"My lord has returned."
Charles, the clerk, had been organizing the records for the newly reclaimed tobacco Magic Potion Field in the temporary Governor's Office of Small Market Town when a junior clerk came to report the news.
"My lord has returned?"
Charles froze for a moment, then tossed aside the form in his hand and shouted, "Prepare my horse!"
"Sir, your horse is already ready." The junior clerk had been perceptive enough to anticipate Charles's reaction.
Charles threw on his coat, mounted his horse, and galloped straight for the manor's secondary residence.
He arrived at the entrance in a flash, dismounted before the horse had even stopped, and quickly straightened his clothes.
Then he broke into the most dazzling smile and called out loudly, "Has my lord returned? Hahaha! No wonder I heard magpies calling in the trees early this morning—it turns out my lord has returned!"
Russell had just changed into clean clothes. Seeing Charles put him in an excellent mood. "Teacher Charles, you came quickly."
"Hehe, it has been over a month since I last saw you, my lord. I truly missed you, so the moment I heard you had returned, I hurried over to see you." Charles had no psychological burden whatsoever when it came to flattering someone.
"Sit." Russell gestured.
The valet William brought over tea. Russell had just raised his cup to his lips, before he could take a sip, when he heard another loud cheer from the doorway.
"Master, you're back!" Old Hans entered with a fawning smile. "These days while you were gone, Old Hans missed you terribly. Seeing that you are still as handsome and dashing as ever, Master, Old Hans can finally put his worried heart to rest."
Russell laughed. "Come on, Old Hans. Have a cup of tea first."