The Snow Queen – Chapter 3

Author: nicotine

“It suddenly feels odd. Accidents keep happening these days. Yesterday, a fire even broke out in the theater during the opera. You should take a look at it.” The customer said.

I took a deep breath and focused my mind.

“That person is targeting us again. Constantly smoking a pipe while pondering. Seems to be absorbed in it as if longing for a lover.”

“That scoundrel again!” The customer exploded.

“After all, there’s no one else but him, right?”

“Well, that’s true. It’s just a procedure to drive suspicions in. I’m not surprised by his identity. So, what should I do then?”

“He’s still judging it’s not the right time. The recent accidents were just testing our vigilance. When was the last time you had contact with him?”

“A week ago, around the time of the prince’s coronation.”

“Then, it’s based on a week ago. Back then, it was too early to act. His thoughts might have changed since then. You should attempt contact soon.”

Silence ensued.

I spoke.

“You seem afraid.”

“Actually, I am. Afraid to go out. Even loitering at parties is now nauseating.”

“But you must go.”

Silence again. Only the silence infused with fear passed by.

After a long time, the customer let out what seemed like a sigh of resignation.

“Then, tell me specifically about the scheme he planned a week ago.”

“As I mentioned earlier, their stance is to wait and see what to do with us for the time being. Shall we delve into more detail? Just wait a moment… No. It’s not so much waiting and seeing as it is hesitating on what to do.”

“Are you sure about that? Snatching him up and killing him according to his temperament is too risky given my position. But pretending accidents to take him out is also tricky for me. Ah, hesitating.”

“And he’s currently bothered by another matter. He’s scheming something big, but it’s not going smoothly, so he’s scratching his head over it.”

“A fool like him trying to scheme, of course it’s going to give him a headache. Heh heh.”

“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, our chances of losing are slim. It’s always been like that.”

“Thanks. It’s reassuring to have your support. By the way, my voice hasn’t been good lately. Do you think I’ve caught some illness?”

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

“Haha, a trifling matter. By the way, that scoundrel has been particularly active in suppressing sorcery lately. Seems like he’s trying his best… Hmph, as if he stands a chance.”

“He seemed quite stressed out about that issue as well.”

“If he’s not careful, he might end up dead before me. It’s lucky for me to have met you. Well then, see you next time.”

After dealing with the customer, I collapsed exhausted. Lying on the bed, I stared into the void. My head throbbed like a foggy cloud. Even the thought of spending a night with men seemed exhausting now.

Days of vomiting after eating had become routine. I smashed all the mirrors. Replaced all the dishes with plastic containers. Covered every inch of the windows with thick curtains. Anything reflective was removed without exception.

The sudden increase in bizarre illnesses caused my nerves to fray. I thought I had managed quite well over the past ten years, but recently, I couldn’t control myself at all. Even though I always covered my entire body, nowadays, I couldn’t even feel safe doing that. I couldn’t even muster the courage to leave the house for fear of people looking at me. Chaotic thoughts consumed my mind. Delusions of people staring at my face hidden under my coat hood. Imagining myself collapsing in despair at home. Or going insane and cutting my wrist with a razor.

No, perhaps I’m already insane.

I struggled to get up and made my way to the kitchen. Despite having vomited for days, hunger struck again. But the fridge was empty.

Pathetic…

Feeling a strange sense of amusement, I sank to the floor. The thought of starving to death, seriously considering suicide by slashing my wrists, it all made me laugh. I knew it from the beginning. If I had the courage to commit suicide, I would have done it long ago. The sound of my growling stomach was pathetic enough to be amusing. There was no separate comedy.

Should I seek treatment again? Just imagining the Hollywood smile of the nurse and the doctor spouting clichés, forcing myself to swallow ineffective pills, I was already sick of it. Above all, I didn’t have any money.

Sunlight seeped through the curtains. The twilight was crimson.

As twilight descended upon the streets of the afternoon, I headed out for my usual reconnaissance on 42nd Street after finishing my duties at headquarters. But calling it reconnaissance was a bit of a stretch; it was merely a leisurely drive around the block in my car.

A heavy snowfall blanketed the streets in white. Today, of all days, 42nd Street seemed deserted. It was hardly surprising, given this biting cold. It was the time when the “Snow Queen” danced her icy ballet, her frosty, crystalline minions blanketing the kingdom day and night for over six months now. The thought of enduring this dreadful winter for another eight months sent shivers down my spine.

The Snow Queen devoured everything in her path. Due to the prolonged winter, the people of the kingdom had turned as pale as vampires, with a majority suffering from alcoholism and depression. Fortunately, the kingdom was a globally recognized resource powerhouse, rich in uranium mines and oil reserves. This wealth had fueled the so-called “Golden Wars” among the nobles for over two centuries. But had the resources not been abundant, the streets would likely have been littered with the corpses of those starved to death.

The roads were icy. The few people sporadically visible on the streets hurried along, huddling in their coats. Leopard was absent from reconnaissance today, busy with Count Wolfscott security duties.

Lost in thought, I absentmindedly turned the steering wheel. The reconnaissance had been ongoing for almost three months now. Today, Count Wolfscott had scolded us for our lack of progress, demanding to know why there was still no news. “How do you expect to earn your wages like this?” he had barked for a good hour. I was in a foul mood.

I’d rather catch ghosts.

Ghosts… Clues were nothing but dubious tales of those who supposedly governed the realm of mystery. But what exactly was this realm of mystery? Probably just superstition or magic.

In kingdoms where magic traditionally thrived, witches or sorcerers were common professions. It had been over a year since Count Wolfscott had launched a massive crackdown on superstitions, yet they continued to thrive unabated. Moreover, magic was particularly popular among women. And there were many female prostitutes on 42nd Street. The reason there were so many sorcerers operating on 42nd Street was largely due to their female clientele.

So, considering all that, it wasn’t entirely implausible that there might be spirits on 42nd Street. Birds of a feather flock together, after all. But there was a troublesome obstacle here.

Spirits weren’t just ordinary sorcerers; they were beings beyond sorcerers—so said Count Wolfscott.

“Sorcerers beyond sorcerers,” I scoffed, spitting out my cigarette.

“So, there are no spirits. That’s the conclusion,” I muttered.

Count Wolfscott’s clue was too vague. But then again, I couldn’t go around asking everyone, “Do you happen to know any spirits?” So, might as well enjoy the wild goose chase.

Well, at least it gave me something to chew on.

Grumbling, I pulled out a cigarette and paused. A familiar coat caught my eye on the sidewalk not far ahead. It was Red Fox, strolling unsteadily.

My interest was piqued. Just when I was feeling down, there he was, as if he’d fallen right into my lap. Slowing down my car, I followed Red Fox. Lighting my cigarette, I pondered. He might collapse at any moment.

He was clad in a bulky coat with a large hood. Red Fox moved as if he might collapse at any moment. His swaying steps were almost trembling. But suddenly, I chuckled.

The atmosphere was exquisite…

The snow-covered street was immersed in deep twilight. In the reddish glow of the streetlights, the sight of a shaggy fur coat plodding along was akin to a masterpiece, reminiscent of Edvard Munch’s “Starry Night.” And yet, there was something else about it.

In Red Fox’s hand dangled a small basket. Two tiny trout protruded from the basket, their mouths slightly agape. Carrying such a thing while staggering in that shaggy attire was ridiculously comical. But underneath that coat would reveal a sweet body. It was a cascade of golden hair that would flow like a waterfall.

My curiosity grew. I examined Red Fox, feeling a thirst.

Today’s antics were predictable anyway.

Is there someone nearby? Well, Snow White isn’t far from here.

I made a decision and accelerated the car. Might as well give him a ride for now. It was a momentary thought; going to a hotel at this hour would attract attention, so car sex would be more… As I was contemplating, Red Fox suddenly stopped. I felt a surge of tension, unknowingly staring at his motionless back. Red Fox showed no sign of movement. After a moment, he fell suddenly with an infinitely slow motion, like watching a video in slow motion.

“Hey!”

I hurriedly got out of the car and embraced him. His complexion, revealed outside the hood, was as pale as a corpse. I checked his pulse. It was normal, but he had a high fever.

“Are you okay? Do you know me? Snap out of it.”

As I shook him roughly, Red Fox finally opened his eyes narrowly.

“Can you stand? Let’s go to the hospital. Hold onto my shoulder. Step on the ground…”

As I spoke, he replied in a surprisingly clear voice, “I’m not going to the hospital.”

“I can stand up on my own.”

And indeed, he sprang up. Suddenly, I felt awkward. Did I misstep?

Red Fox walked. Still stumbling.

I threw a regretful glance at his back. Even though I had absolutely no desire for sex at the moment, the sudden arousal under my belt when I hugged him felt pathetic.

“Well, can’t be helped,” I chuckled.

Am I the head of some group that attracts universal hatred, like Kaiser’s headquarters? Of all times to notice me, Red Fox had bad luck. I was in a mess of emotions right now, and whether he was sick or not, a sudden shift in feelings towards him was out of the question. I approached him quickly.

“I…”

Just as I was about to speak, Red Fox stopped abruptly again.

A short time passed. I tensed up again and stared at Red Fox. Once again, he stood motionless. The atmosphere was just as nonchalant as before, as if it wouldn’t be strange at all if he collapsed again like earlier.

As thoughts of how this could end up being a disaster, with us clearing corpses off the street instead of having car sex, crossed my mind, a weak voice came from him.

“Do you like trout?”

Still with his back turned, he said so.

I supported Red Fox and headed to his apartment. Along the way, I subtly suggested taking a drive to the suburbs. With just one word, “No,” Red Fox rejected it outright. He had a knack for clearly conveying his intentions. Whether it was no, yes, can’t, or can, he was the type to assert his intentions with concise words. Surprisingly, he had a strong personality.

“Is this it? Your home… It’s… neat.”

I said as we entered Red Fox’s studio apartment. It was a run-down place, not even worth saying “cozy.” There was only a wardrobe, a bed, a bookshelf, a television, and a few kitchen utensils including a refrigerator and a dining table. It was just bleak. The only place that felt like it had human touch was the bookshelf filled with books. It was unbelievable. I had recognized him from his shabby coat, but I hadn’t expected him to be this impoverished.

Red Fox lay on the bed, still in his coat. Sweat dripped from his exposed face. Turning his feverish eyes towards me, he spoke.

The pallor on his face was severe. It felt hesitant to suggest such a thing to a sick person. Of course, this stubborn head would never forget the purpose, but it was just tricky to change the course of luck. What to do… As I pondered, he lifted his coat and stripped below, tossing off his underwear in a careless motion before spreading his legs.

“Go ahead.”

“….”

Sex was the goal, but even for me, who had done all sorts of things with that dry tone rather than expression, I couldn’t help but be momentarily surprised by this direct expression.

Well, it’s a peculiar friend…

“Hmm.”

I cleared my throat briefly.

Well, it’s a good thing I removed the obstacle first.

And he probably wouldn’t have called me over to eat trout either.

“Wouldn’t it be better to take off your clothes?”

An indifferent response came back.

“It’s cold.”

It wasn’t just that it wasn’t, it really was cold. Perhaps because I had just entered, the room was barely avoiding being frozen.

Alright. It could be a different experience in its own way.

After briefly settling my mind, I slowly examined him. Only his white legs were visible between the coat-wrapped body from the neck to the thighs. It was stimulating. Just imagining what awaited me between those legs, shrouded in the shadow of the coat, made me immediately aroused. I took out a condom from my wallet, something I hadn’t done in a while after internal affairs.

Washing was essential for the recipient after internal affairs. But it wouldn’t be easy to shower in this cold house. I also didn’t feel inclined to ejaculate inside a sick person’s body. Some concessions had to be made.

After pulling down the zipper and putting on the condom, I grabbed his thighs, spread them, and sat down snugly. But then a problem arose.

“Do you have any oil?”

My question was met with a response.

“No, I don’t.”

“…I see.”

I sighed. For the first time, this situation felt pathetic. I almost laughed. Using saliva as lubricant was possible, but it was harder than using oil. Of course, there was oil in my car. But I was already wearing the condom. Was I really going to go back outside just to get oil in this situation? Ridiculous.

Asking if it was okay to proceed was pointless. No matter what I said, Red Fox remained indifferent, with responses like “It’s cold,” or “Go ahead.” Besides, he seemed abnormal. He had been like this even on the street, but now it was particularly noticeable. Glancing fearfully with feverish eyes and then abruptly turning his head, he seemed slightly delirious, probably due to the high fever.

After briefly inspecting the shabby room, I sighed.

Living life, you experience all sorts of interesting things.

“Well, I guess there’s no other choice. Let’s try to make it as comfortable as possible.”

I nonchalantly lubricated his lower parts with saliva. After lubricating as much as possible, I inserted my fingers to widen it. I made an effort and managed to stretch it out. After fitting the glans into the entrance, I tried to insert a little. Red Fox bit his lip. The area tightened and resisted entry. I spread his legs wide and raised them up to his hips. The constriction was intense. It felt like it would explode just from the sensation of the tightly gripping glans.

But that wasn’t what I wanted. It had to be done properly until I felt relaxed. After all, it wasn’t the start of his request to insert it. There was no reason to hesitate.

“I said to relax. It’s for your sake.”

I pulled out the slightly inserted penis and positioned it diagonally at the entrance. His hips reflexively lost strength. Seizing the opportunity, I thrust in straight away, penetrating deeply at once. The root was fully inserted. This method was comfortable for both sides.

“Ugh!”

Red Fox groaned. I furrowed my brow. The texture of my inner walls, tightly squeezing the penis, was incredible. Even with the condom on, the pleasure was immense. I reached inside his coat and grabbed his hips to balance myself. Holding his spread legs tight, I slowly moved my hips.

Red Fox shook his head and whispered softly.

“Don’t… move…”

“It’s okay. It won’t hurt at this level. I’m being gentle.”

It was unfortunate, but there was no other way. It was absurd to just keep the penis inside like a rock and finish. I moved my hips faster. My body felt hot. The pressure on my back was as if my penis was being squeezed tightly. Unlike when I lubricated with oil, the sensation of his inner walls was dry. The sound of the penis rubbing against his inner walls was also dry.

I slipped my arm deep inside Red Fox’s coat, pressing tightly against his body. I lifted his top and touched his chest, brushing my fingertips against his small, soft nipples. Red Fox was sensitive, responding eagerly to the touch.

“Feeling better?” I asked, but there was no response.

While I was feeling better, Red Fox’s gaze remained fixed on nothingness. It was a symptom I had encountered many times during my days of interrogation and torture. It was clear he was seeing nothing. Without further thought, I enjoyed myself until the end.

As I wore the second condom, I glanced at Red Fox. He was breathing lightly, his chestnut hair scattered. It was incredibly arousing.

If he weren’t sick, he would have enjoyed it thoroughly.

I chuckled ruefully.

With the entrance loosened after the first insertion, I slid in smoothly. I enjoyed him much longer than the first time before reaching climax. Once Red Fox regained his strength, I resolved to enjoy him occasionally without a condom in this manner.

As I prepared for the third round, the condom slipped off. Sex with a condom was like wearing gloves, so it was a blessing in disguise.

“I’ll do it in your mouth. If you don’t want to swallow, you don’t have to.”

As soon as the third round ended, Red Fox fell asleep as if he had fainted.

Regardless, I felt relieved. I covered him with a sheet and got up. As I opened the bathroom door intending to wash up quickly, I paused. Instead of a mirror, there were only black marks where one should have been.

Did I accidentally break it?

I quickly dismissed the thought and finished washing up before returning to the room.

I could have just left. But instead, I lingered in the room. It was warmer now, suggesting some time had passed. The radiator below the window seemed more functional than decorative. Thankfully, I thought, momentarily surprised by my own unnecessary worry. What’s the point of fretting?

I browsed through the bookshelf. Red Fox’s interests were clearly revealed on the list. Surprisingly, he was interested in politics and history… Why were there so many books about walnut trees?

I tapped the books with my fingers, scanning the room once again. Poverty seemed to be abundant. Considering he was single, it was quite severe. I wondered if he was this eccentric to everyone. A small twig in a vase on the table caught my eye. Quite an unusual hobby, I thought, picking up the twig to examine it.

It was an old, weathered walnut twig that seemed like it would crumble at any moment. Normally, people would put flowers, or at least some kind of arrangement, in a vase, but what was with the walnut twig? And just one, at that. Perhaps he had a keen interest in walnut trees.

I shrugged and placed the twig in the vase.

“Hmm…”

Red Fox groaned and tossed in bed. When I felt his forehead, the fever was still there. I put water on to boil and left the house. I went to the pharmacy to buy medicine and returned to the room. I dissolved the medicine in warm water and gave it to him. As time passed, his fever subsided, and his breathing became regular.

I considered leaving a note but decided against it and just left the house. In the dark streets, the Snow Queen was dancing a cruel dance. I chuckled at the random thought that crossed my mind.

Guess I won’t be having trout tonight.

I glanced at the clock absentmindedly and was slightly surprised. It was already eleven o’clock.