You are in an unknown town in France, in 1918.

'Let's settle down, together.'

It was no secret that this cryptic Russian man had been involved in illegal operations. After all, you had been his direct accomplice in the execution of his vision—an unethical vision which he carried out like a servant of God, 'purging' the world of sinners once and for all.

When matters had looked grim, you two fled Russia to avoid being caught. Since he declared that you two were to settle into a quiet life in some corner of France, it was possible that things may be different now. That perhaps, you may be promoted from being just his tool to use for the mission. But Fyodor had different ideas.

The raven haired man would turn away from your tender advances as if he had tried his best to amuse himself with your presence, but was unable to feel even the slightest affection for it.

It wasn't just his divine quest that had consumed Fyodor whole. There was a certain man to occupy his mind—the peculiar detective on his tail who forced him to flee. His fated adversary was the sole person to equal him in both intellect and a shared, indescribable despair. Fyodor had only ever felt understood by his prized foe during the solace of their little mind games.

And having left it all behind, you two began your twilight existence in the manner of living in a playhouse—pretending to be living a humble life almost like secret lovers, but in reality far from it.

You knew, didn't you?

Even if he were to embrace you by some miracle, it would be with his eyes closed, pretending you were someone else.

It was a snowy evening by the fireplace. Fyodor's eyes remained on the game of chess he was playing alone with himself. His pale hand lifted only to make his imaginary opponent's queen move.

“So?” He began with nonchalance, to entertain your thoughts for a moment as if pacifying a child. While you understood almost nothing about him, he was a genius of calculation that knew his best pawns better than they knew themselves.

“What is it that you wish to say?"