***
As Greyford went back to deliver the next tray of snacks. He noticed Esme, who was carrying a basket of sheets down the stairs.
"What are those?"
Esme was startled as she was surprised to see the old man popping out of nowhere. "Ah, these are the sheets upstairs. I asked Master Lirius and he said we can clean the rooms upstairs as well."
"Ah, yes, he informed me about that since you and Jocey need to have a proper room."
"Hmm, Master Lirius advice me to pick a room close to Lady Tina."
"Very well, once your done, have some break. Lance baked some fresh cookies."
"I will."
Greyford walked to the man's study. Unlike the girl's study, he did not walk in right away, as he knocked on the door and announced his arrival. As to why, its because the door alone is cover in magic. He fears that something terrible might happen to hi. Despite the man has told him several time its fine, he dares not touch it without the man's consent.
"Master Lirius, I brought you your tea."
Lirius was reading a book as he waved his hand in the air, which automatically opened the door. "Thank you, you can place it there."
"Master, Lady Tina might be heading to the church later."
"What for?" Lirius put his book down as he got up and went to his desk to get some tea.
"She plans to use the church as a means of mediator to her plan to gather more people to the village." He explains as he pour the tea onto the cup.
"So that the empire won't be suspicious."
"Yes."
"Well done, it seems your words have greatly helped her."
"I'm only doing my job."
"But still, if you have any suggestions, feel free to tell the girl. She needs all the hands she can get." Lirius then grab the tea cup as soon as the old man was done pouring the tea onto it.
"So do you Master Lirius, Jocey may be young, but she can be a great help to you."
Lirius smiled as he sips his tea. The child has indeed been a great help to him. Since they've arrived, the little girl has been glued to him interested in all his studies. To his surprise, the child was not just interested, but quite knowledgeable for her age.
The child explained to him, that he once visited the library of the noble house her sister worked at. And, she then started reading all the books. At first she found it challenging, but as time passes, she was able to grasp things so easily. The fact she is an efling, is one of the reason why she can understand and comprehend things like adults.
"She should be in the greenhouse, please tell her to have a break."
"I shall."
Greyford left, as he went to search for Jocelyn. As soon as he dropped the tray in the kitchen, he directly went to the greenhouse hoping to find the little girl.
"Jocey."
"Grandpa?"
"Master Lirius said, you can have a break. Lance baked some cookies, why don't go head back with me for some tea."
"Hmm," She nodded as she carried the basket of herbs she had carefully picked.
"Are these for the potions later?"
"Hmm, Master Lirius is trying to make new potions for Lady Tina." The little girl explained softly as she carefully carried her basket.
Greyford was curious as he inquired, "What for?"
"I don't know, but I think it has to do with poison."
Poison?
Greyford did not react, but he was surprised deep down to find out something unexpected, especially something to do with the girl's condition.
"I think Lady Tina may be sick." She spoke with such heavy heart in her eyes.
"What makes you think that?"
"Her hair."
"Ah." Greyford has too noticed that the girl's hair is changing each passing day that passed by. They thought maybe it has something to do with some spell or something to hid her identity, but as the day passes by, they notice it changing more to silver white almost like Fuji's hair.
"Is her condition that bad."
"Hmm, I don't think so." Jocey shook her head as she explained further, "Since Master Lirius is calm about each passing day, I think Lady Tina is fine. Maybe, they did an experiment and the consequence of it was Lady Tina's hair changing to silver white."
"Ah, Fred did mention Master Lirius does a lot of experiment."
Once they returned to the kitchen, Greyford called for Esme for a break as well. The two sisters had tea together, whilst the old man went to check on the girl.
"My Lady?"
When he entered, he noticed the girl was back to work again. She was not only managing financial paperwork's, but also designing blueprints of the village development.
"Is there something I can be of help with?"
"Greyford, do you know anyone in the black market?"
"Black market, may I know what for?"
"Purchasing something from the black market would bring less eyes to the village."
"Ah, since black market's buyers normally hide their identity."
"That's right, despite I really don't want to loan from Lirius again. We need to hurry up and create a proper water system. It will be winter soon, and it'll be hard for the village to survive without water. Since Lirius does not mind, I think we should purchase the elemental stone at once."
"I think that is a good idea as well My Lady, as you know, unlike the manor, the village has to travel quite far just to get water."
"And, it is not safe for them." Athena sighs miserably, as she thinks how hard it must be for the villagers each day just to get water.
"Then, if you allow me. I'll visit a friend of mine…"
"Go, and inform me how much money you'll need for your trip. Ah, why don't you bring Gran with you."
"Sir Gran?"
"Hmm, we need people you can grain connections with and despite Gran's looks and talkative manner. He is quite good at befriending people."
"Very well, I shall inform Sir Gran and prepare for the journey at once."
"Ah, have you informed Lirius?"
"Yes, Master Lirius is aware."
Athena got up from her seat, "Then, I'll be leaving for the church. No need to accompany me."
Greyford went to the coat rack and grabbed the girl's hooded cape. He helped her put it on, as he then placed all the necessary papers she needed to bring in her bag.
"Ah, please send that blueprint to Tycho will you. Ask him that we need to start building some carriage and wagon for the people to ride."
"I shall, safe trip My Lady."
"Thank you," She said as she turned to the twilight wolf, "Fuji, let's go."
…
Athena has arrived at the church, along with Father Roland other leaders also welcomed the girl.
"Tina, what can we help you with?"
"Father Roland, I need all your assistance."
"Tell us, what can we do?"
Whilst Father Roland and Athena roamed around the church ground, the girl explained her plans.
"I see, so you need us to gather people in the village."
"Hmm, the village is improving greatly and I think we need more people in order for it to prosper well."
"We do not mind, but, can we really handle more people?"
"Don't worry, I've assigned Trycho and the villagers to start constructing new houses for the people to come. At the same time, we can house them in the manor."
"Will Master Lirius be fine with that." Father Roland looked concern, despite they haven't seen the man showed such bad manner. They can clearly see he is not the type of person to be surrounded by too many people, as he prefer to be with his books and studies.
"I'm not sure, I mean, we can build a house there." Athena smiled because she somehow thinks Lirius won't be find with having too many people in the manor.
"Very well, I'll inform the others and we can start preparing at once."
"Hmm, inform me if you need any help. As for the transportation, I've asked Tycho to build some carriage and wagons already. Hopefully, within the next day or so, they'll be ready."
"It seems you have everything planned already."
"Ha-ha, it's better I come prepared to ensure you'll agree with me."
"Then, is there anything else I can be of help?"
"Ah, in regards to the church design."
"Tina, you can do whatever design you want. We are happy that you have not forgotten us, and you also plan to rebuild a better home for those who serve God."
"Well, without you all, where will I be."
Plus, there was another reason as to why she needed to repair and rebuild the church bigger. She doesn't know and if another war is to come, but she hopes the church will be the safe haven for the villagers. With Lirius talent, she was sure that they'll be able to make it as strong as the palace.