Lucas closed his eyes, the weight of the problem pressing down on him. Lucia, sitting across from him, stared at the ceiling, the bright chandeliers reflecting off her tired eyes. The silence between them was heavy, thick with unspoken thoughts.
A soft knock broke the stillness.
"Come in," Lucas said, his voice strained.
The door opened, and Serena entered, her presence a brief, calming disruption. She carried a tray with chamomile tea and some light refreshments, the aroma of the tea filling the air as she set it down before them.
She noticed the exhaustion in both of their faces and immediately began pouring the tea. "Lucas, how is it going?" she asked softly, concern in her voice.
Lucas looked up, his eyes clouded with fatigue. "People are still dying, Mother," he said, his tone grim. "There's no one left on the streets anymore, not unless they need essentials. It's as if the life has drained from the entire Duchy."
Serena, her hand gently resting on the edge of the tray, gave him a sympathetic look. "It's hard, I know," she said quietly. "But we'll get through this. Together."
But in Serena's mind, a storm was raging.
Finally, she was getting along with her children, seeing the warmth she longed for—but now, this sudden disaster had hindered everything. It weighed heavily on her heart.
She sat there, thinking for a while, her fingers lightly tapping the table. Slowly, her eyes grew determined.
"Lucas," she said, her voice calm but firm, "how about setting up a medical camp? Many people aren't getting enough treatment. If this goes on, I'm afraid the Duchy will be wiped out."
Lucas, startled by her suggestion, sat up straighter, exchanging a glance with Lucia, who also seemed to stir from her thoughts.
Both of them agreed without much hesitation. In truth, they had thought about it before, but there had been too much uncertainty, too much risk to act recklessly. Now that the Dowager Duchess—their mother—had suggested it herself, there was no room for doubt. They must mobilize.
Lucas let out a small breath and nodded. "Alright. We'll do it. I'll take charge of setting it up."
He stood, determination returning to his tired face.
"Get ready, Lucia, Mother," he said, his voice steady.
Lucia nodded firmly, her usual blankness replaced with quiet resolve. Serena smiled faintly, hope flickering in her chest.
The next morning, the manor bustled with hurried footsteps.
Messages were sent across the Duchy, calling for healers, herbalists, and anyone with basic medical knowledge.
Temporary tents were ordered to be set up in the open field just outside the city's northern gate, close enough for easy access.
Lucia stood by Serena, watching the servants load supplies onto wagons.
Serena was carefully sorting bandages and herbs into baskets with the help of Rika.
Lucas returned, dust on his boots, his expression hard but focused.
"The first tents are ready," he reported, wiping his forehead. "But we'll need more beds and a storage place for medicine."
Serena nodded, already thinking ahead.
"I'll have the old warehouse cleaned. It's close to the camp and large enough," she said. "Rika, inform Aiden to prepare it immediately."
"Yes, Your Grace," Rika answered, bowing and running off.
The urgency in the air felt suffocating, but for once, Serena didn't feel alone. She had her children beside her.