Edelweiss Garden

Matias stepped up to the girl who was looking down alone, sitting on the garden chair.

"Nivea!"

"Have you come? Sit down!", she pleaded as she moved to make room for him to sit beside her.

"Are you crazy Nivea? Why did you shave your head?"

"Why are you talking like a father? You guys say I'm crazy. What's wrong with shaving your hair? I just made it shorter. I didn't show up with a bald head, right?"

"Hahaha. How would the prince react if he saw his future wife shaving her head like that?"

"Ah, so... because of that, you didn't come to my shop these few days?"

"Not Nivea! I... was just busy doing something outside of my work at the estate."

"Hmm... So that's it."

"Of course! You're my friend, I can visit your shop anytime."

"I'm not going to marry him."

"What?"

"I don't like that stupid prince."

"Really? Why don't you like him? All the girls in this country want him so much. Didn't... you also agree to the decision?"

Nivea shook her head, "I was just acting, accepting the decree temporarily. I couldn't possibly embarrass the royal family in front of so many people."

"Are you good at lying, Nivea?"

"No... it's actually very difficult to lie."

"Hmm... Really?"

"Marry me Matias!", the girl looked up at the face of the man beside her.

"What... what did you just say?"

"Ah, don't ask me to repeat myself!", Nivea made an annoyed face and turned her gaze to the center of the garden.

"Then how can I answer, if I didn't hear what you said clearly?"

"I like you! Marry me!"

"Are you kidding? Are you proposing to me?"

"Hahaha... I don't have much time for jokes. Just answer, yes or no!"

For a second Matias looked up at the dark, star-studded sky above.

"Fine! I won't let you marry the prince."

"So, does that mean... you're willing to be my husband?"

Their eyes locked, Matias replied with a nod and a faint smile gracing his face.

For the time being, the two decided to keep their relationship a secret from everyone around them.

The next day, Rodrigues was ready to spring into action. The man with blue eyes was on his way to the tax office. Soon, he would be there.

From a distance, his sharp eyes had caught the one-eyed man walking. Going up to the second floor. Immediately, Rodrigues approached him. Confidently, he greeted the man.

"Good morning, Mr. Keith."

"Morning. Do you know my name?"

"Of course, sir! A friend told me about you."

"Really? Hmm... What's your name?"

"Sir, I'm Mr. Barney.", while bowing slightly to introduce himself. "I... need your help. Can... we have a more casual conversation?", he continued.

"Ah, well, come with me upstairs."

Rodrigues nodded then followed Mr. Keith who began to climb one step after another in front of them. The two men headed for the third floor.

Arriving up there, Mr. Keith stopped in front of the tax bill printing room. The quiet conditions around that floor made Mr. Keith confident that they could talk in front of that room, freely without having to fear being overheard by others.

"So, Mr. Barney. How can I help you?"

"I work for a factory that produces shoes, sir. The factory owner entrusts me with the financial affairs. However, I think that he is very stingy in giving me a fair wage."

"So you're saying?"

"Could Mr. Keith help me with the factory's export tax bill, which is larger than it actually is?"

"Ah, I understand, Mr. Barney. But... You know that there are also rewards for doing so."

"Of course, sir! I've already understood it. Tell you what sir, so that you can trust me... how about in a few days I'll come back here to take you to the factory I'm talking about."

"Hmm... Good idea! All right, Mr. Barney. I still have to work now. I look forward to seeing you again."

"Yes, Mr. Keith. Thank you in advance. I take my leave."

Once again Rodrigues had successfully carried out his plan to lure Mr. Keith into cooperating with him. Leaving the tax office, he decided to return home, before meeting Matias at lunchtime at the vineyard.

In a good mood, Rodrigues could immediately resume his painting activities. He was in the process of painting a painting that had been commissioned by his father's colleague in another country.

Rodrigues, who has a background in agriculture and plantation studies, has an extraordinary talent for painting. His contemporary paintings have several times attracted the interest of certain people to buy his works.

The afternoon, with its not-so-stifling sun, has finally arrived. Rodrigues had not long arrived at the vineyard and now he was sitting at the edge of the estate waiting for Matias. Before long, his best friend had appeared dropping down to sit beside him.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Rodrigues."

"No problem. I've managed to get close to Mr. Keith. I said I would be back in a few days to take him to the shoe factory where I work. At that time, we will bring him to the palace."

"In that case, I'll ask Mr. Carlos for a copy of last month's tax bill at the archive building. If the copy is still there, we can see if the value is significantly different."

"Is Mr. Carlos having lunch?"

"Of course Rodrigues."

"After lunch, let's meet him. So that tomorrow he can go to the archive building."

"Good idea, Rodrigues."

While waiting for Mr. Carlos to finish his lunch, they walked to a lemonade stand not far from the estate. There, the two men simply bought two bottles of lemonade and quenched their thirst.

Seeing that Mr. Carlos had returned to his room, they prepared to approach him.

"How are you, Mr. Carlos?"

"Quite well, Rodrigues!"

"We would like to ask you a favor, sir."

"What is it, Matias?"

"We don't mean to trouble you. But, could you go to the archives tomorrow to ask for a copy of last month's tax bill?"

"Hmm... Okay!"

"Due to your status as the estate manager, only you are allowed to see the copy, sir."

"Yes Matias. That's right. I would say that the bill I received at the estate was... water damaged. And the letter was torn before I read it carefully."

"Ah, that's right sir.", replied Rodrigues.

"I will endeavor to borrow a copy so that I can bring it to you. But, are you sure that the value of the bill is different from the one you now have, Matias?"

"That's just our guess, Mr. Carlos. But, we're pretty sure that it's different."

"Hmm... I'll try tomorrow.", nodding, Mr. Carlos convinced himself to go to the archive building tomorrow.