Snow had been falling for hours. Beneath this thick white blanket, the forest resembled a labyrinth. How long had it been since Eyden left home? What a stupid idea, to go hunting in this weather. He had ended up losing everyone. Night was falling, and the long branches of the trees seemed to become menacing in the last rays of sunlight. He had nothing to light a fire with, no compass to guide him... only his sword to protect himself from wolves.

Ironically, the hunter had ended up being hunted. He should have known that going out was not wise... but staying inside seemed too unbearable. It wasn't his wife Mary's fault that he couldn't bring himself to accept their life together. But the fact remained that he had been forced to marry her, and no matter how hard the poor woman tried, Eyden couldn't bring himself to accept it.

His family, the Elroys, had been loyal to the king since time immemorial. He could never have refused his sovereign this precious alliance with Mary's family. The ring on his finger sometimes felt even heavier to wear than his sword. He was made for battlefields and nights in taverns. Not this ridiculous life of a nobleman.

Night fell, and with it came nervousness. Perhaps he would freeze to death? Or starve if he never found his way back. Eyden dismounted from his horse and surveyed his surroundings. Miracle. Smoke was visible through the falling snowflakes.

Eyden knocked on the door of the small cottage. When it creaked open, revealing the soft light of a wood fire and the smell of warm bread, Eyden thought he was seeing the gates of paradise.

"Let me in, it's terribly cold outside and I'm lost. " His request was abrupt and final. After all, the land belonged to him, so the person who opened the door had no choice but to obey him...