Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 370: The Widow’s Adjustment (1) Waking Up

Chapter 370: The Widow’s Adjustment (1) Waking Up

Clarisse blinked as she slowly opened her eyes, the soft rustle of curtains drawing her attention. The first thing she noticed was the brightness—golden sunlight pouring in through the large windows, illuminating the lavish bedroom. She rubbed her eyes, still groggy from sleep, her mind struggling to process her surroundings. This wasn’t the inn. The bed beneath her was too soft, the sheets too fine, the room too grand.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned her head quickly to check. There, nestled beside her, was her baby, sleeping soundly. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. He was alright, unharmed, his tiny chest rising and falling with every breath. Clarisse smiled faintly, reaching over to brush her fingers gently across his cheek. He looked so peaceful. She couldn’t help but feel a surge of warmth at the sight of him.

Sitting up, Clarisse took in her surroundings. The room was massive, far bigger than any place she’d stayed in since leaving Lucan’s home. The bed she lay on was covered in plush, embroidered blankets, and thick velvet curtains framed the tall windows. She could see the intricate carvings on the walls and the opulent chandelier that hung from the ceiling, reflecting the morning light like a thousand tiny stars.

"This is... incredible," she murmured to herself, her eyes wide as she looked around. She had heard rumors about Lyan’s castle, but she hadn’t imagined anything like this. The inn she had lived in, despite being one of the better ones in Grafen, seemed almost like a peasant’s shack compared to this place. Even Hektor’s mansion seemed lacking compared to the grandeur that surrounded her now.

Her gaze drifted to the side of the room, where a soft knock drew her attention. The door creaked open, and a maid stepped inside—a young woman with neat braids and a gentle smile.

"Good morning, Lady Clarisse," the maid greeted her, bowing slightly. "I hope you slept well. Lord Lyan has instructed us to provide anything you need. I’ve brought some clothes for you."

Clarisse watched in mild amazement as the maid walked over to a grand wardrobe and opened it, revealing rows of elegant dresses and fine gowns. Each piece looked like it could belong to royalty, their fabrics shimmering in the morning light.

Clarisse blinked, momentarily speechless. "This... for me?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief.

The maid smiled again, nodding. "Yes, my lady. Lord Lyan insisted that you are to be treated with the utmost care. Please choose whatever you like."

Clarisse hesitated before standing, her feet sinking into the plush carpet. She walked over to the wardrobe, her fingers brushing against the fabrics. The dresses were beautiful—each one finely tailored, with rich colors and delicate embroidery. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d worn something so exquisite.

As she picked out a soft blue dress, the maid helped her into it, adjusting the laces and ensuring it fit perfectly. Clarisse looked at herself in the tall mirror across the room, hardly recognizing the woman staring back at her. The reflection showed a lady—poised, elegant, and dressed in finery. For a moment, she felt like she was back in her old life, the life she had shared with Lucan before everything had fallen apart.

But then her eyes met her own in the mirror, and the weight of reality settled in. This wasn’t her old life. This was something new, something she was still trying to figure out.

The maid finished adjusting her dress and stepped back, giving her a polite bow. "If there is anything else you need, please do not hesitate to ask, Lady Clarisse."

Clarisse nodded, offering a small, grateful smile. "Thank you... I think I’d like to explore a little."

The maid nodded. "Of course, my lady. Please, feel free to wander as you wish. Breakfast will be ready soon in the main hall."

Clarisse watched as the maid left the room, leaving her alone once more. She took a deep breath and looked around the room again, her gaze lingering on her sleeping son for a moment longer before stepping toward the door.

The hallway outside her room was just as grand, with tall ceilings and marble floors that seemed to stretch endlessly in either direction. She wandered through the castle, her eyes wide as she took in the intricately carved banisters, the rich tapestries depicting scenes of battles and myth, the lavishly decorated vases and statues that seemed to adorn every corner. Everything was so well-crafted, so meticulously designed. It was almost overwhelming.

Clarisse couldn’t help but think of how different this was from the life she had been living at the inn. There, everything was simple—meals cooked over a small stove, a bed barely big enough for her and her son, walls that let in drafts on cold nights. Here, everything was luxurious, from the decor to the very air she breathed. It was... surreal.

As she wandered, she eventually found herself in an open courtyard. The air was fresh, carrying the scent of flowers, and the sound of birds chirping filled the space. In the center of the courtyard was a garden—a beautiful, sprawling space filled with exotic flowers, their petals in every color imaginable.

Clarisse stepped into the garden, her eyes widening at the sight. She had always loved flowers, and seeing such a collection was almost like stepping into a dream. As she moved further in, her gaze caught sight of a figure crouched by a bed of blossoms—tending to the flowers with care.

It was Belle.

The young woman turned at the sound of footsteps, her face lighting up with a warm smile when she saw Clarisse. She stood, brushing dirt off her hands.

"Good morning, Clarisse!" Belle greeted cheerfully, her voice as bright as the flowers around her. "Did you sleep well?"

Clarisse nodded, her gaze drifting to the flowers. "I did, thank you. I... I didn’t expect to find a garden like this here."

Belle beamed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Isn’t it wonderful? I take care of the flowers here. Each one has its own special properties, especially for alchemy!"

Clarisse raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Alchemy, you say?"

Belle nodded enthusiastically. "Oh yes! I dabble in alchemy. I guess you could say I’m a bit of a maniac when it comes to mixing herbs and flowers. You’d be surprised at the kind of potions you can make with these beauties."

Clarisse couldn’t help but smile at Belle’s enthusiasm. "That sounds... interesting. I’ve never really dabbled in alchemy myself."

Belle’s eyes widened, her excitement only growing. "Well, if you’re ever curious, I’d love to show you! Alchemy is such a fascinating art, and I’m always looking for someone to share it with."

Clarisse laughed softly, feeling herself relax in Belle’s presence. There was something about her energy that was infectious. She nodded. "Maybe I will take you up on that."

They spent a while longer in the garden, with Belle showing Clarisse different flowers and explaining their properties. The conversation drifted naturally, moving from alchemy to more personal topics—raising children, the challenges of motherhood, and how they both found themselves here. Belle was gentle, never prying too much, and for the first time in a long time, Clarisse felt like she could breathe a little easier.

Eventually, Belle led Clarisse out of the garden and towards the kitchen. "Come on, I think you’ll like what Alina’s cooking today. She’s quite amazing in the kitchen. In a funny way, though,"

Clarisse followed Belle into the castle’s kitchen, the smell of freshly baked bread and sizzling vegetables greeting them as they entered. The kitchen was spacious, with counters filled with ingredients and a warm fire burning in the hearth.

Standing by the stove, stirring a pot, was Alina. She turned when she heard them enter, her face breaking into a friendly smile. "Ah, Belle! And Lady Clarisse, good morning! Come in, come in. I was just finishing up breakfast."

Clarisse smiled, stepping further into the kitchen. "It smells wonderful."

Alina waved a hand dismissively, though she looked pleased. "It’s nothing fancy, just a simple meal. But I do enjoy cooking. Please, sit. The tea is almost ready."

Belle and Clarisse took seats at the wooden table, and Alina soon joined them, bringing over a pot of steaming tea and placing it in the center of the table. They poured their cups, the warm aroma filling the air, and began chatting.

"How are you finding the castle, Lady Clarisse?" Alina asked, her eyes kind.

Clarisse hesitated, glancing around the kitchen before taking a sip of her tea. "It’s... overwhelming, honestly. I mean, it’s beautiful, and everyone has been kind. But it’s still a lot to take in."

Belle nodded in understanding, her voice gentle. "It took me a while to get used to it too. It’s so different from where I grew up."

Alina chuckled, leaning back in her chair. "Trust me, we all had that adjustment phase. This place can be a bit much at first, but it does grow on you."

They fell into comfortable conversation, talking about castle life, the daily routines, and the different responsibilities each of them had. It was light and easy, filled with laughter, and Clarisse found herself slowly relaxing.