Observations and Assumptions

Aaron could not explain the look on his friend's face when he mentioned the last lady on his list. It must be someone that he knows for him to react that way, he thought. Clauzia Millington, just who was she for him to be surprised?

"What is the matter?" he asked, curious as to who the lady was and the reason behind his reaction.

"That lady…" he muttered. He turned to Aaron, "is Alexander Midford's fiancee."

Silence filled the room and it was covered in a bad atmosphere, Aaron slowly put his hand that was holding his cigarette down. His eyes widened, "Alexander Midford's fiancee?!" he exclaimed, surprised.

Vasillis slowly nodded his head as a response. "Who would have thought that she also went there…"

Aaron, who had a shocked expression earlier, laughed. Vasillis turned to the man who suddenly burst into laughter. He wiped his tears and smoked, after puffing the smoke he grinned, "Damn, Vasillis, at least give me context. Who the hell is Alexander and how the hell is it related?"

Vasillis grabbed the book near him and threw it over at Aaron, "You did not have to act all shocked if you don't know anything!"

Aaron threw the cigarette butt into the ashtray, "Well, I did not want to break the moment. There was a hell of a tense air, I could even hear the background music!" he yelled.

Displeasure was evident on the man's face as he glared at Aaron, "Save your jests for later, I have no time for it." Vasillis said.

"But seriously, you only told me to gather information on who comes to that place," Aaron stood up from the sofa and went to the seat in front of Vasilis's desk. "But you never told what you are investigating about."

"Disappearance of my best friend."

Aaron placed his elbow on his desk and rested his chin on his palm, "Damn hell, Lord Vasillis has a friend other than me!" he said, amused by the discovery.

"You are not my friend, we are only acquaintances with connected works."

Aaron put his hand on his chest and acted like he was hurt, "You did not have to say that, that was unnecessary!"

"Stop whining."

Aaron laughed, "Right, continue. Midford, it sounds familiar. How is Alexander connected to your 'best friend'?"

"Fool, are you really from this place? How can you not know the Midford House?" Vasillis asked in annoyance.

Aaron still looked clueless, making Vasillis sigh. "The House of Marquess Anthony."

"Oh, hell. That old piece of—

"Aaron." Vasillis called with emphasis.

"So that Alexander Midford is his son?"

Vasillis nodded in response.

Aaron rubbed his chin with his fingers and leaned on his seat, "Then what is that old man's relation with your best friend?"

"His daughter."

Aaron was lost for words, he was too stunned to speak. How could he have forgotten! The daughter of that old man, the one that could freeze once you stare into her eyes.

He does remember, but, "Didn't she die?" he asked and the moment those words came out of his mouth, he met a gun near his face.

"She is not dead, don't mention that again."

Aaron chuckled, "I am only asking. Calm down and lower your gun, my friend." he said with a smile yet his eyes showed that he was serious.

Vasillis put his gun down, "Alexandria is not dead."

Aaron stared at his hand and he was no longer holding his gun. How did he even bring out a gun that quickly, was he always prepared to shoot someone?

Vasillis becomes dangerous and dangerous every time Aaron sees him. He was not like this before, were these changes the impact of a mere 'best friend'?

Aaron set aside that thought and returned his gaze to Vasillis, "She is not dead, so the Marquess ordered you to investigate and look for her?"

Vasillis wore a bitter smile and shook his head, "It was the opposite. Marquess Midford did not want to find his own daughter."

Aaron saw his friend clenched his fist upon mentioning the father of his best friend, Lady Alexandria.

Aaron furrowed his brow, why would a father not want to find his own daughter if she was truly alive like Vasillis said? Aaron nodded, well if it was Marquess Anthony it would be possible, considering how much of a piece of shit he was, Aaron thought.

"Do you think the Marquess or that Alexander was involved in her disappearance?" He asked.

Vasillis nodded in response.

"I hate to say this, but what if she is really...dead?"

Vasillis stared straight into his eyes, "Whether she is dead or alive, I will not believe until I see it myself."

Aaron gestured 'okay' and lit up another cigarette. As he puffed it, he stared at Vasillis who was busy with papers.

From his observations, it was either the marquess and his son is sick,

or his friend is the sick one.

~~~~~~~~~~

Before the chaos,

Alexandria and her butler arrived at the Lockhart Manor. It was a magnificent manor that fits the image of the Lockhart Family.

The moment you see it, the Lockharts would immediately come to mind as if it was made perfectly for them.

The grace Alexandria emits in every step she made could almost mistake her as a part of the Lockharts.

For a daughter of a Marquess to enter a House of someone of a higher rank, she could be considered lucky. But it was nothing for Alexandria. She did not care whether the duke, duchess or their children lived here. She only came for her purpose; to meet Alistair Lockhart.

What surprised them was not the butler or any servant awaiting them.

But the Duchess herself.

Was she here to see Alexandria first and observe her possible future daughter-in-law?

'Francess Lockhart…' Bastien Cross muttered, trying to hold back his grin.

What a pleasure it was to be welcomed by the Duchess of Antares.

But what could be the reason?