Margot was placidly pleased with the success of Aria and Sterling's work. She was especially delighted with Kazuki's involvement, so much so that she sent his wife home for the week for them to have quality time.

They met the next day for a recap of the mission and to look at the photographs that Kazuki had taken of the venue. Even though Aria had already drawn out a map of the area, Margot had wanted to make sure that they didn't leave a trace of the murder.

"The public will be notified soon," she told Sterling and Aria as they sat in her office. On her desk was a crude display of folded pictures from the ballroom and outer areas. "We went back to the chateau to stake out some more of the areas and finish the clean up. Duke Gall has suffered an unfortunate overdose. The guests were unaware of the incident and his wife will be compensated accordingly."

"The cocaine Kazuki brought helps set up the scene as well," Sterling added. "And Yasmine's serum. Technically, he did suffer an overdose...just an exaggerated one."

"Indeed." Margot's reptilian gaze shifted to Aria, who was sitting in unusual silence and playing with the edge of one of the photo frames. "Aria? Do you have anything to add to this?"

"No, Madame," Aria responded monotonously. She hesitated. "This picture is different. Did you change it?"

Margot blinked. "Well, I suppose so." She turned the frame, showing to them a young boy with chubby cheeks, poignant dimples, and bushy black hair that framed his face in curls. "But that doesn't answer my question."

"I did answer your question," Aria rebutted. "Sterling explained our mission just fine. He doesn't need an addition on my part. He's just as intelligent and capable of taking charge as I am."

"Aria...I don't think that's what she means..." Sterling laughed awkwardly.

"You are a team. I know that, and I expect equal participation." Margot studied her agent with a considering stare. "You've been acting strange, Aria. Did something happen on this mission that you're not telling me?"

"No, Madame." Aria met Margot's eyes - dark brown against icy blue - and even though her face was tense, her eyes were nothing but a blank void. Margot couldn't decipher what Aria was thinking, and the girl gave nothing away with her reply. "I'm perfectly fine."

"Is your family well?" Margot tried a different tactic. "Your cousin?"

"He's fine. We'll be moving to my aunt's vacation estate to explore our independence," Aria said. "I have put the information in your mailbox as a precaution. Sterling, I gave yours to Hudson."

"Did Noah do something?" Sterling's eyebrows knotted.

"He always does something," Aria said with a shrug. "I have a suspicion that it's about his impending marriage, but I can't say." She stood and bowed. "I should be leaving. My aunt is expecting me."

"You may go." Margot allowed Aria to leave. She waited until she saw the assassin strolling outside to turn to Sterling. "Tell me everything."

Sterling straightened. "I..."

"And don't leave out any details. I don't want you lying for her." A frown formed on Margot's face. "This is for her protection, and ours."

Sterling sighed. "She didn't say much to me," he admitted. "After killing Gall she was pretty quiet. She didn't even argue with Kazuki. She kept muttering to herself, but she didn't tell me anything at all. I think her aunt told her something that upset her."

"Perhaps." Margot tapped her foot. "Lady Kumar has been known for her flighty ways. Has Aria ever mentioned anything about it?"

"She doesn't talk about her family a lot," Sterling said. "We don't delve in those areas. She respects my boundaries and I respect hers."

"Does she have any?"

"A...few, I think. Honestly, I never asked her. It seemed like a touchy subject for her, and it was never my place to ask anyway."

"Hm..." Margot gazed out the window. "I suspect it may be her aunt, but I'm not sure. Keep an eye on her, Sterling. Aria's not one to lose focus, but inevitably that day will come. She's human, and she may be the best, but I worry sometimes just how long she can keep up her robotic facade."

~***~

Aria stumbled into her home, kicking her shoes with an exhausted sigh. She scratched her eye and pinched her eyes shut.

"Get it together, Aria," she whispered, and when she opened her eyes again, she felt flames bloom in them, like a pit of determination bursting to life. She crossed her brows and scowled, stomping her foot. "You are not a slave of your emotions. You will not fall into this trap again. You're better than this...you're stronger than this." She shook her head multiple times. "I'll set things straight with Madame and Sterling tomorrow. This won't occur anymore."

She was met by a maid, who brought her up to her room and helped her change into a more comfortable dress. The kurti was plain but expensive, mirroring her aunt's rich tastes. The young Lady Kumar would be dressed in nothing but the best, as her aunt would often say. They had a reputation to uphold.

When she descended the steps with the goal of getting some food from the kitchen, she was met by another maid - a flushed, fidgety maid who looked like she'd just walked in on someone naked.

"Miss, the Lord and Lady request your presence in the common room," she said softly, bowing to Aria.

"Really?" Aria frowned. "Is something wrong, Daisy?"

"I'm not sure, Miss," the maid said, flushing again. "Everyone is gathered there with a stranger. He looks like a wealthy man."

Oh, goodness. Aria restrained a groan. After telling her aunt several times that she wasn't marrying Sterling, it seemed like the lady was back on the hunt for a suitable man for her niece. For a brief moment, Aria's heart fluttered at the thought of being married, but she crushed the butterflies swiftly. An assassin has no place marrying. Kazuki was insane to do so. Putting innocent people in danger was the opposite of what they were supposed to do, and Aria wasn't going to make the same mistake that others had done.

She begrudgingly followed Daisy into the living room, where the rest of her family was settled. Noah was on the floor, playing chess with his father, and her aunt was on the couch observing an insignificant novel. They all turned when Aria arrived.

"Goodness, Aria! Where have you been?" Lady Kumar shrieked.

"Out working," Aria replied. "Getting everything ready for Noah and I. Why? What happened?"

"We have important matters to discuss," Lady Kumar said. She sniffed. "Darling, why the hideous dress? I bought you better clothes."

"They're comfortable, Auntie," Aria said. She smiled and sat next to her aunt, giving her a kiss on the cheek. Immediately, Lady Kumar's tense wrinkles melted.

"I'll allow it today, but you will be dressing appropriately from now on, young lady," she said, trying to seem upset. "No Kumar will be dressed in those rags."

"They were expensive when you bought them, Mother," Noah pointed out.

"Hush, you!" Lady Kumar snapped. "I'm still not happy with what you did."

"What did he do?" Aria snatched a cup of tea.

"He was philandering with Lady Maryland's daughter yesterday!" Lady Kumar exclaimed. "Goodness, Aria, I'm so glad you didn't see it! How disgusting they both were! And here I thought she was a respectable young lady."

"That's Noah's effect, sadly," Aria said with a grin.

"I said the same thing." Her uncle said, high-fiving her. Both of them laughed.

"You all find this amusing, when it really isn't," Lady Kumar grumbled. "Honestly, you of all people should be taking this seriously!" She addressed her husband sternly.

Lord Kumar shrugged. "He's a growing boy, Tamasa. Don't you remember when we were like that?"

"Oh! Quiet you!" Lady Kumar blushed furiously. "We were married then! This is not acceptable behavior of a young lord!"

"Hai Ram," Lord Kumar groaned. "Aria, sweetie I tried. Nothing can change her mind."

"Now you realize that, uncle?" Aria laughed. "Where's the guest? Daisy told me we had one?"

"In the bathroom," Lady Kumar said, shuffling on the couch and composing herself regally. "We wanted to discuss with you Noah's marriage."

"Auntie, he's seventeen. He has time."

"I wanna get married, Aria!" Noah piped up. "Mother and Father got married at my age! And besides, I love Eloise!"

"Indeed. Her father has also set a good dowry," Lord Kumar added. "I've matched his price as well. We each agreed to pay our respective child-in-law 20 gains. Generous, no?"

"Pricey..." Aria's eyes bugged. "For this brat?" She pointed to Noah.

"Hey! I'm not a brat!" He whined.

"Sure, you aren't."

Lady Kumar cleared her throat. "Anyway, we're thinking of accepting. It may help Noah settle down and we can give him a chance to grow up."

"And you think marriage will do that?" Aria arched her brow. "Auntie, you're throwing him into the fire without any protection!"

"He has to learn somehow," Lady Kumar murmured. "Besides, he loves Eloise, and it's not like he can leave her or anything. He knows the shame it would bring to this family."

Right...shame...Aria swallowed. "Well, if that's what he wants, then I'm cool with it. I like Eloise. She's sweet."

"She is. We will also get more land with this marriage, and perhaps our status will rise," Lady Kumar added longingly. "Ah, to be a Duchess."

Aria rolled her eyes. "Wonderful. Welcome to the monarchy," she grumbled. She began to drink her tea when a dark yellow and red coat caught her eye. She looked up, meeting the dark syrupy eyes from the night before, and gasped.

No...no...this...this isn't happening...blood drained from Aria's face and her body went cold. The man met her gaze immediately and smiled, flashing his perfectly white teeth at her. He was much more handsome than before...it was deadly, and Aria didn't know what to say when he put his hand out for her to shake. There was only one thing that she could think of.

Lord James was back. 

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So...a bit of a long chapter 😅Who's Lord James? What kind of relationship did he and Aria have? 

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