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Senior

"Nivea, why are you rushing to get up? I haven't finished talking to you yet."

"Ah, that's... What do you mean Grandpa? Do you want me to sleep longer? What if I can't open my eyes anymore?"

"That's not what I meant stupid!", Grandpa's finger flicked Nivea's forehead.

"Ouch! It hurts Grandpa... Well, can you tell me now what you want to tell me?"

"You... my poor granddaughter."

"Poor how? Can you speak more clearly, Grandpa?"

"You were born as the reincarnation of the royal servant in that old painting. She died killing herself, because she loved a man too much to ever think of her."

"So, are you saying... I'll suffer the same fate as her someday?"

"I don't know! It's just that... I've heard that the royal maid's mother cursed the man her son loved so much. The sharp-mouthed old woman swore that if the man were to be reborn in a future life, the events would be reversed."

"Upside down?"

"Yes, that old woman swore that in the future... that man would be crazy about her daughter."

"Then Grandfather, what do you think... will happen to my life then?"

Grandfather's body slowly seemed to thin out, disappearing leaving only a thin puff of smoke that slowly flew away with the wind.

"Grandpa... Grandpa!!!", Nivea woke up with a sharp intake of breath. She got up and leaned on her cot. Patting her chest, she felt her heart racing strongly. One of her hands reached for the glass of water on her left side.

After drinking, he began to regulate the rhythm of his breathing. Again, her grandfather was present in her sleep. Nivea couldn't understand, but she tried again to close her eyes because it was still dark outside.

A few hours later, Nivea's father and mother were sitting in their dining chairs, preparing to start breakfast.

"Good morning, Mom and Dad."

"Good morning son, sit down!", said his father.

"We thought you had left early this morning. It's rare that you join us for breakfast."

"No mom. I think I woke up a little late this morning."

"Are you okay Nivea? Are you sick?"

"Ah, no Dad. I just... maybe I didn't get enough sleep."

"Hurry home after making the bread, you don't need to stay at the shop all day."

"No mom. I'm actually very happy if I can serve many customers."

After finishing her breakfast this morning, Nivea and Seri immediately left for the shop. Doing her daily activities as usual.

On their journey this time, Nivea chose to be quiet and occasionally seemed to close her eyes, making her personal maid dare not open her mouth.

Once they arrived at the shop, Nivea painstakingly set to work making her bread dough. She seemed to be concentrating from the outside looking in, no one could tell that her mind was wandering.

"Why do you keep bothering me, Grandfather? What are you telling me about the royal maid who died a silly death because of the man she loved? Does that matter to me?", she wondered unspoken.

His gaze was still fixed on the container of bread dough in front of him. And her hands were still kneading every part of the dough that was starting to look smooth.

Several hours passed, and Nivea was done with her bread. She stood elegantly behind her bread display case. A man in a cowboy hat entered the shop.

The man politely took off his hat and bowed slightly when he noticed Nivea was there.

"Ah, Miss Nivea! How are you today?"

"Very bright, Mr. Rodrigues. Which bread would you like?"

"Two pieces of bread with chocolate jam inside."

"Are you planning to sit here?", asked Nivea as she picked up the two loaves with the help of the claw tool.

"No, ma'am. Just wrap them up, please. I bought them for a friend."

"Ah, okay!"

"My friend really likes your bread."

"Really?"

"Of course. I think you know him. He's your senior in third year.", while accepting the brown-colored bread wrapper handed over by Nivea.

"Ah, maybe I know him. There are many seniors there."

"He's the son of count Antonio."

"Ah... Hahaha. Yes, I know him well enough."

"Well, thank you miss. Then I'll take my leave.", the man bowed again before leaving Nivea's presence.

Nivea was still pensive in her place. She seemed to be thinking about the older brother that Mr. Rodrigues had mentioned earlier. No sooner had she snapped out of her reverie than she stepped over to get a bottle of lemonade from her cupboard. And as usual, with only her bare hands, she easily unscrewed the lid of the bottle, which was still firmly closed.

Other people have to open the lid with the help of tools, but not Nivea. Her hands have magical powers unknown to many. And she's been aware of that ability since she was seven years old.

After pouring her lemonade into the glass, she quickly drank it.

"Miss, are you alright?", asked Seri who appeared from the direction of the kitchen.

"Hmm!"

"Ah, good afternoon, miss. Which bread would you like?", Seri turned her gaze to a girl in a green dress who approached the display case.

"I want bread... Ah, is that you Miss Nivea?", the two eyes that were roaming the entire storefront finally caught sight of Nivea who was still standing with her back half turned to the bread display case.

With a smile, Nivea turned her body towards the girl.

"I'll do it.", she said softly to Seri, causing Seri to shift and return to the kitchen.

"Good afternoon Miss Martha. Are you going to sit here to enjoy our bread and lemonade?"

"Afternoon Miss Nivea. I want to take some bread home for me and my brother."

Nivea rounded her eyes, her smile fading, "What's wrong with Matias? Everyone wants to buy him bread today.", she thought.

"My brother is not well, miss."

"Huh, what? Ah, okay. So, which bread would you like, Miss?"

"Can Miss Martha hear what I'm saying inside? Ah, no, no...", she moaned again.

Nivea's hands deftly prepared the breads mentioned by Martha. She quickly wrapped them in a brown paper bag.

"Here's your bread, miss."

Martha paid after Nivea mentioned the total amount.

"Thank you, Miss Martha."

"Yes, ma'am. You're welcome. Goodbye.", with a smile Martha turned her body back towards the entrance of the shop.

Nivea got up from behind her etalas, she stepped into the kitchen to find her personal maid.

"Seri, let's go home!"

"What? You want to go home now, miss?"

"How many times do I have to speak, Seri?"

"Ah, yes ma'am."

Seri left the peanut butter she was making in a container on the table, code for asking the other workers to continue the work she had left behind. Seri ran a little after her lady who had just stepped out of the shop.

"You look pale, Miss.", she said as they sat facing each other in her carriage.

"Really? I think... I... I don't know! I just wanted to go home early and get some rest."

"Isn't... that girl Count Antonio's daughter?"

"Hmm. You're right!"

"What did he say to you, miss? Did you suddenly want to go home because he said something?"

"Nothing."

"You're lying, miss."

"Do I look like I'm lying, Seri? And why do you always want to know something from me?"

"Ah, no... no... I'm sorry miss. I will try not to repeat it."

All the way to her residence this afternoon, Nivea just silently looked at the side of the road through the small window on her right side.

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