Delta Leader Squad, Eugene, stood still, staring at his radio.
"Delta 1," someone called. It was Alpha 1.
"Leader!"
"Call the Lady. Tell her we have a situation."
"The–the Lady?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure, Captain? If she comes… we might need the Cleaners…"
"We don't have a choice, do we? Someone who can wipe out the entire Beta Team in less than fifteen minutes? If we don't report someone like that, she might come for us next."
"Right…"
"Let's just hope we can take her down before the Lady arrives. Otherwise, we might be stuck here 'til dawn. Now go, make the call."
"Yes, sir!"
"Alpha 2."
"Sir!"
"Go with Delta Team and head toward the Master Room."
"What about you, sir?"
"I'll go with Alpha 3 to the last known location of Beta Team. I want to see who we're dealing with."
"Yes, sir!"
"Okay, everyone, let's move—"
"Sir?"
"Yes?"
"The Lady answered. She'll be here in thirty minutes…"
"…You heard him, everyone. We've got thirty minutes before the Lady arrives. Let's make sure we deal with the target before that."
"Yes, sir!"
"Move out!"
The soldiers dispersed in different directions.
Meanwhile, hidden in a nearby room cloaked in darkness, a shadow watched them.
'Two headed to the Master Room, four moved to the left wing. They'll take a while to reach it. I'll deal with the others first' thought Lucia.
She waited until the teams had moved on before stepping out.
"Damn it… I took this job precisely to avoid situations like this… damn kid. I'd have dealt with him already if the Lady weren't so… obsessed with him."
Lucia's mind drifted to earlier that morning.
It was another early morning for Lucia Macrinberg.
As the sole maid of the Thorson residence, it was her duty to coordinate everything.
The estate had its own cleaning and laundry staff, but Lucia supervised every speck of the mansion, ensuring spotless perfection.
Her day, as always, started at 4:30 a.m.
The cleaning staff began work at 5:00 a.m.—plenty of time for Lucia to shower and put on her already-ironed uniform.
"Perfect," she said, admiring her reflection.
She wore her uniform with pride as she greeted the cleaners entering the estate.
"Good morning, Mrs. Macrinberg!"
"Good morning, everyone. As usual, do your best. But this time, make sure to clean the refrigerator. Yesterday, I noticed dust in the lower corner. I let it go once. There won't be a second time. Understood?"
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" the workers stammered.
"Good" said Lucia.
Hours passed as the staff cleaned the mansion—or almost all of it. The only room they weren't allowed to touch was Carly's bedroom.
That was Lucia's responsibility.
By the time Lucia finished her duties, it was nearly 8:00 a.m.
"Leader."As Lucia exited the room, another maid was waiting for her.
"Scorpius, I've told you before—call me Lucia when we're here.
"Scorpius blushed slightly, though her expression remained stoic. She adjusted her glasses, which framed her long black hair.
"Apologies… Lucia."
"So? What is it?"
"Isn't it time to wake the Lady? She'll be late."
"Today, she gave orders not to be disturbed. She doesn't have school."
"I see…"
"I doubt you came just to ask that."
"Well…"
"Speak."
"Lucia, I'm worried about the Lady. She disappeared yesterday, and no one found her until late at night."
"I understand your concern. But we have strict orders. What the Lady does outside these walls is none of our business—unless she asks us directly. That came straight from the Masters."
"…I see…"
"How are Leo and Gemini doing?"
"They're fine. Few would dare to target the Masters while they're abroad."
"So there have been attempts?"
"Leo reported that the Bartolomeo group sent some rats."
"I assume they were… dealt with?"
"Of course. The Masters didn't notice a thing."
"Good. Keep me informed if anything happens."
"Understood. I'll go make breakfast."
"Go on, then."
Scorpius left.
Lucia sighed. She understood Scorpius's concern. She shared it. If it were up to her, she'd follow the Lady everywhere—even to school—just to make sure not even a fly could touch her.
Of course, if Lucia knew what had really been happening to Carly…Well, what Noah did would seem like an innocent prank compared to the bloodshed that would follow.
Lucia pinched her cheeks. In an instant, her cold expression vanished, replaced by her usual bubbly facade.
"My Lady~"
"Ah, Lucia!"
To her surprise, Carly was already awake.
"My Lady~ it's almost breakfast time! Come, come! Chomp-chomp~"
"Ah, that'll have to wait. We're going somewhere first."
"Oh? Where to~?"
"To meet… a prince."
"A prince?"
Carly blushed, covering her face with her hands.
"My prince… aaah~ What are you making me say, Lucia~"
"…What?"
"Ah, Lucia! Wait outside while I change! I have to look perfect!"
Carly pushed her out of the room. Lucia stood silently at the door for a few moments before taking out her phone.
"Hello? Leader?" said a voice on the other end.
"Scorpius, contact Libra. I want everything that happened yesterday with the Lady."
"Huh? But didn't you just say—"
"Now."
She hung up, nearly crushing the phone in her bare hand.