A/N: I'm sorry…it's been a year (nervous laughter) orz. Thank you for your patiency to follow this fic ;A;

Arthur's role in this chapter is kind of limited, more mysteries and characters ahead! XD

I will ask you to play detective a bit here, by the end of the story…even though it wasn't clear I have a clue for you to combine some of the clues from Francis dreams/thoughts from previous previous chapters. If you managed to do it, you might find an answer about one of the mysteries. If you already know the answer, please don't spoil it for people who haven't found it yet, good luck!

this one isn't beta-ed yet, I guess No Pain No Gain is busy at this moment, and I don't want to poke and annoy her ;_; I'm sorry for the inconvenience

Chapter 10: the Curious Hound

Footsteps were heard by the dawn in the shabby neighborhood, a young man looked around looking for an address latched on the white envelope. He sighed for several times, as his silent protest of having assignment to this certain area that he prefers to avoid now that he has a better place to live. He glanced once again to find a rather tilted building that he had not to investigate. He walked closely until he can read the dust and mold covered banner in front of the building.

Dragon Nest.

What a tacky name, he thought but it didn't matter anymore, he found the place, now that he had to do was to search the recipient of the letter.

He walked inside to find a rather young Asian male tending the receptionist table. The expressionless kid took a glance at him and said nothing, not even a greeting. He decided to approach him to show him the letter.

"Level 2. Room 202."

That boy informed him, he nodded and asked himself whether it is okay to come to someone's room even though he wasn't one of the employees nor the occupants, but duty is still duty, if he was to blame, he would tell the person to blame the receptionist.

He knocked the room 202's door several times and waited patiently.

The knocks bother him, he pushed his rather large companion to answer the knocks but the man was sleeping like he was dead. He grumbled and sit, blinking his eyes several times to shun away the sleep before dragged his naked feet to the front door.

The door was open after three times knocking, showing a grumpy petite Asian man with a lush long dark hair draped beautifully on his shoulder, darn he would say he was a woman if he didn't recognize the lack of chest lumps material that being shown since he was wearing rather loose fabric.

"Yes?" he asked.

"Ah, excuse me…," he startled. "I-I have a letter for a person called Ivan Braginski…"

"Yes, he lives here..." his eyes suddenly alerted, as if knowing that he or this person called Ivan Braginski was expecting his visit to deliver something.

He handed the letter to the pretty Asian and bid his goodbye. At least his job ended already, now the image of warm cream soup filling his mind as he stepped lightly out from the Dragon Nest and its shabby environment.

Back in the room, the Asian man had his hair tied into a tight ponytail before going back to the bed, where the true recipient of the letter still dreaming a bowl of shchi back on his harsh homeland, though he didn't mind to have Chinese hot and sour soup anytime of the days.

"Wake up you big oaf!"

When his call didn't affect the larger man, he decided to roll the other man until he fell down from the bed, the ash blond-haired man grunts in protest.

"Why do you always waking me up so harshly?"

"Be thankful I didn't kick you." The Asian man replied flatly.

"Does something happen?"

"You've got a letter." He handed him the white envelope.

The Russian gazed at the writing on the envelope, "Vash…"

He read the letter while his roommate was preparing for the morning tea. The Chinese man's murmured a forgotten children's song in his native, a habit he always done in the morning, accompanying whatever the Russian's do.

"What does the letter said?" his singing changed into question.

"He said, he probably already found the target that he was searching for in Arthur manor, and…"

"And?"

"It seems Arthur is quite infatuated with him, Vash said he was worried about this matter and he wanted to finish all this ring business immediately if he found any strong proofs. He needs me to clarify some things…"

"Oh," he responded curtly before adding. "So, there he goes…Francis basically is in tiger's den right now." He said, more to himself while remembering the sick man who always visiting his herbal medicine shop to suppress his sickness.

The Chinese man knew about Francis, even though his first meeting with little Mathieu in front of a toy shop several months ago was accidental, but after Ivan told him that he was appointed to search for a certain man, he couldn't let his eyes off from the father and son.

The Russian's chuckled before joining him in the small table they shared in the room, "Not quite right, Francis is in the grasp of the duke's hound. Vash is a very sharp man, he'll know if something amiss, Yao…" he sipped his tea.

"What will you do now?"

"Hmm…?"

"With all of this revealed so fast, what will you do? Which side you're in?" he calmly watched his roommate.

Ivan smiled and propped his head on his left hand, "Who knows…"

"Well then, we shall be going, don't blow the house kids." Arthur said before he followed his wife to the carriage.

Mathieu and Alfred waved their hands until the carriage disappear on the next turn. The boys were racing to Alfred's room, knowing that their favorite teacher will arrive soon. Now Francis was left with household tasks as Arthur's butler clapped his hands and distributing their tasks to prepare the master's comeback on the next day.

"Unbelievable that he told us to go first to somebody's party we don't know." Arthur started his morning sulking.

"It doesn't matter right, he will come eventually, he said he has something to do first."

"Yes, his stupid papers…"

"Now that you mention it, is there any indication that this papers you're talking about related to Mr. Bonnefoy?"

Arthur silenced upon hearing the name from his wife. "Since when it becomes your concern?"

"I was just asking," Rose seemed annoyed with his husband's reaction and she digs her purse to take his long smoking pipe. "He seemed rather interested in my conversation with Mr. Bonnefoy, though we didn't talk about something particular."

"Really?" her conversation picked his interest, "what did you talked about? Runaway plan?" he couldn't help but adding his signature acidic comment.

Rose blew plenty amount of smoke, enough to make the carriage clouded with thin amount of musty substance. "Don't be fool, I learned from my mistakes. If I don't know you better, I will think that you're jealous." She smiled upon seeing his face tensed. "Worry not, I was just asking about his previous life, where he lived…and such…nothing big. But actually that was a conversation that made Vash bolted back to his room…I don't know why…"

Arthur knew, if there is something that made Vash worked up, that would be things related to his sister Lili and his job. That small conversation maybe led him to another conclusion to reveal something about his servant's involvement with the Duc. Uneasiness rushed to his mind just by thinking of that, he had a bad feeling that things weren't as simple as he thought, that's why he asked Vash to give up this case for him.

But he refused him flatly – his involvement was more than a nail's deep and led by his sharp intuition, he knew he will succeed on finding what he needed.

He hated to admit that his lawyer's hunch (and proofs) is always stronger than his defense.

Ivan sighed after the long journey; his body was aching pleading for a nice stretch. Well, after his business was done, he would ask Yao to give him a massage he wanted, though he doubted that the lithe man would do something without charge. He decided to take a walk for a while, looking what kind of environment that Vash needed to know in his report.

It was a rather peace village, just like what he expected from a farmers' land. The thought came to him that asking to some people about Francis might be useful, though he already pocketing most of information before he came to this place himself, many of them weren't shared yet to Vash, he just love to see the Swiss man worked hard and confused.

He chuckled at the thought.

Ah, now that he was here, he needed to see the farm with his own eyes. He hoped the farm was still there just like his informant said to him several weeks ago.

The coachman delivered him to Le Lys de La Vallée Farm or someplace which held the name before. People said after the disappearance of Francis and the big fire, the farm was being taken by the Duc as sympathy. The person who was once an employer of a person whose body was found in the ruins overrules this place without thinking that he might be dragged in the murdering case, it was a very brave move, Ivan must admit.

Or he was doing it because he was desperate, very desperate he didn't care about the murder and burned down case. He has his alibi; he has his power, and everything seems perfect from the surface.

Ivan smirked. As a spy, he knew better.

The Duc manor was already filled by hundreds of people when Arthur arrived. He was grateful actually that he didn't have to face the Duc face to face. From the merriment of the party, even before the sun went down, Arthur was thinking that this person was a big spender. Of course his guests won't mind as long there were a lot of foods to eat and wine to drink.

Arthur helped Lili and Rose out from the carriage before escorting them to the entrance stairs where he shows his invitation to a security. The man examine his invitation and called a servant, he talked in a very low tone and handed Arthur, along with Rose and Lili to the care of the servant while

He led them to a different room and Arthur felt something's wrong. Maybe his hope to not meeting the host was too high, that God refused to grant.

When the door was open, he found a rather tall man sitting inside the room; his face was sullen, as if he was being dragged to this manor. Arthur didn't say a thing and kept walking until he found a seating.

The servant left them without anything to say. Arthur shifted uncomfortably on his chair, the journey in a carriage on bumpy road wasn't something he expected after he had sex with his servant, if only he knew the aftermath would be bad for his behind, he would immediately left before they can do things last night.

"You're like someone who just being stabbed in your behind by a shaft. You can't stay still since you were in the carriage." Rose's whispery comment made him froze.

"What are you talking about?" he asked nervously.

"You know what I'm talking about; I don't want you to look so ridiculous in front of the host because you can't sit."

"Tsk, mind your own concern!" Arthur raised his voice but he realized that they weren't the only one who was in the room. "…my pants isn't comfortable." He said almost whispering.

Rose glanced at the brown pants that Arthur wore. "Isn't that your favourite pants?"

"Sh-shut up!" Arthur can't take it anymore, some more questions or comments from his wife will make him explode in shame and blabber everything.

Their bickering was cut as the stranger with spiky hair talked in low voice. "Are you his special guest too?"

Arthur looked at the stranger and noticed that he was staring back at him. "I don't know, actually I was here because I was invited through my lawyer, he's Monsieur Bridoux's lawyer too."

"I see, he never invited someone who he thinks has no value in separate room like this. I think he'll make use of you, just like he make use of me…"

Arthur pressed his lips into a thin line, his hunch was true, this Duc was someone he didn't want to get involved with from the beginning.

"Excuse me…but you are?"

As if startled with his question, the tall man stood and reached out his hand, Arthur shook his hand firmly. "I'm Lars Janssen, his drugs dealer."

"Excuse me?" Arthur knitted his eyebrows.

"I was kidding, I trade spices and herbs from Oost-Indische, that would be the same as drugs dealer isn't it?" he said flatly.

"Your joke…is not funny…" Arthur felt sudden relief.

"Pardon me then…" he sat back to his chair, looking to someplace faraway as if he disappointed that he failed to share his joke.

"Excuse me but when you said about 'being used'…"

"That is…my case; I don't know what has in his sleeve for you. You should know Mister, once you involved with Monsieur Bridoux, it's hard to turn around and left, he knows too much and he won't hesitate to make you play in his palm."

Arthur knew that trusting stranger would be bad, but the other side was another stranger to him with indirect connection in crime.

"Are you telling me the truth?"

"Though I can't tell you what he has done to me, but I told you the truth…"

With that the doors were swung to open, showing a figure with his beaming white teeth within his broad smile.

"Welcome everybody!"

Vash put the last of the papers inside his suitcase after reviewing it again and again. He really hoped that Ivan will bring him good news from his trip to Ry; though the Russian said to him one day that the trip weren't really necessary.

He didn't say a thing about that matter, he just wanted Ivan to be there, and maybe he could find another clue he was missing or lacking. He knew Ivan knows much better than he was regarding this issue.

Who was actually Francis Bonnefoy?

What kind of person he was?

And his relationship with his client…

Also the gap he was looking for but he couldn't answer…

"If I spill the entire secrets, would that be no longer interesting?" Vash remembered that the larger man said that once in their meeting at Dragon Nest.

To be honest, he always felt uncomfortable every time Ivan smiled at him while his amethyst eyes were watching the change of expression on his face. Ivan was not an ordinary spy; he must appreciate Arthur for his patience dealing with a man who loved to play riddles and mental games such as Ivan. Dealing with him left Vash in exasperation of endless curiousity, Ivan only gave little things he want to know and keeping the rest, waiting for him to find out himself just by the clues he scatter here and there. It's not common for him thinking of what was the use of Ivan in the first place if he didn't give him the whole information.

"I know it will slow down your investigation towards this thief you're looking for but don't you feel curious about what will happen in the near future?" he asked him back, as if he was waiting for something that surely will happen.

Vash wondered, whether he gave another answer that time instead of giving up to his curiousity. Will Ivan spill out what he knew?

Now Arthur tangled himself with this suspect, he couldn't help but feel regret that actually the things were turning out to become more 'interesting' like Ivan said.

Also more complicated.

Arthur had personally asked him to back off this case; he couldn't do it even though it was a request from his savior. He was more interested to crack the puzzle that triggered this quest than the actual issue – which is theft. His hunch told him, he could reveal bigger case and reveal who was actually Francis, he couldn't leave Arthur in the hand of stranger, and his consciousness wouldn't allow him. He must make sure that Arthur was safe.

His room's door was knocked several times, he told the person behind the door to come in. It turned out to be Arthur's butler delivering him a yellowish envelope. He thanked him and eyed the envelope cautiously.

It was from Ivan.

He hastily opened the envelope to reveal its content, along with the letter Ivan inserted a paper cut with drawing of a stuffed bear. Vash puzzled and decided to read the letter first, maybe the Russian stated the meaning with the paper stuffed bear.

Good Evening Vash,

Reading your letter, I can see how things escalated and you find clues so fast. It becomes interesting isn't it now that our master is involved in this matter? Well maybe not in the actual case but emotionally attached to a suspect never be a good sign.

Ah, I know that you will eventually send me to the farm where our suspect once lived. Thinking about the atmosphere of being there reminds me that it took a lot of money to own a farm, right? This Francis maybe weren't just an ordinary man like you thought of him, maybe he was once a middle class person?

This thought about social life leads me to another thing I keep wondering lately, that is being in relationship with people who has status lower than you are becoming a trend in the upper-class society in this recent year. Maybe it happened in the past but it becomes more transparent lately. It reminds you about someone?

Vash could see the Russian chuckled.

It's a really risky relationship, not to mention if the lord impregnates the maid, that would be quite a scandal! Especially if in the future, the lord is more favoring his illegitimate child, you have to see how hell breaks in the nobleman's house, so scary! I actually wonder to myself what will happen to the mistress and her children since I wasn't come from the upper class society.

But if it's with Arthur, I don't really think that you should worry about that! He knew better, that's why he decided to keep a man as his secret lover.

Vash rolled his eyes upon reading the sarcasm.

Did you remember your childhood, Vash?

I do remember mine, my mother will usually knit me scarves to protect me from the harshness of Russian winter, and after that my older sister Katyusha continues this activities, not only scarves but she made me various colours of mittens. I couldn't stop her though I have tons of her knitting already, I know her intentions are good and I take her entire knits as my beloved treasures.

Do you have childhood memento, Vash?

With love,

Ivan

P.S: I love bear.

Vash let an angry growl escaping his mouth. He couldn't understand with all this nonsense Ivan wrote, and the stuffed bear he draw and cut, what did he smoke when he wrote this letter? It was so skippy, he talked about the nobleman, mistress and things like that to childhood memories and who cares about his liking towards bear? Was it possible that his brain already broke because he hide so much secret and drink so much vodka? He held the stuffed bear paper cut between his thumb and index fingers, eyeing it as if it could give him answer he needed.

Unless Ivan tried to play riddles with him…

His lips curled into thin smile, the hound already decided. "Challenge accepted, Ivan."

Back in the kitchen, Arthur's butler collected the entire servants and maids to distribute the tasks to welcome their master tomorrow evening. He said that the master and madam might be tired with their trip; he wanted to make sure that Arthur will be given the best service in his own household.

Francis was responsible for helping the chef preparing dinner, but when the chef pointing at the living turkey, he couldn't help but let a grumble escaping his mouth, but he wasn't someone who can complain, it was his job and he has to do it.

Now Arthur's away and he hadn't talked to him today, talking about what happened last night, their feelings, what did it meant for them, or something like that. Well, it was kind of hard when the person he wanted to talk with disappear before the he opened his eyes; maybe he was gone right after the sex, who knows?

"Thinking about last night?"

Francis almost dropped the grindstone to his feet when he heard a familiar voice, asking about what has been bothering him this early morning.

"Mr. Vash, I-I thought you're leaving already?"

"No, I must compile and arrange my papers; it took longer than I thought, so I send Lili first, I was expected there not for the party anyway…" he stopped and watches the Frenchman. "How's your feeling towards Arthur?"

"Eh?"

"I'm going to be blunt to you, I'm investigating about you, about your relationship with my client named Rodolphe Bridoux, I wasn't expecting Arthur to be involved but your relationship with him makes him tangled in this situati-"

"Please hold on a moment, I don't understand what you mean with all of these relationships. Didn't I tell you that I know nothing about your client, and now you mentioned Arthur?!" Francis must thank the God above that when Vash blurting everything with his uncontrolled mouth, no one was there.

"Oh, then I was wrong then, I thought what you shared last night with Arthur was something. If that doesn't mean a thing for you or Arthur, I should stop worrying that much…" he turned his heels to walk away from the cage that Kirkland family has to keep the chicken and turkey alive for a while, before they were cooked.

"What?"

But Vash was stopped midway; he turned his body and eyeing the Frenchman with his sharp green eyes. "About your relationship with my client, we just don't know…yet. But I will unravel it, with Arthur's approval or not."

Rodolphe Bridoux, Rudolphe Bridoux…

That name kept repeating in Francis' head from the time Vash retreating himself. His hands trembled and he his feet were losing its ability to support him to stand straight. He walked back to the kitchen with wobbly feet, his presence gaining the attention from his chef who asked whether he was okay.

He decided to sit on the nearest stool that his chef prepared for him, when the name was formed again, the memories of his deceased wife rushing. A woman without face, only her voice soothing him down, telling him everything was alright, now that she was happy in heaven, together with Mathieu.

Together…with Mathieu…

~to be continued~

A/N: have you find out? hehe

Translation:

Oost-Indische: East India which means Indonesia. Short history that the Dutch once colonialized the land of spices (Indonesia) to monopolize the spice trading to Europe through its trading company called VOC (the first multinational company in the world also the first one to issue stocks) - which acted like a country inside a country (it was privileged with armies, weapons, and negotiating with other countries). In this timeline 1850-ish, VOC was already bankrupt because its conflict with Great Britan in Indonesia and the corruption inside this trading company was very strong. Then Oost-Indische (and the spice trading) was taken by the Netherlands' kingdom.