"I guess I'm the only one who doesn't know the result of last night's event." Matias said that morning in front of his three family members.
"Prince Edmund chose Miss Nivea." Martha said lightly.
Matias was silent. He looked at Martha's face as if he wanted to confirm whether Martha was said it with a serious face.
"That's right, Matias. Wasn't Miss Nivea once your junior?"
"Ah, that's... that's right Mother."
"Duke Eduardo must be very happy that his daughter has been chosen.", said count Antonio.
Matias hid his disappointment. He had not expected that Nivea would change her mind. Just a few days ago, the girl had told him that she didn't like Prince Edmund. But why did she suddenly she was willing to accept the prince's decision.
Indeed, it seemed impossible for Nivea to humiliate the prince again in front of more people. But, if Nivea had really agreed with the decision, it meant that Matias had no more hope. The decision had been announced in front of all the girls present last night. That is, he had to admit defeat. He had to give up his Nivea.
Matias told Mr. Luigi that he had not asked to be escorted to the estate. He then asked to be taken to Rodrigues' house.
A few minutes later he was at his friend's house.
"I'm sorry to disturb you so early in the morning Rodrigues."
"No problem, you're not going to the plantation?"
Matias shook his head, "I want to continue our search. "
"Ah, have you printed the pictures?"
"Not yet Rodrigues. I haven't had time to go to the documentation printer."
"Alright! This morning we print the images first, then we go back to the tax office."
"Right, we should get more information from there."
After talking enough, the two decided to leave. By riding Matias' horse-drawn carriage, Mr. Luigi would take them wherever they asked.
When they arrived at the documentation printing house, Matias explained his intention to print some pictures of Mr. Benedict and the one-eyed man, the previous morning in front of the tax office building.
Matias and Rodrigues watched the work of an uncle who was printing the the photographs with the help of some equipment, which was available around him.
After waiting for about two hours, the photos had finished printing. The uncle had also returned the photographic equipment to Matias.
Then they continued their journey to the tax office.
On the way, Rodrigues looked at the black and white photograph in his hand. He was observing and trying to remember Mr. Keith's appearance, as it was this was the first time he had seen him in a photograph. Then Matias put the photos back into the inside pocket of his jacket.
It was now time for the two men to get off the train. They had arrived in front of the tax office building. Matias asked Mr. Luigi to wait in a safe place. And their steps halted, as Matias noticed a figure known to the whole country.
"Wait Rodrigues!"
"Hmm. What Matias?", he turned in surprise to Matias beside him.
"Am I not mistaken? What is Prince Edmund doing here?", Matias directed his gaze at Prince Edmund who seemed to be walking alone near the entrance. He was walking casually, without a bodyguard trailing behind him.
"Ah, you're right Matias! That really is the prince."
"If he's wandering around here, I can't go inside there, Rodrigues. During the banquet dinner at the palace, we had a chance to talk. He will feel strange if he sees me here."
"Alright! I'll go in alone again. And give me that photographic device! I'll hide it inside this jacket."
They moved behind a wall not far from where they were standing. Matias took out a photographic device from inside his carry-on bag, and draped the strap around Rodrigues' neck. Rodrigues hurriedly snapped his brown jacket shut his brown jacket, which looked loose. They then dispersed there.
"Good morning miss!"
"Good morning sir! Ah, I forgot to ask your name yesterday."
"I'm Mr. Barney, miss. I would like to go back to see Mr. Keith, is he at his place?"
"He is, Mr. Barney. You may come up."
"Yes, miss. Ah, yes. If I may know, what is His Highness Prince Edmund doing here? I saw him here earlier."
"In one month, he makes several visits here, sir."
"Ah, well, excuse me, miss."
Rodrigues was quite satisfied to get that information. It seemed very easy to extract information from the girl at the counter. Rodrigues shuffled towards the stairs in the corner.
As one foot stepped on a step, he was able to catch sight of Prince Edmund's presence at the top of the stairs. The prince, who could be seen from behind him, seemed to be talking to someone beyond the reach of Rodrigues' eyes.
Slowly Rodrigues continued his steps up the stairs one by one. But then the prince embraced the man he was talking to, they began to step. Making Rodrigues try to speed up his steps without making a sound. And he had managed to see Mr. Keith and Prince Edmund clearly.
From behind the wall, immediately Rodrigues was careful to take pictures of them several times. Before anyone else came up the stairs. Luckily there was no one there, so Rodrigues still had the opportunity to eavesdrop.
He pricked up both ears. Until he finally got the fact that Mr. Keith had been committing many frauds. And the one-eyed man was collaborating with and receiving protection from Prince Edmund.
Rodrigues really didn't want to believe that. A son of the king who was renowned throughout his country, had supported many frauds and corrupt practices. Without any further delay, Rodrigues left the office immediately office, approaching Matias who was waiting for him.
"You won't believe what I have to say, Matias."
"What's wrong, Rodrigues?", he asked, getting more curious as he saw the expression on Rodrigues' face. They were in his carriage.
"In that fraud, Sir Keith collaborated with Prince Edmund."
"What did you say?"
"I got some pictures of them. I also eavesdropped on their conversation. And I've drawn a conclusion. Mr. Keith has done a lot of falsifying tax bills. As well as tax payment receipts. He collaborated also with insiders in certain companies. Usually it is the insider, who asks him to make fake tax bills to deceive his superiors. The insider promised him a reward if he would help. But the wage that Mr. Keith asked for was quite large. That is, because he had to share his wages with the prince."
Matias nodded his head, having heard Rodrigues' explanation carefully.
"So, it's the same as Prince Edmund supporting evil. Starting from corruption committed by the company's insiders, and then knowing and supported what Mr. Keith did. Until the prince also enjoyed the results. Hmm. that means, Mr. Benedict is in the position of the insider you are referring to, Rodrigues!"
"Exactly, Matias!"