"Come with me!"
Matias tried to balance his steps with Nivea's which led to the lawn chair at the edge. The two of them were sitting side by side.
"What brings you here, Matias?"
"My father found out about our relationship."
"What?"
"He said he found out from your father. Your father came to see him this afternoon."
"What? You came to see count Antonio?"
"How did your father find out about our relationship, Nivea?"
"Ah, that's it! Actually, my father doesn't know anything about the relationship we're in now. It's just that it's my fault, Matias!"
"Your fault? How do you mean?"
"That evening, before I asked you to meet me at the Edelweiss garden, I had an argued with my father. He scolded me for shaving my head, then I said that I would never marry a prince. Because... because I told father that I loved you."
For a moment the man gaped in disbelief.
"Did you say that consciously, Nivea? Or were you overcome with by anger? That's why you're talking out of your ass."
"I realized Matias! I said it knowingly. It's just that I don't know how you received my words. Do you think that we are living it together or not. I don't know, Matias."
"Hmm. I'm sorry Nivea."
"For what?"
"I was just quite surprised when my father said your father had met him and was talking about us. You know what? I've already told my dad that we're planning to get married."
"You told him? Then how did he respond?"
"Of course dad was surprised. But, calm down Nivea! I'll get over it."
Nivea returned to the room after escorting Matias to his carriage. Luckily, her mother and father were not aware of Matias' arrival. They just felt that now was not the right time to appear together in front of duke Eduardo.
The girl changed her dress, preparing for bed.
"Are you going to bed, miss?"
"You startled me, Seri!"
"Sorry miss, I just wanted to put your clean dress in the closet."
"Get some rest, Seri!"
"Of course miss, good night!" Seri left her lady's room.
"How are you my granddaughter? Hahaha. I can see the happy streaks on your face" the grandfather opened his arms wide. Allowing his grand daughter to into his arms.
"Grandpa! Why are you coming now?" Nivea ran to greet her grandfather's open arms.
"I'm very grateful that the curse is completely reversed."
"What do you mean, Grandpa?" as she lowered her head to look at grandfather's face.
"It means you won't suffer."
"Really?"
"Believe me, my dear grand daughter!"
"How can I trust grandfather?"
"You just need to continue with the steps you've already taken. Don't be swayed by anyone who tries to overpower you. And don't veer from the path you are currently on."
"Hmm. I'll try, grandfather!"
The presence of her late grandfather, had woken Nivea up in the middle of the night. Once again, the dream felt very real, she could feel the warm embrace and the comfort of her grandfather's embrace.
Without realizing it, tears were flowing. Her hand reflexively wiped the tears away when she woke up. Her heart felt warm, Nivea missed the figure of the old man.
***
A light drizzle colored this morning. The fragrance of the soil mixed with the of grass that is so distinctive, is increasingly being sniffed.
"Seri, Look! What is it?" Nivea exclaimed enthusiastically, standing in front of the wide open window of her room that was wide open.
"Ah, miss! Don't you know it's called a rainbow?"
"What? It's not that Seri! I mean, rainbows are so beautiful. I don't want to pass by that beauty. I want to keep looking at it."
"Your warm water has been ready since five minutes ago, miss."
"Ah, right! I had forgotten. Well, I must get ready soon."
Thirty minutes later, Nivea was squinting at herself in front of a mirror that was bigger than the one on her dressing table. Today she was wearing a simple tosca green dress. In stark contrast to her white skin. Nivea is so bright. A graceful impression never seems to escape her.
"Good morning, mom and dad."
"Morning Nivea." her parents replied almost simultaneously.
"You look cheerful, girl!"
"Of course mom! I met grandpa last night."
"What?" asked duke Eduardo quite surprised.
"Ah, I mean I dreamt of playing in the garden with him."
"Really?"
"Hmm. That's right, Mother. Grandpa sends his regards to you."
"Hahaha. You're kidding, Nivea!"
"Hmm. Yes dad! How did you know I was joking?"
"Now you're good at acting."
"What?" Nivea sighed as she put down the knife and fork she was using to cut a piece of meat. And suddenly she moved away from her chair.
"I'm leaving, Mom" she said as she walked away without turning around.
"That child is getting more and more insolent."
"You're putting her in a bad mood. You should have just let her finish breakfast first."
"You're defending her again."
"She did nothing wrong, why should I defend her?"
The bright light that had refracted on her face this morning was now fading. Duke Eduardo had ruined the girl's mood. All the way to the shop, Nivea was silent. Seri, who had heard Duke Eduardo's words earlier, understood that the lady was feeling a little depressed.
"Miss, don't you want to talk?"
"Hmm? What are you talking about, Seri?"
"Ah, that's miss. You shouldn't think too much about your father's attitude."
Nivea sighed, looking away from the carriage window at Seri. "Don't I have the right to determine my own life, Seri?"
"Ah? What? Of course everyone has that right, miss."
"But, whenever I expressed my wishes, father always thinks I'm insolent. I don't know Seri! I don't understand why I have to always give in to his wishes."
Once at the bakery, Nivea and Seri began their work. The mood Nivea's, which had been broken earlier, had gradually improved. She was always enthusiastic when faced with flour.
By the next hour, the combination of the aroma of cooked flour and milk had already all around the corner. Not only in the kitchen, the fragrance of the breads made by Nivea has spread beyond the storefront. Bewitching anyone who passes by becomes interested in enjoying it.
Now it's Nivea's turn to stand at the ordering table. And today, unexpectedly she had a special guest.
"You look very bright with short hair, Miss Nivea."
"Ah, thank you countess Victoria. Did you come here to taste my bread?"
"Of course, miss! And if you have enough time, could we have a quick chat?"
"Of course, ma'am. Of course I have time for that. Please wait a moment." Nivea stepped into the kitchen to call Seri so that she could take her place at the front.
Before long, Nivea returned to the woman who had given birth to the love of her life. The pounding in Nivea's chest was racing, she was wondering what was the countess Victoria had come to visit her shop.
"Please ma'am, we can sit over there."
The woman, who was wearing black gloves, smiled brightly and then followed Nivea to one of the customer tables by the window. Now the two of them are sitting across from each other and it has made Nivea even more nervous.