The Marquess smiled sipping his tea he exuberated happiness as he read the paper. Unbeknownst to him he softly voiced what he was thinking out loud sentimentally, "Oh my dear Lafie, I am so proud of you my daughter you have come so far."
His PDA rang like a bell tower the Marquess reacted quickly taking it out and placing it on the table he pressed a few buttons to accept the incoming call. Two holographic images one of his daughter Sophia the other of his father the Duke of Arundel. Sophia was the to speak first, "Father, Finally I haven't been able to get through to you for two weeks. I am with Grandfather on New London are you on the planet surface I would care to have a bite to eat with you if you are. I'll meet you at our city home."
The Marquess couldn't hold back a smirk as her younger daughter who was filled with the fire of command efficiently dictated how things was going to be. He raised a hand the hologram stopped talking giving the Marquess a gap to speak, "Yes my daughter I am on New London but you may come to me I am in Christy's Tea and pastries establishment if you both would care to join. I am sure I could be persuaded to wait. I do believe you know the place" The hologram of Sophia nodded, "Yes, we will be there shortly." The transmission died leaving the PDA to return to the main menu he pressed a few buttons locking it but didn't return it to his pocket.
It wasn't moments before the two holographic figures entered into the establishment his daughter was wearing her captains uniform for the armed forces while the Duke wore a top hat hiding his blonde hair that was going white with a jacket and vest in his right hand he held a cane with a rather large diamond at the top of it.
The Marquess stood going to walk to them but Sophia took a few strides arriving in front of him before any significant distance could be covered. They stopped stairing at each other the Marquess towering over his daughter by at least one or two feet. Sophia broke first she had been rather worried about the fate of her father in a recent skirmish. She wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug smiling, the Marquess kissed her slowly wrapping his arms around her. Sophia rested her head against the top of his strong chest unseen to the Marquess a few tears rolled down from her eyes as she spoke, "Father i'ved missed you so much." the Marquess smiled kindess and care emanating from him as she replied, "An I you my dear daughter."
The Duke walked over to Christy to order more tea before placing a cigar in his mouth unsure as to whether he was allowed to light it he refrained out of politeness. He had placed it in his mouth more out of a habbit than an actual need to light up a cigar. He placed his top hat on the coat rack but left his suit jacket on and came to stand in view of his son. "It's good to see your well my son. The war hasn't taken too much of a toll on you I can see." The Marquess regarded his father with a smile, "Nor you sir you are looking well and fit. I am glad you could make it." Father and son both exchanged guarded pleasantries both of them knew the real truth that in fact the Duke's health was beginning to fail as old age, drinking and smoking crept up on him.
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