In a good mood, Nivea was now on her way to her residence. Earlier she had dried herself off and replaced her wet dress with the one she had always kept in the wardrobe on the second floor of her bakery.
It seemed that Nivea had smiled a few times herself and Seri noticed.
"Does playing in the rain make one that happy, miss?"
"Hmm. What? Do I look that happy, Seri?"
"I think it's quite visible, miss."
"How can you see that?"
"You've smiled a few times yourself since earlier. And that makes me think that you are happy."
"Hahaha. It's not like that Seri. You're overestimating me quite a bit."
"Then, if you're smiling not because of the rain. Then what if in your heart, you are laughing at me, miss? Because there is something strange with my appearance?"
"Why are you prejudiced against me, Seri?"
"Alright. I guessed wrong then."
"I just feel that the rainwater is enough to make me feel calm."
"Really? It's been a long time since I was last caught in the rain on the street. In that case, next time the rain comes, I'll try playing around under the rain."
"Sure Seri! You can try it."
"But, are you sure that there is no other reason other than the rain?"
"Hmm. What do you mean?"
"You can feel calm not just because of the rain. But because today mister...."
"Enough Seri! I beg you, no more talking."
For the rest of the trip, there was silence between two girls who were busy with their own thoughts. And every now and then Seri would only glance to Nivea. All that could be heard was the sound of the wheels of their horse-drawn carriage, as it turning and rubbing against the wet road.
Until finally when they arrived at the Del Castano family residence, both of them were surprised to find two horse-drawn carriages belonging to the royal family in the yard.
"Who's here, sir?" Nivea stopped her steps for a moment and asked a guard at the door of the residence.
With a slight bow, the man in question replied, "His Royal Highness Prince Edmund, miss."
Nivea widened her eyes, and the Seri behind her was equally surprised.
"I don't like him being in my house, Seri."
"Shh... What are you talking about, miss? Other people can hear what you're saying."
"I don't care, Seri! I'd rather have my head cut off than have to be come into contact with that person."
Seri looked down in fear at that sentence. The girl was really worried about her lady's safety, in case someone overheard and then her lady's words to the royal court.
"Ah, you've arrived, Nivea."
"Of course Father."
"Greetings, may blessings and happiness flow to you, your noble prince." she continued addressing Prince Edmund.
"Good evening Miss Nivea."
"Good evening prince." as she sat on the sofa facing duke Eduardo and the prince. Meanwhile, Seri had walked straight to the far side of the side of the residence.
"I've come here to establish a better relationship with the Del Castano family."
"Ah, I see."
"Did the rain make you arrive home late?"
"Of course. I had to wait until the rain had completely stopped. I wasn't let Mr. Willy ride his carriage with difficulty."
"Ah, well Nivea. I will go inside so that you can talk more freely." said duke Eduardo who was about to get up from his couch."
"No, Father! I'm tired. Stay here to talk to the prince. And I will rest." Nivea moved to get up at the last sentence.
Then she bowed gracefully before prince Edmund, "I excuse myself, prince."
Nivea departed from their midst. Leaving her father and Prince Edmund who were both stunned in their places.
"Nivea my child!"
"Ah, you Mother." she stopped in her tracks in response to duchess Elvira's exclamation.
"Shouldn't you be up front with father and prince?"
Nivea shook her head, "I'm tired, Mother."
"It would be rude of you not to accompany your guest, Nivea."
"He's not also my guest, mom. I've already greeted him anyway."
"Wait, did you change your dress, child? Am I the one who has become forgetful? I thought you went to the store in a purple dress this morning."
"Hmm. Mother, I actually have something to say. But, I hope you not reveal it to father."
"Alright! What is it?" as she smiled serenely and one hand gently rubbed Nivea's cheek.
"I need to change my purple dress which got wet because I played in the rain."
"What? How could you play in the rain?"
"Do you know the son of mister.... I mean count Antonio?"
"Ah, is he the one who works at the government-owned wine estate?"
Nivea nodded definitely, "Right Mom! He was my senior in the third year. He often visits my bakery in his spare time. And today, he came in wet from the rain."
"So? You lent him a clean towel?"
"That's right, Mother. But then, we talked about the rain. And I was very curious about how it feels to play in the rain. So, I asked him to accompany me to play in the rain."
"And he was willing to accompany you to play?"
"Of course mom. Now I know what it's like to play in the rain."
"So what do you think it feels like?"
"Happy." she replied simply. "Yes, I feel happy." she continued with a nod.
"I'm sorry, Nivea. Even you can only feel what it's like to play in the rain at the age of eighteen. Ever since you were little, your father never allowed me to let you wander around in the rain. I must thank that young man. What's his name? Count Antonio's son."
"His name is ..."
"Nivea!"
"Father! You startled us."
"You said you were going to go rest. Why are you still here?"
"I called her earlier."
"I asked her, Elvira!"
"You didn't mean to defend me, Father. You just called me to ask a few ask."
"About what? What were you talking about? Am I not allowed to know?"
"Ah, of course not Father. It's a woman's little secret. A man should not know about it." Nivea replied in a friendly tone."
And that successfully made duke Eduardo not remember his original intention of approaching Nivea. Even though he intended to give long advice about Nivea's impolite attitude in receiving their guests a few minutes ago. Moreover, the guest is not a random guest. A son of His Majesty came to visit and by her attitude, Nivea had shown enough showed that she didn't like being visited by the guest.
However, the last sentence that Nivea uttered earlier had broken her father's concentration, so not a single word was uttered by him as Nivea went to her room. For tonight, there would be no more arguments between the girl and her father.