Two days later...
"William, are you ready? We will be leaving in 10 minutes," Gray said to William while entering the room.
"You're still sleeping? Get changed!"
"Whatttts uppp, Graaay?" William spoke while yawning.
"I bought you clothes. You'll be wearing this for the entirety of the mission," Gray said, throwing the clothes on William's face.
Gray had given William a black tailcoat with a gray vest and trousers.
"They look expensive," William said in awe, his eyes wide.
William had never seen such neat clothes in his life.
"Don't worry about it, kid. Get in them; we don't want Cap to be waiting."
William swiftly wore his clothes and started to look in the mirror with a joyful expression.
"Trust me, I've never seen anyone that happy about becoming a butler," Gray added, bursting into laughter.
"I didn't have a choice, did I?" William replied indignantly.
"You're right."
William had spent most of his time at the Guild in his corridor, never having seen how the outside looked.
"You're ready, kid?" Gray asked.
"Hella yeah!" William answered.
William stepped out of the room and perceived a hallway walled with oak paneling and a staircase leading downstairs. He proceeded to follow Gray through multiple hallways and rooms, passing countless people. The whole Guild premises felt like a big fortress to William.
"The Guild looks pretty well-off, no?" William spoke, astonished.
"Naturally," Gray replied with a tight smirk on his face.
They finally reached the exit of the premises.
"Autumn's already here!" William exclaimed.
All the leaves had started to change to yellow, and now, in front of Gray and William, stood a horse-drawn carriage. Gray was the first to hop on. As he did, he saw Cap in the carriage, sitting with one leg over the other, staring at Gray.
"Greetings, Captain," William spoke as he followed.
"What took you guys long enough?"
"Cap, as you know, the top floor is pretty isolated from all the others, and, uh... nothing."
The horses started to move, and they began to head toward a peculiar bar in the nearby village.
Cassian spotted William gazing at his clothes with joy.
"Hahaha! Kid, you know what? You can have these clothes. I'll buy you even more," Cap said, laughing.
"Told you, Will, I've never seen a man that happy about being a valet," Gray said, also bursting into laughter.
"So, William, what's your dream?" Cap asked, curious.
"Ummmmm... I guess a contentful eternity?"
"You don't say. That's a pretty good answer," Cap spoke, impressed.
"Thanks," William said, looking out the window.
"Is that truly what I aspire for?" William thought to himself.
"Let me tell you something, Will: dreams are just experiences we wish for from time to time. They're meant to change. Don't worry too much," Cap told William confidently.
"Where are we going?" William asked.
Gray replied, "We're going to a bar."
"I'm not old enough for a drink."
"Not for drinks, idiot. We're going to meet our client," Gray told William, shaking his head.
"William, if they inquire about you being professional, just say, 'Yes, I am a professional.' That's it—nothing more. Keep it short," the Captain told William, concerned.
"Alright. I am a professional. I am a professional. I am a professional," William repeated to himself.
They finally reached the village.
"I suppose it's your first time meeting a noble in person, Will?" Gray asked.
"Yeah," William answered.
"Just be calm and confident. You'll be fine—I know it."
William took a deep breath and entered the bar with Gray and Cassian. It was a warm space with a small but loud crowd.
Cassian looked around and spotted a middle-aged man calling him over.
"Let's go. It's time," Cassian mentioned.
They all proceeded to meet the man. The man was seated at the back of the bar, sipping a drink.
The Captain sat in front of him, and they followed.
"Hello," Cassian greeted the noble.
"May I presume you're Karl?" the Captain remarked.
"Ahh, yes, Sir Cassian. How may you be?"
"Good, thankfully. Now, shall we start the negotiations?"
"No need, sir. I'll pay any amount you ask of me."
"Hmmmmm. Let me think, then. How about 5 gold coins?"
"Sir Cassian, you must jest! That's a bit too pricey—5,000 silver, nothing more than 2."
"But you said you'd pay any amount," the Captain questioned Karl with a heavy gaze.
"Alright, my last offer: 3.5 gold coins. Nothing more, nothing less," Karl offered.
"I suppose that will work, sir."
"Why does the noble keep using honorifics toward the Captain? Shouldn't it be the other way around?" William whispered to Gray.
"Captain's much more famous than you think he is," Gray whispered back to William.
"So how will you find my assassin?" Karl inquired.
"Well, let me introduce you to one of my famous professionals: William," Cassian said, pointing to William.
"This kid? Are you joking with me, Cassian? This is a matter of life or death!" Karl said with certainty.
"I would be the last to joke on that matter," Cassian spoke.
"I am a professional. I am a professional. I am a professional," William thought to himself.
"So tell me about yourself," Karl asked.
William, nerve-wrackingly, said, "I am a professional."
"Okay, no—about yourself," Karl asked again.
"I am a professional," William replied.
In the meantime, Gray burst into laughter.
"Okay, I suppose. I trust you, Cassian," Karl said, putting 3.5 gold coins on the table.
"Follow my carriage," Karl continued, leaving the bar.
"You literally slayed it, man," Gray said with a smug look.
"Shuttttt upppp, Gray. No one asked you!" William said furiously.
Cap also started smirking.
"Let's follow Karl to his manor. I'll tell him about the plan and the valet thing. You don't worry—just be vigilant. We'll be around. Let's have a code of some sort for when you think you're in trouble," Cassian mentioned.
"How about 'Fire'?" Gray suggested.
"That sounds good," Will replied.
"Don't worry. I doubt the guy will even turn up. You're like the third line of defense. The Captain and I will take care of everything," Gray said with concern.
"Thanks, Gray," William said appreciatively.