To Death Shall Thy Part

Chapter 20 - Fatherly Concern

Luke did not say a word and kept his head down. Lord Zachary didn't mind either and just ignore him. Silence enveloped the whole cabin. It was a suffocating silence, that even the sleeping Doctor Helene could feel. After feeling the weird atmosphere, Doctor Helene woke up from her nap.

"What happened?" the two men glanced at each other before Lord Zachary replied.

"It was nothing." Despite not believing a single word from Lord Zachary, Doctor Helene nodded to dismiss him. Luke, on the other hand, had an unexplained face. And thus, another awkward silence occurred. It wasn't until one of the senior doctors from the next cabin came up to them and said that they have arrived.

"Thank you for informing. We'll catch up." Lord Zachary gave a friendly smile. After saying his piece, he personally wakes up Catherine, who is still sleeping on Luke's shoulder.

"Catherine... Catherine, wake up. We have arrived." Catherine groggily wakes up from her sleep. Lord Zachary assisted her while distancing her from Luke. Luke who understood Lord Zachary's real intention did not mind.

"I'll go first and help them out. Excuse me." Luke then left. Doctor Helene wanted to ask again but before she could, she was silent with Lord Zachary's stare. Doctor Helene did not press on the matter.

"Oh! Lord Zachary, are we there yet?" Catherine asks as she grabbed the water given to her by Lord Zachary. "We have just arrived. And it seems like our carriage have just arrived too. How coincidental." It was Doctor Helene who responded while looking outside the train.

"Let's go, everyone is waiting for us." Lord Zachary then left while Doctor Helene gave Catherine a smile before following him. Catherine checks herself through her reflection in the train window before going out.

"Durham is way better than I expected it to be..."

"Yeah, I was also expecting a rural village but this could count as a city."

"Although it is not grand like London, it is bustling."

Comments from the different doctors echoed through the station. The coachman from the carriage smiled at their words. "We take pride in our place. And we have the newly moved Noble to thank for. If it wasn't for them, Durham would be in chaos. The previous nobles residing here are cruel and often take advantage of us. But the Moriarty not only was kind but also generous."

"The Moriarty's, you say?" Luke asked in contemplation. "Yes. They came from the capital. They were very good. They gave the farmers a few months of rent for free to recover and start anew. We really owe it to them." the coachman replied enthusiastically.

"Let's chat on the road, it is getting dark." Lord Zachary cut off the conversation and urge everyone to ride the carriage. The sky is getting darker and a hint of rain is felt. Everyone agreed to let the topic off and entered their own carriage. The trip was a lovely one, despite it dark and a bit cold. The lively neighborhood gives off a serene vibe to the exhausting doctors. And what makes them smile even further, was their destination.

Although it was not big enough, the building itself gives off a hospital vibe. Unlike in Oakwood which looked like a retirement home, the atmosphere and surroundings totally resembled a hospital. Seeing a place like this, the doctors were enthusiastic. After all, the hospital for them was like a safe haven.

"We have arrived. Please do feel comfortable while you are here in Durham." the coachman then bid goodbye and left.

In front of the building, a woman in her mid 40's emerges from the entrance. She smiled warmly at the group of doctors and welcomes them.

"Welcome dear doctors to our humble hospital. I am the Hospital Director, Mary Schubert." Director Mary held out her hand for a handshake. Lord Zachary gladly accepts it. "We are also honored to be able to serve here in your hospital. Please, let's have a great collaboration."

"I do know that you are all tired and hungry, so we have prepared a simple banquet for you. Please, come inside and eat. You must be starving." the Director lead the way while some staff and resident doctors came out to help them carry their luggage.

The inside of the hospital gives off warm vibes, unlike the stony structure outside, the inside was furnished with a classic European theme. The inside structure is composed of plain white walls and decorated with simple paintings. After arriving at the dining room, a simple yet scrumptious meal was served on the table, while some of the kitchen staff poured them lemonades.

"Although it is not much, please..." the director signaled for the doctors to sit. Some of the doctors smiled and sat down excitedly, while some went to offer to assist which the helpers decline.

"Director, no need to stand ceremoniously with us. We are all equal here. Please join us." It was Doctor Helene who just sat, replied.

"It is alright doctor, we already had our dinner earlier. And that food is meant for the guest. Please, don't mind us." the director warmly smiled. "If you need anything, you can call on Sister Ann for assistance." and an old woman, probably in her mid 60's came out behind the director. Sister Ann gave a curt smile before walking to the side.

Maybe it was because all of them are starving and tired from the trip, after they give a nod to Sister Ann, they started eating in silence. The Director, Sister Ann, and the rest knowingly understand the situation and went to the adjoining room to give them space. They only went back to the hall for serving desserts and giving drinks.

"You must be all tired, we won't take much of your time and let you rest. Sister Ann will show you to your own respective rooms. Have a good night everyone." the Director said and left. Sister Ann, who is waiting on the side silently, gave a nod and pointed to a hallway in the east.

"This way please." the doctors followed her silently. After arriving at a hallway in the east, Sister Ann started to designate the doctors to their rooms. The division was based on their genders. The boys have 4 rooms with 2 occupying a room. The girls, including Catherine, were also given the same instruction. Only Lord Zachary and Doctor Helene were given single rooms on their own. The others didn't object to this arrangement and went to their rooms after thanking Sister Ann and bidding her good night.

After a long and exhausting day, Catherine took a quick bath and lazily lay in bed. Recalling the earlier conversation and the mention of the Moriarty household, Catherine had a long smile on her face. She was looking forward to tomorrow's work, thinking that she might have a chance to take a glance at the eldest Moriarty while touring the town tomorrow. With that in mind, she went to sleep in a happy mood.

On the other hand, In Lord Zachary's room

"Spill it. They are all gone to sleep. What really happened earlier? You seemed angry at someone... in particular, Luke." Doctor Helene ask as soon as she arrived and closed the door. Hearing her question, Lord Zachary faced Doctor Helene with a somber look.

"I don't like the way he looked at Catherine. It feels off. Like he had an ulterior motive." Lord Zachary sat down on his bed.

"Why do you say so? How did he look at her? Don't you think you are overreacting?" Doctor Helene asks in doubt.

"No. Sometimes, a man's intuition is spot on. I am also a man, Doctor Helene, I know what his look means. He has an unpleasant design for Catherine. He was looking at her like a prey looked at his victim." Lord Zachary retorted while looking at Doctor Helene seriously.

"I understand your intentions. Even I too would be alarmed to hear this kind of matter. Just make sure it won't affect our Mission. Fine then!" Doctor Helene Stands up, getting ready to leave, when she reached the door, she paused. "I won't intervene in this matter, but how would you solve this?"

"No need to worry. I have a plan in mind. Make sure not to speak about this matter to Catherine." Doctor Helene nodded and left.

Lord Zachary went to the table by the window, took a piece of paper, and readied the quill pen. He writes a long message on the paper. After finishing, he kept the paper in a small book he brought and placed it on his bedside table. After making sure it was covered with another book, he then went to sleep.