When George saw his parents looking around as they were alighting the ship, he waved his hand to indicate that he was there. Seeing him, the couple also waved their hand in acknowledgement.
"Mother, Father, I missed you both." George said as he hugged his mother first.
"I missed you too my dear!" Marchioness Geneva replied as she hugged her son back then kissed his cheeks.
Then, George moved to hug his father too, to which he received a pat in the back.
After the reunion, Leonard finally deemed it appropriate to introduce himself.
"Good day, Marquess and Marchioness Morris, and welcome to Windsor. I am Leonard Maxwell, the son of Duke and Duchess Maxwell. I am here to welcome you in their stead. They also send their apologies for not being able to personally come here at this time for they had to accompany my sister for an event. However, they shall be receiving you in our Ducal estate in the capital."
The Marquess smiled recognizing the boy. They have met at the signing event last time. "It is of no consequence. We are very thankful for the courteousness given by his grace."
"No need to be so formal, please call me Aunt Geneva and call the Marquess Uncle Gregory, Leonard. This is not the first time we meet." Marchioness Geneva said.
Leonard smiled, "Then Aunt Geneva, Uncle Gregory. If you may please." He said as he indicated them to walk with him.
The Marquess fell in step with Leonard while Geneva and Gregory walked side by side following them to the awaiting carriages. At the very back were about 4 servants, 2 came with the couple, the lady's maid and a valet, while the other 2 came with Leonard to help with the luggage. Anyway, waiting for them were 3 carriages. The carriage in the middle was opened and Leonard asked the couple to enter first. After, he and Gregory took the seat in front of the couple.
In this way, they traveled for 3 and a half hours to the Maxwell's ducal mansion in the capital.
--
When Serena, her parents, and her friends arrived in the mansion, Leonard and their guests have not arrived yet. Since the Ducal couple has arrived yesterday, today, the servants were not lined up for ceremony to welcome them.
Anyway, they entered the mansion, and the servants were quick to help Serena's friends with their luggage. The rooms have already been prepared but since they estimate that Leonard should be arriving shortly, they all sat in the drawing room. Serena's parents began asking them about their experiences in school, and how it has been.
Of course, the girls were excited to talk. There was so much to tell that they have not even told even one fourth of their stories when the butler announced that the carriage Leonard took have just entered the gates.
The couple and the girls all stood to walk outside and welcome the guests.
--
Gizel's parents alighted the carriage and there to welcome them was the Ducal couple along with the 4 girls.
Gregory and Geneva both walked to the ducal couple to give a formal greeting, but Simoun directly offered a handshake to Gregory while Celine went over to give Geneva a hug as if they were already best of friends.
"We apologize for not being able to welcome you both earlier as we had to accompany our daughter in an event. However, we hope that your travel had been pleasant." Celine said.
"No, no it's alright. We thank you for hosting us for our stay, your grace." Geneva replied.
Celine shook her head, "Just Celine will do, Geneva. Anyway, is this your son, George?" she said as she noticed the boy behind them.
"Oh yes, come George, introduce yourself." Geneva instructed.
"Good afternoon your Grace, I am George Morris." George introduced himself.
Celine just laughed and said, "just call me Auntie Celine and the Duke, Uncle Simoun. Congratulations by the way. I heard that you will be graduating tomorrow."
"Thank you, Auntie Celine." He replied while blushing. It was the first time they met, and he did not expect that the Duchess would be so nice.
Anyway, after a few niceties, the girls greeted the couple and finally, Gizel could hug her parents.
--
They all entered the mansion, and the guests were all guided to the guest rooms to freshen up for dinner.
During this time, children spent time with their parents to tell them about school and their activities.
When it was time for dinner, everyone went down to the dining room to eat together. Afterwards, they just spent the time enjoying each other's company.
The conversations were inclusive without the need to separate by gender. The children talked about school and their activities, while Simoun and Gregory shared their experiences in the same school during their younger days. Meanwhile, although Celine and Geneva did not get to attend said school, they still enjoyed hearing about it.
When their topic went on to Serena's music prowess, Serena excitedly told them about the new song she and the girls have sang together. Since they were already done with dinner, they all went to the drawing room to listen as she told them that she and the girls already have the copies of the 4 songs each.
It was really a good evening for everyone. They listened to the songs and picked their favorites. After, they also talked about the silver anniversary of Gregory and Geneva. They extended the invitation to the ducal couple and Leonard, but they had to decline because summer was a very busy time for them. The Duke has to attend the meetings at the house of Lords at this time, while Leonard and his mother has to oversee the duchy and some of their businesses in Simoun's absence.
They also talked about the plans for the next few days before the guests go home to Militeia. The next morning, Duke Simoun would need to attend a meeting at the house of the lords, while in the afternoon was George's graduation. So, they can only have a celebratory dinner at night. Come Tuesday, Serena, Leonard, and Via has to visit the orphanage in the morning. Though in the afternoon, everyone was free. Thus, the girls decided to go shopping, while the men, well, they will do their thing. Wednesday would be the day they will travel to Militeia.
Anyway, when it was almost 10 in the evening, they all called it a night.
--
TBC