The time before dawn is the darkest moment of the day.
Yet Fresh Flower Town was ablaze with light.
Torches clustered and blazed, and the crystal lamps in the castle shone brilliantly, casting a particularly lively atmosphere.
"Thomas, quicken your pace, the lord has already started washing. The ironed undershirt needs to be delivered to the lord by four o'clock."
"Has Douson been fed? Tom, don't forget the lord's order, give Douson a bath and comb its fur."
"Mrs. Morson, have the maids sifted the powdered milk? We need to pack it up promptly and load it onto the carriage,"
"Barton, hurry up and feed all the horses for the expedition. Don't delay the troop's departure time at dawn."
Butler Carter was constantly walking back and forth between the castle and the apple orchard, directing the castle's servants into action, serving the troops about to set off on an expedition.