Tea Banquet

“Good morning Father, Mother.”

“Good morning.” replied count Antonio as countess Victoria ready at her dining table to start today’s breakfast.

“Where’s Martha?”

“I’m here, brother.” the girl with hair the color of corn stepped up to sit on the chair opposite her older brother.

The four people in the family started their breakfast solemnly. Until one by one they seemed to have finished with their food.

“Didn’t you go to the farm yesterday, Matias?”

“No, Father. Yesterday I intended to meet Rodrigues to take him to see the plantation. But because of the incident on the Hawkins road, I chose to go home instead. Ah, yes I just remembered, has Mr. Luigi fixed the locks on the carriage yet?”

“Your carriage lock has a problem, Matias?”

“Yes, Mother. I’ll have trouble if the door locks on its own when I’m inside, although I may be able to ask Mr. Luigi for help to open it with a tool. But I think the lever lock should be replaced with a new one.”

“I received an invitation to tea this afternoon at duchess Valerie’s residence. Would you like to come with me?”

“Hmm. I don’t think so, Martha. I just want to stay at home today. I knitting a sweatshirt for your father.”

“Well, you’re lucky Dad! I see Mom loves you very much.”

“Hahaha. Of course Matias! I hope someday you’ll have a wife who’s like your mother.” with a smile one of Count Antonio’s hands reached out to his wife’s hand to hold it for a few moments.

A few hours passed.

“You look well Matias!”

“Of course Rodrigues. I canceled seeing you yesterday. I think you know why.”

“Yes. Everyone was talking about the incident on Hawkins Street. And I think there’s something wrong with the explosion at the archive building.”

“Why do you think that, Rodrigues?”

“I don’t know! My hunch is that something bad happening at the government building, is no coincidence. But there is someone who is the brains. Ah, never mind! We don’t need to discuss that.”

“Shall we leave now, Rodrigues?”

The man, who was Matias’ best friend, said yes to his friend’s invitation to go right now to the vineyard located in the southwest of the city.

It was where Matias had been working all this time. The manager of the wine estate owned by the government entrusted Matias to lead the workers in the vineyard garden. Meanwhile, Matias had promised Rodrigues that he would help him to provide a research object for the grapes in their region. Rodrigues did so in order to fulfill an assignment from his tertiary institution.

The horse-drawn carriage that had brought them was now traveling along the Hawkins road. What could be seen now was the condition of the archive building, which had already been half destroyed. There was still a little bit of rubble left that was on one of the sides of the red brick building. And Matias, went back to replaying the memory in his mind when Nivea helped him open the carriage door from the outside, with great ease. The man didn’t tell anyone that Nivea did that. He didn’t believe that Nivea’s miraculous powers were known by many people.

The figure of that sweet little sister had always haunted him. He was never able to forget Nivea’s smile, especially her smile when they were first introduced.

“Are you daydreaming, Matias?”

“Ah, no. I was just looking at the street.”

“So, when are you getting married?”

“What? Hahaha. You’re dreaming Rodrigues! Who should I get married to? It’s not the time for me to think about marriage.”

“Hahaha. Do you think I’m stupid and ignorant? You’ve liked that girl since you were in third year. Have you never told her?”

“Ah, hahaha. How can you say that, Rodrigues? You can’t just guess!”

“I don’t know, I’m not one to be lied to easily.”

Matias chose to remain silent, his hazel eyes returning to looking out the road through the small window beside him.

Before they knew it, the horse-drawn carriage had arrived at the their destination wine estate. Rodrigues trailed behind Matias’ body, who was already to help him conduct research with the equipment that Rodrigues had brought with him.

***

A shady afternoon had arrived. Martha Virginia Lawrence attended an invitation to a tea party at the residence of the duchess Valerie, who is the mother of a young man named Daniel, one of her school friends.

“Good afternoon duchess Valerie, I thank you for your invitation. It is an honor to be able to visit you.” Martha made a slight bowing before her host.

“Ah, good afternoon Miss Martha. I am also very grateful that you have bothering to come here.”

“No ma’am, it’s certainly no trouble for me. I am very pleased you have invited me to this banquet.”

“Good afternoon everyone. I apologize for my lack of courtesy.” Nivea bowed slightly before the two people who were talking. She had just arrived wearing a lilac-colored dress with a few pearls sprinkled on the chest.

“Ah, you have arrived, Miss Nivea.”

“Thank you for your banquet invitation duchess Valerie. I really appreciate your invitation. ”

“Yes, I hope you enjoy this simple banquet.” replied the host with a faint smile.

“Then, I will greet the others first. You guys talk!”

Duchess Valerie departed towards the front of her residence. That left Nivea and Martha there.

“Did you come alone, Miss Nivea?”

“Ah, of course Miss Martha. I didn’t bring Seri this time. You look very beautiful in that dress Miss Martha.”

“Ah, really Miss Nivea? I’m flattered to hear that. You too always look beautiful, Miss Nivea. You don’t even realize you’ve made my brother....”

“Hmm? Your brother? What’s wrong with your brother?”

“Ah, no! No Miss Nivea. I just... Hahaha. I’m afraid I misspoke.”

“Hahaha. Alright. Forget it! Come on Miss Martha, let’s find a seat so we can enjoy their treats.”

The two girls began to walk hand in hand towards the guest seats that seemed to be on the side near the pillar of the building. And both of them almost dropped into their respective seats at the same time.

A male servant was serving two cups of hot tea on a small round table in the center of Nivea and Martha.

Followed by a female servant who also served snacks of wheat biscuits and sweet bread.

“Hmm. This tea is really good Miss Martha. I like the aroma.” as she putting down the cup of green tea she had just enjoyed.

“Yes, you are right Miss Nivea. We should also try this sweetbread.” Martha reached for a sweet bun with berry jam on it. Likewise, Nivea did the same with her.

“Hmm. I think your bread is better, Miss Nivea.” said Martha later in a whispered tone after taking a third bite of the sweet bread in her hand.

“Hahaha. You almost made me choke, Miss Martha. You flatter me too much. How could the bread that’s been prepared for this banquet not have a good quality of flavor.”

“But I am telling the truth, Miss Nivea. Your bread also tastes softer than this bread.”

“In that case, you should buy my bread next time you come back to my shop.”

“Of course, Miss! I’ll never get tired of enjoying all your bread. And of course Matias.....”

“Hmm? What about Matias?”

“Ah, that. Hahaha. No!”

“What’s wrong with you Miss Martha, twice you’ve left your sentence hanging like that. What’s wrong with your brother?”

“Nothing Miss Nivea. It’s just that Matias... He... Also very fond of your bread.”

“Ah, well, I’m very happy and thankful if my bread is liked by many people.”