Nivea Tells the Secret

Another day has come and gone. In his spare time at this time, Matias took the time to meet his sweetheart. He went to meet her at her bakery.

"Did you miss me?"

"Hahaha. What did you say?"

"Did you miss me?"

"Shh... I'm afraid that Seri will suddenly show up and hear it."

"So, you're not going to answer my question?"

"Of course! I miss you.", she replied in a whisper bringing her face slightly forward to Matias who was standing in front of the ordering table.

The man seemed to smile happily at such a sweet answer.

"I'll prepare your bread. How many pieces of bread do you want?"

"Just two. You know my favorite, right?"

"Of course! And......"

"I want a bottle of lemonade."

"Ah, okay! Since you want lemonade, then I'll show you something.", as she moved towards her lemonade cabinet on the other side.

"Look at this bottle!", Nivea was showing a lemonade bottle that she had picked up and was now in both hands.

Matias complied, his eyes fixed on the bottle in Nivea's hands.

"Bussshh!", the lid of the bottle had popped open and fallen on the table.

Nivea had opened it with just one pull using her bare hands. Of course she hadn't used a bottle opener. That little show had made her boyfriend gape. And fell silent within seconds.

"What... are you doing, Nivea? Isn't... that bottle cap still sealed very tightly?"

"Hahaha. That's my secret, Matias! Eh? No one saw it but you?", she asked as her eyes roamed around the shop area.

The atmosphere of the Nivea bakery that afternoon was indeed quite quiet. There were only two customers who were sitting enjoying their snacks on a chair in the corner. And their attention was only on their own business.

"Here's your lemonade. Bring it! Sit down first. I'll bring your bread and... my bread. We'll talk there.", Matias accepted the bottle of lemonade that Nivea thrust into his hand.

The man walked over to the table of his choice, the one near the glass.

It wasn't long before Nivea approached him.

"Come on, let's eat this bread together.", said Nivea who began to cut the bread. Followed by Matias who did the same.

"So, how did you open this lemonade bottle?"

"Ah! Since I was seven years old, my late grandfather told me that my hands have miraculous powers."

"You learned that from him? You didn't realize that?"

"Hmm... I didn't realize it. Grandfather secretly often noticed my ability. Until he realized it and told me about it. He hopes that I can be more careful when touching things. Because without realizing it, I could damage it."

"What can you do with your hands?"

"Hmm... Making bread, washing dishes, mem........"

"Hey... I know that too! I mean, with that magic power."

"Ah, of course I can open sealed bottle caps like before, untie knots that are tied very tightly with ease, and then... lift a very heavy wooden table. Yes! I think I can do that."

"Wow... I didn't know that my boyfriend is a magician."

"What? Hahaha... It would be more appropriate if you called me a magician. Although actually... that's not the right title for me either."

Matias drank his lemonade after pouring it into the glass.

"You know what, Nivea?", he put the glass back down. "You did me a favor that time."

"Hmm? What, helped how?", Nivea asked curiously and swallowed the remaining bread in her mouth.

"You opened the lock of my train that was broken and locked itself."

"Ah, really? So you were the one in the carriage?"

"Hmm... That time the lock was broken, I always forgot to tell my coachman to fix it. Until that time, I panicked because the door was completely unopenable. The explosion in the archive building was quite tense. Everyone was afraid of another explosion."

"Ah, that's right Matias! But, do you have any ideas on how I... can immediately cancel the prince's decision to marry me?"

Matias gasped and recalled that Prince Edmund was involved in the tax fraud.

"I have something to tell you. But, please don't tell anyone."

"Alright! What is it?"

"Prince Edmund is involved in a tax fraud case."

Nivea rounded her eyes, followed by a hand covering her mouth.

"How did you find out?"

"At first Mr. Carlos, the manager of the vineyard where I work, got several tax bills that he thought were unreasonable. Then he complained to me about it. At first... I didn't intend to investigate at all, it's just that... I felt sorry for him if he had to spend so much money to pay those tax bills."

"Then?"

"But, unintentionally... I caught his confidant meeting with a suspicious-looking man. I told Rodrigues about it. And he gave me the idea to find out more."

"Ah, and you found out that the prince was involved?"

"Hmm... right Nivea!"

"Good! Hahaha.. goddess fortuna is on my side. You must reveal it before His Majesty, Matias! And at that time, I will reverse the prince's decision to choose me as his consort."

"Are you sure you'll use that as an excuse?"

"Hmm! Very sure."

"Then, you must be patient until we've managed to get enough evidence. Or, find another reason if you can't wait!"

They parted ways, as Matias said he was going back to the estate.

At the same time, Mr. Carlos had arrived at the archive building. He entered the building, which was still standing strong. There were repairs on several floors that had been affected by the explosion the previous day. Mr. Carlos then approached the desk of a worker in charge of receiving guests there.

"Good afternoon, miss."

"Yes sir, good afternoon. Do you have any business in this archive building, sir?"

"I'm Mr. Carlos, this is my ID.", as he handed her an ID stating his position at the winery. The girl read the ID he handed her.

"With great regret, I have damaged last month's tax bill that was sent to our estate. The paper was so badly affected by the rain that the writing is illegible. I also haven't had time to read it carefully. I had intended to pay it at once this month."

"Ah, do you mean you want to see a copy, sir?"

"Exactly, miss!"

"Last month's copy is still safe, sir. If you're looking for a copy of the past three months, it seems... it's no longer safe."

"Ah, so... last month's copy is still there, miss?"

"Of course! You can go up to the second floor and see Miss Glory in room number three. Explain to her again and she will let you see the copy."

"Ah, thank you for your help miss.", with a slight bow to the girl and then moved towards the stairs in the center of the building.