Chapter 12: A New Plan and Old Faces

(Marcus's PoV)

Morning had given way to afternoon by the time Marcus sat down for the next council meeting. The weight of the past few days hung over him, but the urgency of the situation kept him focused. Winter was coming fast, and the duchy was on the brink of a food shortage. He knew he had to act quickly.

Around the long table sat familiar faces—men and women who had served his family for years. Commander Reinhart sat to his right, ever stoic, while across from him sat Count Albrecht, an old ally of his father, who governed the southern region of the duchy. The count had known Marcus since childhood and had often been a voice of reason for his father. Baroness Marla, a sharp-witted woman with a reputation for managing resources, sat quietly at the end of the table, watching Marcus with careful eyes.

They all knew him as the boy who had once been just an heir, but now, they waited for his words as their leader.

Marcus cleared his throat, placing the rough sketches he had drawn up on the table. "I've been thinking about how we can solve the food shortage," he began. "If we continue as we are, the winter will crush us. We won't have enough supplies to last through the cold months, and the blizzards could cut off our supply routes."

He pointed to the sketches. "I have an idea—a way to grow food, even in the middle of winter. We can build greenhouses. They'll be enclosed structures where elementalists can control the environment. Fire elementalists will maintain warmth, water elementalists will manage irrigation, and earth elementalists will ensure the soil stays fertile."

The room was silent for a moment. Count Albrecht rubbed his chin, looking skeptical. "Greenhouses, you say? I've never heard of such a thing, lad. You're saying we could grow crops in the dead of winter?"

Marcus nodded. "Exactly. By controlling the environment inside the greenhouses, we can extend the growing season year-round. We can grow the food we need instead of relying on imports from the south."

Baroness Marla raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "It's an interesting concept, Your Grace. But constructing these greenhouses will take resources we're already short on—wood, glass, labor. And we'll need to build them before the worst of the cold sets in."

Marcus turned to her. "That's why I need your expertise, Baroness. You know how to manage resources better than anyone. I want you to oversee the construction, ensure that we're using what we have wisely. If anyone can make this work, it's you."

She nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "I'll see to it, Your Grace. It's ambitious, but if it works, it could solve more than just this winter's problems."

Marcus shifted his gaze to Count Albrecht. "I'll need materials from your southern territories—wood, glass, and anything else you can spare. I know your region hasn't been hit as hard by the cold yet, and we'll need those supplies to get started."

The old count sighed heavily, but his gruff voice softened slightly. "I'll send what we can. Don't expect miracles, boy, but I'll do what I can."

The rest of the meeting moved quickly. They discussed logistics, gathering the necessary resources, and mobilizing the labor force. Marcus felt a weight lifting as the council slowly began to accept his plan. They didn't fully understand it, but they trusted him enough to try. It was a start.

---

Later that day, Marcus returned to his office, mentally drained from the meeting. He sank into his chair, looking over the maps and reports scattered across his desk. His mind was still buzzing with the details of the greenhouse project, but his body was crying out for rest.

Just as he began to rub his temples, a soft knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

"Come in," he called, his voice a little rough from the day's discussions.

The door creaked open, and Ellie stepped inside. Her red hair, just like his, shimmered in the low afternoon light. She wasn't her usual bubbly self today; her eyes were red-rimmed, likely from crying. 

"Brother," she said softly, her voice trembling slightly.

Marcus felt a pang in his chest. Seeing her like this made him forget about everything else. "Ellie," he said, motioning for her to come closer. "What's wrong?"

She walked slowly toward him, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress. "I... I was just worried. You've been so busy... with everything. You fought in a battle, and now you're talking about food shortages and building things. Aren't you tired?"

Marcus smiled wearily and pulled her into a gentle hug. "I'm alright, Ellie. I'm doing this for us. For the duchy, and for you."

She rested her head against his chest, her small hands clutching the fabric of his coat. "I miss them, Brother. Mom and Dad. It doesn't feel right without them here."

Her words cut deep, and Marcus swallowed the lump in his throat. He tightened his arms around her, as if holding her tighter could shield her from all the pain. "I know, Ellie. I miss them too. Every day. But I'll take care of you. I promised I would, didn't I?"

Ellie sniffled and nodded, her tears soaking into his shirt. "You did... but it's so hard. Sometimes I feel like they're still here... and then I remember they're not."

Marcus kissed the top of her head, feeling his own emotions rising. "We have each other now. And I'm going to make sure we're safe. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise."

Ellie wiped her eyes, pulling back slightly to look up at him. "You always keep your promises, Brother. But... please don't forget to take care of yourself too. You're doing so much."

He smiled down at her, his heart aching. "I'll be alright, Ellie. You don't have to worry about me."

She gave him a small, fragile smile before wrapping her arms around his waist again. "I do worry, though. I can't help it."

They stayed like that for a long moment, holding onto each other, both of them trying to find comfort in the presence of the other. Marcus felt a sense of peace wash over him, despite the chaos that surrounded them. Ellie was the reason he kept fighting, kept pushing forward. He couldn't fail her.

---

After Ellie had fallen asleep, Marcus found himself back at his desk, staring at the plans for the greenhouses. The project was ambitious, but if they could pull it off, it would change everything. It wasn't just about surviving the winter; it was about securing the future of the duchy.

He rubbed his tired eyes and leaned back in his chair, thinking about the conversations from earlier. Baroness Marla had already started making arrangements for the construction, and Count Albrecht had promised the materials. The pieces were falling into place, slowly but surely.

But it wasn't enough.

He needed to do more. He needed to ensure the duchy's long-term survival, not just through the winter, but for years to come. And that meant thinking beyond just food.

As he sat there, staring at the flickering candlelight, an idea began to form in his mind. There were other problems to solve—the monster attacks, the lack of support from the imperial family, and the dwindling resources. But for now, he had to start with what he could control.

"I'll make this work," Marcus whispered to himself. "For Ellie. For everyone."

The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, but with his sister's image in his mind, he found the strength to keep going.