Missing

After Albert and Catherine left, William directly stated his business with the boss.

"Ma'am, despite my appearance, the truth is, outside the classroom, I have another occupation. I'm a private consultant. Whatever weighs on your heart, I will try to solve it."

The boss' eyes went wide for a moment before nodding. Although she did not say anything, William knew that the point he was trying to convey had surely been delivered to her.

"After hearing the story, I now know what punishment to bestow. I do not know if it will meet your expectations, but I promise that I will do everything in my power to resolve this matter and give Miss Frida the justice she deserves." William put on his hat and walked towards the door, but before he could even hold the door handle, the boss called out to him.

"Just a moment, please," the boss said as she approached him.

She gave William a penny. "Frida's remains are buried in the potter's field two blocks from here. Due to our meager earnings, we could not afford to give her a decent burial. If you really pity her, use that to buy some flowers for her grave."

From the conversation earlier, this was the first time William saw the boss smile with such sincerity. "That is all I ask of you."

"I will. Thank you for your time, boss." after that, William left the pub and went to where Albert and Catherine was.

On the other hand…

"Albert, what did William want to talk with the boss?" Catherine asked in curiosity.

Albert looked at her smilingly. "I don't know. Perhaps, things that is meant only by their ears." he only gave out a cryptic message.

Unable to figure it out, she just let thing be. Catherine then changed the topic. "By the way, Albert, aren't you a Military lieutenant stationed at the London base? What made you come here to Durham?"

"Well… I'm actually here on a short vacation, to help William with his adjustments here in Durham. As you may know, he just recently accepted a job at Durham University. " Albert patiently answered all her queries. The two of them enjoyed a lovely conversation basked in the afternoon sun.

Not long after, William came out of the pub and walked towards them.

"William, how was your talk with the boss? Did it go well with your expectations?" Catherine asked him as soon as he was in front of them.

"Yes. Thank you, Catherine." William smiled. But before they could continue their conversation, a loud splash of water was heard once again. In the same place, by the same person, but a different receiver.

William's eyes went wide when he recognized the person that was splashed with water. Catherine then asked.

"William, do you know that person?… judging from his physical appearance, he must be around 18 years old. Is he perhaps your student?" Catherine hit the nail.

"Yes. You're right." After answering Catherine, William walked to the direction of the student in question.

"Tate, what are you doing here?"

"Huh?!-- Wha--!!!? Professor!" Tate's eyes widened in recognition of William.

"Tate, you haven't answered my question yet. What are you doing here? Did you sneak out?" William immediately understood.

"No! No…" Tate did not dare looked at William's eyes. Catherine and Albert only smiled and pretend to look elsewhere too.

"..." William was not amused.

"Sorry! Yes I did sneak out." couldn't bear William's gaze on him much longer, Tate spoke the truth.

"You better start talking. Right now, I am a hundred times furious than you think!" William smiled menacingly which made Tate gulp in fear.

As they settled inside the carriage, Albert handed Tate a towel as William started interrogating him.

"Why did you come here? Aren't you all supposed to be in a self study schedule?"

"Well yes, but I've been looking for Lucian. Ever since you called him to your office, he hasn't been back to the dormitory. I thought he just sneaked out to see Frida, but it has been a day and a half. He never fails to come back by five o'clock in the morning, yet… so I got worried and came here." Tate's voice was laced with worry as he recount what happened.

William and Catherine both widen their eyes for what they heard. Albert falls into contemplation.

"Dear lord! What could have happened!?" Albert comforted Catherine as she was getting restless in her sit.

"Don't worry, William and I will do everything to find Lucian."

"Tate, is there anything strange or someone being unusual before Lucian disappeared?" William logically analyses the situation to better grasp the big picture.

"Not really sure if it counts as weird, but the night before, I saw Mr. Dadori sneaking up on the dorm hallways. He was holding a glass bottle." Tate tried to recall as he narrate everything.

"Hmm… I see. I get it now. Tate, leave this matter to me and wait for the news. Just don't tell everyone about this." William looked at Fred as he state his orders.

"Fred, go and get another carriage and send Tate back to the university. If anyone questions him, just tell them I asked for Tate's help. Make sure he gets back to the dormitory safely." Fred nodded in return. He got down from the driver's seat and started walking with Tate.

"Catherine…" William suddenly turned to looked at Catherine earnestly. "I know you might be confused, but, let me deal with this matter. No worries. I'll make sure to bring Lucian back alive."

"But… I can help!" Catherine bravely presented herself.

Albert suddenly hold her hand. "No! Catherine, it's better if you stay out of this. Don't you worry. You remember that I'm in the Military, right? Let us take care of this." his voice was gentle but showed no room for bargaining. Knowing that she might become a liability if she insisted, Catherine nodded in acceptance.

"Please make sure that both of you stay safe, okay? Don't get hurt," Catherine demanded, looking at them seriously. She tightly held Albert's hand in hers.

The two men nodded at Catherine to assured her. Not long after, Fred came back. He reported to them about Tate. Hearing that everything was okay on the other end, they finalized their itinerary for the day, and entered the carriage.

"Catherine, we'll send you back to the Hospital. Don't worry, we'll update you after this whole ordeal." William assured her once again.

"Thank you."

The trip, including the whole ordeal, took a toll on Catherine. Adding the fact that she was tense the whole time, she unconsciously fell asleep. Be it fate or the heavens, as her head swayed, it eventually landed on Albert's shoulder.

Seeing that Catherine was leaning on him asleep, Albert did not dare move. He also leaned down to make her more comfortable. William smiled at the scene, as if watching a romantic comedy.

Before long, they arrived at the hospital entrance, but a problem arose. Catherine was still asleep. They contemplated for a while on what to do. Albert did not have the heart to disturb her, William let Albert do what he wanted, and Fred did not really mind what the two brothers decided.

In the end, they reached a conclusion: Albert would bring her up to her room. William was very supportive of the matter. He then looked for Doctor Helene and Lord Zachary to inform them of their plan. Receiving no objections from the two elders, Albert went into action.

Albert slowly carried Catherine in a horizontal bridal style. He made sure she was comfortable before walking into the building. Disregarding the stares and gossip around him, he carried her to the room indicated by Doctor Helene.

As a gentleman and a born noble who possessed manners and etiquette, after he put down Catherine on the bed, he took off her shoes and sling bag, placing them to the side. He then took a blanket and carefully covered her. After making sure everything was alright, Albert stood up and was ready to leave. However…

Albert went back to Catherine's side, knelt by her bed, and whispered, "After all of this... I would like to give myself an answer. I want to make sure if the feelings that I have are true and pure. Until then, please wait for me."

"Let us be off," Albert said, looking at William and starting to walk towards the exit. William did not immediately follow. He looked at Catherine first, then at Albert walking confidently towards the exit, and smiled.

"I wonder what will transpire in the future…"