The palace decided to organize a party for the girls. The party would be attended by all the girls in the country. Girls from all walks of life are welcome to attend. On that day, the prince would choose his future consort, his future queen.
Nivea puffed out her cheeks, talking to herself in the mirror as usual. A few minutes ago, Duke Eduardo had just broken the news of the girls' ball at the palace.
"After seeing me yesterday, he asked his family to organize a girls' party. Gosh, is he a man or not? Wanting to take a shortcut without bothering to approach me. He thought I would submit to the palace's orders if he asks me to marry him in front of everyone? Hahaha. You're too confident Nivea! There's no way that prince will choose you. Just go to the party first and whatever happens we'll see."
The girl who was ready with her appearance that morning, got up from her spot and went back to her daily activities.
"Seri, come with me tomorrow to the girls' party."
"What? Hahaha. No, miss!"
"Are you contradicting me, Seri? You're a girl too."
"That's true miss, but the prince will choose his future consort there. Only girls who are worthy of the prince will come with confidence."
"You're very articulate, Seri. Fine! You still have to come with me! It's an order that you cannot disobey."
"Alright miss!"
This half day had gone perfectly. Nivea had managed to sold a lot of her bread. Because the quality of her bread never disappointed the customers. The girl was already very proficient in her ability to making bread.
A light rain began to fall outside, bringing someone to the sight of Nivea who was standing behind the ordering counter.
"Matias!"
"Hi! Are you daydreaming, Nivea?"
"No! Did you get caught in the rain again?"
Matias shook his head with a smile, "No! You didn't realize the rain came down at the same time as I walked in?"
"Ah, that's right Matias! I didn't notice. Would you like some bread and a cup of chamomile tea?"
"Hmm. I'd like to sit there and enjoy it."
"All right!" while moving to prepare Matias' order.
"And if I may, may I ask you to sit with me there?"
"Ah, that. Of course! I'll call Seri to replace me here. You sit down first!" with a smile Nivea handed over the tray in her hand to Matias' hand.
After a few minutes Nivea was back. She had reached one of the table, where Matias was already seated. Nivea slowly plopped herself down on the chair opposite the man.
"You don't drink tea, Nivea?"
Nivea shook her head. "Just you."
"Am I interrupting your work?"
"No! I always have Seri to help me over there. Oh yes Matias, have you heard about the girls' party tomorrow night?"
"Hmm. My dad told me about it."
"Martha is coming?"
"Of course!"
"Ah, I think... I have something to tell you Matias."
"What is it?"
Nivea sighed, preparing to say it. "Long before the banquet dinner at the palace that time, His Majesty had invited my family to have dinner at the palace."
"Really? Then?" Matias was still chewing his chocolate jam bread slowly.
"And at that time, Prince Edmund said one thing that was completely beyond everyone expected."
"What did he say?"
"He said that he wanted to propose to me."
Matias gasped in shock, widening his eyes for a moment. Swallowing with difficulty the remaining bread in his mouth. Then took a sip of his hot tea.
"And you agreed to the proposal?"
"Eh! Of course not, Matias... in front of everyone at the table I said that I wasn't in the mood to accept a proposal from anyone."
"You humiliated him in front of people?"
"Ah, those people are just my family and his own family. After all it was his own fault, without approaching me beforehand he suddenly said that in front of his family."
"So that's it."
"Hmm. And to be honest, I... I don't mean to be overconfident, but I'm afraid he'll still choose me at the girls' party tomorrow night."
Matias gasped for the umpteenth time at that realization. His position was also threatened if Nivea was forced to accept Prince Edmund's proposal in front of everyone tomorrow night. Matias, who was cutting the next loaf of bread, suddenly looked up at the words of the girl in front of him.
"Hmm. Then, are you going to continue avoiding the prince?"
"Of course! I don't like him."
"Ah, you don't like him. So, what can I do to help you?"
"If that. Ah, nothing. You don't need to do anything for me. I just want to tell you my story."
"Hmm. Alright!" he nodded.
***
The afternoon had arrived. With a basket of strawberries in his hand, Daniel went to the Lawrence family residence. A servant invited him to wait. He placed the basket on the table on the terrace and sat down to wait for Martha. Just then, Countess Victoria arrived and caught Daniel's presence there.
"Is that you, Daniel?"
"Ah, countess Victoria." Daniel who was quite surprised then stood up and slightly bowed before her in greeting. "You just arrived, ma'am?"
"Yes, Daniel. Are you waiting for Matias?"
"Mother!" exclaimed Martha who was stepping in front of them. "Daniel is waiting for me, Mother!"
Daniel gaped in disbelief at Martha's answer. Likewise with Countess Victoria who looked back and forth between the two.
And she smiled, "Is it true, Daniel?"
"Yes, ma'am! I came to see Martha."
"Ah, what did you bring Daniel?" asked Martha to change the topic. Her body towards a rattan basket up there.
"Ah, those are strawberries for the Lawrence family. I picked them at my uncle's farm. Where I work part-time."
"Wow, thank you so much Daniel. You've been considerate and bothered to bring those strawberries for us."
"You're welcome ma'am."
"Sit down, I'll come in, you can talk here."
"Mother!" Martha called back to the countess Victoria who was about to away. Making her look back.
"Hmm? What's wrong Martha?"
"Me and Daniel... We.... We're in a relationship, mom!"
"What?"
Daniel looked down, his cheeks flushed. He blushed when he heard Martha say that to her mother.
"Hahaha. Is that true, Daniel?
The man hurriedly looked up and answered her, "Of course ma'am! Martha is telling the truth."
"Hmm. So that's it. Alright! Please take good care of my girl!"
"Ah, of course ma'am! I will try hard to take care of this beautiful girl. You can entrust her to me."
The most beautiful smiles graced each of their faces. Martha and her lover were very happy that countess Victoria seemed to have given the green light on their relationship.
It was a good thing that Daniel had hurriedly confessed his feelings to Martha, during the dinner at the palace the other day. If Daniel hadn't said it that night, who knows how long Martha would have had to harbor those feelings. Feelings that she never dared to express first. Feelings that had never changed since they first met in elementary school.