One day later, Matias finally got better. He was also bored at home, couldn't wait to get out of the house again and do his usual activities. Before going to the plantation, Matias intended to meet his girlfriend first. With his newfound vigor, the man left his residence after having breakfast together.
A happy hue was drawn on Nivea's face when her eyes caught sight of Matias, who had just gotten down from his carriage in front of the shop.
"Ah, are you well Matias?"
"Of course! Martha must have told you that I was sick."
"Hmm. She looks cheerful with her lover."
"I can't linger here. I just wanted to make a brief appearance in your presence, to let you know that I'm well again."
"What? You know that I was so anxious thinking about you?"
"Hmm. I can feel it, Nivea."
The girl smiled embarrassedly when Matias looked at her meaningfully.
"Alright, I'm leaving now. I have to go to the farm."
"Take care of your health, Matias! I'll be very sad if you get sick."
Matias nodded and smiled. He returned to Mr. Luigi, continuing his way to the vineyard.
The morning air still felt so good, the birds chirping to each other. A few minutes ahead, Matias had now arrived at his destination. He immediately approached Mr. Carlos.
"Good morning, Mr. Carlos."
"Ah, you're Matias! Good morning."
"I'm sorry that I didn't come yesterday. My body condition didn't to come, sir."
"Are you sick?"
"Yes, but it's better now."
"Hmm. All right! Are you going to continue with your plan, about the case?"
"Of course, Mr. Carlos! Today I will meet with Rodrigues and arrange a time to expose the fraud before His Majesty."
"What did you say? Are you kidding, Matias?"
"No, sir. It's because this case has something to do with His Highness Prince Edmund."
"So? I didn't expect it to go that far."
"Mr. Benedict collaborated with Mr. Keith, then Mr. Keith has defrauded many parties by creating and printing fake tax bills. The profits that Mr. Keith made, he shared it with Prince Edmund."
"Ah, I see Matias! And of course, it was from the prince that the one-eyed man gets protection. So that he is free to commit fraud."
"Please hide that from everyone, Mr. Carlos. Until the time we uncover it with the evidence at hand."
"Of course Matias! If you've managed to uncover it, I'll reconsider whether or not to continue employing Mr. Benedict. But apparently, it's quite difficult for me to put my trust in him again."
After ending his conversation with Mr. Carlos, Matias returned to the center of the plantation area. Meticulously, he did his job of monitoring the work of the garden workers one by one in their respective positions.
***
"Sorry, it's only now that I see you Rodrigues."
"Were you busy yesterday?"
"No, I wasn't. I just stayed at home. My body was not in good condition."
"Ah, but are you really better now?"
"Of course Rodrigues! I have good news for you."
"About that tax scam?"
"Hmm. Mr. Carlos has managed to bring a copy of the estate tax bill last month. He has given it to me. And you know what? Our guess was right. The value of the two bills were vastly different. In fact, there was a date, month and year. Which indicates the tax period itself."
"Did you keep the copy?"
"Yes! Just two days ago, after returning from the plantation, I intended to meet you here. But, on the way my head was hurting so much that I was couldn't control it, so I decided to return home."
"In that case, all the evidence is already with you Matias."
"Exactly, Rodrigues."
"Alright! Then, tomorrow we go to the palace. I'll be sure to bring Mr. Keith."
On the way home, Matias was in a dilemma. The case he wanted to uncover tomorrow was no small matter, involving a member of the royal family. Although there may be many parties who benefit if the case is revealed, but of course there are also many parties who will be tarnished reputation. Matias wanted to be able to convince himself to be ready to accept, if in the future he would be reviled and antagonized by all those who felt aggrieved.
"Good evening, Mr. Matias. Count Antonio is waiting for you in his study." aunt Puff welcomed his presence who had only taken a few steps into the house.
"Well, thank you, Aunt Puff."
And Matias hurried to his father's study. Inside, Count Antonio Lawrence had been sitting in his chair for almost thirty minutes, silently awaiting Matias' presence. He seemed increasingly impatient to ask his son directly about something that had been bothering his mind.
"Father, are you looking for me?"
"Sit down!" he ordered Matias to sit in front of him.
"Are you from the estate?"
"Yes! Of course I'm from there. What is it, Father?"
"Duke Eduardo came to see me this afternoon."
Matias rounded his eyes, he was shocked by this and could only remain silent.
"Do you know what he said to me?"
"What, Father?"
"You. Since when did you and Miss Nivea have a relationship?"
"That. Hahaha..."
"Why are you laughing Matias?"
"What.. did you forget, Dad? Miss Nivea is my junior. Of course it's been me and her have had a relationship as brother and sister for a long time."
"You're not kidding Matias!"
"Fine! I love her, Father."
"You? You want to compete with the prince? Are you crazy Matias?"
"Yes dad! I am crazy. I'm crazy because I love Nivea so much."
"What are you going to do?"
"We're getting married soon."
"Matias? That girl is the future ....."
"Yes dad, but that's our plan. And I assure you, there won't be a single who will thwart mine and Nivea's plans."
Count Antonio was stunned, at a loss for words to refute his son's words. Who had now begun to move away from before his eyes.
Matias rushed out of the house, he asked Mr. Luigi to take him to the Del Castano family residence. He couldn't figure out where duke Eduardo had gotten knew about his relationship with Nivea. Therefore, he had to meet Nivea immediately.
Arriving at the courtyard of the residence, Matias tried to regulate the pounding in his chest that was difficult to control. He began to take steps when the feeling in his chest gradually calmed down. Matias did intend to meet Nivea, but it didn't ruled out the possibility that he would meet the duke Eduardo as well.
He expressed his intentions to a doorman there, the man asked him to wait on the terrace. Because Matias' face was quite unfamiliar to them.
Anxiety was filling his chest cavity now, waiting for the man to return to his presence. And after waiting for so many minutes, the tall man finally came back into view with Nivea walking gracefully in front of him.
And how surprised Nivea was to find her lover actually there. As it turned out, what the doorman had told her was the truth. Matias had indeed come and wanted to see her.