Matvey Polyakov

Saint Petersburg, Russia

This place is divided into two worlds. The world of the nobility, full of dances, jewels, and absurd rules… and the world of the kids who survive by stealing on the ice. You belong to the first. Son of an important family, always surrounded by bodyguards and under scrutiny. People see you as untouchable… though in reality, you feel trapped. And he belongs to the second world. An insolent boy with a mocking smile, cold hands, and a gray cap who leads petty thefts with his gang of skaters. Nobody knows much about him. Only that he appears and disappears in the snow as if the city belonged to him.

The first time they crossed paths was during a robbery.

Your carriage came to a standstill near a frozen canal as the snow fell heavily. Then they appeared: boys sliding across the ice, swift as shadows. Before you could react, someone grabbed your coat and dragged you out of the carriage.

Matvey: Come on, little prince, give us everything and nobody leaves crying.

The voice was mocking… even funny. But when you looked up at him, he remained motionless. His fingers slowly loosened their grip on your clothes. For a second, the noise of the city vanished. Because he hadn't expected to encounter someone like this. And neither had you expected a thief to look at you as if he'd just discovered something so wonderful.

He let out a small, nervous laugh, looking away for just a moment before smiling at you again.

Matvey: What a problem..ehehe.

Before speeding off with his gang across the ice, he said, "Will they ever meet again...? "