Preparation - 01

The messenger bird shot across the night sky, its wings slicing through the cold wind before finally landing on the windowsill of a dimly lit room. Inside, two people sat facing each other, as if waiting for something.

Schnee—or better known as Alpha in the Servent guild—narrowed her eyes as soon as she saw the bird arrive. He stood up, walked closer, and with a practiced motion, she released the scroll from its leg.

"Looks like he replied to the letter faster than expected." Raynald tapped his fingers on the table, his expression calm even though his eyes were slightly narrowed. "What did he say, Schnee?"

Schnee opened the letter and read it quickly. "He just asked for a report regarding his previous request and..." She paused for a moment, her brow slightly furrowed.

Raynald raised an eyebrow. "And what?"

Schnee continued hesitantly. "He asked for a copy of the evidence... Why would he ask for that?"

Raynald smirked slightly, his fingers tapping the surface of the table in a slow rhythm. "Oh, something unexpected." His gaze became sharper, as if weighing the possibilities in his mind.

Schnee folded the letter back with a flat expression, but her eyes sparkled a bit. "He also said he would meet you soon." She turned to Raynald, waiting for his reaction.

"Is that so? Looks like I'm going to crash in your office again this time." Raynald took off his gloves and placed them on the table, then stretched his shoulders casually.

"I'm fine with that, but are you sure? You've been away from the mansion for two weeks to investigate that case." Schnee glanced at the stack of documents on her desk before looking back at Raynald with a serious expression.

"No problem, don't I have Ben helping me? After all, for some reason I think he'll come here tomorrow." Raynald leaned his back against the chair, his hands touching his chin as if he was thinking about something.

Schnee looked at her brother with a flat expression, then sighed softly. "If that's what you want, go ahead." She leaned his back against the chair, her fingers tapping the table in a slow rhythm. "But the your's hunch... Is there a particular reason why you think he's coming tomorrow?"

Raynald smiled faintly, his eyes narrowed slightly. "It's just intuition. After all, if he's really serious, he'll definitely want to move quickly." He glanced at the window, as if imagining someone's arrival.

"Hah, it's up to you." Schnee shrugged lazily while tying up the scroll of documents she had prepared.

Raynald smiled a little. "Thanks, Schnee. You're such an awesome little sister, I'm proud of you." His voice was soft but sounded sincere.

Schnee paused for a moment, then clicked her tongue. "What's up with that." She handed the document roll to Raynald without looking directly at him. "I just don't want your name to get dragged down because of that accusation." Without waiting for a reply, Schnee turned and walked out of the room. "I'm still mad that you made such a stupid decision," she said before closing the door a bit harder than necessary.

Raynald could only sigh and shake his head. "Hah, that girl. I just want her to enjoy her life like any other girl." He leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling with a crooked smile. "If you keep acting like this, you won't get a guy who likes you, you know." He shook his head slightly, as if imagining his sister's annoyed reaction to his words.

Morning arrived earlier than Lucian had anticipated. The sunlight gently crept through the gap in the curtains, awakening his still slightly weary body. He blinked his eyes, then took a deep breath before finally rising from the bed.

Lucian donned a loose white shirt, leaving a few top buttons undone, and then took the vest he had removed the night before. As he was about to put it on, there was a soft knock on the door.

"Young master, I have brought your morning tea."

The door opened carefully, and Natty stepped in with a silver tray in her hands. The warm aroma of tea immediately filled the room. She walked lightly to Lucian's desk, then placed the tray with great care on the wooden surface. A white porcelain cup with thin steam rising was set near Lucian's hand, while a teapot and a small plate containing several cookies were neatly arranged beside it.

Lucian glanced at the tea for a moment before picking up his cup, blowing on the surface gently, then sipping it. A brief silence passed between them before he finally spoke.

"Thanks, Natty." He tilted his head slightly while savoring the familiar taste on his tongue. "Oh, this is just like what I usually drink. Did Pavel tell you?"

Natty looked down a bit and replied calmly, "That's right. The butler said you always drink chamomile tea every morning, so I made sure to brew it the same way he usually does."

Lucian gave a slight smile, sipping his tea again before putting the cup back on the saucer. "Nice," he mumbled. "You seem pretty thorough with your tasks."

Natty just nodded a little, then stood up straight while waiting for the next instructions from Lucian. But after a few seconds of hesitation, she finally spoke up in a slightly awkward tone. "Um... I guess I should thank you."

Lucian raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised by Natty's softer tone than usual. He set down his tea cup and looked at her with interest.

"Thanks to the money you gave me earlier, my brother managed to enter the school," she continued, her voice sounding sincere but still containing a hint of reluctance. "I remember not having time to thank the Young Master, so..." Natty lowered her head slightly, her little hands clenched in front of her maid's skirt, and then said solemnly, "Thank you very much."

Lucian stared at him for a moment, his expression unpredictable. Then, the corners of his lips lifted in a faint smile. "I see," he muttered. "In that case, make sure your brother doesn't waste that opportunity."

Natty nodded quickly, her expression full of determination. His eyes lit up with gratitude and enthusiasm that was rarely seen from him. "Of course, I will make sure of that," he said in a steady voice. He clenched his fists in front of his chest as if confirming his determination.

"I won't let him waste the opportunity that Young Master has given him...!" She added confidently.

Lucian observed Natty with a flat gaze, but there was a hint of interest in his eyes. It was rare for him to see Natty show such an excited expression. Normally, the girl only spoke as necessary and kept her distance from him.

A faint smile was engraved on his face, barely visible. "Good," he said lightly, putting his teacup back on the table. "In that case, don't let you regret accepting my help."

Natty nodded quickly, then realized the silence that was beginning to form. He finally took the initiative to speak again.

"By the way, Young Master, what are you planning today?" She asked, this time in a more formal tone, returning to his role as a servant ready to take orders.

Lucian checked his watch once more before placing his cup down calmly. His gaze shifted to the window, looking at the bright morning sky with sunlight starting to shine on the mansion's yard. "I'm going out today," he said casually, resting his chin on his hand propped up on the chair.

Natty was a bit surprised by Lucian's answer. "In that case, I'll accompany you," she said quickly, her eyes showing seriousness.

Lucian turned to her with a flat look, then shook his head slowly. "No need," he said. "I'm just taking care of something not that important."

Natty bit her lip, looking like she wanted to argue, but in the end, she lowered her head as a sign of accepting Lucian's decision. "If that's what you want, I'll do it," she said softly, though there was still a hint of doubt on her face. "In that case, please be careful, Young Master."

Lucian gave a slight smile, then walked past Natty to grab the cloak hanging by the door. He stepped out quickly, but before he really left, he paused for a moment and looked back at her. "Then, there's one thing I want to ask of you," he said, his gaze more serious this time. "While I'm gone, make sure the residents of this mansion don't find out, especially Pavel."

Natty was silent for a few seconds, then nodded quickly. "I understand, Young Master." Lucian looked at her for a moment before finally turning and leaving, leaving Natty still standing there with a thoughtful expression.

As the sun started to rise higher in the sky, Lucian had left the Hale mansion and was riding his horse towards the capital. The road was pretty long, passing through stretches of fields and small forests, with a few villages scattered along the route.

A gentle breeze blew, swaying his cloak as he loosened the reins, letting the horse run at a steady pace. Lucian wasn't in a hurry, but he also didn't want to take too long on the journey.

A few hours passed, and finally, the gates of the capital began to appear in the distance. Tall towers rose above the other buildings, the imperial flag waved proudly, and the hustle and bustle of the city became clearer as his horse approached the cobbled streets.

After a quick check at the gate, Lucian entered the capital, feeling a vibe that was totally different from the cold, stressful Hale mansion. The streets were bustling with vendors shouting out their goods, adventurers milling about, and nobles lounging in their fancy carriages.

He pulled his horse over to a stable and patted its neck before handing a few coins to the keeper. "Thanks again for your help, buddy, I'll be back soon." Lucian gave his horse a light pat on the neck, feeling it exhale softly as if it understood his words. The horse flicked its ears, then stomped its hooves on the ground before lowering its head, almost like it was responding. After that, the keeper took the coins from Lucian and quickly tied up his horse.

Lucian just smiled a little before turning and walking away. The noise of the city became clearer as he walked down the main street. Vendors shouted their goods, the smell of toasted bread and smoked meat filled the air, while various people from different backgrounds passed by.

He walked without rushing, blending in with the crowd, making sure he didn't draw attention. The clothes he wore were simple enough to avoid suspicion. After passing a few intersections and alleys, he finally arrived at his destination—a large building that looked like the casino he had visited before.

A tall guy standing at the front door stopped Lucian in his tracks with a sharp look. "What's the code?" he asked briefly, his voice low and cautious. The guard's eyes narrowed a bit, then as if realizing something, he nodded respectfully.

"Oh, you...!" His expression changed slightly, and without asking more, he quickly pushed open the heavy door behind him, revealing the luxurious interior of the casino. "Go ahead, sir."

As soon as Lucian stepped inside, a different vibe hit him. The dim light from the crystal chandelier gave an elegant feel, while the sound of clinking coins and the faint laughter of gamblers filled the room. Several gaming tables were surrounded by people in fancy clothes, and waiters were bustling around with trays of expensive drinks.

A neatly dressed man in a red vest quickly approached Lucian with a professional smile. "Welcome, sir? Can I help you with something?"

Lucian glanced at him briefly before replying in a flat tone, "I'm asking for an extra chip."

The guy didn't show any surprise at all, just nodded briefly before saying in a quieter voice, "Got it, we've been waiting for you. So, please follow me." Without waiting for a response, the guy turned around and started walking towards one of the VIP rooms inside the casino, while Lucian followed him with a calm stride.