Wilson went forward himself to help her alight the carriage. It seemed that was something he usually did— going to welcome Catherine whenever she returned from somewhere— as Catherine didn't look at all surprised to see him there and neither did the servants.
Catherine accepted her husband's hand and dismounted the carriage.
She smiled gratefully at her husband, then they walked hand in hand toward their children while the coachman rode off to park the carriage in the stables.
"Just in time for lunch. I waited for you so that we can eat together."
Aristia heard Wilson tell Catherine with a smile.
The man was a total simp for his wife.
Only then did Aristia remember that it was actually one o'clock in the afternoon. She wasn't very hungry as she had eaten snacks at different intervals.
"Welcome back, mama." Aristia greeted when Catherine approached her.
"Welcome back, mama." Alaric followed suit, repeating his sister's words of greeting.
The two maids also bowed in greeting to the Grand Duchess. Behind Catherine was her lady-in-waiting who had gone with her to the tea party.
"Welcome back, Madam."
Nodding with a smile, Catherine took both her children's hands in each of her hands and with Wilson's arm around her, they walked into the mansion, looking very much like a loving family.
The couple returned to their room in the meantime, while Aristia continued her walk with Alaric outside the mansion.
She was seeing the mansion's exterior for the first time. The mansion was very large. She felt very small standing in front of it in a child's body.
[Alaric must feel even smaller.] She chuckled.
"Huh?" Alaric glanced at her curiously, wondering why she was laughing.
Aristia just shook her head.
There were multiple windows in the mansion. Her room was on the other side of the mansion.
The mansion's entrance had cobblestones that paved the way to a large gate she could see in the distance.
There were various stone statues and even a fountain.
Few minutes of walking around and a servant called for dinner.
The maids had already finished setting the dining table and the food had been laid out.
Most noble families ate breakfast together. However, they didn't usually eat lunch together. Anyone could have lunch wherever and whenever they wanted.
Dinner, however, was eaten by the whole family in the dining room. But the Grand Duke's family preferred to have lunch together too.
Taking their seats, Aristia helped Alaric up onto the chair beside hers, before climbing on her seat.
Staring at the food spread out on the table, Aristia sighed inwardly. She already missed the days her family would have sandwiches for lunch or while having a picnic during the summer, and she had only been here a day. She wondered if they had sandwiches here.
[I'll ask about that later. I'm craving sandwiches and a chill glass of orange juice for a change.] She thought while licking her lips and digging into her food.
"How did the tea party go, Cathy?" Aristia paid attention when she heard Wilson ask Catherine how her day went.
"Oh. It was splendid," she cut the steak with the knife one last time before moving the fork to her mouth. "We discussed some womanly matters with the other noble ladies, and Alistair showed her new collection of jewels. They sparkled beautifully. She said she got them from that famous travelling caravan— Osric Caravans."
Wilson smiled at her answer, "Is that so?"
Nodding, Catherine chewed until there was nothing left in her mouth before replying, "She spoke about them quite proudly, perhaps because she was the first to find out about the jewels and purchase them. I might just purchase one." Catherine said and Wilson nodded his head in approval while they resumed eating in comfortable silence.
Catherine spoke again, "Willy. Alistair is hosting a tea party in two weeks. The messenger should arrive with the official invite soon. We will be attending." She informed.
"Alright." Wilson nodded.
Tea parties were a norm for nobles since it was a means of socializing.
Aristia listened without her expression changing. Of course she was aware of the significance of such gatherings. Tea parties among nobles were not only social events but also opportunities for networking, discussing matters of importance, and maintaining alliances between different fiefs and regions.
It was the responsibility of the ladies to host and arrange social events like tea parties. They also took care of the planning and guest lists.
It was just like the social gatherings held back in the modern world. Those events offered the aristocrats a chance to interact with other aristocrats and foster relationships that might prove valuable to them.
Aristia downed half a glass of water. Catherine hadn't prepared the afternoon's meal. The food the cook had made was delicious, but it wasn't the same as when Catherine made it.
[She really had made that. No wonder it tasted motherly.] Aristia thought.
After lunch, Catherine asked Aristia to accompany her for a stroll in the garden with Alaric, while Wilson went to his study to take care of matters related to his fief.
Walking with her mother around the beautiful and fragrant garden, Aristia sighed inaudibly. [It's great to take a relaxing walk to help digest food.]
Adeline, Cassandra, and Catherine's lady-in-waiting, Melanie, followed behind them at an appropriate distance that was not within earshot so as not to overhear the conversation the noble lady was having with her children.
Melanie was a few distances in front of Adeline and Cassandra. She was from an aristocrat family and wasn't very comfortable with walking together with the two commoners.
Suddenly thinking of something, Aristia turned to Catherine, "Mama? Can I have a copy of my itinerary for my classes?" She asked, since Catherine was in charge of overseeing her lessons.
Catherine answered even though she wondered why Aristia needed that, "I will have Mrs. Cedmond arrange for that."
Mrs. Jacqueline Cedmond was the head maid and the wife of the Butler, Henry Cedmond, a kind middle aged lady who had been working in the mansion even before Catherine had gotten married to Wilson.
After a pause, she added, "But, why do you need it?"