"In the herb hut in the backyard," Austin pointed toward the backyard. "I'll take you there."

Alexander was in no hurry. "What about the servants?"

"They're in their quarters. They've been told not to work until they've fully recovered. Everyone is to rest and is not allowed to go out," Austin replied, puzzled by his own obedience.

Alexander nodded. "Those are your granduncle's orders?"

"Yes," Austin responded quickly, then confusion clouded his face. "How do you know?"

Dominic's illness implied Austin had been managing the household. Yet, Alexander seemed to know immediately these were Dominic's orders.

"You're not that far-sighted," Alexander retorted with a smirk, surprising Austin.

Austin, about to defend himself, considered Alexander's point. Without Dominic's prior instructions, before his fever, Austin never would have thought to confine the servants.

The servants only exhibited symptoms after Dominic fell ill, all within three days. Austin had been impressed by his granduncle's foresight, as if Dominic had anticipated everything, preventing servant contact with outsiders and confining them to their quarters.

"You're right," Austin admitted, the words long withheld.

"You seem alright," Alexander observed, studying him.

Austin looked at himself, scratching his head, then tugged his hair in frustration. "It's because I'm fine that I hate myself more!"

"Are you the source?" Alexander asked.

"How do you know?!" Austin was baffled. "Did you study medicine?"

"No," Alexander shook his head. "You said it was your fault, so I assumed you're the source, or host." He paused, searching for a better term. "Because of you, everyone around you is infected—some severely—yet you, the source, are fine."

Austin rubbed his arm. "I—I'm not sure." He'd considered it, but remained uncertain, even questioning Dominic, only to be dismissed as self-centered before Dominic fell unconscious again. The doubt resurfaced now, prompted by Alexander.

"My granduncle cured the poison in my body. How can I be the host? I've never encountered anything like this."

Alexander nodded; he'd never encountered this either. The past few days had been unusual. Still, they were insignificant in a world of billions. Who knew what else existed?

Alexander turned, produced a thermometer, and squinted at it.

"How is it?" Austin asked anxiously.

"38.5," Alexander replied flatly, glancing at Austin.

"He has a fever," Austin stated. The simple words held significant weight. He feared the child might be infected, and they still didn't know the nature of the disease, its potential harm, or the consequences.