n

n

nYlmer was feeding the birds when he noticed that something is amiss. He counted the falcons in the aviary and noted that there is one missing. He counted again to make sure, and he was right.

nThus, he left the aviary to check the surrounding trees. If the falcon did not fly far away, then it must be around somewhere around the mansion.

nYvan, who was patrolling the borders with their master, saw his twin making rounds and kept staring at the trees.

n

"What are you doing?

" He voiced out, calling his attention.

nYlmer, without looking at him, answered,

"A falcon is missing and I am trying to find it.

"

nYvan knotted his brows,

"Does the master know?

"

n

"Of course not.. I have not told him yet and you already know what he's going to say,

" Ylmer blankly replied.

n

"Right…

"

nIf they did, their master would probably look them coldly in the eyes, while tilting his head sidewards. That is a sign that either, they should scram and look for it as soon as possible, or he doesn't give a damn.

nIt's always the latter…

nAfter all, it's just a mere bird. If any, he would get angry from the incompetence of the one taking care of it, and not because it's gone.

n

"How do you even know it's around?

" Yvan pointed out.

n

"I don't.

"

nYvan stared at his twin and shook his head. He could have just let it go because the master never visits the aviary anyway. He even suspects that he doesn't know that it exists…

nBut looking at how earnest his twin was being, he decided to let him do whatever he wants. Ylmer was the one who takes care of the aviary, hence, it makes sense that he would be worried.

n

"Why are you even here,

" Ylmer inquired. His brother is always beside the master, acting like the butler while he is the guard.

n

"We were out patrolling,

" he answered.

nJust then, something blue caught both their attention. It was steadily flying to them, and clearly, it would be no other than the missing falcon.

nThe bird landed on Ylmer's outstretched arm and stayed there cawing.

nThe latter then instantly checked for its well being and noticed the white handkerchief which was tied around its one leg. Yvan had spotted it as well and got curious.

nYlmer expertly unbound the knot and took it off from the bird. They thought that they would see a wound, but nothing was there. So both of them got puzzled as to why there was a handkerchief.

n

"Someone might have helped it,

" Yvan voiced out.

n

"Should we inform the master about this?

"

nYvan looked at his brother with a blank expression.

n

"Ah… right.

"

nTheir master wouldn't bat an eyelid just from this piece of news alone. To him, it would only be insignificant and a waste of his precious time.

n

"What are you two doing?

" a chilly voice said behind them.

nBoth Yvan and Ylmer's body became rigid upon recognizing who it was. Just from the dark chilly aura, they could feel, it was no other than their master. Even though both are exceptional assassins, the two of them still can't feel Lukas's presence, unless he would let himself known.

nIt was quite terrifying. They hide in the shadows, it's what assassins do. But their master is like the shadow himself. That was why they both call him the grim reaper sometimes.

nLukas then appeared in front of them. One could faintly see the black smoke disappearing around his body as if it was just an illusion. He was looking down at them with a cold glint in his purple eyes.

nThis as well, their master would always look like a block of ice, very different when he's fighting.

nLukas then suddenly got alert like he had detected something, and immediately zeroed his gaze on the blue falcon, which was still sitting in Ylmer's arm. His eyes flashed with something unfathomable, and the two noticed the change in an instant.

n

"Where did that come from?

"

n

"This bird had escaped the aviary, master, and had only returned a while ago,

" Ylmer answered almost at a snap--

"Ah, this came from it too…

" he then held out the handkerchief in front of him.

nLukas stared at it first, he seemed to look more interested when he saw it. He took it from him and started examining the cloth. It was made in silk and smelled flowery, thus he concluded that it came from some lady in aristocrat.

nHe saw the gold embroidery at the corner and tilted his head.

n'Nadia Herman…'

nThat was what it said.

nLukas's left brow raised. The surname was very familiar to him, and instantly brought back past memories. Then a hint of a smile slowly appeared on his lips.

nThe two who were looking at their master were both puzzled by how fascinated he was with it. It was the first time that he ever did so to a normal object.

n'It does not look special at all, why is he interested in it?'

nMost of the time, he looked bored out of his mind, aside from when he is killing people of course. He looked the happiest when he's out on the battlefield and spilling blood.

nThey had long been accepted that they have a cruel sadistic master, so this is quite a surprise for Ylmer and Yvan.

nLukas gripped it in his hand, then walked away without even throwing them a glance. Like the previous conversation did not happen at all. He disappeared inside the mansion with the two watching his retreating form, looking astonished and curious.

n

"What was that…

" Yvan mumbled.

nThe other shook its head,

"I have no idea…

" Ylmer replied.

nTheir master would always be forever a mystery.

n--------

nIn the middle of the night, Yvan who had just returned from an errand rushed towards the study. Like lightning, Yvan then reached the study in no time.

nHe knocked once, to announce his presence before he opened the door and let himself in.

nLukas was there, sitting behind the table in the corner of the dark room. There were no lit lamps, nor open chandeliers, or a candle to light up the whole study. Only the faint glow from the silver moon outside and the embers of the cigarette Lukas was puffing.

nYvan, who had been long used to the dark, didn't even struggle on maneuvering his way inside. His eyes immediately adjusted in the dark and focused on the sitting figure of the man. He then cleared his throat.

n

"Master, I had finished gathering information,

" he reported, then placed the folder he was holding, over the table in front of Lukas.

nLukas glanced at it with a vacant look before picking it up with one hand. Yvan remained standing, and shut his mouth, not wanting to disturb his master.

nHe had thought that because he had ordered him to make the report as quickly as possible, his master would look attentive. But it wasn't like that at all. He still looked bored.

nThe latter then sifted through the file as he puffed out smoke. His purple eyes glowed in the dim room as he read what was written in there, taking everything into accord.

nYvan was curious as to why he had ordered him to gather information about the Herman family, especially to the young miss. He thought that it might be another mission, but he had not specified anything at all, so he doubted it.

nIt's either, his master is trying to know more about them because they are a target, or because he is interested.

nBut then, Lukas being interested is also not a good omen. Either way, it all meant bad things for the other person.

n'I wonder how this woman caught the master's attention?'

n

"You can go,

" Lukas then told him.

nWithout questioning it, Yvan bowed at him and left the room. Lukas was now alone, a cigarette and a picture in both of his hands.

nHe was staring at the face of a woman. It was drawn meticulously, sparing not one detail, and with precision. Whoever made this was truly a master of his craft, because it looked realistic.

n

"Hmmm…

" Lukas hummed as he flicked the ashes off on the ashtray.

nHe didn't know the concept of beauty, nor he cared about it. But the woman in the picture looked attractive enough to earn his recognition, but that was just it. What he was more curious about is the energy he had felt earlier.

nHe was greatly mystified. It's the kind of aura that does not bring unpleasant feelings, rather, it was quite nice. His anima, or the blacl flames, went into a frenzied state as soon as he felt it, like the anima was happy or something. Lukas found that weird as well. His anima could only get excited when he kills, so why did it got like that?

nAs he held the cloth in his hand, he suddenly felt like he's a little cold, which was strange. He's never cold.

nHis eyes then darted to the handkerchief on the table and exhaled. The energy was almost gone now but he could still somewhat detect it.

nHe wanted to know what it was, and why it made him feel like that. He wanted answers. In order for him to do that, he needs to meet the person who possesses it.

n

"Nadia Eleanor Herman…

" Lukas spelled out. His head then cocked sidewards while a smirk appeared on his lips--

"Interesting…

"

n