Two days later, ten minutes ago the pair of customers sitting by the door finally left. No more customers have been seen come in since those two people left. It was drizzling outside, making the surrounding air even colder.
Uncharacteristically, Nivea, who had been standing behind the counter ordering table, seems to be working quite hard to resist drowsiness. Several times she had yawned several times. She pulled up a chair behind the bread display case and sat there. With his chest crossed, within seconds his eyes were closed. Nivea had fallen asleep.
"Miss! Hey... are you taking a nap here, miss? Nivea!" the man raised the volume of his voice when he said Nivea's name. And it succeeded in making Nivea awake and surprised at the same time.
"You? What... am I dreaming?" as she looked to her right and left then got up from her chair.
The drizzle had brought the man back in front of her.
The man laughed at Nivea's stupid facial expression. "Hahaha. Yes, you're day dreaming!"
Nivea sighed, "I'm so glad to see you. Sit down, I'll bring you some bread and hot tea."
Matias immediately moved to choose his table there. Then sat down while chin up as he watched the drizzle that had not yet ended.
"What did you see out there?"
"Nothing. It's just drizzling."
"Did you walk from the farm?"
"Hmm. I sent Mr. Luigi home first." he replied as he began to sipping his hot tea.
"Are you alright Matias?"
"Of course! I just need some time to be free to see you again."
"Ah, that's right! His Majesty has announced the annulment of the marriage. You know? I feel happy and free because of it."
"I missed you so much, Nivea!"
Nivea looked into Matias' eyes for a moment, "Me too!"
"I went through a lot during the time we didn't see each other yesterday."
"Really?"
"Hmm." he nodded. "I fought with father over that case. He was surprised that it was Rodrigues and I who had revealed the case to His Majesty."
"Then, did you explain chronologically to your father?"
"Of course! But, he said that everyone would think that I had deliberately bring Prince Edmund down, so that I could snatch the girl of his choice."
"Hahaha. What a joke!"
"Hmm. I'll just say that I don't care about that."
"Matias, are you planning to meet my father anytime soon?"
"Of course Nivea! I'm going to see duke Eduardo soon."
"What do you want to see my father for?"
"What? Are you kidding me? What kind of question is that! Of course I'm going to tell him that I want to marry his daughter."
"What if you can't?"
"I don't know! Maybe I'll kill myself."
"No! Don't ever say anything like that again, Matias!"
"Why? Are you afraid of me dying? Fine! Then I'm just joking."
"Don't joke around with that kind of speech."
Because she heard the word suicide, Nivea immediately thought of the curse that her late grandfather had told her about in a dream. Nivea didn't want the curse to actually come true. She really didn't want Matias to die. She couldn't imagine if that happened.
***
The ten armed men belonged to the royal security forces. They were standing in front of His Majesty, ready to carry out their duty today. Escorting Prince Edmund to the hidden exile region. Under the leadership of Mr. Ruddy, the troops would be on the move in a moment.
"Forgive me, Mother. I shouldn't have embarrassed and disappointed you."
"I always forgive you, Edmund! Take care of yourself, wherever you end up. Learn to be better, my son." the queen shed tears as she rubbing her son's face.
"And you, Nicole. I hope you will find a man who genuinely loves and take care of you."
"Brother... I will miss you." the girl grabbed her brother's body and hugged him tightly before they had to be separated.
"Never mind, you must go, Edmund!"
The prince released his embrace with princess Nicole, moved back and began to move away, approaching Mr. Ruddy who had already given him the code to leave immediately.
"Forgive me, father!" he said one last time before he turned his body around to leave completely.
The queen's tears broke out unstoppably, as the Edmund's steps. Princess Nicole tried to calm her mother down by hugging her body. But slowly the sound of crying faded away, replaced by a body that was getting weaker and weaker. The Empress fell unconscious.
The situation in the palace became even more chaotic, as the empress, who fainted two hours ago, had yet to open her eyes. All the residents of the palace were anxiously awaiting news from a doctor who was still examining the empress' condition inside, accompanied by His Majesty.
With his expertise, the family doctor had examined the empress very carefully. Until he discovered the fact that.
"The empress has been awake since earlier, Your Majesty.", he said to His Majesty after they had moved away from the room.
His Majesty after they had moved away from the queen's bed.
"What?"
"It's just that the Queen didn't want to open her eyes. She was in a very shaken state at the moment, so she refuses to open her eyes."
His Majesty could only turn his head, looking at the queen's face that was drooping weakly on the bed. The woman seemed to have lost her sun. Her face it was so pale, not showing the slightest spirit to continue living.
"We should go out, Your Majesty. So that the noble empress can freely open her eyes. She doesn't seem to want us to know that she is awake."
His Majesty sighed, then followed behind the body of the doctor as he left the room.
And what the doctor said was true. Empress Angelina opened her eyes after hearing the door opening and closing from outside. But again a trickle of water flowed from the corner of her eye, her heart truly felt broken. Her gaze was just blankly staring at the ceiling.
"Has my mother regained consciousness, doctor?"
"Actually, Her Majesty the Queen has regained consciousness since earlier. But unfortunately, she does not want to open her eyes. Please accompany your mother through this difficult time, noble princess. A little happiness can nourish her fragile heart."
"Yes doctor. I understand."
His Majesty and the doctor walked away, leaving the princess who was still alone in her place.
Prince Edmund's departure from the palace had left a wound of its own. Princess Nicole was troubled by her mother's condition in front of her eyes. Now she felt that she had reached a dead end. Princess Nicole did not know what she should do. However, she will continue to think with more clarity to be able to find a way to restore the empress's zest for life and smile.
Princess Nicole loved the empress very much. She did not want to disappoint her mother like her brother did. She did not want to kill her mother twice. She was determined to be a better girl.