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Stealing Glances

The cool morning scent wafted into every crevice of Nivea's room. She had been up since ten minutes ago and was now looking out at the side courtyard facing her room. Nivea stood up, leaning the front half of her body against the window wall that she had opened wide. The holly trees around the garden were swaying gently in the breeze.

"Good morning, miss. Ah, did you break this teaspoon, miss?", Seri said later after approaching the whereabouts of the tray she had brought for the girl last night.

"I didn't mean to, Seri.", she replied without turning to Seri.

"No problem, miss. We still have plenty of spoons."

"Is my hot water ready, Seri?"

"Of course, ma'am. While you bathe, I will tidy up your room and prepare the dress."

Many minutes passed.

"No Seri! Don't you bun my hair!"

"Yes ma'am?"

"Can you... tie my hair halfway?"

"You mean, I'll tie the top half only, miss?"

"That's right Seri, let the rest flow down to my shoulders!"

"I understand, miss."

Seri's two hands had completed the task of styling her lady's hair. The girl also added a yellow ribbon that matched the dress Nivea was wearing today. Meanwhile, Nivea was still looking at her face in the mirror.

"Is that enough, miss? What... You feel that my work is not neat enough?"

"Ah, no Seri! This is enough. We're leaving now."

Duchess Elvira opened the door to her daughter's room just as Nivea stepped towards the door and was about to open it from inside.

"Oh my, Mother! You startled me."

"Oh, sorry my child. Are you leaving now?"

"Yes mom."

"I just wanted to... remind you to arrive home early. You... didn't forget, right? Last night you said you would come with us to the palace."

"Of course mom, how could I forget it. I'll be home early."

"Take care son! Have a good day."

"Okay mom. Goodbye.", Nivea bowed slightly to her mother and walked away followed by Seri who had smiled and nodded to duchess Elvira.

The beautiful woman in her fifties closed the door to Nivea's room and went back to doing her own thing.

"Did your son leave Elvira?"

"He's your son too.", she replied flatly as she took her seat on the dining chair.

Duke Eduardo sighed, "He misses breakfast with us so often. I feel... like we don't have a child. Why is she getting so unruly?"

"You're blaming me? Do your words mean... that I can't educate her properly?"

"Hahaha. Are you offended Elvira? I'm just asking questions and maybe... I'm just complaining."

"We'd better start the breakfast now. You should also go do your work soon."

"Hmm. Okay!", while shaking his head the man dismissed his thoughts that were still on his daughter's behavior.

Meanwhile Nivea and Seri were enjoying their trip to the bakery this morning. Occasionally Nivea could be seen forming an arch at the corner of her lips after staring out at the road a few times.

"You seem to be in a good mood, miss?"

"Do I look like that, Seri?"

"Of course! You've been smiling a lot since earlier."

"Ah, you noticed me huh?"

"Hahaha. Not really, miss. It's just that... I accidentally caught you smiling a few times."

"Alright! For some reason today... I feel so excited about going to the store."

"Is it possible... you're actually looking forward to coming to the palace tonight?"

"What? What are you saying, Seri? Huh, just by remembering that, I'm not excited about life."

"Ah, you shouldn't talk like that, miss. Smile, lady! Just smile even if you don't know what puts you in a good mood."

"Hahaha. You're joking, Seri!"

"No, miss. Of course I'd rather see you smile for no reason, than if... I have to watch you being sad or angry. I've lived with you long enough."

Nivea blinked her eyes, turning her gaze from the small window to Seri.

"I know Seri. Thank you for all the things you've done for me over the years. Not only have you helped me a lot, but... you're like a friend and sister to me."

"Ah miss, you stirred my emotions this morning.", with the back of her hand Seri wiped away a speck of water at the corner of her eye. The girl was moved by her lady's words.

Upon their arrival at the bakery, which is strategically located in the city center, of course, they immediately went to work on their respective tasks. Until it was time to open for business.

Customers began to arrive one after another, carrying their choice of bread and lemonade in their paper bags. The customer seats inside the store had also begun to fill up with customers who chose to enjoy their snacks on the spot.

"Good afternoon, Miss Nivea.", the man wearing the typical black suit of the year, stood with a slight bow before Nivea. Politely greeting the girl behind the bread display case.

Nivea who was looking down suddenly looked up at the man.

"Ah, there you are. Good afternoon, sir... Matias."

"Is it okay if I sit over there, enjoying your bread with a cup of tea?", Matias directed Nivea's gaze to the row of customer seats that seemed to be empty.

"Ah, of course you may, sir! If you buy my bread... that means you are my customer. I... cannot possibly not allow you to sit there."

The man smiled faintly with one hand stuffed into his pants pocket. Looking at Nivea's shaded face. And what he did had made Nivea feel stupidly inclined, like she was about to make a mistake.

"So... what kind of bread would you like, sir? And did you also order tea?", the question posed by the girl in the yellow dress broke Matias' reverie.

"Ah, yes... I... I like bread with chocolate jam inside. It looks like I'll have to order two of them. And a cup of chamomile tea."

"Ah, well, chamomile tea is very good for your digestion, sir. You chose your drink wisely."

The man's brown eyes continued to stare at Nivea who was preparing all the dishes. He chose not to make a sound, not wanting to disturb Nivea's concentration.

"This is yours, sir! There are a few empty seats there and... you are certainly free to choose which one you want to sit on.", with both hands Nivea presented a wooden tray containing all Matias' orders on the ordering table.

The man's hands reached for his tray, "Of course, ma'am. Thank you. I will sit on the chair in the most favorable position for me."

"Huh? What, aren't all the chairs arranged in a good position?", Nivea asked, rounding her eyes.

"Hahaha. It's just that, I mean... Never mind, lady! Excuse me.", as her hands carried the tray to the table she had chosen in the corner of the room.

"Ah, look who's sitting there, miss!", Seri approached Nivea who had returned to her straight position facing the entrance of the shop.

"Who do you mean? Are you talking about Mr. Matias?"

"I think that young man deliberately sat facing this way so that..."

"In order to what, Seri?"

"So that he can enjoy his bread while occasionally stealing glances at you."

"Stop your jokes, Seri! You'd better go back to the kitchen if you're just going to say nonsense."

"Alright miss. I'll just keep quiet."

And what Seri said was indeed the truth. The man who was sipping his cup of hot tea had already stolen glances at Nivea several times.

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