Message from Grandpa

"Come with me!"

Matias tried to balance his steps with Nivea's which led to the garden chair at the edge.

The two of them were sitting side by side.

"What brings you here, Matias?"

"My father found out about our relationship."

"What?"

"He said he found out from your father. Your father came to see him this afternoon."

"What? I came to see count Antonio?"

"How did your father find out about our relationship, Nivea?"

"Ah, well... Actually, my father doesn't know for sure about the relationship we're in now. It's just that it's my fault, Matias!"

"Your fault? How do you mean?"

"That evening, before I asked you to meet me at Edelweiss Park... I had an argument with my father. He scolded me for shaving my head, then I told him that I would never marry a prince. Because, because I told father that I loved you."

For a moment the man gaped in disbelief.

"Did you say that consciously, Nivea? Or were you overcome by anger at the time? So your speech was garbled."

"I realized Matias! I said it consciously. It's just that I don't know how you received my words. Whether you thought that we were living it together or not. I don't know, Matias."

"Hmm. I'm sorry Nivea."

"For what?"

"I was just quite surprised when my father said your father had met him and talked about us. You know what? I told my dad that we were planning to get married."

"You told him? Then how did he respond?"

"Of course he was surprised. But, calm down Nivea! I'll get over it."

Nivea returned to the room after escorting Matias to his train. Luckily, her mother and father were not aware of Matias' arrival. They just felt that now was not the right time to appear alone in front of duke Eduardo.

The girl changed her dress, preparing for bed.

"Are you going to bed, miss?"

"You startled me, Seri!"

"Sorry miss, I just wanted to put your clean dress in the closet."

"Get some rest, Seri!"

"Of course ma'am, good night!", Seri left her ma'am's room.

***

"How are you my grandson? Hahaha. I can see the happy streaks on your face", the grandfather opened his arms wide. Allowing his grandson to enter his arms.

"Grandpa! Why are you coming now?", Nivea ran to greet her grandfather's open arms.

"I'm very grateful that the curse is completely reversed."

"What do you mean, grandfather?" she asked, leaning her head back to see his face.

"It means you won't suffer."

"Really?"

"Believe me, my dear grandson!"

"How can I trust grandfather?"

"You just need to continue with the steps you've already taken. Don't be swayed by anyone who tries to control you. Don't veer from the path you're currently on."

"Hmm. I'll try, grandfather!"

The presence of her late grandfather had woken Nivea up in the middle of the night. Again, the dream felt very real, she could feel the warm embrace and comfort of her grandfather's embrace.

Without realizing it, tears were flowing. Her hand reflexively wiped the tears away when she woke up. Her heart felt warm, Nivea missed the figure of the old man.

***

The drizzle colored this morning. The fragrance of the soil, mixed with the distinctive smell of grass, became more and more noticeable.

"Seri, Look! What is it?", Nivea exclaimed enthusiastically standing in front of her wide-open bedroom window.

"Ah, miss! Don't you know it's called a rainbow?"

"What? It's not that Seri! I mean, the rainbow is so beautiful. I don't want to miss that beauty. I want to keep looking at it."

"Your warm water has been ready since five minutes ago, miss."

"Ah, right! I had forgotten. Well, I'll have to get ready soon."

Thirty minutes later Nivea was contemplating herself in front of a mirror that was bigger than the one on her dressing table. Today she was wearing a simple tosca green dress. It contrasts nicely with her fair skin. Nivea is so bright. A graceful impression never seems to escape her.

"Good morning Father, Mother."

"Morning Nivea.", her parents replied almost simultaneously.

"You look cheerful, son!"

"Of course mom! I met grandpa last night."

"What?", asked duke Eduardo quite surprised.

"Ah, I mean... I dreamt of playing in the park with him."

"Really?"

"Hmm. That's right mom. Grandpa sends his regards to you."

"Hahaha... You're kidding, Nivea!"

"Hmm... Yes dad! How did you know I was joking?"

"Now you're good at acting."

"What?", Nivea sighed as she put down the knife and fork she was using to cut a piece of meat. And suddenly she was out of her chair.

"I'm going, Mom", she said as she walked away without turning around.

"That child is getting more and more insolent."

"You're putting her in a bad mood. You should have just let him finish breakfast first."

"You're defending him again."

"He did nothing wrong, why should I defend him?"

The bright light that had been on her face this morning was now fading. Duke Eduardo had ruined the girl's mood. All the way to her bakery, Nivea was silent.

Seri, who had heard duke Eduardo's words earlier, understood that the lady was feeling a little depressed.

"Miss, don't you want to talk?"

"Hmm? What are you talking about, Seri?"

"Ah, that's miss... you shouldn't think too much about your father's attitude."

Nivea sighed, turning her gaze from the train window to Seri. "Don't I have the right to determine my own life, Seri?"

"Ah? What? Of course everyone has that right, miss."

"But, whenever I make my wishes known, father always dismisses me as insolent. I don't know, Seri! I don't understand why I always have to obey his wishes."

Once at the bakery, Nivea and Seri began their work. Nivea's mood, which had been broken earlier, had gradually improved. She was always enthusiastic when it came to flour.

By the next hour, the combined aroma of cooked flour and milk had wafted around the corner. Not only inside the kitchen, the fragrance of Nivea's bread had spread beyond the storefront. It bewitches anyone who passes by into wanting to enjoy it.

Now it's Nivea's turn to stand at the ordering table. And today, unexpectedly, she had a special guest.

"You look very bright with short hair, Miss Nivea."

"Ah, thank you countess Victoria. Did you come here to taste my bread?"

"Of course, Mademoiselle! And if you have enough time, could we have a quick chat?"

"Of course, ma'am. Of course I have time for that. Please wait a moment.", Nivea stepped into the kitchen to call Seri to take her place at the front.

Before long, Nivea returned to the woman who had given birth to the love of her life. Nivea's heart was racing, she was wondering what could have happened for Countess Victoria to visit her shop.

"Please ma'am, we can sit over there."

The woman, who was wearing black gloves, smiled and followed Nivea to one of the guest tables by the window. The two of them were now sitting across from each other and it made Nivea even more nervous.