"Respectful greetings, may blessings and happiness flow to you, your noble empress."
"Hmm. What is it, my daughter?"
"It seems that the weather is so fine today, Mother. And I was thinking of going out from the palace. I'd like to visit a government-owned wine estate in the southwest of the city."
"Why do you want to go there, Nicole? Aren't there other wineries that you haven't visited yet?"
"That's right mom. But it seems that the government estate has been a long time I haven't visited. I want to remember my childhood there, Mother."
"So be it. Very well!"
Princess Nicole hurriedly greeted the empress and departed with a personal attendant behind her. The simple girl who following her was named Bella.
A few minutes later, the royal family's distinctive horse-drawn carriage was seen the royal family heading southwest, accompanied by another horse-drawn carriage with the accompanied by another horse-drawn carriage with bodyguards, the protectors of the princess's journey.
"Does my appearance seem excessive, Bella?"
"Of course not, princess. You have dressed quite casually. And it does not detract from your beauty at all."
"Really?" asked the beautiful blue-eyed girl.
"Of course princess!" replied Bella with a very convincing smile.
A few minutes ahead, the two horse-drawn carriages had reached their destination. The charioteers took the best position to unload the passengers.
The male and female workers who were busy with their activities in the vineyard, some of them turned their heads in the direction of the chariots.
And one of them shouted, "The noble princess is coming!" Making all the workers there stop their work and compactly turned their heads.
From where they stood, they bowed their bodies slightly to welcome the princess.
Princess Nicole seemed to return the respectful greeting with a beautiful curved smile that did not escape her face, trying to look at one by one the workers that she crossed her path as she entered the vast vineyard.
She was not wrong in guessing, the weather throughout today's trip was indeed really sunny, but still soothing for anyone who wants to enjoy their day outside.
By the time Nicole's daughter was standing at the door of the estate's management office, she was chatting with the manager's office, who was chatting with Mr. Carlos, caught sight of Matias in the middle. Matias' presence in the center. The girl in the pink dress was stunned for a moment and her eyes did not want to blink.
"So, how is the princess? Will you pick the grapes yourself?"
Princess Nicole did not answer, those eyes were still looking at Matias.
"Excuse me, princess?"
"Ah, sorry Mr. Carlos. Did you ask me something?" Princess Nicole snapped out of her reverie."
"Of course, Your Highness, Princess. Did you pick those grapes?"
"Yes! Of course, Mr. Carlos. But, who is your worker in the middle?"
"Ah, that's Mr. Matias. He is the son of count Antonio Lawrence."
"Oh, I see." she said with a twinkle in her eye.
"That's so, princess. He leads the workers in this garden."
For some reason, hearing that sentence, Princess Nicole blushed. It was like, she had fallen in love at first sight.
"If you would like to start picking grapes now, then I will call Mr. Matias to assist you, your highness."
"Huh? What? You're going to call him here?"
"Yes, princess. Of course."
"Ah, well, please call him now, sir."
Matias also stopped his work to monitor the handwork of a worker in the center. He hurried over to where Mr. Carlos was when he heard him shout his name from afar.
The man who had approached, immediately bowed slightly towards daughter Nicole.
"Respectful greetings, may blessings and happiness flow to you, your Princess Nicole."
"Do you know my name, sir?" Princess Nicole asked with a shy smile.
"Of course your highness, I think everyone in this country knows your name."
"Ah, I see."
"What is it, Mr. Carlos, that you called me?" Matias asked, pointing to the the man wearing a navy blue suit.
"Your highness the princess wants to pick some grapes over there. I hope you will willing to help her."
"Ah, of course, sir! It's my pleasure, Your Highness. I will help the princess."
"Thank you, sir. Matias."
It seemed that both Mr. Carlos and Matias were quite taken aback, because of the attitude of their daughter who seemed a little foolish at the moment. The girl seemed to have misbehaved behavior.
Matias invited Nicole's daughter to take the first step towards the center of the plantation. Slowly and politely, the man balanced his steps to be in line with Nicole's daughter. Matias directed their steps to pick up a rattan basket that was still in place. Then began to step into the center of the garden. The pounding in Princess Nicole's chest was getting more and more erratic, she had never before experienced this kind of feeling before.
***
"It's already very late Seri, let's go back to the house! It seems that he too not coming." said Nivea as she looked down, her hands were busy tidying up the table of her former customers.
"Who is he that you are referring to, miss?" Seri spontaneously turned her head towards Nivea who was three steps away from her.
Nivea gasped and looked up at her. "Hmm. He... he... who is he?"
"What do you mean Mr. Matias?"
Nivea didn't answer and instead went back to rearranging the position of the customer's chair nearby.
"Ah, are you looking for him, miss? Are you expecting that young man to come here?"
"Seri!"
"I think you regret it."
"Regret?"
"Yes. I think you regret seeing Miss Martha yesterday."
"Hahaha. You really made me laugh, Seri!"
"Hmm. Okay, let's go now, Miss."
On the way.
"Why are you silent, miss?"
"What should I say, Seri?"
"I'm just a little curious."
"Curious you say? About what?"
"Can I talk?"
"Hahaha. What's wrong with you, Seri? Speak up! There's no one else here but you and me. I've been talking to you since earlier."
"Hmm. Is your attitude towards Mr. Matias not excessive, miss? Some days you avoided meeting him. Then yesterday you came to his house to tell him all the things I've heard too. But it seems that today you were disappointed that Mr. Matias didn't show up at your shop."
"What? Your sentences are too long, Seri. I don't understand what you're saying." while shook her head, glancing at the road. Nivea dismissed everything that her personal servant had said.
Seri puffed out both cheeks. She was very sure that her lady was not that stupid. She knew Nivea was pretending that she didn't care about what she had just said at length.
"Why are you silent, Seri?"
"Ah, that's... It's okay, miss. I was just thinking, would it be polite if I ask ....."
"What do you want to ask now?"
"Have you ever thought about Mr. Matias?"
There was a moment of silence. Nivea swallowed, not expecting Seri to ask her such a question.
"Seri, I can't explain the reason why I avoided meeting with that young man. But, can you stop talking about him?"
"Yes, miss. I understand."