Lorenzo opened the door, the candles having already burned out in the morning. It was kind of small, compared to even his own room on his estate. 

But he lived in a large villa in his home country of Parma, switching to living in a cramped shared apartment in Paris, even smaller than the townhouse he had in the city. 

It was only slightly less constricting than his life in university where he shared a single room with a roommate, although made up for the direct and almost constant access to the library. But he had almost none here, although balanced by the chance to learn from the best minds. 

Lorenzo cleared his desk of quill, paper and having to send all his unmailed correspondence, Placido having taken the books from the various shelves. 

“Is there anything that you require, signore?” Placido had brought his valet with him, named Amico, a kind man. 

“Help me buy a new trunk,” he said. 

“Of course,” he said, going off. 

“You need an entire new trunk?” Lorenzo asked. 

“Yes, I bought that much.” Placido gave a sheepish smile. 

“And you’re still going?” He asked.

Lorenzo had spent a lot in terms of parchment and ink, but it was their way to sharing cost. He used it more often and Placido lent him all the books he wanted. He couldn’t really fault his friend for finding Paris such a treasure trove of information. 

As opposed to Parma, one of the smaller cities, although still a capital. 

“Yeah, but I still want to. Once Amico is done, I’ll go to the bookstore and stay there till the evening.” 

And Placido was already getting started on all the packing just so he could. 

Then, there was his valet too, Gennaro, coming in. They had stayed here in the room, sharing it was easy. 

Such as hiring the horses and the carriage. 

“We’re panning to go soon, from here and beyond. Even including a sea trip.” 

“Are you sure, Signore?” He asked. “You don’t do well on ships.” 

Lorenzo smiled. “There’s not much of a trip. I have to cross the channel as it’s the only way, no matter how much I would appreciate a land route. I’m sure I can deal with it.” 

“Of course, Britain is an island.” Gennaro told him. “I’ll prepare for it.” 

If they wanted to leave within the next few days, it would be necessary. He took a seat down. 

Then, Gennaro took a turn back. “Before I go, signore, you have a visitor.” 

Lorenzo agreed to take the visitor. Except that it was a courier, who had smiled when he met him, bending down. 

He was young and sent here, dressed in the livery of his family’s estate. 

“Signore, I have an urgent message from your parents.” He presented the letter, but it was not all on his person. There was a small trunk, likely filled with coins. This was truly urgent. His father often sent him a note to redeem at a bank, but now he came with cash. 

He took the letter. The seal was from his father. He opened it using the letter opener, almost wondering what was the message. 

His father required his presence back home; he put it down, unable to think of why he would need him. It would throw his plans so much. But first, he needed to think. 

Lorenzo would have wanted to see Britain, a few more cities, and then head back to Parma. Maybe it would take another year, but this changed everything. He didn’t have a choice anymore. 

“Is there anything wrong?” Gennaro asked, knowing him since he was a boy, and was previously a footman who got only assigned to him when he came of age.  

“Could you go out and find Signor Badoleto?” Lorenzo told him. 

He nodded before going to carry his order. 

“Thank you,” he said, passing the courier some money or going so far. 

“I am to remain here to help with the plans, as it likely created a quick change in plans. And also as part of your escort.”

“Are you alone?” 

“No, signore, I’m not. I came with a small entourage of men to help you, and also a carriage directly back.”

That would remove all the obstacles. 

“Then stay here for the night and use the funds here. I have to settle some matters beforehand.” His father would cover a day of board extra, he knew it too well. 

The man nodded, thanking him before leaving. 

Placido had come right back to meet him, knowing why. He closed the door, Lorenzo dismissing them, before they took a seat int he room. 

“What happened?” He asked, wanting to ask in private. 

“My father requests my immediate presence back home. He’s even sent people to take me home so that I won’t have to.” He knew he was serious now. “I need to go with him instead of going anywhere else.” 

Placido nodded, but letting him tell him. 

“Well, in that case, I think I would go back. You’re half the fun, really, and you know how to get us into the best sights. Maybe I’ll look for someone else, but for now, I’ll head back home to Rome.” 

Rome was in central Italian, but he lived in the northern, pretty close to the western part of the middle sea. 

“You’re not sure you want to continue?” 

“I also know myself incredibly. I am better if I have someone to accompany with and to handle some of it. It’s much less cheap, even if I didn’t really like the salons or the hostesses.” 

And also travel was dangerous. There was always the chance of banditry unless they went armed with an escort. Together, they shared the cost. 

“Alright, but you should stop by my house a little. Just to show you some stuff. The library there is a highlight alongside the food.” 

They were famous for their meats and cheese. 

“Alright, now that is what I need.” 

“But should we tell the landlord?” He asked. 

“How about we just pack and settle the rest tomorrow since it’s much more tiring to pack?” He asked. 

Placido needed to deal with his books, as he liked it. And Lorenzo would want to refresh his correspondence, and do some packing.