It had taken around two weeks to reach his home from Paris, though they spent most of the days going through the smaller roads in the countryside to go home. And just bordering the river and mountains of the country, he put his hands on it. 

It was on the edge, closer to leaving their tiny duchy and neighbouring the Republic of Genoa, and bordering all the mountains. This was where Lorenzo spent his early childhood, playing as his father showed him the ways of the world. And, of course, what he needed to learn in the future. 

“I didn’t know that you bordered this close to the sea, since I always knew Parma for its mountains. But here, you’re truly closer to the sea.” Placido told him, as he looked. Just a little further, they could feel the sea. In fact, they had much more trade from the nearby coastal republic than they did from their duchy. 

It surprised Placido when they first passed the mountains to go west instead of south, even more once they stopped just before the mountains. 

Placido and Lorenzo got down from the carriage, mostly eager to stroll their way inside. They were now at the gates as he waited. 

As the gates open, all the footmen gladly welcoming him back home. 

“It is always what they think, but I wasn’t.” He gave a smile. It’s the strong association, although to the north they bordered a river and the mountains came in the south. 

“It’s quite far out, but I can make my way home. It’s certainly closer than Paris. I wished maybe it was in the mountains.” He let out a sigh. 

“So that at least the worst of your journey is done?” He gave a laugh but knew why. It was rocky, there was always an uneven road. He couldn’t fault a traveler for wanting an easier path. 

“Yes.” Placido nodded, though he already knew.  

“You could cross into Genoa and take the sea route.” Lorenzo suggested. “That’s what we usually did if we wanted to go south instead.” 

Placido raised his eyebrow, perhaps somewhat unwilling to consider. 

“I have family in Genoa, so it helps.” It was one of the two maritime republics in Italian, the other being Venice. Neither of them were nearly as powerful as they had been centuries ago, but they could exist and continued to do so. 

“Well, I don’t really like ships much.” 

“I like it more than horses,” she said. 

Placido looked at him. “You’re definitely strange since you ride in so many carriages.” 

“Well, there is also one more thing. I’m never in them. I’m bad at horse-riding.” Lorenzo admitted with a sheepish smile. 

“But I’ll like to stay for a few days more than my original journey. I hope I’m not a bother.” 

“You’re welcome to do so.” Lorenzo knew they would welcome him if they knew he was a friend, second for also the short notice he had been given. “It’s been a long journey. They’ll understand why you’ll want to remain for a while before taking the second part of the journey home. I can also travel with you to Parma too, though it will be a few days.” 

They had stopped by, but did not have anytime to look. 

“Alright, maybe it’s a good idea.” He gave a smile. “Also, when you come to my hometown, I’ll show you around too, as well as Rome. It is less out of the way than going to Parma from Stressa.”

The villa was the seat of power for their family for centuries, though they were lords first, then barons and finally Marquisates recently when the new Dukes took over. He led his friend through the courtyard. 

Lorenzo didn’t have the chance before his eight-year-old brother, Federico, found him, embracing him instantly, and then looking up curiously. 

“Couldn’t wait for me to come back?” He lowered his back so that he could meet his eye. 

“Yes, I heard you were returning soon, in your most recent letter. You were just a day away, and then I heard they saw your carriage and so I came..” 

“Just come with us,” Placido said with a smile. 

Though, a maid came intending to fetch Federico back. 

“I’ll take the padroncino back, so you don’t need to worry, signore.” The maid offered. 

He dismissed her. “You can follow me too, to the hall.” 

“How did you find Paris?” Federico asked, with countless questions on his mind. 

“It was quite a trip, many thinkers. It’s not a wonder why they call it to see. And it’s an experience, maybe once you’re older it’s for you to experience too.” 

He had truly seen a lot while he was there, more than satisfied for him to make a move forward. 

“Were you planning to do anything before Papa called you home?” He asked. 

“No, but I was planning to move to a further country. But since Papa called me home, here I am.”

“I’m glad, because I missed you.” He told him too. 

Lorenzo liked to read to him, and to teach him sometimes. 

“So does Cecelia, she really hopes to catch a glimpse of you before her sixteenth birthday.” 

“That’s quite a ways away.” She was only fifteenth now, it was months away. 

“You’ve been away for months, Lorenzo. We spent seven months on the road. It isn’t hard to imagine why,” Placido said. 

“You’re quite right.” 

He would learn more if he could talk to her. They had reached the grand hall, with the entire household all welcoming back. For he was their future Marchese instead of anywhere else. 

The center was his father, Cosimo, with his gray wig, over his brown hair, a standard for him, dressed in a coat, with breeches. He had a large tricorne hat, from the days he had been a soldier. He was a stern figure, Lorenzo often found it difficult to meet his gaze, his steely blue eyes.  

His mother, Beatrice, her rather light face, wrinkles all over. As she held her hand together. Her gown was a light brown, laced with gold, her black hair. He had favoured her in his hair and eyes. Her eyes were earthy and brown, and often quite warm. 

Federico had went to his mother, holding her hand slightly, as Cosimo ruffled his hair before he took his place behind them as they looked. Next to Cosimo, had been his sister, Cecelia, with blue eyes, thick eyelashes, her high cheekbones. She dressed in a light blue gown, with her brown hair clear, in the newest fashions. 

She greeted him first, kissing him both, embracing him. “Welcome home.” 

His father had given him a curt nod. 

“This is my guest, Signor Baldoleto. He’s going to remain here for a few days before going home.” 

He nodded, knowing that he had sent them very small window of time. 

“I’ll be glad to have him,” she said. “I’ll show you the way.”

“I’ll follow Mama.” Cecelia followed them. 

Federico gazed with a curiosity, then Cosimo gave him a look. 

“Go with your Mama.” The boy nodded and went inside. 

Then, the whole room was gone, the servants were all returnign to work. Now, it was just Lorenzo and his father. 

“I’ll see you in my study, we have matters to discuss that do not concern your mother or sisters.” 

He nodded, before following his father. It seemed whatever it was, it was important.