Building a Harem in a Noble House-Chapter 69: Isn’t That Sweet?

"P-please, this way," the maid, Savrah, stammered, her voice soft and shaky, like she was afraid the words might break. "The estate... It’s just up the path. I’ll show you around."

We climbed out, my boots hitting the gravel with a crunch that echoed the sudden openness after the stuffy carriage. The air was different here. Salty from the nearby beach, mixed with the earthy tang of grapes ripening on vines that stretched out in neat rows toward the water. It was far from what I’d expected this place to be, but that didn’t make it any less pleasant. A beachfront vineyard, waves crashing faintly in the distance, the whole place bathed in that golden late-day glow. The Greaves family had sunk their roots here after the big move, and it showed. The main house loomed ahead, all stone and timber with wide windows overlooking the sea, but it was the grounds that stole the show for me. Honestly, if I were to retire right now, I’d probably pick a place like this. In Eshil, though. The scenery was nicer there.

Isobel stretched her arms overhead, her black dress hugging her frame as she took it all in. "Wow, this place looks amazing, Savrah. You and the others outdid yourselves with the furnishing." She glanced at me and Lyra, her braid swinging as she turned. "Is that what the 600,000 was for? Renovations? Or am I mistaken?"

Savrah shrugged, rubbing the back of her neck. "You’re correct. The House was already in the family name, apparently. I’m new here. They hired me from the nearby Wizardry Academy to help with renovation and building since I scored highly on my ’Magic in Carpentry’ course. Since I did a good job, they hired me as a maid, and I’m taking this job to pay for the rest of my tuition."

"Isn’t that sweet?" Isobel said. "I hope you enjoy your time with us, then."

Savrah giggled. "I-I’m supposed to be saying that to you, milady! T-this is my tour!"

Isobel playfully raised her hands. "My apologies, then. By all means, lead the way."

"N-no! I’m not mad! I’m just..." the maid’s cheeks heated. "Let’s just go..."

The maid started leading us down the main path, her steps quick and hesitant, like she was trying to stay ahead but keep us in sight. And those glances... Every time she paused to point something out, her eyes would slide to me, lingering a second too long before snapping away.

So... th-this is the main vineyard," she started, gesturing to the rows of vines. "It’s where we grow grapes for the estate’s wine. There are several cultivars available. Unfortunately, they are too new to be unique, but in time, we hope to begin grafting unique cultivars." She paused, looking at me again before immediately turning away once we made eye contact. "The beach is just beyond... it’s... um... g-great for... walks at sunset... and stuff."

Isobel sidled up closer to me, looping her arm through mine with that knowing smirk. "Hey, Savrah? You’re staring at Lloyd an awful lot. Don’t forget about Lyra and me."

Lyra chuckled, clearly having noticed it too, but didn’t add anything thankfully.

Elara’s face went beet red, her pointy ears drooping. "N-no! I mean, s-sorry, milary. I just... heard about him from the Lord of the Estate. And from the retired paladin. Ovard Shaw, I believe. He spoke highly of Lloyd. A-and Lyra. And his niece..."

"All good things, I hope," Lyra said, speaking for the first time.

"He said you’re a ’perfect mage’, and that your teacher should be proud–whatever they are."

Lyra blushed, giving Savrah a soft smile. "He is. I’m sure of that."

We kept walking, the tour unfolding in bits and pieces. Elara showed us the newly furnished sunroom first, with glass walls overlooking the waves, plush chairs arranged around a low table with fresh flowers that smelled like summer.

"The interior designers wove illusions into the rugs," she explained, pointing to the intricate patterns on the floor that shifted subtly, like waves lapping at your feet. "They say that it keeps things cool in summer."

Then the detached kitchen, all gleaming counters and herb gardens blooming under enchanted lights that mimicked sunlight. Everywhere we went, it screamed money well spent... my and Lyra’s money, technically, but it felt good seeing it come alive.

The second vineyard was a stunner: vines thick with purple clusters, workers in the distance pruning with tools that hummed with minor spells. The beach path led to a private cove, sand soft underfoot, the water a deep blue that begged for a swim. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"It’s beautiful," Lyra murmured, kicking at a shell as we paused by the shore. Her gold eyes sparkled with the reflection off the water, blonde hair whipping in the breeze. "I’m surprised the ’Demon Queen’ never took advantage of this property. Would’ve been a nice change of pace."

Isobel snorted. "I would’ve if I’d known it existed. Of course, I’m aware of our family’s properties, but the ones I know of are in Eshil." Her expression soured a bit. "I suppose I’ll have to ask father about this. He was the one who managed our properties during his stint as ruler. Perhaps–"

Her words were cut off by a shout called through the air from a boy no older than ten.

"Hey! Over here!"

A group of similarly aged local kids came barreling down from a nearby field, a worn leather ball bouncing wildly between them. One of them, a scruffy boy with dirt-streaked cheeks, kicked it our way, hard. It sailed right toward us, and I stepped in front, ready to block, but Lyra snatched it mid-air with a grin.

"Whoa, nice kick! I would’ve used the flat of my foot and not the point, though. Gets it higher," she said, tossing it back lightly. The kids skidded to a halt, panting, eyes wide as they took us in.

The boy who kicked it rubbed his hands on his pants.

"You play?"

Lyra raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms as she put on a smug grin. "Podrian kickball champion. Never been beaten in my life."

The kid lit up. "We’re getting wrecked by those Nightingale jerks. They cheat with their fancy spells and stuff. Can you help us?"

Lyra’s face lit up like I’d never seen.

"You kids need an Instructor, hmm? Sure, I guess I can show you how to play. But just know: once you learn what I can teach, you’ll never lose again. Games can get boring when you can’t lose them."

I raised an eyebrow, glancing at the distant field where the other team–kids in crisp tunics with Nightingale crests in their chests–were looking on, smirking. "You sure, Lyra? We just got here. Don’t you wanna stick with the tour?"

Lyra shook her head. "Nah, this is your and Isobel’s time. Go do family stuff. I’m just the third wheel here." She said it casually, but there was a weight, like she was drawing a line. No, that was bullshit. She was just bored out of her mind and looking for an excuse to get out of this, the selfish asshole.

"But you were invited, too. They want you–"

Lyra shook her head a bit harder, eyes alight with a mix of calm dignity and frantic need. "’Just go. Please. I’ll catch up later."

"But–"

She ruffled the boy’s hair and jogged off with the group, already calling out tips on footwork as they headed back to the field.

Isobel watched her go, then tugged my arm. "If it makes you feel any better, she’s, in a roundabout way, helping the family. If those kids get good enough, we can sponsor them, which brings revenue and renown to our H–..." She paused, looking away. "Ah, I suppose that doesn’t apply anymore. Forgive me, I suppose I’m still getting used to my family not having a House..."

Savrah gave Isobel a sympathetic look as I held her a bit tighter. "It does. You don’t need to be a Noble House to deal in reputation. I suppose you’ll receive an explanation at some point today. Which leads me to my main point: your family should be ready to meet you all now. Come, I’ll take you both to them."