Prince Edmund
Matias stepped into his room, taking off the black suit he had been wearing. He threw himself on the bed, lying on his back staring at the ceiling of his room. He sighed and thought about the person he met this afternoon at the bakery.
"Does liking someone need a reason?", she asked herself. "Should I just tell him how I feel?"
There was a knock on the door, momentarily stopping his brain from working.
"Come in!"
A male servant stepped up to Matias who was now sitting at the end of the bed.
"What's up Rob?"
"You have a visitor, sir. Mr. Daniel came looking for you."
"Alright, I'll be out. Thank you Rob."
Matias brushed back his front hair that was almost covering his forehead. He got up from his seat, about to leave the room to meet his guest. And when Matias walked up to the front porch, the guest was standing under the cherry tree and swinging one of the branches there.
"What are you doing there Daniel? Come here!", Matias half shouted calling him from afar.
His best friend just smiled and stepped closer. Meanwhile, Matias had already sat down on the chair.
"That cherry tree looks very well maintained. Standing under it... it feels very shady.", the gray-eyed man said to Matias. He too had sat down on the lounge chair.
Then a waitress came and brought snacks to them.
"Thank you, Aunt Puff.", Matias said kindly with a faint smile. Making his servant nod lightly.
"Drink up Daniel, Auntie Puff's tea is delicious.", as he picked up his own cup and began to sip.
"Really?", Daniel also reached for his own cup and drank a little, "You're right! How does Aunt Puff make it?"
"Hmm. I don't know, only she knows. Oh yeah, are you here to see me or...?"
"You're not kidding Matias! You're always teasing me with your sister."
"Hahaha. Okay!"
"But it looks like I came at the wrong time. You look very tired, Matias."
"Ah, no! I haven't been home for long. But, you came when I was relaxing."
"But what do you think Martha is doing right now?"
"Hahaha. You're Daniel! You can come in and look for her inside."
"Ah, no Matias. I'm just making small talk. Martha used to be my classmate, you know that too."
"Are you really just making small talk? Just want to find out?"
"Yes, I think so."
"The cherry tree, Martha takes care of it. She takes great care of all the plants around the house. She also hired a good gardener."
"Ah, she's a good wife-to-be."
"What did you say?"
"Huh? Not Matias! Hahaha. I'm sorry. Then, have you met Rodrigues? I hardly see him these days."
"Of course I met him. A few days ago, I took him to the estate. He was going to do some research on the grapes in this region. And I'm trying to help him."
"Really? Ah, it seems she's quite busy with her studies."
"Brother... Where's my bread?", Martha's loud voice broke the conversation between the two young men. The girl stepped from inside to find her brother in the front yard.
"Ah, are you here Daniel?"
"Oh. You're Martha. I haven't talked to your sister in a while, so... So I came here. Hahaha. Right, Matias?"
"Hmm. That's right! What are you doing here Martha?"
"Where's the bread I ordered?", she held her hand up to her brother.
"Bread? What bread? Oh my! I really don't remember. I'm sorry Martha."
"You are! Aren't you going to Miss Nivea's bakery?"
"I went there. Of course I went there. But, I went straight home after eating my bread. I really don't remember buying it for you."
"Huh. How can you do that?", he said with a sullen face. "Then, if you'll excuse me, Daniel.", with a faint smile the girl in the blue dress walked back into the house.
Nivea had exchanged the yellow dress she had worn to the store this morning for a green one. Seri had also finished styling her hair in a bun that would be appropriate for her to attend the dinner invitation at the palace. Nivea rose from her dressing table chair, striding gracefully towards her parents who were waiting in the living room of their residence.
"Let's go now! Ah, let Seri come with me. She'll accompany me on the train."
"Hmm. Fine! As you wish, Nivea.", replied her father.
And then they left in their respective carriages. Nivea was with Seri in the carriage driven by Mr. Willy. While duke Eduardo and duchess Elvira left in another carriage. Their carriages made their way to the palace located on the west side of the city.
The royal family graciously welcomed their guests as they stepped into the main hall of the palace building.
"Greetings, may blessings and happiness flow to you, Your Majesty and family.", with a slight bow, Duke Eduardo greeted His Majesty and the Queen. There were princes and princesses behind the queen's body.
Likewise, Duchess Elvira and her daughter who bowed slightly following Duke Eduardo's movements. Meanwhile, the personal servant brought by Nivea was waiting in the front yard of the palace with his coachmen.
His Majesty invited the family to the dining table in the center of the palace. The palace servants had prepared everything perfectly to entertain the guests tonight. Until the time came, they enjoyed the dinner solemnly. And when it seemed that everyone at the table had finished with their respective meals, His Majesty began to open the conversation.
"Are you enjoying our treats, duke Eduardo?"
"Of course your highness, it is a great honor for us to enjoy the palace treats tonight."
"Thank goodness for that. I am also very grateful that you and your family have accepted our invitation. And... I have a matter concerning our children."
The atmosphere at the super fancy dining table seemed to be getting tense. Especially for Nivea, her heart was racing faster. She felt like struggling. The girl swallowed hard at the final sentence spoken by His Majesty.
"Very well, Your Majesty. We will listen to what... you have to say."
"Edmund, say what you want to say yourself!"
"Huh? Yes, your majesty?", the prince gasped in shock when his father suddenly demanded that he speak in front of everyone.
"Come on Edmund, speak!"
Prince Edmund sighed and began to open his sentence, "Duke Eduardo, I... I am fond of your daughter."
There was silence for a few seconds.
Nivea widened her eyes, wanting to leave and run all the more for hearing that.
"I intend to... propose to Miss Nivea."
"No prince!", Nivea's defense finally broke down. She lost track of where she was.
"Nivea!", her father reprimanded her in a low tone as he blinked his blue eyes at his daughter.
"I'm sorry, Father. I'm just not ready to accept a proposal from anyone.", Nivea shakily responded to her father's reprimand.
"Ah, Miss Nivea. I... I apologize if my words surprised you. But, I hope you will think about the answer. Because I will not stop my intention to marry you, miss."
Nivea chuckled softly, half shaking her head at Prince Edmund's words.
"Pardon... if I must say this, prince. Shouldn't... your future companion be chosen fairly in the feast of the maidens of this land? It seems... that the stance you are taking, is unfair to many people."
Everyone was silent again for a moment.
"Ah, you are a smart one Miss Nivea. Perhaps Edmund forgot about it... or he just pretended to forget about the girls' party. Apparently, he was in a hurry to choose objectively."
Hearing what his father said, Prince Edmund held back his anger and embarrassment in front of the others. He tried to refute his father's words.
"I am not in a hurry your majesty, I have known Miss Nivea for quite some time."
"Really? You have known me long enough? Can you understand my many weaknesses and vices? Despite knowing, I think... there are many things you do not know about me."
Duke Eduardo gulped at that, choosing to stop Nivea's silliness.
"It is better that we leave now, Your Majesty. I truly apologize for everything our son has said."
"No, no... No problem, Mr. Eduardo. They are still so young and have emotions that are difficult for them to control. It is I who should apologize for taking your son by surprise with the proposal."