Seri Picks up Matias

Two days later.

Due to his busy day at the vineyard yesterday, it was only this afternoon that Matias returned to see Rodrigues at his home.

"I have printed the pictures. Prince Edmund and Sir Keith. Keep it Matias! Just put them together with the previous picture.", as he gave the printout to Matias.

"I have also borrowed last month's tax bill from Mr. Carlos."

"If the evidence is convincing enough, we should reveal it to His Majesty. We don't need to hesitate, Matias."

"To be honest, I still have some doubts, Rodrigues. But we... have already come this far. I think you should approach Lord Keith. So that, we can drag him to the palace and make him confess his actions."

"Hmm... Tomorrow morning I will actually meet him. After that, I will meet you at the estate."

"Alright Rodrigues! Thank you."

Meanwhile, at the Del Castano family residence, the girl who was proficient in bread-making, did something completely unexpected. Less than a week after she was chosen to be Prince Edmund's maid of honor, she couldn't stand the theatrics and started acting out.

"Are you crazy Nivea? What are you doing with your hair?"

"Why Dad? You said I was crazy."

"The Empress will be angry if she finds out that one of her subjects, a girl, has shaved her hair like you."

"Fine, then I won't appear before her."

"How could you! You are Prince Edmund's maid of honor. You will marry the prince."

"Who said I'm going to marry him, Father?"

"Nivea!

"Look father, I... I love Matias. And I... will only marry him."

Nivea turned her body around, leaving her father still wearing a shocked expression. He couldn't believe the last sentence he heard, coming out of Nivea's mouth.

Duchess Elvira, who had been silently observing the argument between her husband and daughter, finally spoke up.

"I think Nivea is telling the truth again."

"Since when? Since when did she fall in love with Count Antonio's son?"

"I don't know."

"I've heard that the boy waited all day for Nivea in her shop. What has he done to my daughter?"

"I don't think anything, it's just that... it seems like Matias has made her life more colorful. Besides, as far as I know, Matias visits the shop quite often. When he's not busy, he can be a good talker and listener for Nivea."

"What do you mean Elvira?"

"That young man has managed to win the heart of my daughter, who is hard as a rock. I don't know how... he did it. Until Nivea fell in love with him. Your daughter is no fool, Eduardo. She knows what kind of man deserves her heart."

"Then what shall I tell His Majesty, Elvira? That boy... Nivea smeared my face for the umpteenth time."

That one day Nivea didn't come to the bakery. She just stayed in her room and this morning she asked Seri for help with the bakery operations. Nivea was in a bad mood. She was too lazy to step out of her room. Let alone leave the house.

And that's when, for some reason, she wanted to cut her own hair. Maybe just to vent her pent-up emotions. She really didn't want to marry Prince Edmund. Her little heart had realized that she had fallen in love with Matias Vander Lawrence.

In front of the mirror in her bathroom, she desperately cut her long hair below her ears. In fact, at this time, shaving one's hair that short was a taboo for girls and women.

They would find it difficult to curl their hair when they had to participate in certain activities such as events or festivals that were often held in the country. So the queen expected all the girls and women in her country to always have long hair.

Of course, Duke Eduardo was very surprised to see his daughter's new look.

Nivea returned to her room after arguing with her father. She also waited for Seri's return from the shop, as she was going to ask the girl for help once again. After many minutes of waiting, the girl finally appeared in front of her.

"Miss! Oh my! What's wrong with your hair, miss?"

"Do I look really bad, Seri?"

"No... it's not that Miss. It's just that you took me by surprise."

"Are you tired, Seri?"

"Hmm... A little bit ma'am. There's Clara and David helping over there."

"Is it okay if I... ask you for a little more help?"

Seri rounded her eyes, she was curious about her new assignment. "Of course, ma'am! You can say it now."

"Then, please meet Matias at his house."

"What? When, miss?"

"Now Seri! Go with Mr. Willy to his house. Please tell him I'm waiting for him at the Edelweiss garden."

"What, are you kidding me?"

"Hurry Seri, we have to go now.", as she moved down from her bed.

"We? You said, I'm going with Mr. Willy..."

"Take me to the park first!", as she put on her coat. Nivea and Seri stepped quickly out of the room towards the main door of the residence.

"If mom asks, tell her I went to catch some wind with Seri.", Nivea said to one of the residence's doormen.

The well-built man bowed slightly to her, "Yes ma'am!"

A few minutes later.

Mr. Willy had driven Nivea to the Edelweiss garden. After she got off the carriage, Mr. Willy continued his journey to take Seri to the Lawrence family residence.

The fragrance of edelweiss flowers wafted through the garden. Nivea need not have been afraid to wait alone in the garden. On some sides of the park, people were sitting on lawn chairs, enjoying the cool night air in the city. White light from incandescent lamps often illuminated every corner of the park.

Matias seemed surprised by Seri's presence that night. It was something he had never expected or even imagined before. I don't know what brought the girl to finally meet him. Could it be Nivea who sent her?

"Good evening, Mr. Matias."

"What is it Seri?"

"I hope my presence is not disturbing you."

"Speak up Seri! What is it?"

"Miss... Miss Nivea is waiting for you at the Edelweiss garden."

"What? Are you joking, Seri?"

"How could I be joking, sir. Come with me now if you are willing to meet her."

"Alright! We're going now!"

Seri took another step towards her carriage that had stopped near the gates of the Lawrence family residence. Matias followed behind her.

On the journey that did not take long, the two of them were silent. Matias was quite curious about what was really going on with Nivea. It's useless to ask Seri, he thought. The girl would say she didn't know. Or just pretend not to know.

Matias just held back the question, until he met Nivea later.