Lord Summoner's Freedom Philosophy: Grimoire of Love
Chapter 390: Arielle’s New Daily Life (2)

Chapter 390: Arielle’s New Daily Life (2)

Arielle let out a sigh as she looked down at the stack of documents on her desk. It was early morning, the soft rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains of her office, casting a golden glow across the room. She rubbed her temples, her gaze shifting to the parchment at the top of the pile. It was a request, and as she read the details, her brow furrowed, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Rebuilding the House of Roses... 120 gold?" Arielle muttered to herself, her voice filled with confusion. The House of Roses was a well-known courtesan house in the city of mercenaries and merchants, Arkansas, famed throughout the region. She had heard about it but had never imagined that one of her first duties as a stewardess would involve allocating funds to rebuild such an establishment. She frowned, wondering if it was some kind of clerical error. Surely, there were more pressing matters to attend to?

She picked up the document, tucking it under her arm as she made her way out of her office. She needed answers, and there was only one person who could provide them—Lyan himself.

As she approached the courtyard, Arielle could see Lyan standing near a fountain, speaking with one of his guards. He looked as relaxed as ever, his expression one of ease. Arielle cleared her throat as she approached, catching his attention.

"Ah, Arielle," Lyan greeted her, a smile spreading across his face. "What brings you here so early?"

Arielle held up the parchment, her expression one of incredulity. "This," she said, her voice laced with exasperation. "Rebuilding the House of Roses for 120 gold? Is this some kind of joke?"

Lyan chuckled, shaking his head. "No joke, Arielle. It’s a legitimate request. The House of Roses is an important part of the community, after all."

Arielle stared at him, her eyes narrowing. "You can’t be serious. There are other priorities—the towns need rebuilding, the people need food and shelter—and you want to spend 120 gold on a courtesan house?"

Lyan shrugged, his smile never faltering. "It’s not just about the building, Arielle. It’s about the people. The House of Roses provides work, entertainment, and even a sense of community for some. Besides, happy people are productive people."

Arielle let out a sigh, shaking her head. "I suppose..." she muttered, though she couldn’t hide the wry smile that tugged at her lips. Lyan had a way of justifying the most bizarre of expenses, and somehow, he always managed to make it sound reasonable.

She returned to her office, placing the parchment back on her desk. But before she could even sit down, another document caught her eye. She picked it up, her eyes scanning the request. "Expand the Grand Spa—Reserved for the Ladies of the Castle," she read aloud, her tone filled with disbelief. She shook her head, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "For the wellness and relaxation of our most esteemed family members," she continued, the description alone telling her exactly what this was—Lyan’s way of pampering his ladies.

Arielle couldn’t help but let out a chuckle as she set the parchment down. It seemed Lyan was determined to make sure his women were well taken care of. She could appreciate the sentiment, even if the requests were a bit... extravagant.

Throughout the day, more of Lyan’s bizarre requests found their way to her desk. One was for "Establishing a Royal Chocolate Fountain" in the castle’s dining hall. Another was for "Commissioning a Mural Celebrating Grafen’s Women of Valor." Arielle shook her head as she read each one, her amusement growing with every new request. It was clear that Lyan was trying to create an environment that celebrated those closest to him—particularly the women in his life.

As she worked through the paperwork, approving the requests with a wry smile, Arielle found herself beginning to understand Lyan a little better. He wasn’t just trying to spend money frivolously—he was trying to make the people around him happy. He wanted to create a place where everyone felt valued, where everyone felt like they belonged. And maybe, just maybe, there was something admirable about that.

Later in the day, Arielle decided to take a break from her office. She needed to stretch her legs and clear her mind. She made her way through the castle’s corridors, her thoughts still on the bizarre requests she had reviewed that morning. As she rounded a corner, she came to an abrupt stop, her eyes widening at the sight before her.

There, in a secluded alcove, was Lyan—his arms wrapped around Wilhelmina as he leaned in to kiss her. Wilhelmina’s eyes were closed, her hands resting on his shoulders as she returned the kiss. Arielle blinked, her mouth falling open in surprise. She quickly ducked back around the corner, her heart pounding in her chest.

Arielle pressed herself against the wall, waiting for a moment before she peeked around the corner again. This time, Lyan and Wilhelmina had pulled apart, their foreheads resting against each other as they spoke in hushed tones. Arielle couldn’t hear what they were saying, but the look in their eyes was enough to tell her that it was something intimate, something meaningful.

She shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips as she continued down the corridor. It seemed Lyan’s affection for his ladies went beyond just extravagant requests—he genuinely cared for them, and they cared for him in return.

As she made her way to the courtyard, Arielle once again stumbled upon Lyan—this time, he was with Alina. They were standing near a flowerbed, Lyan’s hand gently brushing a strand of hair away from Alina’s face before he leaned in to kiss her. Alina’s cheeks flushed, her eyes closing as she tilted her head up to meet his lips.

Arielle couldn’t help but roll her eyes, her smile widening. "This man..." she muttered under her breath, shaking her head as she turned away. It seemed that no matter where she went, Lyan was always in the middle of some romantic encounter. It was almost comical—and yet, there was something endearing about it. He wasn’t just a lord who ruled over his territory—he was a man who loved, and who was loved in return.

Later in the day, as Arielle made her way through the castle’s main hallway, she once again found herself face-to-face with Lyan. This time, he was with Josephine, his arm wrapped around her waist as he whispered something in her ear. Josephine let out a soft laugh, her eyes sparkling as she looked up at him. Lyan leaned in, pressing a kiss to her lips, his hand gently cupping her cheek.

Arielle let out a sigh, her smile turning into a grin. "Honestly, does this man ever take a break?" she muttered to herself, her voice filled with amusement. She shook her head as she continued on her way, her steps light as she made her way to the barracks.

She had barely stepped into the barracks when she caught sight of Lyan once again. He was sitting on a bench, Surena perched on his lap, her arms wrapped around his neck as she kissed him deeply. Lyan’s hands rested on her hips, his eyes half-closed as he returned the kiss with equal fervor.

Arielle let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she turned away. It seemed that no matter where she went, Lyan was always in the middle of some romantic escapade. It was almost ridiculous—and yet, there was something about it that made her smile.

As she made her way back to her office, Arielle couldn’t help but think about the man who had given her this opportunity—the man who had trusted her, who had believed in her. Lyan was many things—a lord, a leader, a warrior. But more than that, he was someone who cared deeply for those around him, someone who wanted to create a place where everyone felt valued and loved.

Arielle sat down at her desk, her eyes drifting to the stack of documents that still needed her attention. She picked up her quill, dipping it in ink as she began to work, her mind still on Lyan and the requests she had reviewed that morning. He might be a bit eccentric, a bit extravagant, but there was no denying that he had a good heart.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

Arielle shook her head, her smile growing as she dipped her quill in ink and began writing. As she worked, her thoughts drifted back to the moments she had witnessed throughout the day—the tender kisses, the laughter, the love that Lyan shared with his ladies. It was all so genuine, so real, and it made her feel a sense of warmth she hadn’t expected.

She could hear Lyan’s voice in her mind, the way he had explained his requests with that confident, easy smile. He wanted his people to be happy, to feel cherished, and it was evident in every decision he made. Even if those decisions were a little... unconventional.

The next document she picked up was yet another request from Lyan—this one for "Establishing a Greenhouse Garden for Aromatic Herbs and Flowers." Arielle let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. The reason? "For creating a romantic atmosphere during evening strolls," the description read. She could almost hear Lyan’s voice in her head, and she imagined him grinning as he wrote it. She couldn’t help but smile at the thought. It was absurd, yes, but it was also undeniably sweet.

Arielle continued working, her quill scratching across the parchment as she made notes, signed documents, and approved the requests. The work was never-ending, but it was fulfilling in a way she hadn’t expected. She felt like she was part of something greater—a place where people were genuinely happy, where they were cared for, where they felt like they belonged.

As the day began to fade into evening, Arielle stood up, stretching her arms over her head. She glanced out the window, the sky painted in shades of pink and orange as the sun dipped below the horizon. She smiled, gathering the documents she had finished and placing them neatly in a pile. She still had work to do, but for now, it could wait.

She made her way out of her office, her steps light as she wandered through the castle. The halls were quiet at this hour, the soft glow of lanterns casting a warm light across the stone walls. As she walked, she found herself thinking about Lyan again—the way he always seemed to be in the middle of some romantic moment, the way he cared so deeply for the people around him.

She turned a corner, and once again, she found Lyan—this time, he was in the garden, sitting on a bench with Alina by his side. The two of them were laughing, their hands intertwined as they spoke softly to one another. Arielle paused, watching them for a moment before turning away, a smile on her lips.

It was almost ridiculous, how often she found him like this—but it was also endearing. Lyan was a man who loved deeply, who gave everything he had to the people he cared about. And in return, they loved him just as fiercely.

Arielle continued walking, her heart feeling lighter than it had in a long time. She had found her place here, among these people—among Lyan’s family. It wasn’t just about the work, or the authority she had been given. It was about the sense of belonging, the sense of purpose that came with being part of something greater.

As she made her way back to her chambers, Arielle couldn’t help but feel a sense of gratitude. For Lyan, for the opportunity he had given her, for the people she had met, for the life she was building here. It was different from anything she had ever known—but it was good. It was more than she could have hoped for.

She stepped into her room, closing the door behind her as she let out a content sigh. She glanced at her desk, the stack of documents still waiting for her, and she shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. There would always be work to do, but for now, she was content to let it wait.

She crossed the room, sitting down on the edge of her bed as she looked out the window at the stars that were just beginning to appear in the night sky. It was peaceful here, a kind of peace she had never known before. And as she sat there, her thoughts drifting back to the people she had met, the experiences she had shared, Arielle knew that she had found something special here in Grafen.

Something worth fighting for. Something worth being a part of.

And maybe, just maybe, that was enough.

"Or perhaps not..." Arielle muttered, a soft laugh escaping her lips as she shook her head. But as she lay back on the bed, her eyes drifting closed, she knew that it was enough—at least for now.