Dawn had just broken when the four-wheeled carriage from the Earl's Mansion pulled up to the entrance of Baron Kaman's Mansion.
The faint sound of its wheels crunching on the gravel road startled the servant on night watch.
He hastily threw on an outer coat and peeked his head out from a side door. When he saw the thorned-flower crest of the Earl's Mansion on the carriage door, the sleepiness on his face vanished instantly.
When Baron Kaman was woken up, he was still a bit groggy.
Wrapped in his sleeping robe, he walked into the drawing-room and saw the old butler sitting with formal posture.
The old butler wore a composed smile, but Kaman knew his own elder brother, Count Leman, was never an impatient man.
Paying a visit before sunrise was an act that bordered on rudeness.
In all his years, Baron Kaman had never seen his brother act so out of character.
After a brief exchange, the old butler stated his purpose.
