"Have you been waiting long, Rodrigues?"
"Not really."
"Sit down, I'm sorry I kept you waiting."
"It is I who apologize for coming at this time of night."
"Is there something urgent?"
"Hmm! I want to say goodbye, Matias!"
"What? Where are you going, Rodrigues?"
"My uncle has asked me to come to a Mediterranean country, he has recommended all my paintings for the end of year exhibition."
"Really? When are you leaving?"
"Tomorrow morning, I will go to my uncle's house. I'll spend the night there. And the next day I'll go straight there with my cousin."
"How long will you be gone, Rodrigues?"
"I don't know! Probably for quite a long time."
"You really are! You know, Nivea and I are in a relationship."
"Really? You're not dreaming are you?"
"I'm talking seriously, Rodrigues! And we already have the approval of the duke Eduardo and his wife."
"Wow! I congratulate you, Matias! You've managed to get the girl of your dreams."
"Hmm! Thank you, Rodrigues. I also congratulate you on the luck you've gotten through your uncle. I wish you good luck always with your paintings."
"Thank you, my friend! I hope we can exchange news in the future through letters."
"Of course, Rodrigues!"
By the next day, news of the queen's alarming health condition had spread throughout the country. Most of them assumed that what had happened to the empress was normal. A mother's psychological state was shaken by the fact that her son had to undergo punishment as a consequence of his reprehensible actions.
Moreover, she could not see her son for an unspecified period of time limit that cannot be ascertained. Since regaining consciousness from her stupor the other day, the empress has been trying to gather all her strength to get up. Shedding the pain in her chest. However, every time she thought of her son, her emotions would were stirred up again.
"Your lunch is here, Mom. Let me feed you."
The Empress simply nodded and smiled faintly at her daughter's face, who was sitting at the end of her bed. She had already started her first bite by daughter Nicole.
"I'm so glad you want to eat, Mother. You must be strong and cheerful again like before." they chatted as Princess Nicole fed the empress.
"Hmm. Thank you for taking care of me and keeping me company, Nicole. Your demeanor has matured."
"You don't need to thank me for that, Mother. I should have done it for you."
"You sound very sincere, Nicole. I'm glad to hear that."
"I'm very grateful if I can make you happy, Mommy. At least, now I can be a useful child."
"What are you saying, Nicole? Don't talk like that! You have always been precious to me." as she gently stroked one cheek of her daughter.
"Then, don't get sick again, Mother. Although big brother is not here, but he will come back. And we can wait for him until then, Mother."
The empress nodded, acknowledging daughter Nicole's sweet words. The princess was beginning to succeed in sowing a new spirit in the empress's soul.
"Well, your food is gone, Mother. Now, here is the medicine."
"Thank you, Nicole."
"Hmm. Mother, if you're feeling better in the next few days, would you like to think about inviting Prince George to visit the palace?"
"What? You want him to come here?" the Queen seemed quite surprised by the question.
Princess Nicole nodded, "Hmm. But, if it seems troublesome I'd rather not, Mother."
"No, Nicole. I will arrange it for you."
The girl smiled slightly in response to her mother's words.
***
"My job is done, Seri. If the customers start to get busy, you can ask Clara's help to serve. Let David do his own thing." Nivea stopped her steps beside the ordering table, she appeared from the direction of the kitchen. Ready to go with a pretty hat perched on her head. And a rattan basket tucked in her hand.
"All right, miss. You look cute in that hat."
"What? Are you insulting me, Seri?"
"No, miss! How could I possibly mean to insult you. You are quite rarely seen wearing a hat. And that hat makes you look more elegant."
"Ah, I see. Alright! I'll go first, Seri. Wait until me and Mr. Willy return."
After finishing her work of making bread, it was early in the morning. That afternoon, Nivea left the shop. The girl with short hair intended to meet her boyfriend at the vineyard.
She had also brought some sweet bread and two bottles of lemonade in her bread basket. The flowers in the garden of her heart were blooming, eager to see her lover's face. Under the clear sky and city, the carriage continued to move forward.
Within minutes, Nivea had arrived at the vineyard. Slowly she treaded the red, gravelly soil, which spread out before her eyes. Slightly raising the front of her simple dress, Nivea began to step on the left side of the estate.
As she neared the building where the estate manager's office was located, Matias looking up at her. The man squinted his eyes, assuring himself that he wasn't looking at the wrong place. A beautiful corner curved his lips when he realized that Nivea was the girl carrying the rattan basket. His feet began to move forward, eager to welcome his girl.
"It's a surprise, Nivea!"
"Ah, of course Matias! I brought bread and lemonade for us."
"Really? Wow! I'm so lucky." the two continued walking hand in hand.
"Can we sit at the edge of the plantation to enjoy the snacks that I brought?"
"Sure! Would you like it if we looked like we were having a picnic?"
"Ah, how stupid! Why didn't I remember to bring a place mat?"
"No problem Nivea! I can borrow Mr. Carlos' rug."
"Really? He keeps it here?"
"Yes! I've seen it stored in his study. Let's go to his room."
Matias walked first, directing their steps towards the simple white-walled building with three blue wooden doors on one side.
"Ah, you're Matias!" Mr. Carlos nodded with a wide smile as he Nivea's presence behind Matias' body. Likewise, Nivea who smiled kindly back at him.
"Sir, this is my beloved. Miss Nivea Del Castano."
"Ah, well. I am Carlos Alberto. Nice to meet you, miss." with a slight bow in greeting.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Carlos." Nivea also bowed in his honor.
"Mr. Carlos, do you still have the rug here?"
"Ah, of course! Would you like to use it?"
"Yes, sir! I'd like to borrow it."
"You can take it from the top of that cupboard, Matias." pointing politely to the top of the cupboard in the opposite corner.
"Ah, alright. Thank you, sir!"
"Yes, use it casually."
"Thank you sir." Nivea added. "Ah, here is a sweet bun for you, Mr. Carlos. I hope you like it." as she placing a bag of bread on the man's table.
"Ah, thank you miss. I will eat it later."
"Excuse us, Mr. Carlos." Nivea said and turned around to approach Matias who was about to leave.