The three members of nobility sat down at the table Sophia upturned cups and poured tea from the little tea pot her smile warm the Captain facade had dropped now that she was around family it was like flicking a switch just like her father she had iron control of her face and emotions but the wall dropped as she smiled warmly placing the tea pot back down the three of them sat there for the moment taking in the loving presence of the other.
The Duke broke the silence first his voice hearty, "I do believe it has been almost a month or more rather since my Granddaughters birthday since I last saw the both of you." The other two nodded confirming that it had been the same for them as well as the Duke continued, "How is my Granddaughter I am afraid I can't say I have heard from her in a long while albeit that may be because I was off doing my duty to our people doing battle with the abhorent unscrupulous Kusarian fanatics at our doorstep. They have truly fallen lower than animals and need a well deserved bullet, such violation and desecration of man woman and child that they come across."
"Grandfather!" exclaimed Sophia her words sharp and scolding, "Behave, what do you think Lafiel would say if she heard you denouncing the Kusarian people as a lower form of life, she would be heart broken and truly such jibes are far below a person of your level in society." Sophia glared at the Duke as he began to protesting as if to scold her but the Marquess intervened bringing an end to the arguement that was about to interrupt, "Last I heard of my dear little Lafie she had collapsed I believe that was a message from you hence for my brisk hurry to this establishment alas to no avail too late did I realise that the message was older than a few hours alas I had been away on a deep space assignment which required a more silent nature and was just returning. Do tell me daughter of mine is she well."
Both of them fell silent as Sophia turned to look at her father, "Well the little charmer managed to pull curtains over my dear Uncle's.. I mean Oliver's eyes she collapsed from a severe bout of Influenza though she was quickly treated when she left for Rheinland she still wasn't a hundred percent the poor little thing. I did speak briefly to her over a transmission once she got there safely and was still crook but looked a lot better. One must concede though that if one was to imagine her as you explained to me then it is remarkable she got it or maybe it was something else that we know not made her collapse."
The Marquess contemplated for a moment pulling strings so that he might land a position at the embassy and visit her. He stopped entertaining this line of thinking realising that the Duke was now talking. The Duke had obviously known the absence of his son's mind as he began again, "As I was saying when I called in at home I found numerous messages waiting for me. She sounded rather panicked by the end of the that she couldn't get in touch with us... I did try contacting her for the past few ours before meeting Sophia with no luck she was rather busy which is understandable but she would of returned the transmissions.... So I am convinced something isn't quite right her Chief of staff practically leapt over the moon when I got in contact with him regarding my inability to reach her apparently the lack of family appeared to be taking a toll on her health. I am not quite sure but as Grandfather Granddaughter relationships go she did seem to want to try to tell me something or she at least hinted at something important apparently it was one of those things that she couldn't tell you Sebastian though truly it would only be on a matter were she thought it might harm your pride of her."
The Marquess frowned concern creasing his brow, "She is a silly girl surely she must no nothing would harm my love or pride of her... I can see maybe it is time for one of those more interesting father daughter talks." Sophia grinned broadly showing her perfect white teeth she knew just how paternal their father got having had many such lectures and discussions herself. Sophia spoke an idea popping into her mind to bring a close the worry, "Let us celebrate my dear sister and her fine accomplishments with the Embassy and to family for this has been the first time any of us has seen each other in a very long time." Here here both men acknowledged her in agreeance.
The Duke spied what he had been trying to find his entire visit an environmental filter he lit up his cigar Jovially and dipped into his jacket to pull out a decanter pouring a deep amber liquid his special Century Vintage single malt scotch into an old fashioned glass which nobody had quite realised he had managed to aquire for their table. Sophia saw the scotch and exclaimed shocked at her most senior relative, "GrandFather your drinking scotch in a pastry shop?" The Duke gave her a sidelong glance momentarily taking his cigar from his mouth, "You young missy are not depriving this oldman of one of the few delights still left to him. This is a celebration though and it is most called for though not for a young lady such as yourself at this hour." Sophia rolled her eyes at him which would of gotten her a slap across the face had she been in any other noble family but her GrandFather just smiled warmly around his cigar. Truly Sophia couldn't be genuinely angry at the warm hearted oldman he was thinking of her best interests for both public appearance and what would of normally affected any other human beings health.
The Marquess declared in a whisper, "I shall involve the other guests in this celebration." He carried his tea cup and moved to the front counter were Christy was handed her his another thousand credits and turned to address the other guests. He spoke to be heard projecting his voice with authority that called all her heard it to regard him as his voice carried around the room, "I say may I have your attention please!"
The Marquess satisfied that he had everyones attention began a small announcement, "Ladies and Gentlemen that are present here in this establishment today I call upon you all to join in festivities of this day for rememberance of accomplishments of both family and friend a like. I praise my daughter Lafiel who has gone before us in courage and wisdom with her efforts doors have opened heralding a greater friendship and the securement of a stronger peace between our beautiful kingdom and the Federal Republic of Rheinland with the establishment and opening of Embassy and a focal point for our presence in Rheinland. I speak to you now also to honour the men women and children whom have fallen to this war of the utter destruction of our people and way of life. Honour to those that have gone before us and fought with courage in her majesties armed forces giving freely their loves for the protection of all free Bretonian people of who without we would be toppled and cast to the solar winds. In these next two hours I say eat up and drink till your hearts content and bask in merriment and company of your fellow person. Let us rejoice in our peace between Bretonia and Rheinland as our bond grows ever deeper let it be that in some day that all the great wars come to an end as does the suffering of all human kind at the hand of it." He paused saluting with with his cup as he spoke with reverance, "To family, friends, our loved ones and fellow countryman. God Save The Queen!"
He returned to his table satisfied and proclaimed a more personal toast, "To family, how I have missed you both." The free of them clinked their drinking vessels smiling.