As Rhett entered, the two maids nearest to him blinked their bright, sparkling eyes and greeted him:
"Good afternoon, Master."
"Good afternoon, Master. Would you like something to drink?"
"No need. Just focus on preparing the venue," Rhett said, waving his hand as he surveyed the hall. His gaze lingered on Shaar for a couple of seconds before he spoke to everyone, his expression unchanged: "You've all worked hard. If you're hungry, help yourselves to some food to keep up your energy. If you're tired, take a short break. Today is a day of celebration, and no one should be too exhausted."
"Thank you, Master."
"The Master is truly kind and generous."
"Yes, the Master is very understanding."
"..."
Hearing Rhett's thoughtful words, the servants all quickly offered their heartfelt praise.
"Of course, the Master is the greatest person in the world."
Svita's voice echoed from the other side of the hallway. As she finished speaking, she hurried into the hall, dressed in a fresh, pristine suit, exuding a crisp, clean air.
"Oh~ Svita, you bathed so quickly! I thought it would take at least another ten minutes," Rhett chuckled, looking at Svita.
"Master Rilai brought in a new alchemical bath device. It's a recent invention that makes bathing much more convenient for us ordinary folks. Just press a button, and the water comes pouring down, like bathing in a rainstorm. It feels wonderful," Svita replied with a smile.
Suddenly, Svita noticed Shaar, who had his back turned to Rhett, and her expression darkened with anger. She scolded, "Shaar, have you been facing away from the Master this entire time? Don't you know that's highly disrespectful? The Master is soon to be a king, and for such a lowly mistake, you could be dismissed immediately!"
"I-I'm sorry," Shaar replied, his face flushing like an apple, both embarrassed and regretful. But the scolding tightened his focus, and his "little problem" naturally relaxed. Only then did he dare turn around and apologize sincerely. "Master, I was wrong."
At this moment, Rhett kept his face stern as he met Shaar's gaze and said calmly, "Hmm… It's true that your mistake was somewhat basic. You'll be punished with a week of eating only black bread."
"Thank you, Master, for your mercy!" Shaar sighed in relief. A week of black bread was a rather light punishment, considering what it could have been.
"Hmph! Don't mistake the Master's mercy as a reason to make careless mistakes. Such disrespect must not happen again!" Svita, uncharacteristically cold, scolded Shaar further.
Shaar, with his keen sense of hearing, detected the shift in the housekeeper's tone and shivered, fully realizing just how foolish his actions had been. His heart sank even further.
"Alright, Svita, come with me outside."
Rhett shifted his gaze away from Shaar, suppressing a smile as he coughed lightly and called for Svita.
Svita's expression instantly changed to one of attentiveness. "Yes, Master!"
The two left the hall, heading outside the castle, stopping beneath a large phoenix-flower tree.
The tree's shadow formed an umbrella-like canopy, providing a cool, shaded spot.
"Master, Shaar's behavior was utterly disgraceful. To show such disrespect to you… I'm considering whether he should even be brought along when we establish the kingdom…" Svita said with a sigh, watching Rhett's back.
Rhett turned around and shook his head with a smile. "Svita, the situation just now was a bit special. No need to be too harsh."
"Special? Please explain, Master," Svita asked, puzzled. Being an ordinary, middle-aged person, his attention had been primarily on the Master, and he hadn't noticed any "special" circumstances.
Suppressing his amusement, Rhett lowered his voice and explained what he had observed earlier.
When Svita heard the truth, her eyes widened in shock, and she opened her mouth, speechless for a while.
Finally, she sighed with a half-smile. "That Shaar… He's really… so young…"
Perhaps it was because Svita's prime years were long behind her that she hadn't immediately associated Shaar's actions with youthful energy. Now, she could only shake her head in exasperation.
"Sigh, this oversight is my responsibility. I hadn't considered such issues," Svita reflected, lowering her head in acknowledgment.
This time, Rhett didn't immediately reassure her. Instead, he paused before saying, "Hmm… When you look at the broader picture, this small incident highlights a larger issue. One that can't be ignored. The reason I brought you here today is related to this."
Svita's expression grew serious. Placing her right hand over her chest, she spoke in a solemn tone, "Master, please speak."
Rhett turned to face Svita, his voice calm as he stood in the dappled light under the tree's leaves:
"The Green family will soon occupy the largest and most central territory on the continent. This carries extraordinary significance."
"Our entire household will ascend to a higher throne, enjoying immense status. Every follower's position, identity, and wealth will soar compared to the present."
"But at the same time, every word and action will be scrutinized, reflecting on the image of the Green royal family."
"On the surface, this means we must be more careful, paying closer attention to our conduct. While that's true, in reality, it places even greater demands on the rulers and managers to exercise the art of governance."
"Because one thing is certain: the manpower required for the Green Palace will far exceed that of Green Manor. There will be guards, servants—men, women, the elderly, the young, the tall, the short, the fat, the thin. Every group brings potential problems. Whether these issues surface is only a matter of probability and time."
"In the past, we didn't need to pay much attention. But as the number of staff grows, even the smallest chances become more likely. As managers, we must understand the characteristics of each group, their strengths and weaknesses, to manage them effectively."
Svita fell into deep thought, lowering her head unconsciously as she recalled each word her master had spoken. It all made so much sense.
Rhett cleared his throat and continued, "Take the example just now. Shaar's restlessness reflects the physiological needs of the young men and women working here. These are natural, unavoidable feelings—no living creature can escape them, nor should they."
"Trying to suppress such things is always less than ideal. Countless lessons from history prove that systems going against human nature are destined to fail."
"Instead of blocking, we must guide. Issuing orders to prohibit is easy; any leader can do that. But prohibiting without addressing the underlying need reflects a failure in management. Only through proper guidance can true wisdom in governance shine." Rhett spoke meaningfully, turning to face Svita again.
"Wisdom in governance…" Svita murmured, repeating the phrase as her mind drifted. She was caught in a state of realization.
A gentle breeze rustled the branches of the phoenix-flower tree, and Svita nearly lost her hat to the wind. Catching it in time, she looked at her master with immense respect and bowed deeply. "Master, your words are enlightening. They've helped me understand so much. It's as though my past experiences have suddenly been elevated—'management' requires both 'control' and 'understanding.' If either is missing, problems will arise."
Rhett's eyes softened with satisfaction. "For you to grasp so much from just a few words, Svita, you continue to be an outstanding housekeeper. Your talent is exceptional. I'm confident you'll be an invaluable assistant in the royal palace."
Svita chuckled self-deprecatingly. "At my age, what talent could I possibly have left?"
She fell silent, her gaze turning more complex as she looked at Rhett. Her eyes grew misty, and with trembling lips, she finally spoke, "Master, it's been my greatest honor to serve you. Your brilliance has illuminated my life, giving me a fate countless others could only dream of. But… I'm just an ordinary, aging person. Please forgive me, but I must decline continuing as your head housekeeper. A kingdom is far more complex than managing Dark Eagle City. I lack the ability for such a task."
"I'd be content just tending the gardens and sweeping the floors…"
"Svita…" Rhett's eyes softened, and his eyelids twitched as he gazed at his loyal housekeeper.
After a long pause, Rhett exhaled heavily and said firmly, "There's no need for further discussion. I will never abandon you. You will always be my trusted housekeeper."
"But, Master…" Svita's voice cracked with emotion, her eyes reddening.
"No more 'buts.' Go prepare for tonight's banquet. Let's cherish these last moments in Deep Rock Fortress," Rhett said with a calm expression, waving his hand.
As soon as he finished speaking, Rhett's figure dissolved like a handful of sand, vanishing in an instant.
Svita watched the sand drift away, his face suddenly seeming older. After glancing at the old tree beside him a few more times, he turned and slowly walked back toward Deep Rock Fortress.
"Svita, what's wrong?"
Rachel, who had just returned from trimming the garden, walked up the path, surprised by Svita's solemn expression.
"Oh, it's nothing," Svita, who had been lost in thought, quickly snapped back to reality. Taking a deep breath, he glanced at Rachel in her green gardener's outfit, her hem falling to her knees, and suddenly asked, "Rachel, you don't have a partner yet, do you?"
"Huh? Huh?" Rachel's face flushed red, startled by the question. She looked up at Svita with wide eyes, covering her mouth. "Oh my, Mr. Svita, why are you asking that? We're far too different in age for it to work. Besides, if Mrs. Maru the cook hears this, she'll be furious!"
"Cough, I think you've misunderstood," Svita quickly waved his hands in defense, nervously glancing toward the castle. Remembering Rhett's advice, he hastily explained, "Don't get me wrong. I was just asking about your relationship status. The Master's guidance has opened my eyes, and I was thinking about hosting a matchmaking event for the servants—of course, only if you all don't have partners yet."
"A matchmaking event? That sounds amazing!" Rachel's face lit up with excitement, her eyes sparkling as she exclaimed, "Let me tell you a secret, Mr. Svita. I've noticed something between carpenter Kudrin's son Otto and Scarlett these past few months! And Leo and Debbie—they've been giving each other looks during work…"
Rachel eagerly shared all the gossip with an animated expression, while Svita stroked his chin and smiled, reflecting, "It seems I've indeed fallen short in the 'understanding' department. So many interesting things have been happening in the castle without my knowledge."
"I'll have to get closer to the servants from now on, to understand them better. Otherwise, as the Master said, more issues will surely arise…"
Rachel's eyes sparkled with curiosity, wondering what exactly the Master had said, but she wisely kept quiet. Instead, she added, "Hey, Mr. Svita, when are you planning to host this matchmaking event? I wonder if I should buy a nice new dress for the occasion…"
"Oh? Looks like you already have your eye on someone." Svita chuckled.
"Well, I can't tell you who it is just yet." Rachel shyly lifted her chin, a hint of mischief in her voice.
"Seems like he doesn't know how you feel yet. Be brave and go for it. I'll suggest to the Master that any servant who marries can enjoy a pleasant holiday afterward."
"That would be wonderful, but I think I'm still far from that step." Rachel's eyes twinkled, though she sighed wistfully. Then, noticing the brooch on Svita's chest, she flashed a sly grin. "What about you and Mrs. Maru the cook? Everyone's been wondering how things are progressing between you two. Some of us have even placed bets on when you'll get married!"
"Oh, you lot!" Svita's face flushed, a rare sight for him. Overcome with embarrassment, he practically skated away, mumbling to himself, "You all have no manners, discussing such things in private…"
After leaving Green Manor, Rhett made his way to the outskirts of Dark Eagle City, strolling along a quiet, secluded path.
As he gazed at the windmill by the pale-yellow fence, Rhett was suddenly overwhelmed with a sense of frustration.
Crossing his arms over his chest, he alternated between looking up at the sky and glancing down at the grass and dirt beneath his feet, eventually letting out a long, weary sigh.
"Sigh…"
Why do people grow old? Why can't ordinary people extend their lifespan through cultivation?
The thought that those around him would eventually grow old had lingered in Rhett's mind for a long time, though he had always avoided confronting it.
But now, as he contemplated the establishment of the Green Kingdom and the management of the royal palace, he couldn't help but face the inevitable and immediate question of what to do with Svita.
Could an aging, ordinary man really manage the complexities of a grand royal palace?