Prince Edmund

Matias stepped into his room, taking off the black suit he had been wearing. He threw his body onto the bed, lying on his back staring at the ceiling of his room. He sighed and remembered the person he met this afternoon at the bakery.

“Does liking someone need a reason?” he asked himself that. “Should I just tell her 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’m going out. Thank you Rob.”

Matias brushed back his front hair that had almost covered his forehead. He got up from his seat, about to walk out of 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 its branches there.

“What are you doing there Daniel? Come here!” Matias half shouted calling him from afar.

His best friend just smiled then stepped closer. Meanwhile Matias had sat down first on the chair.

“That cherry tree looks very well-kept. Standing under it feels very shady.” said the gray-eyed man to Matias. He too had already 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 the maid nodded 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. By the way, did you come here to see me or...?”

“You’re not kidding Matias! You’re always teasing me with your sister.”

“Hahaha. Okay!”

“But I guess 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.”

“That cherry tree, Martha took care of it. She’s very attentive to all the plants around this house. She also hired a very good gardener.”

“Ah, she’s a good wife to be.”

“What did you say?”

“Huh? Not Matias! Hahaha. I’m sorry. Then, have you ever met Rodrigues? I hardly see him these days.”

“Of course I met him. A few days ago, I brought 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 he’s quite busy with his 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 brother in a while, so... So I’m 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?” she said with a sullen face. “Then, if you’ll excuse me, Daniel.” with a faint smile the girl in blue dress passed back into the house.

***

Nivea had exchanged the yellow dress she had worn to the store this morning for a green dress. Seri had also finished styling her hair with a bun that would be appropriate for her to attend the dinner invitation at the palace. Nivea rose from her dressing table chair, stepping 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 will accompany me on the train.”

“Hmm. Fine! As you wish, Nivea.” replied her father.

And then they left in their respective carriages. Nivea with Seri in the carriage driven by Mr. Willy. While duke Eduardo and duchess Elvira went in another carriage. Their carriages went together to the palace located on the west side of the city.

The royal family very kindly welcomed their guests as they stepped who had stepped into the main room of the palace building.

“Respectful greetings, may blessings and happiness flow to you, Your His Majesty the king and family.” with a slight bow duke Eduardo gave his respectful greetings before His Majesty and the Queen. Not to be left out there were prince and princess behind the queen’s body.

Likewise, Duchess Elvira and her daughter who bowed slightly following the duke Eduardo’s movements. Meanwhile, the personal servants that Nivea had brought were waiting in the front yard of the palace with the coachmen.

His Majesty invited the family to the dining table in the center of the palace. The palace servants had already prepared everything perfectly to entertain the guests tonight. When the time came they enjoyed the dinner solemnly. And when it seemed everyone at the table had finished their meal, His Majesty began to open the conversation.

“Did you enjoy our meal, duke Eduardo?”

“Of course your majesty, it is a great honor for us to be able to enjoy the palace treats this evening.”

“Thank goodness for that. I am also very grateful that you family for attending our invitation. And I have to tell you a matter concerning our children.”

The atmosphere at the super luxurious dining table seemed to be getting tense. Especially Nivea, her heart was racing faster. She felt like struggling. The girl swallowed 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 there.

“Come on Edmund, speak!”

Prince Edmund sighed and began to open his sentence, “Duke Eduardo, I... I like your daughter.”

There was silence for a few seconds. Nivea widened her eyes, the more she wanted to get up and run away for hearing that.

“I intend to propose to Miss Nivea.”

“No prince!” Nivea’s defense finally crumbled. She lost track of herself, where she was right now.

“Nivea!” her father reprimanded her in a low tone as he blinking his blue eyes at his daughter there.

“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 have made you surprised. But, I hope you will think about the answer. Because I will not going to stop my intention to marry you, miss.”

Nivea chuckled softly, half shaking her head at the words of Prince Edmund.

“I’m sorry to have to say this, prince. Shouldn’t your future consort You should be chosen fairly in the feast of the maidens of this land? It seems that the attitude you are taking is unfair to many people.”

Everyone was silent again for a moment.

“Ah, you are indeed intelligent Miss Nivea. Perhaps Edmund forgot about it or he just pretended to forget about the girls’ party. Apparently, he was in a hurry by choosing objectively.”

Hearing what his father said, Prince Edmund held back his anger and embarrassment before the others. He tried to refute his father’s words.

“I am not in a hurry your majesty, I have known Miss Nivea for a long time.”

“Really? You have known me long enough? Can you understand my many weaknesses and vices? Despite knowing me, I think there are many things you don’t know about me.”

Duke Eduardo swallowed hard at this, choosing to put a stop to Nivea’s silliness.

“It’s better that we leave now, Your Majesty. I truly apologize for everything our girl has said.”

“No, no. No problem, Eduardo. They are still so young and have emotions that are difficult for them to control. I should be the one apologizing for surprised your daughter with the proposal.”