Chapter 1445

Dominic stood, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. "Come with me!"

Lily followed obediently. They walked through the backyard, past a promenade, to a secluded corner. The area had once been wasteland, but Dominic had renovated it, even building a small hut. He opened the door, revealing a chorus of clucking.

"Pigeons?!" Lily's eyes widened. "When did you get so many?"

"Carrier pigeons," Dominic corrected. "Specially trained. Don't underestimate their size; these birds can fly incredible distances and always find their way home."

Lily was speechless. Then, a frown creased her brow. "How far? Could they reach Burnwken?"

"Of course!" he answered confidently. "They could cross the Pacific! My pigeons can go almost anywhere!"

"Have you tried them?" she asked, a little suspicious.

"What, do you think I'm bored sitting here all day? Do you think I don't care what's happening outside?" Dominic playfully smacked her head with a fan. "Do you want me to rot here alone?"

Lily was once again at a loss for words. She'd wrongly assumed he only kept up with news through the maids. Unexpectedly, he'd been managing this operation entirely on his own. He was just as intelligent as ever—a master, truly.

Noticing her surprise, Dominic shook his head, smacked his lips, and gestured toward the pigeons. "Look. These are flying north, these south, and the others west." He pointed out different flocks.

Lily noticed a group of unusually plump pigeons at the edge. "What about those? East?"

"No," Dominic shook his head. "Those are..." He paused, then quickly interjected, "...for eating."

"What?!" Lily exclaimed. It seemed each pigeon had a preordained destiny.

"It smells in here; let's get out!" Dominic ushered her away, concerned the smell might overwhelm her.

"So, convinced now?" He puffed out his chest proudly.

Lily was indeed. She hadn't expected him to still use carrier pigeons.

"Why don't we wait another two days? I've already sent a pigeon to inquire about the news, but it hasn't returned. Let's wait before deciding whether to go," Dominic suggested. He'd been discreetly investigating Alexander's situation. He knew Lily worried, and he didn't want his apprentice to suffer. Besides, he pitied the "little devil spawn" without his father. He was also curious about the severity of the spreading plague, which news reports described as rapidly escalating. His years of studying medicinal herbs fueled his interest in this epidemic.

Lily considered this, glancing at the hut. Hesitantly, she said, "Okay… sure!" The older man was truly something else.