Mr. Benson, the Diplomat

In St. George's District of Backlund, Melissa, wearing a veiled hat and radiating the air of a young girl, jumped down from a rental carriage. Turning back toward the carriage, she smiled. "Thank you, Tyrone. This study trip to Longtail Island has benefited me greatly."

Tyrone got down from the carriage as well. Somewhat bashfully, he scratched his head. "I gained a lot from it too."

He had never imagined that his brother Hobart and sister Donna had quietly built such an enviable country in the Rosed Islands.

After exchanging a few words and saying goodbye once more, the two young people parted, and Tyrone boarded the carriage and left.

Melissa entered the rented Townhouse. The moment she stepped through the door, she saw Benson sitting on the sofa with a letter in his hand, staring blankly into space.

She took off her veiled hat. "Who sent it?"

"Oh, look, our Melissa is back from traveling." Benson immediately smiled.

"It was a study trip," Melissa corrected him.

Benson still held the letter in one hand while pouring Melissa a cup of tea with the other. "Right, a study trip."

Then he asked, "What was Longtail Island like? Was it really as good as the rumors said? How did you manage food and lodging these past few days?"

"It was even better than the rumors. That place... that place was full of vitality!" Melissa said.

After taking a sip of tea, she added, "The Governor's Office on Longtail Island arranged all our food and lodging. They promised that as long as university students came to Longtail Island for study trips, they would provide free meals and accommodations.

"Also, because of Tyrone, Mr. and Mrs. Hobart invited us to dine at the Governor's Office. Miss Donna came too."

They had been almost