Chapter 185: Starting Her Plans
While the political landscape in Calma shifted under Prince Alaric’s strong presence—whose sweeping reforms left both allies and opponents reeling—Lara was quietly but resolutely orchestrating a different kind of revolution—one not born of noble decrees or battlefield glory but of ambition, foresight, and the will to carve an empire for herself.
She wanted to bring to fruition what she had planned since she awakened in this archaic, unfamiliar world. While others were caught up in the political drama, she was focused on building something tangible, something hers.
She confided her plans to Samuel and Jethru, men she regarded not only as elders but as invaluable sources of insight into this foreign time. Though they did not always understand her, they respected her determination—and that was enough.
She asked a portion of the estate’s backyard to be allocated to her. She enlisted the help of one of Alaric’s soldiers, who knew carpentry, to help hire carpenters to build row houses at the far end of the backyard following her design.
From there, things moved quickly. Together with Yando, they began constructing the first phase of her vision: six modest but well-designed row houses that would house the broken vases that she vowed she would help.
Each dwelling measured just 20 square meters, raised a full meter above ground to guard against the floods of the rainy season. The bamboo walls stood tall and clean, while slatted bamboo formed springy, breathable floors. A narrow flight of six steps led up to a small front balcony—a simple but thoughtful detail—welcoming guests before they entered the living space.
Inside, the layout was deceptively efficient. The living room, cozy yet functional, could seat four with comfort. To the left, a door opened into a bedroom large enough to fit double bunk beds, allowing up to four people to sleep within. Despite its size, the room was cleverly designed to mirror the combined space of the living and dining areas. At the rear, a slim doorway led into a compact kitchen and utility area. There was also a ladder that led to the loft that could be used as a sleeping or storage area.
The roofing was made from bundles of sun-dried cogon grass, tightly woven and reinforced with sturdy bamboo frames, promised durability through storms and sun alike.
There was no flushing toilet at that time no matter how Lara was disgusted about it. She could only build two outhouses a safe distance away, along with two enclosed sheds where women could bathe in relative privacy.