"Oh, F-forgive me, Count! You are here!?" Lily exclaimed, nearly breathless.
She had received the letter about the Count's arrival a week prior but had chosen to wait in the communal hall, mistakenly thinking he would delay his visit.
As soon as she glimpsed him arriving outside, she sprinted forward, the hem of her dress held tightly in her grasp, with one or two startled servants trailing behind her.
It was their duty, assigned by the headman, to greet the Count, but they had been enjoying the warmth of the hall instead.
"It's fine, but what is this?" The Count asked, his attention drawn away from her inquiry as he surveyed the architecture before him.
Standing in the open doorway, he could feel the warmth pouring out.
He stepped forward into the entrance, eager to explore, noting how the villagers around him stood quickly, bowing in surprise at his presence—not out of fear, but of respect.
