Matias stepped closer to the girl who was looking down alone, sitting on the the lawn chair.
"Nivea!"
"Have you come? Sit down!" she pleaded as she moved to make room for him to sit beside her.
"Are you crazy Nivea? Why did you shave your head?"
"Why are you talking like a father? You guys say I'm crazy. What's wrong with shaving my hair? I just made it shorter. I didn't show up with a bald head, right?"
"Hahaha. How would the prince react if he saw his future wife shaving her hair like that?"
"Ah, so because of that, you didn't come to my shop these few days?"
"No Nivea! I was just busy doing something outside of my work at the plantation."
"Hmm. So that's it."
"Of course! You're my friend, anytime I can visit your shop."
"I won't marry him."
"What?"
"I don't like that stupid prince."
"Really? Why don't you like him? All the girls in this country want him so much. Didn't you also agree to the decision?"
Nivea shook her head, "I was just acting, accepting the decision temporarily. I couldn't possibly embarrass the royal family in front of so many people."
"Are you good at lying, Nivea?"
"No, it's actually very difficult to lie."
"Hmm. Really?"
"Marry me Matias!" the girl looked up at the face of the man beside her.
"What did you just say?"
"Ah, don't ask me to repeat myself!" Nivea made a face of annoyed and turned her gaze to the center of the garden.
"Then how am I supposed to answer, if I didn't hear clearly what you said?"
"I like you! Marry me!"
"Are you kidding? Are you proposing to me?"
"Hahaha. I don't have much time for jokes. Just answer, yes or no!"
For a second Matias looked up at the dark, star-studded sky above. "Fine! I won't let you marry the prince."
"So, does that mean you're willing to be my husband?"
Their gazes locked, Matias answered with a nod accompanied by a faint smile gracing his face.
For the time being, the two decided to keep their relationship a secret from anyone around them.
The next day, Rodrigues was ready to spring into action. The man with blue eyes was on his way to the tax office. Just soon, he would be there.
From a distance, his sharp eyes had caught the one-eyed man walking. Going up to the second floor. Immediately Rodrigues approached him. Confidently, he greeted the man.
"Good morning, Mr. Keith."
"Morning... Do you know my name?"
"Of course sir! A friend told me about you."
"Really? Hmm. What's your name?"
"Sir, I'm Mr. Barney." while slightly bowing introducing himself. "I need your help. Can we talk more casually?" he continued.
"Ah, well, come with me upstairs."
Rodrigues nodded and then followed Mr. Keith who began to climb the stairs before them. The two men headed for the third floor.
Arriving up there, Mr. Keith stopped in front of the tax bill printing room. The quiet conditions around the floor made Mr. Keith confident that they could talk in front of that room, freely without fear of being overheard by others.
"So, Mr. Barney. How can I help you?"
"I work in a factory that produces shoes, sir. The owner has entrusted me with the financial affairs. However, I think that he is very stingy in giving me a fair wage."
"So what do you mean?"
"Could Mr. Keith help me with the factory's export tax bill, which is higher value than it actually is?"
"Ah, I understand, Mr. Barney. But you certainly know that, too, there are wages."
"Of course, sir! I've already understood it. Tell you what, sir, in order for you to trust me, how about in a few days I will come back here to take you to the factory I'm talking about."
"Hmm. That's a good idea! All right, Mr. Barney. I still have to work now. I look forward to welcoming you back."
"Yes, Mr. Keith. Thank you in advance. I take my leave."
Once again Rodrigues had successfully carried out his plan to lure Mr. Keith, into cooperating with him. Leaving the tax office, he decided to go back home, before meeting Matias at lunch time later at the wine estate.
In a good mood, Rodrigues was able to immediately resume his painting activities. He was in the process of a painting that was an order from his father's colleague in another country. Rodrigues, who has a background in agriculture and plantation studies, has an extraordinary talent for painting. A contemporary painting that he often paints have several times succeeded in attracting the interest of certain circles to buy his works.
The afternoon, with its not-so-stifling sun, has finally arrived. Rodrigues had not long arrived at the vineyard and now he was sitting at the edge of the plantation waiting for Matias.
Before long, his friend had appeared dropping down to sit beside him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Rodrigues."
"No problem. I've managed to get close to Mr. Keith. I said I would return in a few days to take him to the shoe factory where I work. At that time, we will bring him to the palace."
"In that case, I'll ask Mr. Carlos for a favor to ask for a copy of last month's tax bill at the archive building. If the copy is still there, we can see if the amount is significantly different."
"Is Mr. Carlos having lunch?"
"Of course Rodrigues."
"After lunch, let's meet him. So that tomorrow he can go to the archives."
"Good idea, Rodrigues."
As they waited for Mr. Carlos to finish his lunch, they walked to a lemonade stand not far from the estate.
There, the two men simply bought two bottles of lemonade and quenched their thirst.
Seeing that Mr. Carlos had returned to his room, they prepared to approached.
"How are you, Mr. Carlos?"
"Quite well, Rodrigues!"
"We would like to ask you a favor, sir."
"What is it, Matias?"
"We don't mean to trouble you. But, could you go to the archive building to request a copy of last month's tax bill?"
"Hmm. Okay!"
"Due to your status as the manager of the estate, only you are allowed to see the copy, sir."
"Yes Matias. That's right. I would say that the bills I received at the estate was damaged by water. And the letter was torn before I had read it carefully."
"Ah, that's right sir." replied Rodrigues.
"I will endeavor to borrow a copy so that I can bring it to you. But, are you sure that the value of the bill is different from the bill that you now have in your possession, Matias?"
"That's just our guess, Mr. Carlos. But, we are quite sure that the value is different."
"Hmm. I'll try tomorrow." nodding Mr. Carlos assured himself to go to the archives tomorrow.