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Nivea and Duke Eduardo

His Majesty sighed, "Edmund should have approached the girl first. Why is he so confident, saying such things in front of all of us?". The tall, well-built man was still pacing in front of his wife. They were now in the palace reading room.

"Will you calm down, Jacob? I've seen you can't keep still. Sit down!"

He ignored the queen's words and was still pacing with his hands tied behind his back.

"I really regret Miss Nivea's behavior. As a king, my pride is honestly hurt. But I, can't look at this from just one side. I must see it too, from the girl's point of view. I understand... she was shocked by everything Edmund said. It's just that, Miss Nivea... She can't seem to help herself. She really couldn't lie, the boy seemed so honest. She flatly refused when Edmund said he would propose to her."

"Edmund has had a crush on Miss Nivea since they started archery training together three years ago."

"What? So Edmund has had a crush on her ever since?"

"Yes. You also know, that girl is the only girl who participates in archery practice on the consulate grounds."

"That's right! I remember. She was a girl who always wanted to do something out of the ordinary. Duke Eduardo also told me about... the time when his daughter had the ambition to open a bakery and wanted to run it herself."

"I think Edmund liked Miss Nivea because... Well, she's a cheerful girl and seems to be as she is."

"So, why didn't Edmund approach her a long time ago?"

"That girl is very difficult to approach."

"Has Edmund really tried to approach her?"

"Of course! And... of course it didn't work."

"And Edmund used my position as king to lure the girl? Gosh, how could your son be so cunning?"

"Edmund is your son too, Jacob!"

"In this I am disappointed in him. Where did I go wrong in educating him as a man?", he shook his head in wonder asking himself.

Meanwhile, in a different room in the palace.

"What is it Nicole?"

"You see Brother, how that girl is bringing down your pride? Who does she think she is? She's just the daughter of a duke. And she dared to humiliate you in front of all of us. As your younger brother, I feel trampled on."

Apparently, a princess was stoking the flames of anger within her elder brother's chest. Before going to bed, Princess Nicole had time to approach Prince Edmund in his room. The blonde-haired girl was looking for support for the thoughts that had been choking her chest since today's dinner together.

"Hmm! Let it go Nicole. We'll see what happens next."

"Are you up to something, Brother?"

Prince Edmund shrugged his shoulders, "I don't know! I haven't thought about it for now."

"You still like her, even though she has insulted you?"

"Yes. To me, Nivea has always been an interesting girl. She was very unique and... she was quite difficult to have. She also... made me into someone who looked stupid."

"Cih, we better have a girls' party soon to choose a suitable companion for you. I've had it with that girl of yours.", with her chest puffed out, Nicole's daughter stomped out of her sister's room.


"What do you mean by maintaining my dignity before His Majesty, Nivea? You did attend the invitation but you... still humiliated me and your mother. I regret your decision to come with us, without thinking about it a thousand times."

"Are you ashamed to have a son like me, Father?"

"That's not it my child!", duchess Elvira refuted the question.

"You'd better stay out of this, Elvira!"

The woman sitting on the long sofa immediately pressed her lips together, looking weakly at her daughter.

"Okay! Now what do you want me to do, Father? So that you will at least forgive me."

Duke Eduardo shook his head, then propped his head with both hands on his desk. He looked down for a moment not wanting to look at Nivea who was still standing in front of him.

"Go away Nivea! Just go to your room!", he said flatly without looking up at Nivea.

Nivea sighed there, "Alright Dad! I really apologize to you and you Mom. This is just how I am. I hope you can understand."

"Does that child realize that she has hurt the feelings of many people? Even his behavior earlier... was like stepping on my head.", the father opened his mouth again when Nivea had closed the door to the room from the outside.

"You're overreacting Eduardo!"

"You're always defending him, Elvira!"

"I gave birth to her. If I don't defend him, who should he turn to for protection?"

"And you defend your son who committed a faux pas?"

Duchess Elvira swallowed, thinking for a second to answer that question.

"I think... It wasn't carelessness. Your daughter is a very honest girl. She doesn't even know how to lie. And I think, she was just trying to be honest to tell the truth. About how she feels. Although the way she did it... Yes, I know she humiliated Prince Edmund in front of all of us. But if only the prince hadn't brought up the proposal. I'm sure Nivea, too, wouldn't have behaved like that in front of everyone. I'm also sure she was trying to hold herself back, until she was surprised when the prince said the word proposal."

"I understand Elvira. You understand her much better than I do. Sometimes I miss my little girl... who was sweet and obedient."

Then the woman walked over to her husband, put her arm around him and gently rubbed his shoulder. Hoping that the touch would give him some peace. "Rest my husband, you'll get a headache if you keep thinking about what happened earlier. I think His Majesty can think wisely about the incident."

As the night wore on, Nivea was still soaking in the warm water of her bathtub. Seri had called out to her several times to get out of the bathroom. But it was useless, Nivea kept answering "in a moment" when she heard Seri's call.

The maid was so faithful in waiting for her that by the time Nivea was seen coming out of there, she rushed to the kitchen to make her lady a cup of warm chamomile tea.

In no time, Seri was back in front of her.

"I hope you didn't break the teaspoon again, miss.", as she placed the wooden tray she was carrying onto the nightstand.

"Huh, take it easy Seri! Didn't you say... we still have plenty of spoons?"

"Of course, Miss! But that doesn't mean those spoons are reserved for you to spoil."

"Hahaha. You're really smart Seri! Get some rest! I'll be going to bed soon too after finishing this tea."

"Alright miss. Good night."

After finishing her cup of tea, Nivea naturally tried to forget all of today's events. So that she could sleep easily, without having to struggle to close her eyes.

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