Maintenance.

It took her half a day to inspect the servant's and knights' quarters. There were two triple storey buildings attached by pedestrian bridge behind the main keep. They were in poor condition.

The roof leaked during the rainy season and was thatched during blizzards in winter.

It was poorly maintained.

She had Blake note down all the things that were required along with the maintenance cost.

She inquired about the servants and how they were classified.

The first floor was occupied by male servants, the second with females, and the topmost floor was occupied by some families who entirely served within the fortress.

The same went for the knights. However most of them preferred to have their families live outside in the towns and villages.

She made changes by relocating half of the older male servants quarters with the soldiers and many young boys separately to decrease the danger of harassment within the quarters. Although they were more like family to each other.

"Blake, can you narrow down the cost of the maintenance materials?"

"All of them my lady?"

"No... Just those that can only be ordered from the nearest town. Please make ensure that it is not of low quality. Especially the tools. And please retrieve large amounts of bran and old rustic swords. It is better if we are able to summon experienced blacksmiths and forgers."

Blake didn't understand why she would want the smiths and forgers summoned on short notice.

She explained him her reasons behind her request.

He was amazed to hear how flexible her plans were while saving half the cost of the maintenance.

"So we can re use old metals and tools by only using cheap material?"

"Tomorrow I need you to tell the servant and knight to search for all metal junk that isn't used. If they find anything that is forged with lead please add them to the list."

Blake went through the papers twice carefully considering every word as if it were priceless treasure.

"Then I will inform them right away. Please rest for today. You have to take care of yourself."

"I'm simply aiding you to live better like anyone would."

She subconsciously felt her belly. The bump was now bigger. Soon she would be feeling the occasional movements of her first child inside of her.

She was tired as Ahriman escorted her to the master chambers.

"There is a lot to be done," she sighed.

It was a tiring day for her. Mina knocked on the doors and entered with her permission.

Nemesis and Leo rushed into the room that almost made her trip over them.

"Nemesis be careful, sweetling." She cautioned him.

He apologized to Mina and showed Luciana a piece of paper.

"Look Mama! It's Leo and me and mama and dada and this is sister Mina and...and-"

"Slow down, munchkin." Luciana had calm his excitement.

She told him to sit beside her as she was told to not carelessly let him sit on her lap.

"My lady you should have some dinner."

Mina insisted and put the tray on the table.

"Chef Zehel made you something special!"

"I'm curious about it." Luciana looked at the tray.

"It's roasted mountain lamb! He also put in fresh millet sourdough, and mushroom and onion soup. He wanted to celebrate for some reason."

"If it's Zehel then I know why he's being like this."

She wondered whether Derran told him about her pregnancy.

The portions were getting bigger in every five days.

She sat on the chair by Mina's help.

Nemesis began to throw tantrum and wanted to sit on her lap.

"Young master, milady needs to be careful. Or you won't have a little sister."

She tried convincing him in several ways but he kept countering her with loads of questions.

Luciana left them to bicker and picked up the handsized loaf of bread from the tray and tore a piece dipping it slightly in the warm soup.

"Nemesis say aah."

She popped the small bite sized piece into his mouth.

His focus shifted to eating in a heartbeat.

Mina was amazed that no one could beat his concentration during meals.

"Come one both of you. It's improper to argue at the table."

Nemesis still had his way in the end. Mina lifted him up and seated him on Luciana's lap.

"You haven't had dinner yet have you?" She asked her.

"I will have my meal after the young master goes to sleep."

"Then join us. It's unhealthy to have late meals." She offered her to have meal with her.

"M-milady how could this humble servant dare to eat on same table as her mistress."

She fearfully opposed the idea.

"It's okay to have meals together once in a while. And I won't tell anyone else about it."

Her smile unknowingly reassured the servants.

"Both Erebus and sir Jafar are away from the estate.I won't put a burden on you. So feel free to reject my offer."

She tore the loaf into smaller bite sized pieces and showed Nemesis how to eat.

He munched on the pieces of bread eagerly.

"Easy there, munchkin. You have to chew before swallowing." She wiped the crumbs on his face as he swallowed down the big bite.

Mina hesitantly sat at the opposite chair and nervously looked at her.

"Help yourself. You still have room for growth."

Luciana had been craving meat since the past week. Her cravings were getting intense every passing day.

Zehel had been very careful in planning her daily meals.

After dinner Mina helped Nemesis wash up and brought him back to the chambers. Luciana needed help during the baths so Mina always had to rush between their chores.

After bath she took some time to go through her mother's diary. It recorded about various things like plants and their uses, side effects. About the demons, the events of what she went through during her time in Wahrheit. But the worst part was that she wasn't good with directions and mostly ended up in trouble until Erebus found her out.

She carefully read through the pages of the old book.

-" Today I got chased by a third category demon. It was not easy to shake him off. Even through my disguise I was being persued. I was simply picking up elderberries to make a cure for this boy Erebus. But thankfully Callum came to my rescue. He helped me pick them for Erebus and we returned to the abandoned shack by the forest...."

"Callum...with Erebus and my mother...who could that be?"