Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 329: The New House of Roses (1) The Building

Chapter 329: The New House of Roses (1) The Building

The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the hills of Grafen, illuminating the open site where the new House of Roses was to be built. Four women stood together, gazing at the vast expanse before them, each lost in thought as they imagined what their new home would look like. The breeze was soft, carrying the scent of the nearby forest, and in the distance, the silhouette of Lyan’s castle loomed like a silent guardian. The laughter of nearby villagers echoed faintly, the sound of new life and prosperity blossoming in the Barony.

Belle, Alina, Xena, and Josephine huddled around the area where the first foundation stones would soon be laid, their expressions a mix of anticipation and excitement. This wasn’t just any house—they were building the new House of Roses, a courtesan house, but much more than that. It would serve as a refuge, a base of operations, and a testament to Lyan’s generosity. The four of them had been through too much together to treat this lightly, and with Lyan’s approval and a significant budget of 250 gold coins, they had the opportunity to create something truly special.

"So," Belle began, her voice thoughtful as she pushed a lock of her wavy pink hair behind her ear. "I was thinking we should have a laboratory. A proper one this time, not just a small corner in the back like before. There’s so much I want to experiment with—potions, alchemy, and... well, certain substances." Her eyes sparkled with the excitement of possibility. "It would be perfect. I could finally do my work without interruptions."

Alina rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her smile. "You and your experiments, Belle. Last time you nearly blew up the kitchen with that concoction of yours."

"That was different!" Belle retorted, a playful pout forming on her lips. "It was a simple miscalculation. Besides, Lyan said it wasn’t that big of a deal." She shot Alina a knowing look. "And he said I could have what I needed for my studies."

"Of course, he did," Xena chimed in, crossing her arms over her chest. Her crimson hair shone in the sun as she stood confidently, her body language always direct and unbothered. "Lyan can’t say no to you when you bat those eyes at him."

Belle blushed but didn’t deny it. "Maybe. But you know it’s for the good of the house."

Josephine, who had been quiet, chuckled softly, drawing the attention of the others. She stood with her arms relaxed at her sides, her purplish-red hair tied back, exuding an air of calm authority. "You’re all getting ahead of yourselves. We need to think practically. The new House of Roses should have the same elegance as before—a place where people come to relax, enjoy themselves, and escape from the world. But the underground," she paused for emphasis, "the underground needs to connect discreetly to the castle. Our personal quarters should be well-hidden and linked to everything we need. Lyan’s given us his skeleton crew to handle that part. We’ll have all the privacy we could ever want."

Alina nodded in agreement. "I get that, but we also need a training ground. A proper one. We can’t just rely on the castle’s yard. The house should be more than just for pleasure. It should have everything we need to keep our skills sharp." Her eyes gleamed with intensity. "There’s always something out there, waiting to challenge us."

Xena scoffed. "Training ground? Alina, we’re building a courtesan house, not a mercenary camp. Though, come to think of it, maybe we should have an underground garden instead—something peaceful. We could grow rare plants, herbs, and flowers, maybe even some secret passageways that lead out into the forest like the ones we’ve already got at the castle. That way, we have an escape route if needed. Plus, think about it—imagine the surprise on a visitor’s face when they discover a beautiful garden in the middle of the underground."

"You and your gardens," Alina teased. "What is it with you and greenery? You’re supposed to be the fighter here, Xena."

Xena grinned wickedly. "I fight for what’s beautiful. Just like Belle with her potions, I want a place to find calm. Lyan would understand."

"Of course, he would." Josephine sighed. "He’s let us take the reins on this project for a reason. But we need to stick to the basics first. Rooms for clients, entertainment spaces, personal rooms for us beneath the surface that connect to the castle... And for Lyan’s sake, a proper living room and a private bar. We’ve got more than enough budget for all this—250 gold coins is no small amount."

Belle nodded, eyes still dreamy as she imagined the lab she would soon have. "That’s enough to make at least 20 houses, right? We could really make this place a fortress if we wanted."

"We don’t need a fortress," Josephine said with a chuckle. "Just a place that serves its purpose but also feels like home for us. We’ve earned it after all this time."

Alina crossed her arms, frowning slightly. "Still feels weird though. We’re creating a courtesan house, a place where men will come to see us, to admire us... for Lyan, it’s fine, but... other men? I don’t know."

Xena snorted, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Lyan’s not a small man, Alina. I think he can handle a bit of competition, don’t you?" The sarcasm in her voice was obvious, and she shot a teasing glance in Belle’s direction.

Belle laughed softly, blushing again. "It’s not about handling competition... It’s about how we show our loyalty. Lyan took us all in, paid off our debts, and gave us a life we could never have dreamed of. He deserves our loyalty, and not just because of how well he treats us in bed."

The group fell silent for a moment, each reflecting on their gratitude towards Lyan. It was true—he had given them freedom, security, and a bond that went beyond simple companionship. He had protected them, loved them, and now trusted them with the construction of the new House of Roses.

Josephine broke the silence, her voice softer now. "We’re all grateful for him. That’s why this place has to be perfect. It’s not just about the money or the status. It’s about showing him that we’re with him, always. Even if this is a place for men to come and admire us, it’s still for him."

Alina nodded slowly. "Yeah. You’re right, Josephine. This is for Lyan. It doesn’t matter who else comes here. We’ll make sure this place reflects everything he’s done for us."

Xena uncrossed her arms, her expression softening. "So, what? We all agree to this then? A mix of our ideas? Belle gets her lab, I get my garden, Alina gets her training ground, and Josephine, you get your living room and bar?"

Josephine smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "That’s the plan. And let’s make sure we leave enough space for whatever Lyan wants. You know he’s always got some plan up his sleeve."

"Of course, he does." Belle smiled fondly. "He probably thinks he hides things from us, but we know better."

The others laughed, knowing exactly what she meant. Lyan was many things—intelligent, strategic, and protective—but he was also a bit of a pervert, always trying to sneak glances at their bodies when he thought they weren’t looking. It was endearing in its own way, and none of them minded. They understood his desires and appreciated how he tried to keep a semblance of professionalism, even when it was clear he adored each of them in different ways.

"I swear, he thinks he’s so sneaky," Xena said, shaking her head. "But we’ve all seen the way he looks at us."

Alina smirked. "He’s too analytical to resist. Always watching, always calculating. But I think we let him off easy because we know his heart’s in the right place."

Josephine sighed, glancing towards the distant castle. "It’s not just that. He’s been through a lot. You can see it in his eyes sometimes, that haunted look. Whatever happened on that quest before we met him... it still weighs on him."

Belle nodded, her expression growing more serious. "That’s why we need to make sure this place, this House of Roses, isn’t just for appearances. It’s for him too. A place where he can come and feel at ease, where he doesn’t have to be constantly on guard."

The four women exchanged a look of mutual understanding. This project wasn’t just about building a business or a refuge. It was about building a home, a sanctuary for themselves and for the man who had saved them.

"Let’s make this place everything he deserves," Josephine said quietly, her voice full of conviction.

The others nodded in agreement, the resolve in their eyes clear. They would take Lyan’s gift, his trust, and create something beautiful, something that reflected their loyalty and love for him. It would be a place of peace, of pleasure, and most importantly, of unity.

"Well," Xena said, breaking the solemn moment with a grin. "I hope those skeleton workers know what they’re doing because we’ve got a lot to build."