Edvin stared at her in disbelief.

“People tend to reveal who they truly are in moments of great peril. Growing up in a noble family, I’ve seen it far too many times. They would become ugly beings that begged, cursed, and lashed out. Even father lost himself when our family began to fall.”

“Your father…”

“Yet you Edvin… you stood before the executioner’s axe and spent your final moments consoling your executioner. In that moment, I saw someone far more beautiful than any noble I had ever known.”

“You give me too much credit. I simply accepted that my choices led me to the executioner’s axe.”

“Exactly.” Sofia took Edvin’s hand. “I don’t know why you killed those two men, and I won’t pry. For the first time in a long while, I felt like I found someone I could truly trust… and I want him to stay by my side.

Edvin froze at her words.

“… You do realize that sounded like a confession.”

“Was it too soon?”

“More like too sudden. I didn’t notice you felt that way at all.”

“Nobles aren’t exactly free to express their feelings.”

Edvin fell silent, he wasn’t sure how to respond.

“Sofia, I-“

Sofia pressed a hand to his lips. “Let’s just get to the torp.”

Edvin nodded and once again took up the reins.

***

Not long after, they arrived at the torp.

“Well, what do you think?” Sofia asked.

“It’ll suffice for the two of us.”

“I thought so too, let’s get settled in.”

Sofia reached for the luggage.

“Sofia.”

“Yes?”

“If we are going to do this... you deserve to know.”

Edvin took a deep breath.

“My father was a prosecutor, he uncovered something about my employer that he shouldn’t have.”

“So, he had my father murdered.”

“Later, I overheard him talking with the head prosecutor, they were discussing how they’d place the blame on me.”

“So… I chose to take the initiative and killed them first.”

Sofia looked at him quietly.

“So… revenge?”

“N-“ Edvin bit his lip. “Yes.”

Sofia smiled. “I see, so that’s the truth.”

Edvin frowned. “Yes, does that change anything?”

Sofia gently shook her head. “Not at all.”

“I figured.”

They stood in silence for a moment.

“Sofia.”

“Yes?”

“Do you mind if I… hug you?”

Sofia eyes widened.

“N-No… not at all.”

She opened her arms.

Edvin embraced her.

“For a long time, I accepted that my life would end on that scaffold. But now… “

He held her a little tighter.

“I want to see what tomorrow holds… with you.”

Sofia’s face turned red.

“I-I see.”

She smiled softly.

“You know… ”

She nuzzled into his chest.

“I almost forgot… this is what warmth feels like.”

She fell silent for a moment.

“I’ve been hugged many times before. But I could always feel the expectations behind them.”

She began to tremble.

“So many of the people who praised me were the first to turn on me the moment it benefited them.”

She lowered her head.

“Eventually, I grew numb to it and expected betrayal. Even after I bought you on a whim, a part of me wondered if you’d steal my belongings… or even my life.”

She looked up to him.

“But that didn’t happen, you protected and took care of me. Your warmth managed to melt of this heart of mine that had long since been frozen.”

She gave a warm smile.

“Thank you, Edwin.”

She pulled at his coat and gave him a kiss on the lips.

They smiled, closed their eyes, and embraced each other once again.

The snow around them continued to fall, but for the first time in a long while, neither of them felt alone as they stood together in the snow.