Her own home!

Soon, the car was parked before an ancient but grand Villa. Calliope couldn't keep her eyes off the lovely property. She looked at the narrow road that led them to the Villa and then at the other side of the road where bright blue sea water and clear blue sky was gracing her sight. 

How could the agent say that his wife wasn't a fan of this property? This was so beautiful that she couldn't take her eyes off it. Sure, this villa was old. Alright, too ancient for someone's taste. But with renovations, it would make such a wonderful home. There was no doubt about the extraordinary beauty of this place.  

And the green mountains around the bright blue sea and clear sky, she had no words about the natural beauty. She hasn't sea in her life even though she lived in the Maisean empire the country known for its beaches. Orin was located in the middle of the country, with no sea or mountains in sight. The duchy was known for its fertile land and it was the largest exporter of crops. 

"I think I reached my destination," Calliope said with a wide smile to the driver who was still in bewilderment. 

How on earth would this woman live in this haunted and ancient house? Does she even have any idea what kind of mess she would find the house in? These were the questions that were running in the driver's mind. 

Calliope paid the driver and walked inside the rusty gate of the property. She didn't bring anything with her except for cash and cards. Not even clothes and a cell phone. 

As Calliope walked further, she mentally noted down all the things that needed work. The lawn and garden appeared as if they hadn't been mowed in years. Wildflowers were growing at all the wrong places. 

The walk from the garden to the villa would take at least five minutes and she would have to climb up the steps to enter the villa. The steps needed to be cleaned as mould or algae or whatever was covering the steps. The house needed to be whitewashed. 

It was only when Calliope opened the locks and went inside did she realize why the driver was giving her weird gazes. This whole place needed work. It was a two-storey villa and surely it would take a lot of time. At most, a month. But was she mad? Nope. For the first time in a year, she was so excited to groom this place and make it as hers.

 An insane idea struck her mind. What if she buys this place from her agent's wife? 

Excellent!

This was what she was going to do. 

It took her a whole month to renovate this place as per her preference. She had to pay overtime to workers to complete it as soon as she didn't want to live anywhere else.  

The deeds of the property were under her name now. She had never expected the rush of happiness she would feel at the sight of the paper stating that this incredible house was her. Sure, she could afford anything. But owning a house was a different affair. She was sure that only a woman who had led a life like her could understand what she was feeling at this time. 

For someone like Calliope who lived under the shadows and roof of her father for eighteen years and then of her late husband, she knew how significant it was for a woman to own her house. Before marriage, the house was her father's and after marriage, it was her husband's. Where was her real home or house? Even she didn't know about it. 

But now, she could proudly say that she was the owner of this place and she purchased it. With her money. 

Enthusiastically, she decorated her home tastefully. Since the house was built in a vintage Mediterranean style, she decorated it in the same style. There was not a single hint of modern decor. As crazy as she might sound, she loved the wooden work and vintage decor that she had renewed. Her home looked as if it was one of those vintage Tuscany style houses taken out of Pinterest. 

One thing that she couldn't understand until now was why the gate of the house was at the backside? Exactly backside! 

It was only when the construction worker told her that the correct gate of the house would be at the backside of the house did she realize that the narrow road by the side of the sea was not the right path. She had to install a new gateway at the back (which was in actuality the front) because she wouldn't be able to see humans if she continued using the old and narrow path. 

....

Author Note: If you remember correctly, Persephone's home in Capital city had sea view in the backside while the same view is in Calliope's front. Yup, they are in the same community.