The Greatest Showman #1520 - Warm Welcome

The yacht gently slowed its pace, and Renly let out a rare sigh, a faint smile playing at the corner of his lips.

Even Nathan, who was typically slow to pick up on such things, noticed the change in Renly. His mood seemed lighter, his demeanor more relaxed. In the past, Renly would have raised an eyebrow in surprise, never letting such a sigh escape him. But today was different. Nathan couldn't fully understand what had shifted, but surely, this was a good sign.

As the yacht neared its destination, the captain sent an assistant to check if Renly needed anything. "Master Renly, Master Andrea asked if you require assistance," the assistant inquired politely.

Everything, from the yacht's pick-up to the villa, had been arranged by Andrea's older brother, Alexander Hamilton. Every detail had been flawlessly handled, even anticipating unexpected situations. Even now, the Hamilton family's servants were aboard to ensure everything went smoothly.

"No need," Renly replied, waving his hand with a chuckle. "Just tell him—unless he wants to fall into the water, they can wait upstairs."

Venice, a city built on the sea, has small marinas, and Renly was reminded of a past trip when he and his friends had accidentally fallen into the water. It was one of those chaotic moments when they had all ended up in the sea, drinking saltwater and suffering from a less-than-pleasant evening.

"Are we close to our destination?" Renly asked, realizing that the ships and people gathered ahead were likely there for him. It seemed his whereabouts had been exposed earlier than he anticipated.

During the film festival, every move is scrutinized, but Renly hadn't expected the reporters to be so early, already gathered at his location.

"Please convey my apologies to the Duke on my behalf," Renly said, recalling that the Duke's private residence was often featured in the press. While their families were friends, Renly understood the importance of maintaining proper etiquette and respecting boundaries.

The assistant nodded politely. "Don't worry, Master Renly. The news of your stay here was released by Master Andrea, and tomorrow night, there will be a formal banquet at the private residence. All invitations have already been sent out."

Renly, surprised but understanding, smiled and gave a reply: "Let your young master come down and pick me up."

The Scene at the Pier

As the yacht approached, the reporters' anticipation grew, the cameras already clicking from every angle. The Venice Film Festival is known for its high costs, but Renly's arrival added a different level of spectacle. His yacht was a symbol of understated luxury—like a Rolls-Royce of the sea. The private pier and villa behind it were said to belong to an ancient prince's residence, grand yet unassuming.

While others grappled with the expenses of Venice, Renly seemed to be enjoying an exclusive retreat. A hereditary aristocracy, it seemed, had its perks—one of them being a lifestyle others could only dream of.

The reporters snapped photos in frenzy, capturing the yacht's every detail: the sleek lines of the hull, the top-tier materials of the deck, the sound of the engine—a true show of wealth and taste. Some had speculated this was the official yacht of the festival, but it was clear that Renly's level of luxury surpassed that.

As the boats continued to circle, creating a stunning visual of dense, churning water, the spectacle was undeniable. The reporters, though keeping their distance, were unwilling to miss a moment of the unfolding event.

A Moment of Uncertainty

The yacht finally docked, and Renly, unfazed, waited patiently for the boat to settle before stepping onto the deck. A surge of shutter clicks erupted, as the sea of reporters captured his every move. The sound of cameras was almost deafening, drowning out the sound of the waves.

Renly, standing confidently on the deck, waved at the reporters. But then, as the yacht swayed with the waves, he stumbled slightly. The aristocratic poise he was known for faltered as he regained his balance by grabbing the nearby porthole. His straw hat, blown by the wind, threatened to take flight, causing him to remove it with a slight grin.

Looking at the chaos around him, Renly couldn't help but laugh at the situation, realizing he had underestimated how difficult it would be to greet reporters on a yacht.

The Calm Presence of Matthew

From the pier, Renly's gaze met Matthew's. His stern expression softened as he saw his friend, now dressed more casually in a white shirt and gray shorts. The sea breeze had tousled his hair, giving him a more relaxed appearance than usual.

"What's so funny?" Matthew asked, noticing Renly's smile.

Renly chuckled. "I was just thinking about the last time we vacationed here, back in tenth grade. It's been a while since I've seen you so relaxed."

Matthew, who had devoted himself to becoming a lawyer, rarely took vacations. Renly realized that this was likely one of the few opportunities Matthew had to truly unwind.

Renly took a step forward, but the yacht rocked again, causing him to lose his footing. This time, Matthew quickly reached out, steadying him as they walked toward the pier together.

The Inevitable Punishment for Andre

Once stable, Renly turned back toward the reporters and waved once more. The cameras flashed relentlessly, but Renly was unfazed. He leaned toward Matthew and said with a smirk, "Tell Andre he can't escape fate. I've already set my sights on him."

Matthew, now understanding why Andre had stayed upstairs, allowed himself a small smile at Renly's playful threat.

As Renly stood firmly on the dock, the reporters continued their noisy barrage of questions, their enthusiasm undimmed by the waves or their surroundings. The scene was chaotic, but it was also quintessentially Italian—full of energy and life.

In the midst of it all, Renly couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. The welcoming ceremony had certainly been grand, but it was just another day in the life of the "Greatest Showman."