Chapter 154 Assembly

With the sun rising higher, both men had moved to stand under the shade of a nearby tree.

Harlon let out a faint breath through his pipe. "This is one of the first buildings that used the assembly method, Lord. It's quicker to build even with the newer villagers pitching in."

It was something he had spoken to Harlon about when the second wave of refugees arrived.

Lucien rubbed his chin. "Have you found any skilled carpenters...no, I suppose we should call them builders by now, considering they will be working with stone as well. Have you found anyone suitable among them?"

"A few among the refugees. Some of my men have shown interest in working with stone, though I wager they are sensing the change in the wind more than anything else," Harlon replied, eyes drifting to the men who were making last-minute fixes even as people moved in.

Lucien gave a slow nod. "With the proposals to be decided tomorrow, they would know there's more construction work in the near future."

The carpenter rubbed his temple tiredly. "Aye. And they have it in their heads that I am somehow privy to what you will accept. Got more than a few men approaching me to ask what they should learn to prepare for it."

"...Still think it would be better if they learned the proper way. Their knowledge in some areas is spotty, and most of them wouldn't pass as apprentices if they are only good at one thing," Harlon muttered, brows creasing.

It was one of the downsides to the method Lucien had introduced, but the village needed more people who could handle specific tasks now, rather than properly trained carpenters years later.

Harlon exhaled, then shook his head as though catching himself. "Don't mind an old man's grumblings, Lord. We can't afford to do things the usual way with how fast the village is growing and building."

They were just about to wrap up their discussion when he spotted Sera walking toward them.

Harlon followed the direction of his gaze before turning to him and dipping his head. "I'll be here until the rest of the people move in, Lord."

The older man left when Lucien waved his assent.

Not long after, Sera approached him, pale eyes looking curiously at the bustling courtyard as soon-to-be neighbors exchanged greetings and even seemed to be bringing over food to share with each other.

Lucien noted that the hunter seemed more focused on said meals being passed around.

"Did Alicia send you to fetch us for lunch, Sera?"

It seemed he had hit the mark when Sera nodded immediately at his question.

"Oh, it's Sera! Come on, Kyrïe, looks like it's time to eat!"

Lucien turned to see Talia and Kyrïe, having gone around the entire courtyard a few times, walking toward them.

The elf had been watching the villagers intently, only for her entire attention to fix on Sera as soon as his junior mentioned her name.

Sera stared right back at her.

He exchanged a look with Talia, only for a familiar curve to appear on his junior's lips. To his dismay, she thumped her fist into her palm as though having just remembered something.

"Oh! I forgot I had to check with Joren to see if the last coal samples are burning right!"

Talia spun around, one hand raised as she walked away. "I will just head on over, Lord Lucien. Tell Alicia I'll be there soon!"

'That little...'

Lucien exhaled through his nose. When he turned back and saw that Sera and Kyrïe barely seemed to notice Talia's departure, he was tempted to make his own escape.

Just as he took a single step, their eyes snapped toward him.

"...Let us be off. Alicia can only hold off Cora from eating without us for so long."

They nodded at the same time, taking up positions behind him so naturally that it was almost as though they had decided who would stand on which side beforehand.

Lucien had to stop himself from looking back at them.

Judging by the increased number of stares they drew, perhaps it was better for him not to know.

Some things were best left untouched.

After an uncomfortably silent walk back from the village, made worse by the number of villagers who turned to stare, Lucien felt no small amount of relief when Alicia's voice greeted them as they stepped into the dining hall.

"Ah, My Lord, you are just in time..." Her words trailed off when she looked behind him.

She glanced away, and he pretended not to see the slight smile on the maid's lips as he took his usual place at the table. Sera, of course, went straight to her usual spot by the window after taking a plate from the maid.

Kyrïe paused at the threshold, as though unsure whether she was meant to enter, until Alicia waved her in. The elf sat slightly closer to Cora, who immediately began waving despite being close enough to speak normally.

"Lord Lucien! We were waiting for you...huh? Where's Lady Talia?"

The child settled down when Alicia gave her a look of disapproval. Only after Cora sat properly again did the maid answer.

"She must be busy working with Master Joren, Cora. Remember how much she talked about it last night at dinner?"

Judging by the slightly warmer tone, Alicia seemed to have forgiven Joren to a certain extent.

After going out of his way to keep Alicia from the forge, the blacksmith had started asking Bran about her visits often enough that the farmer had half-jokingly threatened to petition Lucien to mediate between them.

He had nearly agreed, feeling somewhat guilty for being the cause of it.

When he lightly brought up the subject to the maid, however, her stubborn expression reminded him that Alicia had inherited more than just her earnest nature from her father.

Lucien gave a nod of thanks when Alicia stepped closer with a tray and set down a plate before him.

He picked up his spoon before turning to Cora. "She will be having lunch later, Cora. In the meantime, Talia says you can finish the best portions."

At his words, the child lifted both hands and cheered.

Alicia's brow scrunched, clearly doubtful that Talia had said any such thing. Then her gaze moved to Sera and Kyrïe before she shook her head, lips twitching.

"My Lord, a letter from Lord Rathenfell arrived for you while you were out. I kept it in your desk drawer."

"My thanks, Alicia. I will read it later."

Cora, halfway through chewing her food, looked ready to speak only to stop at Alicia's look.

She swallowed hurriedly before raising a hand. "Is a mage finally coming!? The last one Lord Rathenfell sent said something about an old friend visiting, right?"

Lucien set his spoon down. "I believe so. If we go by the timeline since Lord Rathenfell sent the last letter and account for the travel time...he should arrive within a week at most."

This time, Alicia didn't stop Cora from celebrating at the news, her expression softening into a gentle smile.

"Isn't that a relief, Cora? You might be able to play with the other children again soon."

"Yeah! And finally go home again! The manor is big and all, but it can get a little too quiet at times...ah, but I will miss being able to sleep in the same room with Sera..."

Cora glanced at the hunter, who had paused at the mention of her name. Sera met Cora's eyes, then gave a firm nod.

"Really!? Okay, you can come over to my house whenever you want! You can even sleep over if the mage can fix my problem too!"

Lucien stared between them for a brief moment, trying and failing to determine at what point Cora had extended an invitation and Sera had accepted it.

When the hunter gave her another nod, he wisely chose not to ask.

Cora turned to Kyrïe next. "Elf lady...I will miss playing with you too! You can find me if you want to learn any more new words, okay?"

She gave a small bow to the elf, who looked surprised. "Thank you for accompanying me so often when Alicia and Sera are busy with their work!"

Alicia placed the tray on the table, dipping her head slightly toward the elf. "You have my gratitude as well for lightening my workload."

Kyrïe returned the gesture before slowly speaking. "It is...no problem. And my name is Kyrïe."

"Kyrïe...that's a pretty name! And your voice sounds really nice even when you speak our language. It's like...a song, right, Alicia?" Cora exclaimed, clapping her hands lightly.

Alicia inclined her head. "I think it is beautiful as well. But...are you sure you are alright, Kyrïe? Out of all of us, you spend the most time around Cora. Please don't force yourself if you feel unwell."

"Yeah! I have been feeling better lately, but I still leak out too much mana...I think? Anyway, if you feel sick, you have to tell someone! Lord Lucien said so!" Cora said, pointing to him almost accusingly.

Lucien shot a dry look at the child. "In a manner of speaking, yes."

He glanced at the elf and gestured to the space between Cora and her. "It seems you have the greatest resistance to Cora's leaking mana among us. Even so, please let us know if you experience any discomfort, Kyrïe."

Kyrïe gave a slow nod, though when a hesitant expression crossed her face, he motioned for her to continue and waited patiently.

"Mage...what is that?" she asked, the word mage leaving her lips in a more broken manner than usual.

Cora's brow scrunched at the elf's question while Alicia mimed holding a staff.

"Someone who can use mana and shape it to their will, Kyrïe."

For a brief moment, Lucien caught the slight pause before Kyrïe inclined her head.

By the window, Sera's gaze flicked to the elf, her head tilting slightly.

His attention was drawn back by Cora asking about her friends and their next visit, while Alicia busied herself with ensuring everyone had their fill after setting aside a portion for Talia.

Even as Cora's chatter filled the dining table once more, he couldn't help but remember Kyrïe's reaction to the word mage.

It was the first time he had noticed that sort of caution from her since the elf had woken up weeks ago.

Lucien leaned back in his chair, reading Lord Rathenfell's letter. It seemed their guess had been right. The mage would arrive in a week's time...along with Lord Rathenfell himself.

Though the letter was framed more as a request, Lucien knew full well he couldn't reject it without a good reason. Not when he had invited Lord Vaelric and his mother to visit Ashridge as well.

'That man must've planned this. The timing fits far too well for it to be a coincidence.'

Lucien rubbed his temple as he imagined his manor filled to the brim with lords, ladies, and a mage by next week.

The door swung open, and Talia stumbled in looking no less exhausted. "Seniooor..."

She somehow managed to make her way toward him while balancing two cups of coffee, each close call making his brow twitch.

"Don't play around with that, Talia. A single drop mustn't spill...not when you've cut off my supply by so much."

"Hmph. You're lucky I am even bringing you this after what you did...today's lunch was pitiful and I know it was you!" Talia shot back, placing a cup before him.

Lucien took a sip from the blessed drink. "You left me to endure a silent walk back to the manor. It's only fair I return the favor."

Dropping into the seat before him, Talia opened her mouth only to stop after spotting the letter on the desk. "Oh, is that Lord Rathenfell's letter that Cora's been telling me about? So I guess a mage is finally coming then?"

Lucien gave a nod, pushing the letter toward her. "Yes. Lord Rathenfell intends to come as well. He claimed it was to escort Master Gavin, the blacksmith, back to Helvarn."

"It seems your coal project is of interest to him as well. How is that coming along, by the way?"

Talia slumped over his desk, toppling a stack of parchment with the motion. She sheepishly fixed the mess under his annoyed stare.

"I'll tell you about that later. We need to talk about a certain someone."

When she met his eyes, Lucien had already reached the same conclusion.

"Kyrïe."