Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 193: The Bordering Village (7) Wilhelmina’s Uncertainty

Chapter 193: The Bordering Village (7) Wilhelmina’s Uncertainty

"Hm. I didn’t expect you to wake up late," Lyan’s voice startled Wilhelmina as he appeared behind her with a warm smile. He held a plate of food that he gave to a passing child, along with another plate that he had for himself.

Wilhelmina turned around to face him, feeling her heart beat faster at the sight of him. "I did go to bed early last night. I was very tired from all the things that happened yesterday," she explained.

"Is that so? Here," Lyan handed her the plate of food before sitting down at one of the tables. "Thank you," Wilhelmina said gratefully.

"You’re welcome," Lyan replied with a smile as they both ate their meal. They conversed like old friends, catching up on the latest happenings and sharing stories from their past.

As they were midway through their meal, Lyan finished first and left the table to clean up. Some of the other former slaves that he had saved followed him to help. Wilhelmina couldn’t help but feel grateful for his kindness and generosity towards them.

While they were alone, Wilhelmina’s thoughts wandered to the day when he saved all of them. She remembered the feeling of reassurance he gave her with just his presence, making her feel safe and protected. A part of her couldn’t help but feel attracted to him as a woman, but the image of him with Aisha kept flashing in her mind, causing a sense of annoyance to emerge within her.

She tried her best to push the thoughts out of her mind and focus on the conversation of the other slaves that sits near her when Lyan went to clean up. They were all in awe of Lyan, praising him for his strength, kindness, and his newfound success as a merchant.

"Isn’t Lord Lyan amazing? Not just strong, he’s a great merchant as well!" one of the former slaves exclaimed.

"You’re right... I wonder how much money was inside those two bags..." another one added.

"To be able to get into the good side of the village in just a short duration, isn’t he amazing?" a third one chimed in.

The other former slaves continue to praise Lyan throughout the conversation, but whenever his name is mentioned, the scene of his deed with Aisha re-appear inside her head, then the image of her dream re-appear inside her head.

"Hm? Wilhelmina? What happened? Your face is beet red. Are you fine?" Solia, her closest friend, and confidante since she became a slave, approached her with concern.

Wilhelmina forced a smile and shook her head. "Yes, I’m fine. Just lost in my thoughts, that’s all," she reassured her friend.

"But well... Not only is he our lifesaver, but he’s also capable of almost everything and has such great features as well. I guess it won’t be an exaggeration to say that most of us silently wish to become one of his wives," Solia remarked while sipping her water.

"Solia? Don’t tell me you too-" Wilhelmina trailed off, knowing that the look on her friend’s face was enough to confirm her suspicions.

Objectively speaking, Wilhelmina wasn’t surprised by the reactions of the other slaves. Lyan was a man capable of almost anything, with his strikingly handsome features, incredible strength, and remarkable ability to save their lives. As a woman, Wilhelmina couldn’t deny that she felt an attraction to him. However, the memory of what she had seen the previous night made her feel annoyed and uneasy.

"That pervert," Wilhelmina thought to herself. "He even seduced Solia. Don’t think that I’ll let you lay your hands on her easily."

Solia’s voice brought her back to the present. "Now then, Wilhelmina. What do you think of our situation?" she asked. "I’ve heard that Lyan doesn’t have any intentions of staying here for too long. I believe that you’ve also noticed that the reason why he’s staying here is to gather information about the empire. What do we do? Will we continue to follow him? Do you think he’s planning on leaving us here?"

Wilhelmina considered Solia’s questions carefully. She knew some information about the Redania empire from her time as a noble, but not the details. Her father often warned her that the empire was not to be trusted, and ever since she entered its territory, she couldn’t shake off the feeling of unease.

"I personally don’t want to stay here," Wilhelmina said. "At the very least, even if Lyan wants to leave us, we should aim to settle in the city of Arkansas, where we can live independently. But I don’t know if everyone will agree with me, so I’m thinking of letting those who want to stay here do so. What do you think?"

"I agree," Solia said, nodding her head.

Wilhelmina looked around at the other slaves, who also gave her their approval.

"Well, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but we all consider you our leader," Solia said, grinning. "If you say that we’re going to aim for the city of Arkansas, then everyone will want to follow you. This village is kind, and Lyan has made the villagers welcome us so much, but we’re more comfortable being together as fellow slaves who have experienced the same hardships. Don’t you think so, guys?" she asked, turning to the other girls, who all smiled and nodded in agreement.

"No matter where you go, we’re following you, leader," Solia said.

*************************************

"Leader, huh..." Wilhelmina uttered under her breath as she remembered the dialogue she has with Solia and the others. Her thoughts wandered to various things, and he ended at the corner of the village, and saw Lyan conversing with Aisha and other villagers while looking at the disguised skeletons working at a building and a fence.

Wilhelmina watched as Lyan talked with the villagers, his charming demeanor evident in the way he carried himself. A sense of annoyance welled up within her, knowing that he was capable of seducing anyone with his good looks and charismatic personality.

But she couldn’t deny that he had done good for them. The villagers had welcomed them with open arms, and they were finally in a place where they didn’t have to fear for their lives. Even though Wilhelmina didn’t trust the Redania Empire, she couldn’t deny that Lyan’s actions had made a positive impact on their lives.

She walked closer to where Lyan was standing, and he turned his attention toward her. "Wilhelmina," he greeted her with a smile.

"Lyan," she acknowledged him, her voice curt.

"I was just discussing with the villagers about the work that needs to be done around here. In return for their hospitality, I’m giving them an advice on fortifying the village. Normal fences are weak to the weather around here, you see. While making walls like other cities would cost too heavily for the village. So I’m giving them a bit of advice and helping them build a small scale first," he said, gesturing towards the building and the fence where the skeletons were working.

"The building they are making over there is something similar to a watch tower, but made in a simple but sturdy fashion. It can serve as a shelter during storms or even when there is a threat of invasion from the outside while having the guards capable to continue monitoring the situation, and the bell above could give notice to the whole village immediately. Plus, it wouldn’t take much effort to make one. Lyan’s concept truly is admirable," Aisha chimes in.

Wilhelmina listened to their conversation, her mind mulling over the idea of fortifying the village. It was a practical solution, but it also made her realize that Lyan had been planning ahead.

"Why are you helping them so much?" Wilhelmina asked, eyeing Lyan suspiciously.

Lyan shrugged. "It’s just the right thing to do. They welcomed us into their village, and the least we can do is help them improve their defenses. Plus, it benefits us as well. A fortified village is safer for us to stay in."

Wilhelmina nodded, acknowledging the logic behind his words. She couldn’t deny that Lyan was a strategic thinker, always looking for ways to improve their situation.

"But what about us? What happens after we leave this village?" Wilhelmina questioned, her tone hesitant.

Lyan turned to face her fully, his expression unreadable. "That’s up to you. You’re free to come with me, or you can stay here. I won’t force you to do anything you don’t want to."

Wilhelmina sighed, knowing that Lyan was right. She had to make a choice, and it wouldn’t be an easy one.

"I’m completing the building today, and be leaving tomorrow when the weather is good. So I hope you’ll make your decision tonight," Lyan uttered indifferently as she approached the disguised skeletons and gave out some orders.

Wilhelmina noticed a hint of sorrow from Aisha’s back when she followed him. It’s not surprising since as a woman it’s normal to be attached to the man she has offered her body for.

"I really hope that you would live here forever, though..." A silent wish of a maiden in love entered Wilhelmina’s ears as she was about to walk back to the house.

Wilhelmina’s steps stopped for a moment, but she continued her steps without turning back.