The war in the border region is still ongoing. Chaos began when the enemy forces managed to penetrate into the interior. So many things were put on hold during these four years. Nivea and Martha were also at war here. Fighting against anxiety and longing for their loved ones.
"Good morning mom, dad."
"Good morning, my dear." replied duchess Elvira.
"I hear your bakery is getting busy, Nivea?"
"That's right dad! It's starting to show since I put sponge cake on my menu."
"Ah, are those who come, buying more sponge cakes?"
"Not really mom. I think so far the sales of bread and sponge cake have been equally balanced."
"We're happy that your shop is always busy, Nivea. But, isn't it the case that by adding one more item to the menu, doesn't that mean you'll be exhausted?"
"Ah, that's no problem, Mom! I can always handle it. I have workers that I can rely on."
Nivea ponytailed the entire length of her hair. Today she chose a a pink dress to wear. After concluding her morning, Nivea hurried to her bakery. Still with Seri and Mr. Willy.
Her bakery is on the rise, and has even become a byword in her city. In the midst of her busy schedule, the girl still had a gap to think about the figure she was always waiting for to return.
"Don't daydream too much, miss!"
"Hmm? What? I'm not daydreaming, Seri. Just observing the situation out there."
"Alright! You know what, miss? You look younger with a hairdo like that."
"Really? Do I still look like I'm seventeen?"
"Hmm! Of course, miss! So you'd better not shave it again like before."
"Ah, you know what? It's very convenient when you have short hair. You also doesn't take a long time to style it."
"Ah, I see. "
Time had sped up today. Despite feeling quite tired after making bread and several types of sponge cakes, Nivea was still in good spirits at the ordering table to serve every customer who came in.
"Good afternoon, Miss Nivea!" greeted a woman who appeared to be wearing a gray fur hat.
Nivea, who was standing behind the storefront, immediately shifted when she heard the greeting, and hurriedly bowed politely in return.
"Ah, good afternoon, duchess Valerie! Would you like some cheese sponge cake as usual, ma'am?"
"Right! Give me two slices and a bottle of lemonade."
"Very well! Please take a seat ma'am, I will bring your order."
"Ah, alright. Thank you." as she stepped gracefully towards one of the tables she chose.
After a few minutes, Nivea was seen carrying a wooden tray towards the duchess Valerie's table.
"Please, ma'am."
"Ah, Miss Nivea! Sit down, let's chat for a while."
Nivea smiled kindly as she took a seat in front of her.
"You know what? This sponge cake is really good. Plus the cheese topping like this, I really like it. You're very talented, Miss Nivea." while starting to cutting the sponge cake on her plate.
"Thank you for your compliments, ma'am. I am very grateful if my cakes can be liked by many people."
"Who taught you to make bread and cakes, miss?"
"No one, ma'am. I just learned it from a recipe book. And of course I actively practicing it."
"Ah, that's interesting, miss! I wanted to ask you about... Does duke Eduardo have any other news about the war in the border region?"
Nivea gasped, in an instant Matias' image flashed through her mind.
"Borderlands? No, ma'am! I think, the news that my father received from His Majesty, is the same as the news received by duke Sergio."
"Ah, I see. I wondered if your father might have gotten the news from another source. Do you know? I miss my son very much. I hope that Daniel will back soon."
Nivea just looked down, biting her own lip.
Seeing that facial expression, duchess Valerie continued her sentence, "Likewise with Matias. I hope they get back together. I understand what you feel, miss."
Duchess Valerie seemed to feel guilty, regretting that she had discussed the matter to Nivea. After finishing her cake and saying apology, she left. But the girl was still pensive, resting her chin on the ordering table. She wondered if Matias would come suddenly, from behind the door in front of her. Nivea sighed. She came to her senses and moved to the cupboard, retrieving her bottle of lemonade and a glass. She poured the lemonade into her glass, which she drank.
Before long, Nivea was back to her focus of serving the customers who came in, one after another.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Martha busies herself with flower arranging. Since three years ago, the girl decided to open her own flower stall. She rented a small building not far from the city center.
Because the results of her flower arrangements are very beautiful and attractive, there have been many who ordered flower arrangements from her. The orders, which came from various the city, have given her a new lease of life.
Even though sometimes, in the silence of the night, Martha still often sheds her tears as a form of her longing for Daniel.
"Martha!" she turned her head when she heard someone pushing the door of her stall.
"Hi Catherine! Come in!"
The girl in the green dress carrying a handbag stepped up to Martha. Observing what her friend's hands were doing.
"Sit down!"
"Ah, you're very meticulous with your arrangements, Martha."
"Yes! I have to do it very carefully."
"Do you have an order for it?"
"Of course Catherine! It's an order from someone who lives near the outskirts of the city. Mr. Luigi will deliver it later this afternoon."
"Ah, I see. By the way Martha, are you free tomorrow?"
"Of course! The shop is only open until noon tomorrow. What's up Catherine?"
"Would you like to come with me to pick grapes?"
"Grapes? Are you talking about the government-owned vineyards?"
"That's right! How about it, do you want to?"
"Ah, that's fine too!"
"Hmm. Then, let me pick you up here. Let's go by my carriage."
"Alright! After I close the shop, we can leave right away."
"Yes, Martha! Too bad there's no brother there."
Martha's hands stopped for a moment from arranging flowers. She looked up at Catherine.
"Why are you looking at me like that, Martha?"
"Ah! I'm not. It's nothing. Would you like a drink Catherine? I have a kitchen here."
"Ah, no need Martha! Thank you for your offer. By the way, is Miss Nivea's bakery not far from here?"
"That's right Catherine, you should look around this area more often. There are many new stalls around here. Would you like to pay a visit to Miss Nivea's bakery?"
"Hmm! Almost everyone is talking about her sponge cake which they say is delicious and soft."
"Ah, that's true Catherine! You can also order lemonade or chamomile, or green tea."
"Alright Martha! I'm leaving now. Don't forget about tomorrow."
"Sure! Thanks for stopping by, Catherine!"