"Mr. Carlos has twice complained to me about irregularities in the estate's financial statements, regarding the tax bill."
"What did he say?"
"He routinely gives a certain amount of money every month to Mr. Benedict to deposit with the tax authorities. The amount he gives is also in accordance the tax bill, as the estate tax. However, Mr. Carlos received another bill with a higher amount, as an accumulation of several months of overdue tax bills."
"Does that mean that Mr. Benedict has not been remitting it to the tax authorities?"
"Hmm. Yes, that's the case."
"But, shouldn't Mr. Carlos have checked the receipt of payment from the tax authorities, after Mr. Benedict said he had deposited the money?"
"Of course Rodrigues, even Mr. Carlos saw the physical evidence. That piece of paper it states that the tax authorities have received payment of the estate tax."
"That means there are two bills coming from the tax authorities, the real one and the fake one. Then, the receipt paper must have been forged too."
"And it must have been going on for a long time Rodrigues, because the bills that are said to be overdue are very large."
"Ah, it must have something to do with the archive building. This means that it doesn't just happen at the vineyard where you work. There must be some other estates or even companies that have experienced the same thing on their financial statements."
"Hmm. That's right Rodrigues! Because one of the floors in the archive building holds copies of every form of bill from the tax authorities to the many agencies in the country."
"That's quite a challenge, Matias! Are you planning to investigate?"
"Hahaha. No! That's not my part. Maybe Mr. Carlos will hire a detective to investigate. But can you keep this a secret from everyone?"
"Of course Matias! You think I'm a rumor monger."
The two of them laughed, sitting side by side on a long chair made of wooden beams. They were at the edge of a vineyard. Until a girl came over, making their laughter fade away.
"Good afternoon, sir." the girl carried a rattan basket in her hand.
"Yes, lady. Aren't you... The noble princess's servant?"
The girl nodded smiling, "You are correct, Mr. Matias! I am Bella and I brought lunch for you, from the noble princess Nicole."
"What? Lunch?"
"Here, sir, I hope you'll accept it." as she handed him a a rattan basket with a red cloth on top.
"Are you sure Her Highness sent it for me?"
"Of course, sir! She is very grateful to you for helping him pick grapes the other day."
"Ah, but that is my duty, miss. It's part of my job."
"But, please can you accept this, sir."
"All right, I appreciate it very much. Thank you miss and please convey my gratitude to the noble princess as well."
"Yes, sir, then I will leave now."
"Wow, you're really lucky Matias!" said Rodrigues as the girl seemed to be moving away.
"What luck?" he said as he placed the basket of food in the center of their seats.
"Princess Nicole sent a lunch for you."
"I would only feel lucky if I got my lunch from....."
"Hahaha. Are you still hoping for Miss Nivea?"
"I've started approaching her openly."
"Really? Since when did you do that?"
"Since yesterday. Since I asked her to play with the rain."
"Hahaha. You're crazy, Matias! Good luck with all your endeavors!" as he put one arm around his best friend.
***
Meanwhile, what happened at the palace.
"How is Edmund, have you found a way to approach the daughter of duke Eduardo's daughter?"
"Not yet, Father. Last night the girl seemed very tired after returning from the bakery." Edmund sighed. "I spent some time at her house talking with the duke of Eduardo." he added.
"So, she just popped in to say hello to you for a while?"
"Yes! And it must have been out of sheer respect for me as your son. If I were not the son of a king, she might not have wanted to see me at all."
"Is it that difficult? That girl really is stubborn. But I admire her because of her principles."
"What do you mean, Father?"
"Yes! Miss Nivea doesn't seem to be a stupid girl. She has principles and views on life that are very strong. A girl like her is not easily conquered. Nor is she easily swayed. You'll have to go to war with her principles if you want to get her."
"Then what should I do, Father?"
"Think for yourself! You're not a child anymore. You are a man, Edmund!"
The prince sighed and left the room, "Alright! I'm going, Father!"
His heart burned, it felt so hot after his ears heard the spoken by his father. As if he was so weak and incompetent capable of being a man. Prince Edmund growled at his father.
"Brother! What's wrong with your face?" princess Nicole intercepted Prince Edmund's hurried steps.
"I'm just a little upset about what you said."
"Father's words? What did he say to you?"
"I don't want to repeat the words that already upset me, Nicole!"
"Okay. Are you going out now?"
"Yes. I'm going to continue some work at the tax office."
"But, do you know the son of count Antonio?"
"Are you talking about Count Antonio Lawrence?"
"That's right! Do you know his son too?"
"I don't know! I'm not sure."
"That young man works at a government-owned wine estate. He works as the leader of the workers there."
"Then, what's wrong with him?"
"I think, I like that young man."
"Really? You're starting to develop a liking for the opposite sex?" as he leaning in with a seductive look on his sister's face.
The girl lowered her face, "You think I'm not normal, big brother?"
"Hahaha. It's just that, it seems... I'll have to be even more careful taking care of you. Alright little sister, I have to go now."
The man, who was wearing a black suit, walked away, leaving behind Nicole's daughter who was still stunned. The girl did not have time to continue her story to her brother.
Princess Nicole began to walk gracefully towards the backyard of the palace. Looking for the whereabouts of her personal maid who had not been seen since earlier. Her eyes caught Bella in the middle of the courtyard. The maid was feeding the wild birds that landed there.
"Bella!"
"Ah, Your Highness." Bella, who was bowing, immediately stood up straight and turned her body towards Princess Nicole and approached her.
"What are you doing, Bella? When did you get here?"
"I haven't arrived long ago, Your Highness."
"Shouldn't you have come to see me as soon as you arrived?"
"Forgive me, Your Highness. A few minutes ago I just got off the carriage. Seeing those birds made me want to feed them."
"Very well! Did you give the lunch box directly into the hands of Mr. Matias?"
"Of course, Your Honor. I went straight to him and he himself received the delivery from Your Majesty."
"What did he say? Did he seem surprised or pleased?"
"He only asked me to convey his gratitude to His Majesty, Your Highness. I saw an unremarkable look on his face, Your Highness. He did not seemed surprised or pleased."
"Ah, I see. Well, thank you for doing your job, Bella."