Chapter 383: Failed to find Xenia

"Lara, where is Xenia? What are you doing here?" Henry asked as he emerged from the basement storeroom after finishing the inventory.

"My sister brought me here. She was here a moment ago," Lara replied, swinging her little legs from the chair.

Henry frowned and glanced around the restaurant, but Xenia was nowhere in sight. "Thomas, have you seen Xenia?" he called to his younger brother, who was speaking with one of the tea servers.

Thomas turned at the sound of his name and shook his head. "No, I haven’t seen her."

Henry searched the kitchen, checking the rooms at the back before stepping outside to look around. However, he couldn’t find Xenia anywhere.

Henry grew increasingly worried as he failed to find Xenia. After another fruitless search, he decided to report her disappearance to the local police station. However, before he could leave, a horse came to a sudden stop nearby.

Henry halted when Samir dismounted and approached him. Recognizing the man, he waited for him to speak.

"Miss Xenia is with Prince August," Samir informed him after exchanging greetings. "They are both waiting for you and your family at your home. His Highness sent me to deliver the message."

"Did Xenia do something wrong?" Henry asked, his concern deepening at the mention of Prince August.

"Not at all," Samir assured him. "However, His Highness needs to discuss an urgent matter with your family. I suggest you close the restaurant early today. Prince August will compensate you for the hours you lose."

Before Henry could respond, Ethan and Thomas approached them. Noticing the serious expressions on Henry’s face, they immediately asked what had happened.

Henry briefly explained what Samir had told him, leaving both brothers exchanging uncertain glances.

"We’ll inform our eldest brother," Henry said before turning toward the restaurant.

"Please do," Samir replied with a reassuring smile. "You needn’t worry. It’s nothing alarming, but His Highness has an important matter to discuss with your family."

The three brothers nodded and went inside. They found Charlie first and explained the situation to him, then sought out Oliver to bring him into the conversation as well.

Although Samir’s words had eased some of their concerns, none of them could quite understand why Prince August had summoned their entire family so suddenly.

~~~~~

Damian sat in the motorcar, gazing out of the window at the grounds blanketed in snow.

The streets had grown quieter as the temperature dropped, and most people hurried along, eager to escape the biting cold.

However, his attention soon settled on a mother and her young son sitting by the roadside, begging for money.

Neither of them was dressed warmly enough for the weather, and the child was visibly shivering as he huddled close to his mother.

"Stop the car!" Damian ordered immediately.

The driver applied the brakes, bringing the motorcar to a halt. Maurice, who was seated opposite Damian, turned toward him with a questioning look.

"Your Grace, has something happened?"

"Over there. That mother and her son are freezing in the cold." Damian pointed toward the pair. "Go and help them."

He reached into his pocket, took out his wallet, and removed several bills before handing them to Maurice.

"Buy them warm clothes and something to eat. Make sure they have enough to get through the next few days."

"Understood, Your Grace." Maurice accepted the money and stepped out of the motorcar.

As Damian watched him approach the mother and child, his thoughts drifted to Eilika and Roman. It had been days since he had last seen his wife’s face, and weeks had passed since he had spent time with his son. The distance weighed on him heavily.

Roman had never been particularly attached to him, and Damian knew he had not always been the father his son deserved.

Nevertheless, he wanted to do better. He wanted Roman to grow up knowing that his father cared for him, even if Damian had struggled to express that affection in the past.

Damian lowered his gaze to his left hand, and a faint smile touched his lips as he looked at his wedding ring. He turned it slightly with his thumb, his thoughts returning to Eilika.

Just a few more days, and I’ll be standing in front of you again.

After a while, he looked out of the window and saw Maurice handing the bags to the woman. Maurice spoke to her and her young son, offering them a few words of comfort before placing some money in the woman’s hands. The woman bowed her head repeatedly in gratitude while the child clung to her side.

Maurice soon returned to the motorcar and climbed inside.

"Your Grace, they asked me to convey their gratitude for your kindness," he reported as he settled into his seat.

Damian glanced at the mother and child one last time before giving a quiet hum. His expression grew thoughtful as the motorcar prepared to move again.

"I wonder how we can ever put an end to poverty," he remarked as the motorcar finally began to move. "Even in Varos, there are so many people forced to beg on the streets. The situation must be worse in places where no one bothers to look after them."

His gaze lingered on the snow-covered road ahead. As a duke, he had the means to help those who crossed his path, but he knew that offering money to a few people would not solve a problem that affected so many. There had to be a way to provide lasting support rather than temporary relief.

"I remember the project Louis asked you to approve for," Maurice reminded him. "The construction had been completed by the time we left for Varos. It took only a month, and it provided the workers with a source of income while creating shelters for those who had nowhere to go."

"Yes, but there are still many people who need help," Damian replied, his expression thoughtful. "Providing shelter is only the first step. I want to expand business opportunities so that more people can find steady employment and support themselves. If we can give them a chance to earn a living, they won’t have to depend on others for every meal."

Maurice nodded, pleased to hear that Damian was already considering ways to extend the project. "That would certainly make a difference, Your Grace."

"I hope so," Damian said, looking out at the snow-covered streets again. "Everyone has the right to live. And I want to make it possible for the poor."