Meet Grandpa

Nivea del Castano was still daydreaming for a few minutes when she woke up from her night's sleep. She was leaning against the bed, wrapped in her blanket looking blankly ahead. The enormous window in front of her was of course still closed. How could Seri, the personal maid dare to open the curtain when her lady seemed to be still fast asleep.

"Excuse me miss.", Seri stepped in front of Nivea and brought the girl's reverie to a halt.

"Ah, you!"

"Is something bothering you, miss?"

"Hmm. I met the late Grandfather."

"What? You mean?"

"Seri, you'd better open that curtain first!"

Without answering, the maid swiftly stepped over to the window on that side and opened all the curtains that were still closed. He also opened some parts of the window to allow the morning air to freely enter every corner of Nivea's room. Afterward, she returned to Nivea.

"What? Are you waiting for me to tell you?"

"Hmm. Don't you want to tell me about... your encounter with your late grandfather?"

Nivea sighed, "I don't know Seri! I dream of Grandpa so often. But, last night it was like... he was so close and I felt it was very real."

"Did he say anything?"

Nivea nodded, "Not only talking but... this time he showed me something."

"May I know, miss? What did your grandfather... show you?"

"A painting. I thought it was my face, but Grandfather said that the girl in the painting was a royal servant in the year.... years... Ah, I don't remember what year he said."

"Are you sure, miss?"

"Hmm. Yes, I'm sure Grandfather said that it wasn't me. In fact, Grandfather wanted to say that the person I am now is... that girl who has been reborn."

"What? You mean, are you the reincarnation of a royal maid?"

"Yes. That's probably what Grandfather meant. But, what are you telling me that for? I don't understand, Seri."

"You don't need to dwell on it, miss. I hope you are not disturbed by the dream."

"But Seri, do you remember? I once told you about how I knew the power of my hands. At that time, Grandpa was the first to know it. He was still healthy and told me at the age of seven."

"Of course, ma'am. I remember you telling me about it. I think it's different. One thing Grandpa told you when he was alive and the other he told you only in a dream. I... I don't understand either. Hahaha. Sorry miss, it's time for you to go to the store."

Again Nivea sighed, "Alright, I'll stop thinking about that for a while, Seri. Help me get ready now!"

Nivea slowly lowered her legs from the bed. Then stepped to one side of the wide-open window. The girl with burgundy hair color looked out there, with her sharp brown eyes gazing at the morning atmosphere around her residence.

After a few minutes, Seri returned to Nivea to tell her that the warm water was ready. Seri invited her lady to go to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Seri prepared the dress that Nivea would wear today.

Nivea was now sitting in front of her dressing table. She had put on a simple pink dress of Seri's choice. As usual, Seri gently combed Nivea's hair and then styled it the way Nivea wanted.

"Are you planning to let your hair down today, miss?"

"No, no. Please just put it in a bun!"

"Yes, ma'am."

After being satisfied with her hairdo, the beautiful girl stood up from her seat. Taking one more look at herself in front of her mirror, she left her room.

"Where is my mother, Seri?"

"Ah, duchess Elvira is enjoying her tea in the back garden."

Lifting the front of her dress slightly, she stepped towards the garden at the back of the residence. Nivea intended to see her mother before going to her bakery. Meanwhile, Seri would continue to follow behind her.

"Good morning, mom."

"Ah, you're Nivea. Good morning dear. Did you sleep well?"

"Hmm. I think I slept quite well."

"Are you... going straight to your shop?"

"Yes mom. I'll be going now."

"Hmm. All right! Have a good day, my child!"

Nivea bowed slightly, "Thank you, Mother. I wish you many blessings."

A horse-drawn carriage and a coachman were ready to take Nivea and Seri. On their way, Seri broke Nivea's reverie.

"Miss, excuse me. May I have a word?"

"Yes? What do you want to say, Seri? Why did you have to ask before?"

"Ah, because I saw that you seemed to be thinking about something."

"Sure! I was indeed thinking about something. Something that seems to be bothering me. But, what do you want to talk about?"

"Your classmate in the third college, it seems that young man likes you."

"Huh? What did you say? Who is the senior brother you're referring to?"

"Ah, that lady... she's the son of count Antonio."

"Hahaha. Are you kidding Seri?"

"No, ma'am. That young man asked me to convey his greetings to you."

"What? Why are you only saying it now?"

"I... I don't remember ma'am. Since you were talking about meeting your late grandfather this morning, I forgot to say it. Please forgive my carelessness, miss."

"No problem, but when did you meet Matias?"

"Yesterday afternoon, when I was buying fruit for duchess Elvira. I saw that the young man also bought some fruit from the same shop."

"What did he say to you? Did he say that he liked me?"

"He just said, please give my regards to Miss Nivea. Yes, that's all."

"And you interpreted her greeting as a sign... that she likes me? Huh, you're kidding Seri!"

"That is a possibility, miss. Hasn't it always been the case that... he likes to seek attention from you? But I guess you're not sensitive enough to his attitude."

"Really? Am I being insensitive? Ah, never mind Seri! I don't want to talk about Matias."

Seri guided Nivea to her feet in front of the bakery building. As was her habit, upon arriving inside the shop area Nivea would first walk to the area where customers could usually sit down to enjoy the bread and drink offerings of the shop. Then she would make her way along the bread display case and finally, Nivea would make her way to her kitchen at the back of the ordering counter.

It was in the bakery where Nivea spent most of her days. The girl loved her job of making different kinds of bread. With all her heart, Nivea devoted her mind and energy to producing breads that were worthy of being enjoyed by everyone in the country.

Nivea never took much profit from her business. To her, she is happy to be free to do what she loves. And to her, everyone has the right to enjoy a loaf of bread without having to differentiate between people. No wonder her bakery has so many customers. Nivea is also very friendly to everyone she meets.