Nivea Pale Face

"Good morning Father, Mother."

Duke Eduardo was stunned to find his daughter stepping ever closer to him and his wife at the dining table. "Morning Nivea."

"Good morning, my child." replied duchess Elvira.

Lifting the front of her pink dress slightly, Nivea carefully plopped herself down on the dining chair.

"Why haven't you left yet, Nivea?"

"I relaxed a bit when I woke up earlier. Opened the shop a little later, it doesn't seem to matter, Mother."

"Yes. Alright! Let's start the breakfast."

"Why are you so quiet, Dad? Are you still angry with me?"

The man sitting in the main seat flashed a faint smile to his daughter, "Never mind Nivea! Let's forget about that for a moment. Eat! If your bakery gets busy, you won't be able to eat on time."

"Hmm. I understand Dad."

Nivea decided to have breakfast with her parents this morning, as a form of her apology for last night's incident at the palace. Although the truth is, after reflecting on the incident, Nivea still did not feel guilty. She felt that she had done the right thing, even so on the other hand she realized that her attitude had hurt the self-esteem of the people present there. And for her it was not a mistake.

The girl was only aware of her disrespectful attitude, without feeling the slightest regret for acting like that. Even though the one she was facing was the ruler of the country.

As the minutes passed, Nivea and Seri had arrived at the bakery. The sun warm morning sun, its rays began to pierce the eyes. Nivea began to make new bread dough, to add to the supply of bread that was already available in her store. And of course, the bread has good quality so that it is still worth selling there.

While Nivea was busy with her dough, she asked Seri to stand guard at the ordering table. Because a few minutes ago, after David finished cleaning up the customer table area, Nivea immediately opened the operation of the store.

"Clara, I'm very thirsty. Could you please get me a bottle of lemonade at the front?"

"Yes, miss. Just a moment." said the girl wearing the kitchen apron. She had been a Nivea worker since the bakery's inception.

Then after getting a bottle of lemonade and a glass for her lady, Clara went back to Nivea who was standing stirring her dough on the table.

"Here's your lemonade, miss."

"Put it there! Thank you Clara."

Clara nodded with a genuine smile. Just as soon as she disappeared, she had just remembered to bring a bottle opener for Nivea. But when she returned with it, she was quite surprised.

"Ah, Miss. Did you drink it?" the girl gaped at Nivea who was reckless enough to chug her lemonade straight from the bottle. And that sentence made Nivea gasp in surprise.

"Ah... That. Hahaha. Sorry if I was rude. I was too lazy to pour it into the glass."

"Hmm. But, I don't mean that, miss. How do you unscrew the cap the bottle that was still sealed? Didn't the bottle have to be opened using a tool? We don't sell lemonade in bottles with easy-to-twist caps, Miss."

Nivea was silent for a moment, swallowing. "Really? I... I don't remember how I opened it earlier. Yes, I do. I don't remember. Hahaha. Come on Clara, get back to your work!" Nivea ruffled her feathers.

"Yes miss." Clara's astonished face stuttered in reply.

Two hours later Nivea had entered the front area of her shop carrying a wooden tray containing several sweet buns.

"Arrange these, Seri!" she ordered, handing the tray to Seri. She too stood behind the ordering counter, displacing Seri who had been there all along.

While her personal attendant was doing her bidding, Nivea had a customer. The girl was quick to greet and serve.

"Good afternoon Mr. Matias." as she bowed slightly in honor of her guest.

"Ah, good afternoon Miss... Pretty one."

"What? Hahaha. You're really good at small talk, sir."

"No, it's not just small talk, miss. But, I'm telling the truth."

"Really? Alright then. Would you like some bread with chocolate spread inside?"

"Hahaha. You make me laugh, Miss Nivea."

"Yes? What do you mean?"

"You started memorizing my favorite bread."

"But, I do know my customers' favorite bread by heart. It's very easy to remember, sir. If a customer comes in, then returns for several times with the same order, doesn't that mean they like a certain bread?"

"Ah, of course, miss! You're not wrong. I just... Oh, sorry miss I felt your face is a little pale. Are you unwell?"

"What? Ah, that's right miss! You seem to be sick." Seri hurriedly approached to Nivea when she heard the word pale come out of the man's mouth.

"Ah, but I don't feel sick, Seri."

"But last night you...."

Nivea hurriedly cut off the girl before her with her eyes that were rounded. So that Seri did not dare to continue her sentence in front of their guest.

"Sorry, sir. So, which bread would you like?"

"Hmm. One bun with chocolate jam and three buns with berries."

Nivea, who was ready with her tray and claw tool, quickly followed the man's words to grab the breads he mentioned.

"Alright, I'll wrap them up for you."

"I bought them for me and my sister."

"Wow, you are very considerate of Miss Martha."

"Yes. Of course, Miss! And you, you'd better get enough rest, Miss. So that you don't get sick."

After a few minutes, the man had walked out of Nivea's shop after paying the price for his bread.

"Miss, you really look pale. Take a look at your face!" as she thrusting a mirror into Nivea's hands.

Within seconds Nivea took a good look at her face and said, "You're right! Seri! I think I'm just tired."

"But you took a long bath last night, miss." as she accepted the mirror which Nivea handed back to her.

"Then we should go home now Seri. Let Clara and David take care of the shop."

Seri nodded, agreeing to her lady's words. The two of them hurried to return to the Del Castano family residence.

Upon Nivea's arrival, the mother caught the presence of her daughter who walked towards her own room. Without Seri trailing behind her. The maid went straight to the kitchen to make a hot drink for her lady.

"Nivea! Wait!" duchess Elvira called out as she got closer.

"Yes, Mother."

She looked at every corner of her daughter's face. "Are you sick, child? I think you're starting to sweat."

"Ah... I don't seem to be getting enough rest, Mother."

"I'll bring you some blood-boosting medicine. You're so pale, aren't you feel dizzy?"

Nivea shook her head, "No mom. It's just that my tongue feels quite bitter."

"Go to your room! I'll catch up. Ah yes, where is Seri?"

"She's in the kitchen making tea for me."

After a few minutes, Nivea had finished the cup of hot tea that was Seri had brought to her room. She had also taken the blood-boosting medicine given to her by her mother. It was still very bright outside when Nivea who was sweating coldly, began to fall asleep.