(Francis POV)
[Breaking News: An unknown automobile is currently chased by the bounty hunters. It is still unknown whether the passengers are still alive or not. The vehicle is last scene moving into the slums of Tondo. Authorities are advised not to get involved.]
'Say what? Authorities are advised not to get involved? What the hell is this?' I calmly asked.
There's no way our Lord Hadar would let this slide.
Even Lady Leona looked serious about this matter. Only Cassandra was somehow looked dumb to understand the issue.
"Lady Leona, what should we do about it?" I asked, trying to get some answer. "I, I think we should check the plate number of the car. I have to gather my thoughts and properly comprehend the topic before I spoke my side," Lady Leona apologized.
"I apologize, as well. I will contact now the HIA to check it," I pulled out my phone and contacted them.
The HIA, also known as Hadar Intelligence Agency, was a secret organization created for the purpose of protecting the administration from cybercrime, terrorism, and other kinds of stuff related to espionage.
Forty minutes later, the HIA told me that the car was owned by Prime Minister Flawkes.
'Why on earth he's been attacked by these people?' I asked myself.
"Sir Francis, I fully recommend never open this issue to our master," Lady Leona requested with a grave face.
Cassandra and I gasped when she mentioned it.
"May I know why, Lady Leona?" I inquired. "Lord Hadar is already exhausted from his work, and I don't want him to feel responsible for this attack. It is our solemn duty to take care of his mental health. Especially, we can see it through his action that he's a hardworking child. He won't even hesitate to get involved to help his people. Please, I know this is a selfish request but don't let him know about this. He's only a child," Lady Leona explained with a worried face.
"M, milady, I understand your concern. But do you think this topic won't even reach his ears?" Cassandra pointed out. "I, I know. But still, we need to do something to prevent him to hear this issue. Cassandra, this is matter of life and death for our beloved master. He will do everything within his power to help the people in need, especially the Prime Minister of this planet," Lady Leona responded with a convincing tone.
"Lady Leona, what do you mean?" I asked. "Because Prime Minister Flawkes is personally scouted by Lord Hadar. He's also the one who appointed him in his position. No man has ever reached his level of understanding other than Lord Flawkes. You know why? Because both of them experienced the same fate. These two men were abandoned by their own parents," Lady Leona explicitly answered.
I placed a hand on my chest and bowed down respectfully.
"I'm sorry, milady. Now, I fully understand what you want to say," I apologized.
"M, me, too, milady," Cassandra followed and lowered her head in apology.
I raised up my head and smiled.
Lady Leona heaved a sigh of relief and she tilted her head on the side with a smiling face.
"Sir Francis, can you do me a favor?" she asked.
She raised up her index and her eyes turned sharp like a cat's eyes.
"Yes, you can. What is it, milady?" I inquired. "Accompany me to the HIA department. There's something we need to do in that place," she said, smiling.
"What are we going to do after we arrive at our destination?" I quizzed. "We're about to investigate the situation. Since both of us are the servants of the Hadar family, we need to gather information about this issue," Lady Leona pressed her index on her chin and explain briefly.
"What do you mean, milady?" asked Cassandra, worryingly. "Based on the situation, there's a possibility of a coup within the Hadar administration. We need to foil this event before it's too late," Lady Leona answered promptly.
'A, a coup?' my eyes opened wide in surprise.
"Milady, how can you seriously say that?" I asked. "Because I already experie -, no, I already saw it during the fall of the Romulus Era. I was his personal attendant at that time. My master was killed for the same purpose, to take his position. This is why I'm very sure there is the possibility that the culprit wants the head of the prime minister to usurp his position as his own," Lady Leona pointed out.
'Lady Leona was a former maid of Romulus the Great? Unbelievable,' I gasped.
"Do you think this is a necessary, milady?" Cassandra worried. "I cannot assure this, but if this only decreases the weight on our master's responsibilities, then it will work somehow. All we need to do is make a good excuse. This is the reason I need your full cooperation in this mission," Lady Leona simpered.
Cassandra and I exchanged glances with a perplexed expression.
"What do you need us to do?" I asked.
Cassandra fidgeted her fingers with a cold sweat.
"Milady, what Cassandra will do?" she followed with the same question.
Lady Leona placed a hand on her chest and took a deep breath. Then, she exhaled with a small sigh.
"Ahem, Lady Cassandra, you'll replace Sir Francis as his substitute. You need to make a believable report in front of our master. Whilst you're doing your job, both of us will gather information in the agency," she ordered, smiling.
"E, eh?" Cassandra trembled. "W, what if I failed?"
Lady Leona petted her hair to relieve her.
"You don't have to worry. Lord Hadar will believe you. He's a man who will never question the people around him. I'm very sure he will see you as a trustworthy servant. Remember, he's the one who recommended you to become our new maid," she said, calmly.
"M, milady," Cassandra embraced her and pressed her head between her chests.
"There, there, stop crying, okay. Lord Hadar won't bite you, though," Lady Leona comforted her.
"Lady Leona, I will prepare the car and contact the HIA immediately. I'm gonna make an appointment with the director and notify them about our visit as an important mission bestowed by our master," I lowered my head respectfully.
"Thank you, Sir Francis. You're really reliable support like always," Lady Leona thanked.
"Cassandra," I called. "Y, yes, Sir Francis?" she jumped in surprise.
"Cassandra, this is a serious matter. As the head butler of the house, I will put my faith in your hands. This is your first mission within the family. Do no fail us, got it?" I declared, gravely. "Y, yes, sir!" Cassandra answered with a sullen face.
"Oh, please, don't scare her too much, Sir Francis," Lady Leona giggled.
"I'm just making sure she won't make a mistake," I chuckled.
Cassandra looked at us with a confused face.
"Uh, eh, may I go now?" she asked, pointing to the exit door. "Of course, you may. I'm gonna take a bath and changed my clothes. Please excuse me," Lady Leona exited.
"Take your time, milady," I said.
(Courier POV)
'Hmm, strange. There is something strange going on,' I said inside my mind.
I received a powerful negative emotion from Hadar.
I asked myself, did he finally realize the situation?
My eyes turned sharp and analyzed the situation.
I changed the channel of the [Mirror Mage] and I found him inside his office.
"He's doing his work. But what is this feeling? It is mixed of despair and agony. Ooh," I hit my palm. "He is already suffering from overfatigue. Yes, exactly. With this, he's already reaching his limit."
'Wonderful. Then the success rate of the coup of Judas will undoubtedly succeed.'
My lips curved like a crescent moon in the night.