Work Partner

[Author's Note: I edited the latter part of the previous chapter, so please do read that last few paragraphs again first to clarify any confusion that might come when reading this chapter]

As Lucas shook Vivian's hand, he looked towards Mathias as if to ask, 'Is this the entire team you were talking about?'

Mathias met Lucas's gaze and confirmed, "Yes, and just like you, she also recently just joined us. The Crows always operate by pairs, and you two will be no exception."

Mathias then proceeded to shed some light on the inner workings of this complex rebel organization. The very first thing he emphasized is the fact that it is a structure and extremely hierarchical organization.

"Right now, both of you are only at the level of 'Associates', so other than your direct supervisor, the identities of any other Crow member will not be made known to you. You are still just that—associates of the organization. Although we like to say you would have to rack up your merit to be promoted, but at the Associate level, you really just have to prove that you're really 'in' it with us." explained Mathias.

"If we're not at least this selective and secretive with out members, then the four noble families would have surely wiped us out by now."

Lucas understood the reasoning behind the actions. That way, even if a new invite decided to snitch, at most he or she would only be able to expose the identities of two other people. For an organization the scale of the Crows, that level of loss is minimal.

Suddenly, his partner, Vivian, raised a question, "Why is it necessary to work by pairs?"

"It gives a lot more flexibility in the way you can carry out your operations. For example, many of our members operate by an overt/covert arrangement. One person, the covert, is the hitman does all the dirty work, while the overt maintains a good public persona that allows the hitman to do his job more easily." explained Mathias.

He then continued to say how this kind of arrangement has many benefits. Aside from the obvious facts that having more hands, heads, and eyes on the field is always beneficial. There are also more hidden benefits like how even if they were to catch the 'overt', they wouldn't be able to get anything out of him no matter how much they're investigated, among other things.

Mathias didn't mention how such an arrangement would also create a strong bond between the two people, making it more difficult to leave the organization. The fear of losing the only person who truly understood their covert lives held many members captive within the Crows' grip.

"However, you don't have to necessarily follow that mode of operation. We also have pairs where both personnel act as hitmans, and some where both of them maintain public personas and instead hires mercenaries to do dirty work for them. No matter how you do it, as long as it gets things done, it's okay with us."

Having her question answered, Vivian nodded and went back to listening attentively.

"If you wish to contact me, then send a letter to this address and I'd be able to read it the next day and reply the day after" Mathias said.

"As for now, your first task would be to investigate any traces pertaining to the Plutonic Research Society, not just the ones that can be found in your mansion." he said, referring to Montague's manor.

And with that, the meeting was quickly dismissed.

Afterwards, Lucas decided to bring his new colleague into a cafe down the road. She graciously accepted his invitation and amiably staggered near him as they entered the shop.

The waiter came by to pick their orders, Vivian chose a caramel macchiato and originally, Lucas wanted to do the same. However, he remembered his current identity and opted for a more fitting black coffee.

As Vivian placed her hand on the table, Lucas's attention became drawn to her delicate fingers and painted red nails. Specifically, her left hand where a ring became wrapped around her ring finger root.

'She's married?' Lucas thought, surprised.

He again looked at the woman in front of him. Her current form—voluptuous figure filling out her dress, ample cleavage and long legs on display—isn't what you would expect from a member of a secret organization.

Seating down, her blue eyes locked with his and the bodacious tart was the one to initiate the conversation. "It looks like unless we become one of those 'Trustees', then the Crow's interactions with us will be extremely limited."

"It makes sense. They wouldn't want strangers knowing anything important when their loyalty hadn't been proven yet. Even just the identities of their members are confidential information," replied Lucas.

A brief period of silence descended upon the duo until Vivian picked up the conversation again, saying. "Actually, I expected the 'secret' meeting to be more..let's say, tedious and time consuming. So I made an excuse to my family, saying that I will be out for three days."

"What excuse did you provide?" asked Lucas curiously.

Vivian let out an embarrassed chuckle, tucking a rebel curl behind her ear. "I told my knot that a dear old friend of mine had fallen terminally ill. I claimed I needed time to comfort and spend her last days on this world by her side, which caused me to miss my husband's promotion party. Of course that was a lie, not only did no one fall ill, that 'dear old friend' doesn't even exist in the first place."

She shifted in her seat, the movement causing her dress to ride up ever so slightly, exposing more of her creamy thigh. Leaning forward she continued in a lower tone."If I'm to return home now, my knot would surely want answers quickly, after all I missed such an important event for him because of this. So I have no choice but to remain off the grid until these 3 days are up. No excuses, no exceptions."

"If possible, I don't want to spend the next two days just idling by and let's get started with the investigation as quickly as possible," said Vivian seriously.

Somehow, hearing that caused a stir in Lucas's heart. It felt like the two of them were on a tryst, seeing as to how Vivian excused herself out of her husband's celebratory party to go with him. Of course, that's not the exact story but from an outsider's point of view, then that's exactly how it would look.

After such thoughts, Lucas couldn't help but feel that the words that are about to come out of his mouth were suddenly a lot more scandalous, "Sure, I don't mind. You can come with me to my manor after this. You're welcome to spend the next two days there. We have plenty of guest rooms."

Vivian wasn't bothered by the possible social implication of the gesture, or maybe she didn't notice it all. Regardless, she agreed to come with Montague to his manor after they were done with their drinks.

When their drinks finally arrived, Lucas watched intently as Vivian drank hers. "If you don't mind me asking, Mrs. Vivian. But are you, by any chance, a noble lady?" said Lucas.

At his words, Vivian's eyes widened in surprise and she lowered her cup. She looked at the handsome gentleman in front of her curiously and asked, "What makes you believe so?"

"Just your mannerisms and the way you held your cup," explained Lucas, causing Vivian's eyes to widen in surprise again.

From the countless movies that Lucas had watched in his previous life, he had already seen countless time the supposed 'aristocratic bearing' and seeing how Vivian carried herself in front of him, he was naturally reminded of that.

Unbeknownst to him however, in this world, the commonfolk usually does not have any idea about the dignified conduct of these aristocrats nor would they have any opportunity to see it for themselves. Sometimes, even when they do see it, they would only think of it as rich people trying to be pretentious and putting on act in front of them. This is even more so for people in the New World, where actual noble families were far from in between.

"Well, I used to be." said Vivian in passing, acting like it's no longer important. However, a faint smile appeared on her lips as someone was able to recognize the proper conduct she had been taught so strictly from her childhood.

She raised her sapphire eyes and swept her gaze across Montague Beaumont's graying temple and deep blue eyes. Unaware of his identity as a foreigner, she wondered if he was of noble descent as well. Him owning a manor is proof of his wealth.

After they've finished their drinks, they took their items with them and rode Montague's carriage back to Clockwork Heights.

* * *

6 PM, Clockwork Heights, Beaumont's Manor.

After arriving at the gates, Lucas descended first from the carriage from the other end and opened the door for Vivian, before extending his hand. He imitated the high-class demeanor that he knew from the TV series that he had watched before.

Vivian paused lightly when she saw Montague's extended hand, before smiling as she wordlessly accepted it.

"We've only just settled in as well, so some things might not be where they're supposed to be," said Lucas.

"Oh I don't mind. We're here to investigate any possible trace left by the Plutonic Research Society," replied Vivian.

As they made their way inside, the servants bowed their heads whenever they came across the two of them. Some curious glances were directed Vivian's way, trying to determine who is the woman that their employed had come in with and how is she related to him.

On the other hand, Vivian looked around the mansion's interior with eyes of both longing and nostalgia. Memories flashed of when she used to live in such a lavish home as well and she thought she wouldn't be able to set foot in a similar place ever again.

"The guestrooms are over there," Lucas pointed to a corridor down their left and directed Vivian to her quarters. "Make yourself at home."

He then walked back to his room, wanting to change out of his clothes into something more comfortable. However, on the way there, he came across Victoria who had already come back from her new work at the branch office. She looked at her father, pale blue eyes of curiosity but also wariness, as she asked,

"Who is she?"