Chương 33: Chapter Thirty Two: Welcome Home!

I tapped on the screen and it expanded until it took up every corner of my vision. I could see myself standing in front of the hut. From above. Holy. I raised my hand and tapped on the screen. Zooming in until I was closer to the ground. This is so trippy."Now what?!"

"Don't yell. Tap on the house." I followed his instructions. The house glowed blue and started to reveal some options. Like Upgrade, Renovate, and Furnish. How much is an Upgrade? I tapped on the screen and went over the prices. It's not that bad. It'll still be a crapshack but I can make this hut larger with only one hundred coins. It's cheaper than a cow. I can even change the materials used to build a sturdier house. It's just more costly.

Taking into account that Melinoë was going to be living here and that maybe I would one day use this crap shack. I bought a house made of mud bricks from the Upgrade Menu. A level two house that cost two hundred gold coins. My pockets whimpered. It came with an outhouse and four rooms. Two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. I added the bare minimum in furnishing. Which only cost me another two hundred coins. I'm running out of money. I'm going to sell some of those presents I got to this stingy system one day.

I sighed and looked over the Renovation Menu. Something immediately caught my eye. I mean that could work, right? It's only one hundred coins. My wallet told me no but I bit the bullet and bought the doghouse anyway. It's the same thing, right? I'll put the chickens in there. The goat can use my room and if the Penguin has any complaints it can sleep with the other flightless birds. I clicked complete and the screen changed to reflect my purchases.

"How do I get out?"

"Double tap the screen and zoom out." I did as I was told and zoomed out. I blinked heavily and was relieved to have my normal sight back. The house has never looked better and it had a door. I opened it up and poked around the house. Much better. The kitchen had a small counter, a mud stove, cabinets, and a vat for water. The bedrooms had only a bed and a nightstand. The living room had a few chairs and a round table. It's perfect. Can't go wrong with this. Now let's tell my second employee.

"Hey Melinoë!"

"Yes, my love?"

"…" I paused and almost glitched. What did she just call me? I try to shrug off that delusional address. She's doing my chores. Just go with it.

"I got you a house. Come check it out!" I walk out of the mud house and look for the doghouse. It's a little bigger than I thought and perfect for the chickens. Add some blankets and it's perfect. I grab some pet feed from my inventory and bait the chickens towards it. Then I throw it inside so they can get busy. Technically the bigger one is a hen and the skinner one is a rooster. They better make some eggs soon. Melinoë walks over and asks somewhat incredulously."This…is my house?"

"Uh-huh. It's expensive as hell so you better be happy." This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"I love it!" She kicks open the door and my heart leaps into my throat.

"Careful! Jesus!" She giggles and zooms inside. I'm glad she's in a good mood now. I'm counting on my number one laborer. The goat sits down outside of the house and I stare at it before letting it be. She yells from inside.

"Where are all of the linens?!"

"Don't have any. I'll try to steal some later. Penguin, when do I have to wake up?" He looks askance and then replies a beat later."A few hours from now."

"Yup. I'll steal and plunder my gifts then. They should be in the storage room." If that wasn't turned into some other type of wardrobe while I rested. Melinoë chirps from inside and walks into the living room.

"That's great! I can't wait. Steal plenty of goods for me." Her smile splits her face and for once I'm not that offended by her looks.

"I was planning on it. How's the field coming?"

"It's going. I've already added the vegetable seeds to the first field and the grain to the second field. Mother would be thrilled if she saw me now." She sighs and zips back into the house, dark and white hair flowing behind her. Who's her mother again? I tilt my head and try to remember. Kore or perhaps Persephone! I can't believe it slipped my mind. I've always wondered why she goes by two names. She's the Goddess of Spring I think. I guess she would be proud this is her bread and butter after all.

"How much gold do I have left?"

"Take a deep breath." Oh god. I breathe in deeply.

"Three hundred and twenty-nine coins." My next breath comes out as a sob. I wail about my poor wallet all the way until the next morning. Where I'm woken up by the Evil Nanny to labor away my youth. Every move I make is scrutinized, critiqued, and corrected. Today, however, instead of dining with just my mother. I'll be dining with the first family. Which refers to the Duke, Dorothea, and Erichean. I was escorted to my wardrobe which was a small room next to my living room. It's more than enough for now though.

Then I was put into surprisingly comfy clothes. Instead of the frilly, tight, nonsense I was used to. Freesia dressed me in a soft spider silk chemise the color of grass. Purple with hints of green on its ends. It's comfy but even that didn't make me forget my original objective. Some of the jewelry from my birthday party was in an exquisite box on a dresser. While they were applying some hairpins to my curly silver hair.

I innocently played with a few accessories and then called Penguin mentally to store a few in the inventory. Just a few! I didn't want it to be noticeable. When they were done primping and priming me I was sent off to the main house. Only Freesia and Kissae came with me this time. Freesia didn't say a word on the way over. She just rubbed my back soothingly working out the knots that had bloomed underneath my nerves. She gave me her parting words before leaving me in a high chair next to Dorothea."

I'll be right outside." She then proceeded to float out of the room with her back ramrod straight. I subconsciously straightened mine. Dorothea softly addressed me with a loving smile that crinkled her amiable eyes." Good Evening, Ria." I copied her greeting and smiled back at her. She returned my gesture and engaged in small talk with me. Warmth drips from her every word and she personally serves me when the food comes out of the kitchen.

Erichean makes funny faces at me from across the table and I find myself cracking a smile every now and then. The Duke silently sips on a golden liquid from his cup but he also adds to the conversation occasionally. It's a picture-perfect family dinner. So why can't I relax? It's like this hidden undercurrent or invisible knife is hanging over my neck at all times. I feel like I've entered the lion's den. Why am I the only one here anyway? Why didn't they invite Harleen, Eris, or the triplets over?

My brows furrowed and I smoothed them out before someone would notice. As elegantly as possible I ate chopped-up bits of steak with my fork. Mindful of the correct posture I should be making and how I should rest my fork on my plate when I'm not finsihed. Dorothea notices and remarks with surprise.

"What wonderful manners. I see your nanny has made quite a bit of progress with you. Right, Ria?" The food becomes tasteless as I swallow the bits left in my mouth. Then I take a napkin and gingerly tap the sides of my mouth before answering him.

"Yes, Mother. She's been quite the influence on me. I thank you for your patronage and patience, Father."

"What a wonderful improvement! Isn't she just delightful My Lord?"

"Yes, she certainly is." He chuckled mirthlessly. Erichean's the only one who thinks otherwise."I miss the way her cheeks used to puff up." Dorothea chides him."Your sister is not a pet Eric."

"Isn't she? Why are you hogging her anyway mother?"

"It's only right and proper that she sits next to me, Eric." Erichean pouts and I snort to myself. He beams at me and leans across the table towards me."I'm your favorite sibling right?" Dorothea scolds the boy."Erichean!" I scrunch my nose and poke out my tongue at him.

"Fat chance!" Couldn't help it.

"I'm hurt! I'm wounded!" The dinner finished without any major incident and Freesia carried me away under Erichean's reluctant gaze. I waved goodbye to him and he mouthed goodnight to me. Phew. Freesia carries my deflated body back to the room. This time however Mei Xue and Kelly undressed me. Then they went over my hour-long exercise routine. Freesia stood back, watched, and smiled at their progress.