Everyone has started their day again. Martha, who always looks cheerful, this morning was guiding the gardener she had hired to trim the tall grass around her yard. In a simple purple dress, her eyes were carefully paying attention to every detail of the work being done by the gardener's uncle.
However, a male servant broke her concentration. He approached Martha to tell her that she had a visitor. The girl was quite surprised when Mr. Rob said that the guest was Daniel. Without thinking, Martha left the backyard of her house.
"Good morning Martha." bowing slightly Daniel greeted Martha warmly.
"Yes Daniel, good morning. But, don't you know that Matias is working at the plantation at this hour?"
"Of course Martha! I know that. But, I'm here to see you."
"Me? Sit down first Daniel." as she moved closer to her chair and followed him.
Daniel who then also took his seat in the other chair.
"I want to give you something, Martha. But, I hope you won't take offense and be willing to accept it."
"You? Give me something?"
Daniel smiled and nodded, as Auntie Puff's hand placed cups of hot tea on the table, for both of them.
Martha continued her sentence to Daniel after Aunt Puff walked away. "What would you like to give me?"
"This is Martha." as he handed over a bag made of paper, pink in color. The one he had been carrying and had caught Martha's attention, making the girl wonder about it.
"What is this, Daniel?" she accepted with her right hand.
"It's a dress. You can see it later."
"A dress?"
"Yes Martha! I suddenly wanted to buy it for you when I saw it for the the first time."
"Really? Why did you suddenly remember me?"
"I don't know! You were the only thing that came to my mind. At that time I was taking my mom to her tailor's shop. Then, I saw a statue of a woman wearing that dress. My mom asked the tailor, the uncle said he was going to sell the dress. The dress wasn't an order from a customer. The uncle had deliberately sewed it to sell."
"Did you buy it on the spot, Daniel?"
"Of course not Martha! I didn't buy it with my mom."
"Then, you went back alone there?"
"Yes! And I'm very lucky that it hasn't been sold yet."
"Ah, I see. I hope the size of this dress fits me."
"Hmm. And I really hope you'll wear it, Martha."
"Of course Daniel, I am very grateful and appreciate your gift." she smiled and looked down blushing.
Martha couldn't wait to see the dress Daniel had given her. After Daniel's departure from her residence, she hurried into her room and opened the pink paper bag that had been in her hand.
With great care, one hand gently reached for the golden-brown fabric that was golden brown in color. Her eyes lit up as the dress was slowly pulled out. Martha could now see the beautiful dress fully. She had spread it out on the bed. Having had enough of looking at and caressing the texture of the fabric, it was Martha's turn to try it on.
"Wow, how can this dress fit my body so well?" Martha smiled happily as she looked at herself in the mirror.
For a moment, her mind wandered to the giver of the dress.
***
At 10:00 a. m., the arrival of a group of people disrupted the entire government-owned wine estate. How could they not, the group of bodyguards came to bring the princess. Returning to visit the estate. I don't know what the purpose of His Majesty's daughter, for the umpteenth time visiting the vineyard.
"Respectful greetings, may blessings and happiness flow to you, your noble princess." said Mr. Carlos bowing slightly before the girl who was wearing her fur hat.
"Thank you, Mr. Carlos. Has my arrival caused you any trouble?"
"Of course not, Your Highness. Your highness is welcome to visit the estate at any time."
"Ah, well sir! Then may I take a tour to enjoy the cool air here?"
"Please, Your Highness. Matias will accompany your majesty to take a look around as you please."
Princess Nicole widened her eyes in pleasure, inwardly saying that it was indeed that was exactly what she wanted.
Matias stepped closer after a worker who happened to be passing by Mr. Carlos, told him that Mr. Carlos had called for him.
"Respectful greetings, may blessings and happiness flow to you, your noble princess."
"Thank you, Mr. Matias." accompanied by a faint smile.
"You called me, Mr. Carlos?"
"Of course! Please accompany Her Highness to the tour. She would like to enjoy the fresh air around here."
"Ah, yes, sir!"
"Please, Your Highness." while slightly bowing to give way to princess Nicole.
"Hmm. Mr. Matias, what about the contents of that lunch box? Did you like the food?"
"Ah, I apologize, Your Highness. I had forgotten that I should have expressed my thanks for your delivery that day. Of course the food was very delicious, Your Highness."
"Really?"
"Yes, your highness. I ate it immediately after your personal attendant delivered it to me."
"But did you know that I cooked it all myself?"
"Really? Of course I didn't think of that, Your Highness. Forgive me. I thought the food was cooked by the palace cook."
"Hmm. Are you underestimating my abilities?"
"No, Your Highness! Of course not. I just didn't expect that a daughter of His Majesty went straight into the kitchen."
"Hmm. I accept your reasoning."
Matias and Princess Nicole were still walking side by side with a distance of a few distance. With patience and courtesy, the man accompanied the princess around the plantation.
"Wow, these grapes are ripe, sir." as she touched one of the grape clusters on the tree.
"Yes, Your Highness, the workers will pick them soon."
"Have you heard about the banquet dinner the empress is hosting?"
"Of course, Your Highness! Count Antonio has told us about it."
"Ah, good then. So will you be coming to the palace?"
"Yes, Your Highness. Our family will be coming to fulfill the invitation of Her Majesty's Empress. It is a great honor for us, Your Majesty. We appreciate it very much." she nodded and smiled kindly.
Princess Nicole only responded with a smile. As for the man who was the leader of the workers, could not interpret the princess's smile.
He didn't know and didn't realize that the smile was actually contained a meaning.
Matias really couldn't feel that the girl had fallen in love with him. And was trying hard to harbor feelings for him, hoping that Matias would to be sensitive to the attention she was giving him. Ever since the first time they met, and then the lunchbox. Even Matias should have begun to think, when Nicole's daughter told him that she herself cooked some of the food that was sent for him.