Location: Camelot City
A clear night sky hung over the royal city, offering an unobstructed sight of the twin moons, Orionis and Galadria.
Their waning crescents shimmered faintly among the tapestry of stars, but their soft celestial glow was swallowed by the brilliance below.
Camelot City glittered like a multicolored jewel, its myriad lights giving it an ethereal look from above.
Different automobiles zipped through winding streets and roads, their movements unhindered thanks to the advanced traffic management systems integrated into the metropolis.
Throngs of people milled about the sidewalks, civilians and warlocks returning to their homes after a long day of work or, for some, especially warlocks, leaving the comfort of their homes for overnight assignments.
Tourists wandered around wide-eyed, amazed by the sights of one of Asteris's greatest metropolises.
The city itself was a spectacle. A fusion of classical architecture like spires and domes with the modern and sleek architecture of glass and steel.
Lush greenery spilled from vertical gardens and carefully planted trees, weaving nature into the architecture, making for a truly marvelous sight.
While many of the tourists walked around, snapping photos and learning about the city, just as many were drawn to the buzzing storefronts and food stalls.
A symphony of aromas drifted through the air.
Sizzling meats, spiced vegetables, and sweet pastries, each wafting from food stalls so refined they resembled miniature gourmet restaurants,while fine restaurants loomed nearby like palatial estates with their own manicured gardens.
Above it all loomed skyscrapers like colossal sentinels, each unique in color, shape, and design.
Transparent walkways glowing with soft lights connected them like a network, turning the skyline into a web of radiant threads.
Long vertical strips of light traced the towers' heights, while massive digital screens integrated into the sides of many of these buildings displayed vibrant visuals of numerous advertisements and news channels.
Iris Lefay gazed at one of these ad screens, which displayed the newest motorcycle model developed by Hermes, the motorbike division of Pantheon, the largest company in the world based in the Kingdom.
The camera lingered on the bike's sleek frame… and on the model leaning against it.
Iris couldn't help but admire the model. Her presence was magnetic; a black biker jacket and fitted jeans emphasized her slim figure.
Her beautiful face was dreamlike, like a siren's, with bright blue eyes that sparkled like jewels, and her long hair, black and transitioning to bright blue, fell over her shoulders like a silken curtain.
Iris's lips curved faintly as she admired the image.
The model was truly amazing. After all, she was the model.
An exasperated sigh broke her admiration.
"Please tell me you didn't ask me to join you for this meal so that you could admire yourself on that ad screen." Frederick Abberline muttered, sliding into the seat across from her.
Iris tilted her head, feigning innocence.
He glanced from the ad to her and shook his head. "How do you manage it?"
Iris smiled. "What do you mean?"
"Successful cafe owner, popular model, knight, and one of the youngest billionaires in the Kingdom by day and brutal vigilante for hire by night? How do you juggle that?" he asked.
She just smirked, resting her chin on her hand. "That's because I'm that amazing, Freddie."
Frederick rolled his eyes. "Ah, yes. You are truly a paragon of humility."
Picking up his glass of water, he asked. "So. Why did you call me here?"
Iris leaned forward and laced her fingers with a smile. "Well, I heard you have wrapped up the Londonix Butcher case, so I thought a little celebration was in order since we worked on it together."
She tilted her head, a few strands of her hair shifting over her shoulder. Her tone softened just enough to carry a teasing lilt. "Though I'll admit I'm surprised it took you this long to conclude it."
"And whose fault do you think that is?" Frederick frowned. "I had to scramble around to fix things after you went and killed the bloody prime suspect."
Iris gave him a teasing smile. "C'mon, Freddie. I said I was sorry. Didn't I promise you a free meal at my cafe?"
He crossed his arms. "I hope that offer still stands."
She chuckled. "Of course it does! This is just a treat from me for the great job we did. So feel free to order whatever you want."
Frederick narrowed his green eyes at the menu. "You wouldn't drag me to such a fancy place just for dinner. What's the real reason?"
Iris's grin widened. "You really are a detective, Freddie."
She leaned back. "I'm meeting a certain someone for a request."
He looked up, glass in hand. "Who?"
She met his eyes. "The Hound."
Frederick choked on his water. "Are you fucking insane?! The bloody Hound of Baskerville?!"
Iris was perfectly calm. "It's a good thing I had reserved this entire section for us; otherwise, people would've been disturbed by your outburst."
Frederick glanced at the empty tables near them and then at the diners on the other side of the dining room, oblivious to the words he blurted out. His ears burned red.
He glared at her. "What do you expect me to do? Arrest him?"
"I'm afraid not." Iris waved a hand lightly. "The Baskervilles have the Crown's approval for their contract killings. What the Hound does isn't illegal. He technically has a license to kill."
"Then why am I here?"
Leaning forward, she grinned. "Use that big detective brain of yours to deduce my goal."
Frederick looked at her expression. The gears in his head moved as the pieces clicked together.
Iris Lefay is meeting the Hound of Baskerville, and he, a detective from the Royal Police, is needed for that meeting.
"Don't tell me," he scowled, eyes narrowing. "You're using me. No, using the Royal Police as a bloody shield."
She clapped her hands slowly. "Correct! But I would like to use the term 'deterrent'."
"In case the Hound decides to make any drastic moves," Frederick deduced and crossed his arms, still scowling. "You crafty bitch."
Iris rested her chin in her hands, eyes gleaming. "Please, Freddie. Can you help this poor soul out?"
He scoffed. "Poor soul, my ass."
But the way she stared at him pleadingly with those puppy dog eyes, shook his resolve. She really was like an annoying little sister.
"Fine," he relented with a resigned sigh. "But you're covering the bill for this meal."
"Thanks, Freddie!" Her face lit up like the sun. "You're the best!"
He huffed and looked out of the window. "Yeah. You say that every time you need a favor."
Their waiter arrived soon after, and after taking their orders, poured each a glass of wine before leaving.
"Although I do wonder," Iris swirled the crimson liquid in her glass, savoring its rich aroma before taking a sip.
"Why did Duke Londonix approach you in the first place, Freddie?" she glanced at Frederick, her tone casual. "The Londonix Duchy has its own master detective, the one hailed as the best in the Kingdom."
Frederick groaned, running a hand through his maroon hair. "Don't get me started on that violin-toting drug addict. If he weren't busy chasing after some ancient diamond, the case would've gone straight to him."
"They could've gone to another detective," Iris mused. "But the situation had gone beyond the jurisdiction of the Londonix Police, so they had to call in the Royal Police."
"And in the end, they roped me in," Frederick finished dryly.
"That's because you're the best detective the Royal Police have," Iris said with a knowing smile.
Frederick sighed heavily. "I'm telling you. It was all a bloody mess."
Something caught his attention, and his gaze went over her shoulder. His expression shifted to something more serious.
"Looks like your invitation has been accepted," he said, a cautious edge to his voice.
"Hm?" Iris looked momentarily confused until the seat behind her creaked a bit under someone's weight.
It was subtle, but the chill was enough to make her skin crawl and put her every instinct on high alert.
Like a hound slipping into striking range, a predator had just appeared without a whisper of warning.
"Good evening, Dame Iris Lefay." His voice was smooth, sophisticated, and youthful, yet it carried a dangerous edge, like a dagger tip pressed against her forehead, ready to be driven into her skull.
Iris's lips curled into a smile. This is going to be fun.
She began to turn, but his words cut like a blade.
"Turn around, and I'll put a bullet through your skull."
He spoke it casually, almost bored, as though threatening her life was no different than talking about the weather.
Iris's eyes glinted, and she replied in the same casual tone. "I'll slice off your arm before you even draw the gun."
The temperature seemed to drop, a paralyzing wave of bloodlust radiating between them. The lights flickered, and the other guests, despite sitting away from them, shifted uncomfortably.
Frederick chimed in, his firm words breaking the tension. "Both of you, stop it. This is a restaurant. Let's not cause trouble."
His words snapped the two out of their daze of bloodlust..
"Detective Abberline," The Hound of Baskerville said with a soft chuckle, a professional respect in his voice as he addressed Frederick. "So you're her shield?"
Frederick scowled. "I prefer the term 'deterrent', Baskerville. I represent the Royal Police and am here to make sure you two act like civilized human beings and not destroy this lovely restaurant."
His emerald green eyes narrowed. "You guys can kill each other later. But now, talk."
Upon his words, the temperature snapped back to normal. The glow in Iris's eyes faded, and she smiled mischievously.
"And that's why I invited you, Freddie," she said sweetly.
She heard a quiet sigh behind her. "Clever move," the Hound remarked. "Involving the Royal Police."
Her smile curled into a smirk. "I wanted to make sure we could do this smoothly."
Frederick glanced to the side and began to get up. "I'll leave you two to converse alone."
Iris tilted her head at him. "You sure?"
He nodded. "I'll sit at another table, and judging by the waiter's mannerisms, I believe my food is about to be served."
His gaze swept between her and the Hound before he moved to another table. Close enough to step in. Far enough to pretend he didn't hear anything.
"You two better behave."
Iris relaxed into her chair and addressed the Hound. "So tell me. Why can't I turn around and see you?"
"I prefer not to be distracted. After all, you are as beautiful as a fairy." The Hound responded curtly in a cool voice.
She chuckled. "Wow. You are smooth. Very smooth."
"I get that a lot. It is necessary for my profession," he said, without a trace of irony.
"A Baskerville assassin," Iris mused, "I would like to get some pointers."
"At a later time," The Hound paused for a moment before asking. "Why did you call for me?"
"If it's a commission, you know the rules. Clients go through House Baskerville. I don't take targets directly. It's inefficient."
"It's not a commission," Iris told him. "I simply have a request."
"What is it?" His tone shifted slightly.
Iris smiled into her glass. "I want you to be mine."
An awkward silence surrounded them before the Hound broke it.
"Is this… a confession of love?"
Iris couldn't help but let out a light laugh. "That is cute, Baskerville. But no, unfortunately. You're not my type."
Composing herself and taking a sip from her wineglass, she continued. "What I meant was, I want you to join House Lefay."
This time, it was the Hound's turn to let out a small chuckle. "Are you telling me to leave House Baskerville and swear fealty to your house instead?"
"I'm afraid my answer would be no," he spoke without any hesitation.
"Are you sure?" Iris teased.
"You'd have everything you want. Power, luxury, freedom." She pressed, her tone soft like velvet but edged like a sharp knife. "You can even stop this tiresome journey of slaughter that you walk right now."
"And maybe…" she shrugged. "Maybe I would fall for you."
The Hound chuckled. His answer was cold and final. "Oh, I assure you, Dame Lefay. That will never happen."
Iris arched an eyebrow, and her smile sharpened. "And why is that?"
The Hound sounded quite amused. "That is because you already found your soulmate."
Her eyes sharpened. "Are you saying that I had a lover?"
The silence from the Hound was enough of an answer for her. Her heart fluttered, and a familiar pain slowly spread through her chest.
"Who was it?" she asked.
She had her suspicions, but she needed to hear the name.
And when it came, it stung like a blade to the heart.
"High Prince Mordred Pendragon."
Iris smirked, not showing the sudden turmoil of emotions swirling within her. "So. Me and the High Prince were a couple?"
The Hound shifted in his chair. "I have a cousin in the Shield, a Deathwalker. During her limited communications, she told me about the two of you."
"She said you were inseparable. The perfect disaster. Two broken, dysfunctional people meant for each other. It was chaotic, but beautiful all the same."
His words felt like freezing rain, each drop icy and painfully stinging.
And for the first time, Iris thought she heard sadness in his voice. "A beautiful relationship that was tragically severed by the cruel claws of fate."
"That pain in your heart whenever you think of him?" he pointed out. "That is your soul crying out. Even if your memories with him are no more, your soul still remembers, Iris Lefay."
She wanted to laugh. But deep down, she couldn't help but agree to his words; after all, she knew this deep down, yet she wanted someone to confirm it for her.
The Hound straightened, his chair creaking faintly. "Bringing me under your family was only a bonus. What you really wanted was to know this truth about your forgotten past, a past that everyone you know is keeping from you."
"And it's for a good reason. The things you endured were worse than what I faced. Mordred Pendragon made a fair decision to keep your past hidden as much as possible. He didn't want you to suffer from the horrors of your past."
He rose from the chair. "I have to get going."
She regained her composure, slipping her smile back on. "How about you stay around for dinner? It's on me."
"Unfortunately, I have a tight schedule. Perhaps sometimes later?" He suggested, getting up from the chair.
Iris nodded. "Sure. Later, then."
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Dame Lefay." His voice became colder, like the blade of a knife. "I hope you will not make it onto my list. It would be a shame to kill you."
She sensed him walking away, his footsteps silent as a ghost.
Iris sat there in silence until Frederick slid into the chair opposite her, still holding his half-finished plate.
She wrinkled her nose. "That is really inappropriate."
"I'm almost done, so it's fine," he replied, rolling his eyes before looking at her.
"You look like you just swallowed a frog, although…" he smirked. "I do wonder if they have that on the menu."
Meeting his gaze, Iris asked. "So you heard."
"Only a few bits," Frederick admitted with a shrug. "I heard 'Mordred Pendragon' and 'lover'."
His face turned serious. "Hey, if you need any help. You know which detective to call."
Cracking a mischievous smile, she nodded. "Yep. I know. I have the doctor's number in my contacts."
Looking quite scandalized, Frederick swore. "Don't you fucking dare call that eccentric detective in Londonix."
He sighed and glanced at the waiter. "Ah. It appears that your food is going to be here soon, judging by how the waiter looked at you before entering the kitchen."
"Didn't know it took this long," Iris mused.
"Oh, I asked them to delay a bit. Don't want to disturb your conversation with the Hound," Frederick explained.
Iris covered her mouth, laughing. "Oh, Freddie! That's actually so sweet of you!"
"It's the least I could do." He quipped. "You're paying for the meal after all."
Iris leaned back and picked up her wineglass. There was still some left.
Her mind raced faster than her heart; the things she learned today leaned heavily in her mind, and the ache in her heart showed no sign of fading.
Gently swirling the remaining crimson drink, she smiled despite the pain.
"Thank you, Freddie."