Around 5:00 AM, November 21st, 1797 | Bloomsbury, London:
Lucien stood before his mansion, awaiting the carriage bearing the emblem of Thomas's Black Market faction. Since Anne was a member of that group, serving as both a bodyguard and an assassin, Lucien was certain they would send her by carriage.
He stood with his arms crossed outside the mansion, occasionally pacing back and forth near the gate. Having gone to bed late and woken up early, he was now suffering from a severe headache.
Lucien's head servant, Charles, watched Lucien from a window.
Meanwhile, the cold autumn air was deeply irritating to Lucien when, finally, he heard a woman's voice.
Anne spoke politely: "Excuse me, sir, is this the private residence of a gentleman named Lucien Blacktide?"
Lucien smiled, and when he turned around, he saw Anne, just as he had expected. He took a deep breath and replied, "Yes, it is. I am the owner of this estate, Lucien Blacktide."
Anne offered a gentle and dignified salute. "I am Anne Rowley, Mr. Blacktide. For a time, you shall be my master."
Lucien smiled and gestured for Anne to enter the mansion's courtyard. As he directed her inside, he simultaneously gave a subtle signal to his head servant, Charles.
After Anne entered the courtyard, Lucien began to walk toward the main building. Without turning back, he asked her, "Do you know why you are here?"
Anne, walking behind Lucien, replied, "I was merely instructed to serve you for a time..."
Lucien simply took a deep breath. He ascended the steps that raised the mansion slightly above the courtyard level, then turned back to Anne. "Go inside for now... My head servant will instruct the others to bring you a maid's uniform."
Anne slowly tilted her head and replied, "Yes, my lord."
Around 6:30 AM:
Lucien had slightly angled his chair so he could see the view outside the mansion. A knock came at the door [tap tap]. Lucien turned towards the door, offering a slight smile, and said, "Enter..."
Anne, now dressed in a maid's uniform, gently opened the door and stepped into the room. She curtsied again, then looked at Lucien. "May I now be told what service you require of me, Master?"
Lucien took a deep breath, rested his elbow on the arm of the chair, clasped his hands together, rested his jaw on his hands, and gave a faint smile.
"Murder..."