I Reincarnated to Another World as a Woman-Chapter 196: Velvet and Steel

"Yes, Your Ladyship. The one currently in charge is Chief Alicia Lutherford, not Chief Alex Lutherford." The receptionist at Solarys DEU informs the Baroness.

Baroness Maristella Voss has come to Solarys DEU to meet its chief, Chief Alex Lutherford.

But as it turns out, the one holding the position now is Chief Alicia Lutherford.

Are they related?

"Do you still wish to see the Chief, Your Ladyship?"

"Yes, I do."

"Chief Lutherford is currently in a meeting with guests. If Your Ladyship doesn’t mind, you’re welcome to wait in the waiting room."

"Shall I take you there, Your Ladyship?"

The Baroness nods.

She follows the receptionist into the waiting room.

The receptionist closes the door. Just as he turns away, he sees Chief Lutherford exiting the meeting room with her guests.

He returns to his station to wait for Chief Lutherford.

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Arthur and Chief Lutherford chat casually as they walk toward the front door. Theo and Maeve trail at the very back, with both lieutenants behind them.

Suddenly, Theo stops.

Lt. Kerr almost walks straight into his back.

Maeve stops as well and looks at him.

Theo blinks once. Then again.

Slowly, he turns his head toward the waiting room door.

He blinks a third time.

"Thea?" Maeve asks quietly.

"Ms. Montrose?" Lt. Cole asks.

Arthur and the rest of the group stop, all attention shifting to Theo.

"What is it?" Liam asks.

After a few seconds, Theo shakes his head and smiles.

"Nothing."

He resumes walking.

The rest of them follow.

As they move again, Theo casts one last glance at the waiting room door.

Then his attention shifts to the exit.

A faint smile curves his lips.

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"Do you need to see the gym?" Chief Lutherford asks.

"That’s a good idea. I’ll go take a look. We might need to change a few things before I can install it," Julian says.

"And please inform us of the requirements. We’ll prepare everything," Captain Chambers adds. He’s visibly excited about Montrose HB.

So far, he’s only heard rumors. Montrose Corporation had announced it as one of their upcoming products, scheduled to launch in the next few months.

But those months had passed without any updates.

Now, thanks to their chief’s shamelessness, Solarys DEU will be the first to have Montrose HB.

Their Sentinels’ abilities would be upgraded.

"I can’t believe it. We’re going to have HB here," Lt. Cole says.

Julian looks around. "It seems that all of you here like to train?"

The officers glance at one another.

Chief Lutherford is the one who answers. "Not only do we like to train, we have a rule here. Every officer must enter a dungeon at least once a month. That includes me. All of us are registered Sentinels."

Arthur’s eyebrows shoot up. "That’s rare. Most management officers in DEU aren’t combat-ready."

The officers don’t say anything, but from their expressions alone, it’s clear they used to do that. Something happened that forced a change in policy.

"Chief, I’ll take Mr. Julian to the gym," Lt. Kerr says.

"Let’s all go," Chief Lutherford says. "I want to show Rhaenas around."

She looks at Arthur. "Do you have time?"

Arthur nods. "Yes, we do."

Chief Lutherford smiles. "Then let’s go."

"Excuse me, Chief," the receptionist calls.

"What is it, Harre?"

"You have a guest waiting. Baroness Voss. She’s in the waiting room."

Theo holds his smile.

Each of Rhaenas exchanges a brief look, as if silently saying, Ah. It’s her.

Chief Lutherford notices. "You know her?"

"We’re acquaintances," Arthur answers.

Before anyone can add anything, the waiting room door opens, almost on cue.

The Baroness steps out, taking in the group. She gasps lightly.

Her face brightens, but her eyes don’t.

"Oh, if it isn’t Arthur and Thea. How rare to meet you here," she says as she approaches.

She greets Arthur and Theo first, barely acknowledging the rest.

"It’s nice to see you, Your Ladyship," Arthur says, polite and measured.

"Yes, I came to see Chief Lutherford," the Baroness replies smoothly. "But I was informed that Chief Alex Lutherford is no longer in charge. Instead, it is Chief Alicia Lutherford. They share the same last name. I was wondering if they’re related. And where has Alexander gone?"

She delivers it in her usual slow, precise enunciation.

Rhaenas glance at the officers. None of them speak.

Chief Lutherford steps forward.

"I am Alicia Lutherford, Your Ladyship. It’s an honor to finally meet you." She extends her hand.

"You are the Chief?" the Baroness asks, disbelief faint but unmistakable.

"Yes, Your Ladyship. At your service."

"Are you related to Alexander?" the Baroness asks.

"Yes," Chief Lutherford answers, her voice lower now. "Alex was my older brother."

The Baroness blinks. "Was?"

Silence.

"He died a few months ago. In a dungeon," Chief Lutherford says.

The Baroness lets out a perfectly timed gasp.

"I am so sorry to hear that, Alicia."

The Baroness steps closer and takes Chief Lutherford’s hand.

"Thank you, Your Ladyship."

Chief Lutherford smiles faintly, though she feels uncomfortable for reasons she can’t quite place.

After a brief pause, the Baroness turns her attention elsewhere.

"And what are you doing here, Arthur? Thea?"

"It was me who invited them, Your Ladyship," Chief Lutherford says quickly, before Arthur can answer.

"Oh?" The Baroness lifts one perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"Yes, Your Ladyship. We’re planning to install Montrose Hologram Battle here. I heard Mr. Julian was in Solarys, so I invited him to survey the gym." She straightens slightly. "He’s here for a preliminary assessment."

"Ah. Business."

The Baroness releases Chief Lutherford’s hand and reaches for Arthur’s instead.

"You must remember to rest and enjoy yourself, young Arthur," she says, her tone slipping into something subtly seductive. "You can’t work all the time."

The rest of the group, those who have never seen or heard the Baroness speak like this, are completely dumbfounded.

Only Arthur smiles politely. "We’re in Solarys to do both, Your Ladyship."

"And we were just about to head to the gym when you came out," he adds. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Ah, perfect timing."

The Baroness smoothly steps closer and hooks her arm through Arthur’s, fingers curling around his left arm. "I’d love to see the gym as well."

Arthur can only lift his arm into a gentleman’s posture, allowing her to hold his inner elbow as they stand there, an image that is, unfortunately, far too striking.