The Next Plan

One day later, Matias was finally on the mend. He was also bored at home, looking forward to going out again and doing his usual activities. Before going to the plantation, Matias intended to meet his girlfriend first. With his newfound enthusiasm, the man left his residence after having breakfast together.

A happy hue was drawn on Nivea's face when her eyes caught sight of Matias, who had just gotten down from his carriage in front of the shop.

"Ah, are you well Matias?"

"Of course! Martha must have told you that I was sick."

"Hmm... She looks cheerful with her lover."

"I can't linger here. I... just wanted to make a brief appearance in front of you, to let you know that I'm well again."

"What? You know that I was so anxious thinking about you?"

"Hmm... I can feel it, Nivea."

The girl smiled embarrassedly when Matias looked at her meaningfully.

"Alright, I'm leaving now. I have to go to the farm."

"Take care of your health, Matias! I... would be very sad if you were sick."

Matias nodded and smiled. He turned back to Master Luigi, continuing on his way to the vineyard.

The morning air still felt so good, the birds chirped cheerfully to each other. A few minutes ahead, Matias had now reached his destination. He immediately approached Mr. Carlos.

"Good morning, Mr. Carlos."

"Ah, you're Matias! Good morning."

"I'm sorry that I didn't come yesterday. My body condition didn't allow me to come, sir."

"Are you sick?"

"Yes, but... it's getting better now."

"Hmm... Okay! Are you going to continue with your plan, about that case?"

"Of course, Mr. Carlos! Today I will meet Rodrigues and arrange a time to expose the fraud in... his majesty's presence."

"What did you say? Are you kidding, Matias?"

"No, sir. That's because this case has something to do with... His Highness Prince Edmund."

"So? I didn't expect it to go that far."

"Lord Benedict cooperated with Lord Keith, then Lord Keith has defrauded many parties by creating and printing fake tax bills. The profits made by Lord Keith, he shared them with... Prince Edmund."

"Ah, I see Matias! And of course from the prince, the one-eyed man received protection. So that he is free to commit fraud."

"Please keep it hidden from everyone, Mr. Carlos. Until such time as we uncover it with the evidence at hand."

"Of course Matias! If you've managed to uncover it, I'll reconsider whether or not to continue employing Mr. Benedict. But it seems, it's quite difficult for me to put my trust in him again."

After ending his conversation with Mr. Carlos, Matias returned to the center of the estate. Meticulously, he performed his duty of monitoring the work of the garden workers one by one at their respective positions.

***

"Sorry, it's only now that I see you Rodrigues."

"Were you busy yesterday?"

"No, I wasn't. I just stayed at home. My body was not in good condition."

"Ah, but... are you really better now?"

"Of course Rodrigues! I have good news for you."

"About that tax scam?"

"Hmm... Mr. Carlos has managed to bring a copy of last month's estate tax bill. He has given it to me. And you know what? Our guess was right. The value of the two bills is much different. In fact, they contain the same date, month and year. Which indicates the tax period itself."

"Did you keep the copy?"

"Yes! Just... two days ago, after returning from the farm, I intended to meet you here. But, on the way my head hurt so much and... I couldn't control it, so I decided to return home."

"In that case, all the evidence is already with you Matias."

"Exactly, Rodrigues."

"Alright, then, tomorrow we go to the palace. I'll be sure to bring Mr. Keith."

On the way home, Matias was in a dilemma.

The case he wanted to uncover tomorrow was not a light matter, involving a member of the royal family. Although there may be many parties who benefit if the case is revealed, but ... of course there are also many parties who will have their reputations tarnished. Matias wanted to be able to convince himself to be ready to accept, if in the future he was reviled and antagonized by all parties who felt aggrieved.

"Good evening, Mr. Matias. Count Antonio is waiting for you in his study.", Puff's aunt welcomed him who had only taken a few steps into the house.

"Well, thank you, Aunt Puff."

And Matias rushed to his father's study.

Inside, Count Antonio Lawrence had been sitting in his chair for almost thirty minutes, silently waiting for Matias' presence. He seemed more and more impatient to ask his son directly about something that was bothering him.

"Father, are you looking for me?"

"Sit down!", he ordered Matias to sit in front of him.

"Are you from the plantation?"

"Yes! Of course I'm from there. What is it, Father?"

"Duke Eduardo came to see me this afternoon."

Matias rounded his eyes, he was surprised by this and could only remain silent.

"Do you know what he said to me?"

"What Father?"

"You... Since when did you and Miss Nivea have a relationship?"

"That... Hahaha..."

"Why are you laughing Matias?"

"What... have you forgotten, Dad? Miss Nivea is my junior. Of course it's been a long time since she and I had a relationship as brother and sister."

"You're not kidding Matias!"

"Fine! I love her, Father."

"You? You want to compete with the prince? Are you crazy Matias?"

"Yes dad! I am crazy. I'm crazy because I love Nivea so much."

"What are you going to do?"

"We're getting married soon."

"Matias? That girl is the future ....."

"Yes dad, but that's our plan. And I assure you, no one will thwart mine and Nivea's plans."

Count Antonio was stunned, at a loss for words to refute his son's words. Who had now begun to move away from before his eyes.

Matias rushed out of the house, he asked Mr. Luigi to take him to the Del Castano family residence. He couldn't figure out how duke Eduardo knew about his relationship with Nivea. Therefore, he had to meet Nivea immediately.

Arriving at the courtyard of the residence, Matias tried to regulate the pounding in his chest that felt difficult to control. He began to walk when the feeling in his chest gradually calmed down. Matias did intend to meet Nivea, but it did not rule out the possibility that he would meet with duke Eduardo as well.

He expressed his intentions to a doorman there, the man asked him to wait on the terrace. Because Matias' face was quite unfamiliar to them.

Anxiety was filling his chest cavity now, waiting for the man to return to his presence. And after waiting for so many minutes, the tall man finally came back into view with Nivea walking gracefully in front of him.

And how surprised Nivea was to find her lover actually there. As it turned out, what the master doorman had said was true. Matias had indeed come and wanted to see her.