"Your staff will arrive in the afternoon," Roland informed. "I’m going to give you the list of their names so that you can remember who is who, and what their function is to your estate," Roland said as he handed him a parchment with a list.

Ernest grabbed it from Roland’s hands and then read it.

Actually, the list was longer than he expected.

Much longer.

For a moment, he felt like he was reviewing the organizational chart of a small company rather than the staff of a private residence.

At the very top was the estate steward.

Roland Vance

Position: Estate Steward

Responsibilities:

Overall household management

Staff supervision

Budget reporting

Procurement coordination

Guest arrangements

Ernest raised an eyebrow.

"Wait. Your name is Roland too?"

The property agent laughed.

"Different Roland."

"Good. That would’ve been confusing."

Victor looked over Ernest’s shoulder.

"Estate steward?"

Roland nodded.

"The steward is essentially the manager of the entire estate. If something breaks, if supplies run low, if servants need direction, if guests arrive unexpectedly, he handles it."

"So basically a supervisor," Victor said.

"A very expensive supervisor."

Victor immediately understood.

Then Ernest continued reading.

Margaret Hale

Position: Head Cook

Emily Hale

Position: Kitchen Assistant

"Mother won’t need to cook anymore," Ernest said casually.

Anna immediately looked horrified.

"What?"

Ernest almost laughed.

Actually, he forgot that Anna genuinely enjoyed cooking.

For years she had prepared every meal for the family.

The thought of someone replacing her probably sounded strange.

"I’m not saying you can’t cook."

"I’m just saying you don’t have to."

That seemed to reassure her slightly.

Then Ernest moved further down the list.

Sarah Whitmore

Position: Laundry Worker

Grace Whitmore

Position: Laundry Worker

Thomas Reed

Position: Groundskeeper

Benjamin Reed

Position: Groundskeeper

Arthur Briggs

Position: Stablemaster

Henry Cole

Position: Stable Assistant

Martin Cole

Position: Stable Assistant

Victor stared at the list.

"That’s a lot of people."

"Large estates require a lot of work," Roland explained.

"The gardens alone take several days every week to maintain properly."

Then Ernest reached the final section.

Alice Hart

Position: Household Servant

Charlotte Hart

Position: Household Servant

Elena Cross

Position: Household Servant

"So there’s thirteen staff and the monthly salary of my workers in the forge is about 12,000 per month. It’s going to be very expensive, I just need less people to run the house since we are only three people living here," Ernest reasoned.

"Okay, who do you want removed?"

"It’s better if I tell you who I will be keeping. So for starters, I’ll keep Vance, the Head Cook, one household servant, groundskeeper, stablemaster, and laundry worker. That should be enough," Ernest said and added. "And their salary would be around 66,000 riels per month. That’s one manageable," Ernest said.

"Very well, I can arrange that. Anything else you want to change?"

"No, that would be all,"

Roland nodded.

"Very well. I’ll inform the staffing agency and update the household arrangements."

Actually, the property agent looked relieved.

Not because Ernest reduced the staff.

But because he did it logically.

Most wealthy clients either kept everyone regardless of cost or fired people randomly without understanding how the estate operated.

"If you need anything, you know where to find me. Congratulations once again to your humble abode, and I wish you good luck for your future endeavours."

With that, Roland left. And in the afternoon Ernest and his parents explored the estate.

Afternoon arrived and there was a knock on the door. Ernest and his parents were behind the door.

Ernest walked forward and opened it.

Standing outside were six individuals dressed neatly in working attire.

A middle-aged man stepped forward first.

He had neatly combed gray hair, a straight posture, and the appearance of someone accustomed to responsibility.

The others stood slightly behind him.

The man bowed respectfully.

"Good afternoon, Master Teucher."

His voice carried confidence but not arrogance.

"My name is Roland Vance. I have been assigned as the estate steward."

Ernest immediately recognized the name from the staffing list.

The steward.

The manager of the entire estate.

Beside him stood a woman in her forties wearing a clean white apron.

Another younger woman stood beside her.

Then came a broad-shouldered man who looked strong enough to uproot a tree.

A stablemaster stood beside him.

Finally, a young woman waited quietly at the end of the group.

Vance cleared his throat.

"Allow me to introduce everyone."

He gestured toward the woman wearing the apron.

"Margaret Hale. Head Cook."

Margaret curtsied politely.

"It is an honor to serve your household."

Then he pointed toward the groundskeeper.

"Thomas Reed. Groundskeeper."

Thomas bowed.

"I’ll keep the estate maintained, sir."

Next came the stablemaster.

"Arthur Briggs. Stablemaster."

Arthur nodded respectfully.

"The horses and carriage facilities will be my responsibility."

Then Vance motioned toward the final two women.

"Sarah Whitmore. Laundry Worker."

Sarah curtsied.

"And Alice Hart. Household Servant."

Alice performed a small bow.

Actually, seeing them all lined up made the situation feel surprisingly real.

This was no longer simply a large house.

It was an estate.

A functioning estate.

And these people would now work under the Teucher family.

Beside him, Anna suddenly looked nervous.

Ernest noticed it immediately.

For years she had been the one cleaning.

Cooking.

Washing clothes.

Managing the household.

Now strangers would help handle those responsibilities.

The transition clearly felt strange.

Victor wasn’t much better.

The former forge worker stood awkwardly with his arms crossed as if he had no idea how wealthy people were supposed to behave.

Honestly? 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Neither did Ernest.

At least not completely.

Fortunately, he understood one thing.

Respect mattered.

Especially if he wanted loyal employees.

So instead of acting superior, Ernest stepped forward and offered a polite smile.

"Thank you all for coming."

The staff looked slightly surprised.

Most wealthy employers didn’t personally greet workers.

"We’re still adjusting to everything ourselves," Ernest continued.

"This house is new to us."

A few of the staff exchanged glances.

That probably wasn’t what they expected to hear.

Then Ernest gestured toward his parents.

"This is my father, Victor Teucher."

Victor awkwardly nodded.

"Good afternoon."

"And this is my mother, Anna Teucher."

Anna smiled warmly.

"It is nice to meet everyone."

"So, as for our stablemaster, I have yet to acquire myself a personal carriage so please look for one that will be suitable for long travel and as well that can be used by my family."

"Of course sir, I know a place where they sell carriages," Arthur Briggs bowed his head politely as he acknowledged the order.