He looked. 

“Antonio is coming here soon,” he said. “He’s also bringing his whole family.” 

Lorenzo knew it too, being his uncle. Though Lorenzo always preferred Zio Carlo more, who was married to his mother’s sister. And his family, that he didn’t quite have any attachment to either.

He nodded. “I’ll meet them today. I know what to do.” 

He was more likely to withdraw and just ignore all pleasantries if he didn’t find it interesting—he hated small talk. But it would not do for a future lord, where it was a chance to dig out information. 

“I trust you,” Cosimo said. Not yelling at him, but just telling him. 

He was happy, perhaps, as he went to see his siblings. Cecelia was with Federico in his room, and he had opened it there. 

Cecelia dressed in one of her best gowns, light blue and bringing out her eyes. Her hair with bangs framing her face, and a smile. 

Federico, who was now looking less like a child, enough so that he stopped dressing like one. He was in a suit, with a pair of shorts instead. He ran up to greet him, eager already. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing Giulia again, and so is Cecelia.” He tugged his coat, though Lorenzo didn’t mind it being a little rumpled. Not as though anyone would notice it. “Is it happening soon?” 

“Not that quick, Rico.” Cecelia patted his head. “Soon, like I said, and you can meet her.” 

Lorenzo didn’t have that much to look forward to. His childhood had been with his cousins Giuseppe and Napoleone, whom he shared much more with in common than Cosimo. 

Perhaps now, he would understand him better now that he knew what he saw and what his life was. The last time he had met hi,. Lorenzo wasn’t in any mood to talk. And he wasn’t ready to face up to the duties expected of him. 

“What are you thinking of, brother?” Federico asked. 

“Nothing, just how it would go. I’m sure you’ll have a good time.” He would thank him. That was always a part of who he was. 

Vanna had come into the room before holding Federico’s hand. 

“So, are you looking forward to seeing Cosimo again?” Cecelia asked, knowing the sore question. 

“Yes and no, I always hated how high and mighty he was when he said he was an heir, and I wasn’t; I frankly never cared one bit about being the heir to Stressa.” To inherit the estate felt less like an honour and more like a burden for Lorenzo. 

“But not him. Who saw it differently?” Cecelia asked. “How do you view it now? It’s all a matter of perspective, after all?” 

“I think because otherwise, he would question himself.” Lorenzo looked at him. “This is now something I never wanted. But I know it would be pointless to run from it.” 

“You have everything right in your grasp, and all you do is throw it away and bemoan what fortune given upon you. Making you one of the greatest nobles in the duchy is a high honour.” 

His words rung clear and true. Cosimo was ambitious. Lorenzo always would rather go back into his books.  

“I hated him then, but now, perhaps I need to apologize a little.” He gave a smile. 

“He was a little harsh, but maybe that was what you needed to hear.” Cecelia told him. “After all, now you can do so much more than either of us can strive.” 

Cecelia only had her imagination and influence, his cousin Cosimo constrained by his resources and lack of power, even in the future. 

“It’s almost time.” 

He went down first, always eager to catch his sister’s hand so that she could sit down. 

“I’m looking forward more to when Napoleone and Giuseppe finally come.” Lorenzo confessed to her. “I liked Giuseppe sensibility and Napoleone’s drive. Cosimo is all ambition, but he’s not smart or fun to have a conversation with.” 

“Elisa is not quite my age, but she is ten.” She held his hand as he led her down the steps. 

They both made their way to the dining table, taking their respective seats. He was going to take the third most important seat, next to his mother on the left side of the table. HIs father would be at the head, his brother to his right. 

His uncle had been a landowner, who inherited some land from his wife, and maintained their noble status because of their marriage. However, they did not bear titles, but were noble. 

The servants came inside, carrying plates upon plates of food. It was a fine feast, with the best meats and cheeses that Stressa offered. Most of whom that he had dearly missed. It was in summer, as he waited and watched. 

Then, his uncle and cousins came strolling in with his wife. She had always been a stern woman and often held her head up high. 

Cecelia had a smile for the seven-year-old Giulia and Federico was excited to talk to her. As the servants escort them to a room meant for the children, meant for children. Then Cosimo took his seat. He was the only one old enough to be here dining with his parents. 

As for Lorenzo, he always had Cecelia. But there used to be three. 

He could not meet his cousin’s eyes, he’ll apologize later. They had never been close because of their personalities and upbringing. He was happy to remain in his books; Cosimo always strove for more power or perhaps influence. 

That’s what he always heard him talk, though Lorenzo had it from an academic standpoint and a philosophical one. Why someone wanted it so desperately. 

His uncle took the seat next to his son, but someone already focused his eyes on him. 

They weren’t quite ready to begin yet, for his father hadn’t come. But he held the feast, hence he was free to do as he wished. 

“I heard you recently came back. How was the trip?” 

“It was an eye-opening experience.” There was nothing to deny it. He never felt happier or freer than. 

But Zio Antonio rarely showed an interest in him until the day he became the heir. Then, all this interest started, and it puzzled him. 

“Glad to hear it. Youth is a chance to experience life and explore if you aren’t sure, and if you ever need some advice, my door is always open.” He took a seat when a servant served him wine. 

Though Cosimo froze up at the mention, almost wanting to glare daggers before being stopped by his mother. She held him back, though her eyes lacked the warmth. 

Lorenzo could feel something off about it as a whole. “You’ll be the first I go to if I have a problem only you can solve.” 

Though he was always better at writing than he did speaking. 

His father had come in with a smile on his face, perhaps showing some pride before taking a seat. Beatrice took a seat, silently shooting him a look. 

They both had embraced and laughed, having known each other all their laughs. He doubts even when Federico is older that he’ll be anything more than his adorable little brother in his eyes. 

Then, the fear started in earnestness. They slipped into chatter. And once he was full, he knew the inevitable was coming. 

“The last time, I think I misread your intention. That you wanted to just ask me to look at the bright side and I brushed you off.” Lorenzo had a smile, admitting it. “I was just to hurt by everything to not see it.”

“Maybe I could have been more tactful, that you needed to move on, not cling to a past that wasn’t here anymore,” he said. 

“You’re right, I shouldn’t have clung onto a past that was already gone. Except they promised it me with my whole life,” he said. “I’m guessing just now there was something you’re not satisfied with.” 

“I wanted to go on a trip, and neither Papa nor Mama wanted. I’m thinking it’s Mama’s influence. She cannot bear to part with me, for I was her only child for so long. But even with other children to fuss over, she still wants me to remain at her side till I’m married.” 

“But when you’re married, you need to be there for the family. You can go frolicking around anymore.” Lorenzo knew it, too. That now was their time to be foolish, to be young. Once you were a husband and a father, you could not. Your wife depended on you, and so were your children. 

Only in death could the bond be severed. 

“Yes, I know that. I wish it was easy.” He grunted a little. 

“You still have time,” he said. “But do you want to hear about my trip?” 

Cosimo lit up at it. He hungered for travel. “Yes, please.” 

Lorenzo told him the full account of his time in Paris, leaving nothing out or in. He told them about the rather cramped apartment he shared with his traveling companion, of the sights they saw but also of the difficulty they had in meeting guests. It was a real world out there, and there was poverty alongside grand sights. 

Once he was done narrating. “What do you think?” 

“I want to go out. Because nothing is ever secure, and that pushed me harder to do it.” 

Though he could feel the wrath of his mother, but it was one he was glad to bear if Cosimo seemed happy. He did not lie to Cosimo. He told him the complete picture.