The Youngster

"Louis," Maverick began, "I'm going to participate in the upcoming London Season. It's part of my break plan, and since you're on break as well, would you like to join me?"

Louis's eyes lit up with excitement. "Absolutely, Senior! I'd love to. It sounds like a great opportunity to—"

But before he could finish, Julius shot Maverick a look—a look filled with meaning and a silent reminder of the true purpose behind their participation in the Season.

It wasn't just about socializing; they had a mission to uncover which nobles were involved with the vampires.

Maverick met Julius's gaze, understanding the unspoken question. In response, Maverick gave Julius a confident look, a reassurance that everything was under control.

Julius hesitated for a moment, then nodded subtly, trusting Maverick's judgment but still slightly concerned.

As the moment passed, Maverick suddenly remembered something important. He turned back to Louis, who was still brimming with enthusiasm.

"By the way, Louis," Maverick said, "since we're on break, there's no need to use codenames. You can also call my name. And what's your real name?"

Louis blinked in surprise, then replied with a hint of pride, "Louis Durham is my real name, Maverick."

Maverick's eyes widened in shock. "Wait—what? That's your real name? Louis, do you understand the purpose of a codename? It's to protect your identity, to prevent the vampires from finding out who you really are. If they know your true name, they could launch a revenge attack on you—or worse, on your family."

Louis's excitement quickly turned into embarrassment as Maverick's words sank in. Maverick, sensing the gravity of the situation, didn't hold back.

"You need to be more careful, Louis. This isn't a game. We're dealing with dangerous creatures who won't hesitate to harm us or those we care about."

Louis, now thoroughly chastised, lowered his head. "I'm sorry, Maverick. I didn't think it through. I'll be more careful from now on."

Julius, who had been watching the exchange with growing amusement, struggled to hold back a laugh. But Maverick noticed, turning his sharp gaze to Julius.

"And you," Maverick said, his tone stern, "you're not off the hook either. That ridiculous codename you use—'Cherie'—isn't exactly foolproof. You need to take this seriously, too."

Julius's grin faded with guilt when he heard Maverick shout out the words. "Alright, alright," Julius muttered, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "I get it. I'll be more careful, too."

Maverick, seeing their sincere apologies, nodded in acceptance. "Just remember, this isn't just about us. It's about protecting everyone around us. We can't afford to be careless."

The atmosphere in the study room remained tense as Maverick continued to absorb the gravity of the situation. Louis, having been chastised for his carelessness, shifted uncomfortably in his seat before speaking up again.

"By the way, Maverick," Louis began, his tone more tentative now, "Since you are attending the Season, why don't you come to my mother, Duchess of Windmill, event as well? I'd like you to come. It would be a great opportunity to network, and I'd be honored to have you there."

Maverick hesitated, not immediately agreeing. "I'll think about it, Louis," he replied cautiously, not wanting to make any commitments without considering the implications.

Louis's face fell, clearly disappointed by Maverick's lack of enthusiasm. "But, Maverick, it's a big event. You'll meet a lot of important people there. It's not something you should miss…"

Just as the silence started to grow uncomfortable, Julius, who had been observing the exchange with his usual air of nonchalance, decided to intervene.

"Why not attend the party, Maverick? You've got plenty of time, and it could be useful."

Louis, still sulking, shot a glare at Julius. "I didn't invite you, Julius."

Julius raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "Who said I'm attending any of those events? I'm just here to help Maverick, nothing more."

Louis's mood brightened at Julius's words. "Well, only noblemen with titles and equal social standing can attend those events anyway," Louis said with a hint of pride in his voice, clearly relishing the opportunity to assert his higher social standing.

Julius, however, simply shrugged, not taking the bait. "That's fine by me. I don't need to blend in with any of those noblemen to boost my reputation. I've got more important things to focus on."

Louis couldn't help but laugh at Julius's remark. "That's exactly what a commoner would say," he retorted, a smug grin on his face.

But instead of taking offense, Julius joined in the laughter, his tone light and unbothered. "You're right, Louis. And that's why I'm not wasting my time trying to fit in with the nobility."

Maverick, who had been watching the interaction with growing suspicion, narrowed his eyes slightly as he glanced at Julius.

There was something about Julius's easygoing attitude and the way he deflected Louis's jabs that made Maverick wonder.

Julius seemed too at ease with his position, too comfortable with the idea of not needing to prove himself to anyone, especially among the elite.

Was there more to Julius than he let on? Maverick couldn't help but feel that there was something Julius wasn't telling him, something hidden behind that carefree facades.

But before Maverick could dwell on it further, Louis spoke up again, his attention back on his senior.

"So, Maverick, you'll think about coming to my mother's event, right? My mother had significant social influence and well respect within their circles. She also acknowledged by the Patroness, including figure like Princess Abigail."

Maverick looked from Louis to Julius and back again, considering his options. The London Season was already going to be a delicate operation, and attending the Duchess's event might provide valuable insight into the noble circles they needed to investigate.

Still, he wasn't entirely comfortable with the idea of diving headfirst into that world again, especially under the watchful eyes of the upper class.

"I'll think about it, Louis," Maverick repeated, his tone more definitive this time.

Louis, though still a bit disappointed, nodded in understanding. "Alright. I'll wait for your decision."

Julius, leaning back in his chair, merely watched the exchange with a knowing smile, his eyes glinting with something that Maverick couldn't quite place.

Whatever it was, he would need to stay on his guard with both his work and his new, enigmatic partner by his side.

The knock on the study room door interrupted the three men. Edgar stepped inside, his usual composed demeanor in place as he addressed them. "My lord, it's lunchtime. Shall we proceed to the dining room?"

Maverick nodded, grateful for the break from the intense conversation. "Thank you, Edgar. We'll be right there."

The three of them filed out of the study room and made their way to the dining room, where a sumptuous meal awaited.

The table was set with an array of dishes, and the atmosphere was significantly lighter than it had been in the study. They took their seats, with Edgar standing by to ensure everything was in order.

As they began to eat, Edgar cleared his throat and addressed Maverick. "My lord, I've received a few invitations from several noble houses. It seems there are quite a few young ladies who are… interested. They appear to be promising candidates, and I would suggest considering them as potential countesses."

Maverick, in the middle of taking a bite, choked on his food at Edgar's words. He quickly reached for his glass of water, taking a long sip to regain his composure. 

"We can talk about this later, Edgar." Maverick said. The idea of being actively pursued by noble families for marriage was the last thing on his mind, especially given the circumstances surrounding his return.

Louis, on the other hand, looked positively delighted by the news. "So that's what this break is all about, Maverick? You're here to find a bride?" His eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and excitement, clearly eager to see his mentor settle down.

Maverick, still recovering from his near choking incident, shook his head quickly. "No, that's not—" But before he could finish, Louis cut in.

"I know so many promising young ladies, Maverick," Louis continued eagerly. "I could introduce you to some of them. It's important to find someone who complements you perfectly, and I'd be happy to help."

Maverick offered a faint, slightly strained smile. "I appreciate the offer, Louis, but it's really not necessary. I'm not… holding back in front of you, I assure you."

Louis, however, seemed undeterred. His determination only grew, and he nodded enthusiastically.

"Nonsense, Maverick. You don't need to be so modest. You've always been there to guide me, so let me do this for you. I'll find the perfect lady for you, just wait."

Maverick sighed inwardly, knowing that Louis wouldn't easily drop the matter. His junior's enthusiasm was well-intentioned, but the last thing he needed was another distraction in the middle of their mission.

Meanwhile, Julius remained quiet, methodically eating his meal without a word. His expression was unreadable, but there was a slight glint in his eyes as he observed the interaction between Maverick and Louis. 

Maverick, knowing that he couldn't easily deter Louis's determination, could only hope that the upcoming London Season wouldn't be more complicated than it already promised to be.

Maverick let out a long sigh and asked Louis, "So, how many days are you going to stay?"

"Until we leave for the London Season." Louis smiles widely with his youthful spirit.