Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 271: The Headmaid (2) The Agreement

Chapter 271: The Headmaid (2) The Agreement

"He kept a ledger in his private study," Althea whispered as they lay together in the afterglow. "It details all his dealings, both legitimate and otherwise. With it, you can identify and root out the remaining corrupt officials and rebuild Grafen’s administration. But that’s not just it. There is also a gold vault inside,"

Lyan listened intently, realizing the depth of Althea’s resourcefulness. "Thank you, Althea. Your help is more valuable than you know. Together, we’ll restore this castle and the city."

She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I’m with you, Baron Lyan. For as long as you’ll have me."

Lyan caressed her face gently, feeling a surge of gratitude for Althea’s loyalty. "Then let’s begin. Show me everything you know about this castle, starting with the hidden rooms."

Last night, unlike the others, there was no sign of the Monster Child being summoned by the grimoire. It’s the same thing that happened with Solia. Maybe it’s because she hasn’t opened her heart fully to him yet.

He knows. On the other hand, her approach to him is just a way for her to cling to life and to make sure that I won’t hurt her or make history repeat just like how the Count treated her

Althea dressed quickly and led Lyan through the winding corridors of the castle. The walls were still adorned with opulent decorations, a stark contrast to the recent carnage. They reached a narrow staircase that descended into the depths of the castle, shrouded in darkness. Althea held a torch, illuminating the path ahead. The air grew cooler as they ventured deeper underground.

"Down here," Althea said, her voice echoing softly. "There are several hidden rooms that Havton used for his more secretive activities."

They reached the bottom of the staircase, and Althea led him to a series of heavy wooden doors, each secured with intricate locks. She produced a keyring from her pocket and unlocked the first door. The room inside was spacious but empty, with only the faintest traces of its former use.

"These rooms were once used for Havton’s illicit meetings and storage," Althea explained. "Now, they’re vacant and ready to be repurposed."

Lyan nodded, considering the possibilities. "We can use these for various purposes, perhaps housing for new staff or secure storage."

Althea moved to the next door, revealing a large hall. The walls were lined with shelves, now empty, but the space held promise. "This could be used as a training area or a meeting hall," Lyan mused aloud.

The third door led to a treasure vault, filled with gold, jewels, and valuable artifacts. Lyan’s eyes widened at the sight. "This is... significant," he said, turning to Althea. "With this, we can fund the restoration and support the people of Grafen."

Althea nodded. "I believe all of is now yours, my Lord,"

Lyan looked at her, his expression serious. "You and the other girls can take what you want from here and start new lives. You don’t need to stay in this castle if you don’t want to. But this remains between us; we don’t tell the prince or anyone else about this finding." It’s something that he believes to be the right thing to do. The maids and her could have taken them and used them for themselves instead. But she decided to tell him instead.

Althea’s eyes softened. "We appreciate the offer, but we want to stay. This castle, despite its past, is our home. We want to help you rebuild it. We have no longer families and places to go, after all,"

Lyan smiled, feeling a deep respect for their resilience. "Then we’ll do this together."

The final room they explored was a weaponry, filled with swords, shields, and other arms. Lyan inspected the weapons, noting their quality. "These will be useful. We can equip our guards and defenders with these."

As dawn approached, they made their way back upstairs. The morning light filtered through the castle windows, casting a soft glow on the stone walls. Lyan felt a renewed sense of purpose. He had the tools and the allies he needed to restore Grafen.

In the morning, while Prince Erich was busy discussing plans privately with Arnold, Vilgira, and Julius, Lyan began his investigation into the ledger Althea had mentioned. He found it in Havton’s private study, a thick book filled with meticulous records of transactions, bribes, and dealings. Lyan spent hours poring over the entries, identifying key figures involved in the corruption.

By midday, Lyan had a list of names. He summoned the trustworthy individuals he had identified, many of whom had been imprisoned or had lost their positions due to Havton’s tyranny. Following Althea’s guidance, he began the process of restoring their roles within the castle and the city.

One by one, they arrived, eyes filled with a mix of hope and apprehension. Lyan addressed them with a firm yet reassuring tone. "You were wronged by Havton’s rule. Now, I offer you a chance to reclaim your honor and serve Grafen once more. We need your skills and loyalty to rebuild this city."

The response was overwhelmingly positive. These individuals, seasoned by hardship, were eager to contribute to the new order. Among them were seasoned guards, skilled artisans, and knowledgeable clerks. Lyan reinstated their positions, ensuring they were given the authority and resources needed to perform their duties effectively.

Althea’s knowledge proved invaluable during this process. She helped identify the roles and responsibilities each person was best suited for, her insights sharp and precise. Lyan was impressed by her intelligence and dedication. He offered her an official position within the administration, but she declined.

"I’m honored, Baron Lyan, but my place is with the staff. I want to continue as the head maid, serving this castle. However, I’m willing to take on additional responsibilities and authority if it helps our cause."

Lyan respected her decision. "Very well, Althea. Your role as head maid is crucial, and I’ll trust you with significant responsibilities. Your knowledge and leadership are vital to our success."

As the day drew to a close, Lyan and Althea met in the former Count’s office. The room still bore the marks of Havton’s excesses, but it would soon be repurposed for a nobler cause. Lyan outlined his vision for Grafen, his voice filled with determination and hope.

The maids and servants, now free from the fear of Havton’s cruelty, worked diligently to restore the castle to its former glory. Rooms were cleaned and repaired, new defenses were planned and implemented, and the treasury was carefully managed to fund the reconstruction efforts.

One evening, as Lyan was finalizing plans for the next phase of the reconstruction, Althea entered his study. "My Lord, the people are beginning to trust you. It seems that they’ve finally felt hopeful for the first time in years."

Lyan looked up from his desk, a smile tugging at his lips. "That’s good to hear, Althea. But there’s still much to be done. We need to ensure that the city is not only rebuilt but also protected from future threats."

Althea nodded. "I’ve been thinking about that. There are old fortifications in the mountains that could be restored to serve as early warning outposts against barbarian and magic beast attacks. With the right people in charge, they could greatly enhance Grafen’s security."

Lyan considered her suggestion. "That’s an excellent idea. We’ll start planning the restoration of those outposts immediately. And Althea," he added, reaching out to take her hand, "thank you. Your insight and support have been invaluable."

She squeezed his hand, her eyes filled with gratitude and determination. "I’m just glad I can help. Grafen deserves a better future, and I believe we can make it happen together."

As they worked late into the night, planning and strategizing, Lyan felt a sense of purpose and fulfillment he had never known before. The road ahead would be long and challenging, but with allies like Althea by his side, he knew they could overcome any obstacle.

"We will rebuild this city from the ground up. It will be my, our new home. Our priority is to restore trust and order. We’ll start by securing the castle and ensuring our defenses are strong. Next, we’ll focus on the city, providing aid to those in need and rebuilding damaged infrastructure. Transparency and justice will be our guiding principles. Since I’ve become the lord, let’s make this place an interesting place,"

Althea listened intently, her admiration for Lyan growing with each word. His vision was clear and inspiring, a stark contrast to the chaos and fear of the past. "Baron. With your leadership, I believe Grafen will thrive once more."

Unlike before. Now the glimpse of the woman staring at a man could be seen in her eyes as she praised him and stared him right into his eyes.

Looking at him deeply with her eyes, her hand slowly went to Lyan’s hand as she approached him.

"You must be tired... Should I... Tend to you and release your exhaustion again...?"