The Greatest Showman #1522 - Memory Pieces

The Duke of Hamilton's family is one of high prestige and great legacy. Unlike families such as the Hall, Dunlop, and Dormer families, the Hamiltons still retain their nobility and wealth, with their family business thriving. This enduring prosperity is reflected in their high quality of life and their unshakable social confidence.

James Duncan, the longstanding butler of the Duke of Hamilton's household, has served the family for five generations. Though James has yet to reach retirement age, his health has declined over the years. Understanding this, the current Duke of Hamilton arranged for James to take up a station in Venice for rest and recovery.

On the surface, this move seemed like a demotion—forcing James to leave the position he had held for 35 years. However, it was, in fact, a thoughtful reassignment. The Duke knew that even in poor health, James would refuse to retire, so sending him to Venice allowed him to care for the family's private residence while getting the rest he needed.

James, though not particularly close to Renly, Matthew, or others in the family, is familiar with their lives. He often steps in during times of trouble, and Andre is involved in many of these instances. James is always the first to act, whether dealing with a crisis or overseeing important travel itineraries.

As James led the way to their assigned rooms, he remarked, "Master Renly, your room is next to Master Matthew's, and Master Andrew is opposite." Though James' steps were slow due to his health, his long years of experience allowed him to carry on with grace. Renly and Matthew hurried along, following his lead without a hint of concern.

James turned and added, "By the way, the extra guest room on the third floor is ready. The entourage and bodyguards can stay there. Master Andrew said that ten rooms should suffice. Is that enough?"

Renly paused for a moment, caught off guard. He wasn't accustomed to traveling with an entourage. However, after a brief realization, he responded, "Don't worry about them. I've already made arrangements for their accommodations. My agent booked a homestay just a few streets away."

"Understood," James replied. "Please send me the contact details of your agent so I can handle the daily logistics."

"As for Master Arthur," James continued, "he arrived in Venice yesterday and has checked into the Venetian Palace."

The Venetian Palace is no ordinary hotel—it's one of the few five-star establishments exclusive to Venice. Housed in a luxurious 16th-century building on the main island, it boasts lush gardens, river or sea-view rooms, private balconies, and retro decor. The hotel also houses one of the city's Michelin-starred restaurants. It is within walking distance of St. Mark's Square and offers unparalleled tranquility amidst the bustling city.

The Venetian Palace is one of the most prestigious hotels in Venice. A luxury suite during the off-season costs around 1,500 pounds per night, with prices soaring to 3,300 pounds during the film festival. For the aristocracy, while the commercial atmosphere may be somewhat overwhelming, it remains an attractive destination for occasional vacations.

Arthur's decision to stay at the Venetian Palace was deliberate, signaling that he was in Venice for business rather than leisure.

James escorted Renly to his designated room and, with a slight bow, left to attend to his other duties. As Renly entered the room, he was immediately struck by the familiar mint air freshener and the charcoal basin used for dehumidification. A small plate of simple snacks lay on the bedside table—everything meticulously arranged to suit Renly's personal habits. Eight years had passed since his last visit, but James had never forgotten these details.

"It's just as I remember," Renly remarked, his steps slowing as he took in the comforting atmosphere.

"No, no, there are some things that are different," Eaton quickly interjected. "James mentioned that the place was renovated the year before last. The biggest change was the bathroom. The old equipment, like the toilets, was far too outdated. Even the Duke couldn't stand it anymore."

"Really?" Renly said, raising an eyebrow. "I thought I'd never see any changes in my lifetime."

He walked over to the bathroom, pushed open the dark green door, and was met with a modern transformation. The new bathroom, with its soft green and sky-blue tones, featured an emerald green four-corner bathtub and a separate shower area, complete with modern fixtures hidden behind a mint green shower curtain. The gold-trimmed mirror and dark green cabinets complemented the room's retro elegance, while the golden yellow copper basin maintained the original style of the building. The pièce de résistance: a rare, precious flush toilet.

Venetian mansions, renowned for their age, often boast historical charm but come with many challenges. The plumbing and design can be antiquated, leaving the homes with no hot water system or proper drainage. Bathing, for instance, might involve heating water in a separate pot and manually filling the bathtub—a process requiring constant attention from the staff to ensure the water doesn't get cold. Without proper drainage, chamber pots were still a common solution to bodily needs, emptied by staff each morning.

However, over the years, renovations have been slowly undertaken to address these issues. For example, the Duke of Hamilton's home underwent a sewer upgrade in the 1990s, though further work was halted to preserve the building's historical integrity.

"Do you remember that time when Andre drank too much and ended up vomiting in the washbasin, which clogged the sewer?" Eaton said, laughing. "The next morning, the sewage flooded out of the pipes. It was awful!"

Renly chuckled. "I remember that. It felt like the whole city was under siege by sewage that day!"

Eaton was still laughing when Andre, shaking his head, walked in. "Matthew wasn't much better that night. He passed out on the yacht and almost fell into the water."

Andre continued with a grin, "We thought you two were swallowed by the waves. We had no idea where you went. It was a wild adventure!"

Matthew, shrugging, replied, "I told you I couldn't drink anymore, but you insisted! I didn't even get a chance to drive the yacht. Lucky it didn't capsize."

The memories flooded back, and the group couldn't help but laugh at their past misadventures. "It was an expedition, not a party!" Renly protested, smiling at the humor in the situation.

Their lighthearted conversation continued as they reflected on the changes and the fun they had shared over the years, reminiscing about their youthful adventures and the bond that had formed between them.