After lunch, Ranav called his family to his room. He had already retrieved the clothes he'd bought for them from his storage space. Thanks to Jessica's precise measurements, he wasn't worried about the fit. His heart filled with the anticipation of his family's reactions.
"Dad, this pair of pants and shirt is for you. Also, here's a waist belt. You loop it through the pants like this." He demonstrated the process, threading the belt through the loops with ease before handing the items to Trinav.
Trinav inspected the fabric, running his calloused hands over the material. A warm smile spread across his face. "This is high-quality fabric, Ranav. Thank you, son."
"Mom, these earrings are for you. And in this box, there's shampoo, face cream, and lipstick," Ranav said, handing the items to Naveena.
Naveena's eyes lit up as she opened the package, her fingers delicately touching each item as if they were treasures. "Shampoo and face cream? You've brought such expensive things, Ranav! I've never used face cream before."
Ranav chuckled. "You deserve these small things, Mom."
He turned to Vivita next. "Sis, this is your dress. There's a shirt and a trouser in this pack. And the same cosmetics set is for you."
Vivita's eyes widened. "All this for me?" She held the dress against herself and twirled slightly, already imagining how it would look. Then, without hesitation, she wrapped her little brother in a warm hug. "Thanks, Lil' bro. You're the best."
Ranav smiled, feeling a mix of pride and gratitude. He then retrieved two gold coins and handed them to his mother. "Mom, Master gave me this money to spend while I was in the city. But I didn't need to use it because the Countess generously provided for all my expenses. Camilla doesn't have many clothes left, and although she said she has some money, I think we shouldn't let her spend it on necessities. You and Sis can bring her to the village market this afternoon for some shopping."
Naveena nodded. "That's a good idea, Ranav. Camilla's been through so much already. Let's make her feel truly at home."
Ranav then turned to his father. "Dad, I bought all these items with the money you gave me. There's still some left. If you need anything, let me know. Don't worry… I have more than enough for anything we might need."
Trinav gave him a thoughtful look. "You've grown into a dependable young man, Ranav. I am happy for you."
Ranav smiled. "Now, I have some things to do. You may take your items and leave. I'll be in my room for a while. Please don't disturb me. And if you go out, lock the front door. I need complete focus for my work."
His family left the room, each carrying their gifts with visible joy. Naveena and Vivita were already discussing their plans for the market, while Trinav seemed to be reflecting on his son's maturity. Ranav closed the door behind them, took a deep breath, and activated his mental link with Jessica.
"Jessica, we need to start planning," he said.
"Alright," Jessica replied, her voice calm and focused. "I've already reviewed your memories. You've read a surprising number of books on house building, architecture, and civil engineering. For someone who has a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering, that's quite an unusual interest. I even recall you reading "Building Your Own Home For Dummies" by Kevin Daum, while waiting at your solicitor's office."
Ranav smirked. "Don't tease me, Jessica. That book kept me occupied while I waited. Besides, you know I hate waiting idly."
Jessica laughed softly. "Fair enough. But you could've used your phone or read something more relevant."
"I'm old school, Jessica. I've always preferred the feel of paperbacks. Now, let's stay on topic. We've got work to do."
"Alright," Jessica said, adopting a professional tone. "Gather some paper, a pencil, and a scale. I saw one scale in your drawer, paper and pencil are in storage space."
Ranav complied, placing the items on the table. "What's next?"
"There are two ways to proceed," Jessica explained. "I can guide you step-by-step as you draw the plans, or I can temporarily take control and draw them myself. If I draw, it'll be much faster."
Ranav thought for a moment before nodding. "Go ahead and draw first."
"Before we start, let's confirm the requirements. Since there's no electricity here, we can skip wiring. What about water supply? Do you want it inside or outside the walls?"
"Inside is better, but only if it's practical," Ranav said.
"Internal plumbing will cost more. External is cheaper. I'll draft both options so we can decide later. Also, since there's no centralized water supply, we'll need a system to draw water from the pond. I can design a mechanism involving a wheel to pump water into an overhead tank."
"That sounds perfect. How does the Count's estate handle water?"
"They use mages," Jessica explained. "Every morning, a mage refills the rooftop tank using magic. Since you haven't awakened the water element… and even if you did, it's not sustainable because your parents are not mages. I think we should rely on a mechanical system."
Ranav nodded. "Good point. For the house, I want a drawing room at the entrance, a dining room, a spacious kitchen, three small bedrooms for Vivita, Camilla, and me, and a master bedroom for my parents. Make sure the kitchen is larger than what we have now. Also, remember that we use coal and wood for cooking, so include stoves for both and proper ventilation."
"Got it," Jessica said. "Why do you want all the bedrooms on the ground floor?"
"It's a contingency plan," Ranav explained. "If funds run out, we'll build only the ground floor, stairs leading to the first-floor roof, and the overhead tank. We can add the first floor later. My parents will stay on the ground floor permanently."
"That makes sense. What about the roof? Tiled or flat?"
"Let's combine both… a flat roof for stability with a tiled overlay for aesthetics."
"Smart choice," Jessica said. "What's your plan for the size and layout?"
"We have plenty of land behind our house. I'm thinking of building near the pond."
"Don't forget to get the village chief's permission," Jessica reminded him. "It's mandatory for new construction."
"I know. I'll ask the old chief tomorrow. He might also recommend skilled masons."
"Good plan," Jessica said. "I'll start drafting now. Get ready… I'm taking control."
Ranav felt his hand moving on its own as Jessica guided the pencil across the paper, sketching detailed blueprints for the house. The lines were precise, the proportions perfect. As she worked, she explained each decision, ensuring Ranav understood the logic behind the design.
For the next few hours, the room was silent except for the sound of the pencil on paper and the occasional rustle of pages as their conversation ongoing through their mind link. By the time they finished, the blueprint for their future home lay before him.