At night, the stars shone brilliantly.
In front of the unfinished main keep of Cigar Castle, a bonfire blazed on the lawn, while Gem Lamp Fixtures on the surrounding racks cast their light.
The entire grounds were illuminated as brightly as day.
The knights sat on the ground around the bonfire, chatting comfortably.
Not far away, more than a dozen male and female servants from Cigar Courtyard bustled about preparing a barbecue buffet dinner.
Mrs. Moore, wearing an apron, lowered her voice as she scolded the kitchen maid for her clumsy movements. "Move faster, be more careful, and stop being so careless. This is the first time my lord is holding a barbecue dinner at the new castle!"
"Sorry, Mrs. Moore." The kitchen maid lowered her head, not daring to argue.
She was new. To prepare for the future work at Cigar Castle, Cigar Courtyard had recruited several kitchen maids.
Barbara, one of the old hands who had been promoted from kitchen maid to head kitchen maid, came over carrying a stack of plates.
After setting them down, she quietly comforted the newcomer. "Mrs. Moore's tongue is like a knife, but trust me, she's a good person. She's just too afraid of ruining the dinner."
"Really, Barbara? I thought Mrs. Moore disliked me."
"That isn't exactly wrong. Mrs. Moore dislikes every kitchen servant, including Mrs. Brown, who works in the kitchen with her. I used to get scolded by Mrs. Moore like this too," Barbara said sympathetically. "Anyway, once you get through this period..."
"Once I get through this period, Mrs. Moore won't scold me anymore?"
"No. Once you get through this period, you'll get used to being scolded and won't feel sad or afraid because of it anymore."
"What are you whispering about!" Mrs. Moore's voice rang out, like