At 8. 40am, David had just arrived at the bakery. Nivea had expected that David wasn't coming today. But it turned out that the worker was late because he had stopped his steps for a few minutes, in order to witness something interesting in front of the government office building.
"Miss... Miss Nivea!!!" David hurriedly pushed open the door of the bakery, stepping quickly inside and not even paying attention to Seri who was at the ordering table.
Nivea, who was in the kitchen at the time, was surprised to see David who came in a hurry.
"Miss... Miss...!"
"Hey David, what's wrong with you?" she said as she paused the activity of her hands stirring the bread dough.
"What's wrong David? Speak up!" she continued curiously.
"You don't know, miss?"
"No!"
"There is a welcoming ceremony in the courtyard of the government building."
"Really? Who are they welcoming?" asked Nivea, who hadn't really thought about the return of the defense forces.
"Of course it's the young men from the war!"
"What did you say? Are you... are you kidding David?" Nivea leaned closer in disbelief.
While Clara had covered her mouth with both hands, she was also shocked to hear that from David.
"No lady! Really!"
Nivea, who was still wearing her kitchen apron, ran as fast as she could. Coming out of the shop, she hurriedly called Mr. Willy to take her to the government building.
Seri and the others were stunned by her ladyship's attitude. Seri went to the kitchen and asked David.
"What's wrong with the lady?"
"The young men are back, Seri!" David replied.
"What did you say?"
"David saw the welcoming ceremony in the courtyard of the government building." Clara answered.
"Ah, it's only fitting that Miss Nivea left like that." Seri shook her head and went back to guarding the order desk.
Meanwhile, what was happening in the courtyard of the government building.
Of course, His Majesty gave his speech at the ceremony that was held on the ceremony, which was the welcoming ceremony of the defense force youths. His Majesty king was standing in the center, while behind him were the the ranks of the workers who daily worked in the government building itself.
"I am very happy to welcome you here today. You have returned completely well. After performing an extraordinary task, maintaining the security of this country in the border region. I and all the people of in this country express our deepest gratitude for your hard work and sacrifice over the past four years. In fact, the head of the army in the border region has been informing you of your planned your return since one week ago. But I chose to keep my mouth shut tightly, so that your return can be a surprise for your families back home."
His Majesty closed his speech with a satisfied and happy smile. Likewise all the members of the defense forces who were currently lined up neatly in the middle of the courtyard, immediately echoed a standing ovation.
With her heart racing, Nivea was anxious. She really wanted to be able to immediately see her lover. It didn't take her long to realize that she had to take off the kitchen apron she had been wearing.
And when she arrived in front of the government building, the welcoming ceremony had just finished. What appeared in the courtyard was an emotional scene, the reunion of the young men with one of their families who worked at the government building. Who, of course, had been at the ceremony from the start.
Those shady eyes finally caught sight of someone she knew very well. From afar, Nivea looked at the figure of Matias who was hugging with count Antonio. Even duke Eduardo was standing beside them, waiting to be able to hug Matias as well.
A single happy tear escaped at the corner of Nivea's eye. Her beloved had returned.
***
Martha is finishing up three orders for flower arrangements, which she will to be delivered the day after tomorrow. As such, she is currently concentrating on the flowers in her hands. And the arrival of Mr. Luigi surprised her.
"You startled me, Mr. Luigi! You opened the door without making a sound."
"I'm sorry miss," he bowed slightly. "I have something to say."
"What is it?"
"People are out there talking about the welcoming ceremony of the defense forces."
Martha frowned, "What do you mean, sir?"
"This morning there was a welcoming ceremony for the defense forces at the courtyard of the government building. Matias has returned, miss."
"What... What did you say? That means... That means Daniel is back too." Martha immediately got up from her chair and left her work behind.
"Help me close the shop! We're going home right now." she continued as she moving to close the curtains and grabbing her handbag.
On that trip Martha was torn, she was thinking about who she should meet first. Her brother or her boyfriend. But after considering several reasons, Martha finally made the decision to meet Daniel first.
"Mr. Luigi, please turn in front. Take me to the duchess Valerie's house. I want to see Daniel first." she said from the small window that separated her and the coachman.
"Ah, yes miss!"
Martha would not rest until she could see Daniel fully. Matias, on the other hand, she could meet at home anytime. That's why the girl decided to give Daniel precedence over Matias.
They had arrived in the courtyard of the family home. With a pounding in her chest Martha began to tread on the grass. She told the man at the door that she had come. Before the man could enter to tell his master, Daniel appeared to be walking from behind and that startled Martha.
"Daniel!!!" the girl ran in to Daniel who had opened both hands. Preparing to welcome Martha's body. Martha drowned in that embrace."
"I missed you so much, Martha!"
"Hmm! Me too, Daniel" she said hoarsely with happy tears.
"Shh... Don't cry, Martha!" as he lowered his head and wiped her tears away."
"I'm so happy, Daniel. Please don't leave again."
Daniel nodded definitely, "Of course Martha!"
Martha leaned back, her hand touched Daniel's arm. "Are you hurt Daniel?"
Daniel nodded.
"What? Where is the wound?"
"That, the one you're holding. My left arm."
Martha immediately raised her hand from that arm, "Really?"
Daniel's other hand lifted up the short-sleeved T-shirt he was wearing at the time. The man showed Martha the wound.
"Does it still hurt, Daniel? Or does it sting? How does it feel?"
"It's almost dry, Martha. Yesterday a soldier treated it with a concoction of leaves. And you know what? I screamed when he put that wet piece of leaf on my wound."
"Ah, it must have been very painful."
"Of course! I could feel the juice of the leaves seeping quickly into the wound. Then the soldier told me to sleep. After waking up, my arm felt lighter to move. The soldier was right, the leaves worked perfectly."
"Eh? Is my brother hurt too?"
"Of course! Matias was also injured. But now, he's fine. He got a wound on his back. It happened during the second year of the war. They also treated it with leaves."
"Wow! Those leaves are great, Daniel! You should pick some to bring home!"
Daniel rounded his eyes, then shook his head in surprise. "Brother and sister are the same!", he thought unspoken.