Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Cecilia wipes the plate before she put it on the cupboard. "Hmm."

Max watched her movement in confusion, "Didn't you feel something unfair? I mean that the evil woman will become the future empress! I wonder what will happen to this Empire."

"She must have her own reason."

"Yeah, it is called jealousy. She might be felt threatened by your presence. But, the Emperor must be know that your father isn't obedient person. He was looking for someone who wiling to be the pawn to his plan."

Cecilia crossed her arm. She starts feel annoying about this. "How come you acting like this? Like you are, really know His Majesty very well."

Suddenly, Max flinched and stopped his movement. As if he doesn't expect that question, so he says something safe enough to avoid her suspicion, "I am a part of Scorpion. It is my duty to know everything."

"You spied on them? I mean royal families?"

"Depend of the payment."

Cecilia's eyes widen, "Wow. I'm speechless."

"Well, we need money to survive in this cruel life."

Cecilia nodded as sign of agreement, "Yes, you are right. I'm glad I was born as Lancia."

Max tilted his head because he doesn't hear any cynism in her voice. "Really? I though you will say  money is not important or something like that."

She closed the cupboard and took off her apron. A wide smile escaped from her lips, "Why should I? Money is indeed the most important thing. We can buy food, cooking utensil, clothes and anything else. I just shocked because your capability to spy on the palace."

Again, he didn't hear any sarcastic thing from her word. It is purely her honest opinion, "I do anything for money."

Cecilia's both hand patted on each of his shoulder twice, "I don't know what you've been through. But, I'm sure you are doing your best."

Max didn't say anything. However, his eyes tell nothing but affection. He felt the temperature surround him raise a bit.

Something warm lurking in his chest. It makes him feeling uncomfortable. But truly, he doesn't hate this feeling.

"Max, don't work too hard. Sometimes, you need to rest. Money is important. But, your happiness, health and memories can't be bought with it." And families or friends, she added to herself.

Cecilia, no, Ji Eun feels so grateful to reborn in this world. She got everything she doesn't have in her previous life. A loving father, dependable friends, and abundance wealth.

Even she faced a big problem, she still has people who always support and guide her.

Ji Eun never forget her mission to make amends of her previous sin.

She has to repair her reputation too. To be honest, her hands were full. But, what more important is she doesn't feel lonely anymore.

Max doesn't know what gotten into him, but his hand move by itself and holding Cecilia's. "If you ever have someone to hate, tell me. I'll deal with them."

"You sound like my father," She snickered and holds his hand tighten, "If you need urgent cash, I can help you. Don't go endangering yourselves into dangerous mission."

Max put Cecilia's hand to his cheek and wondering why did everything feel so right. It took a long time for him to hear these kind words. However, Max doesn't complain, "Thank you. It means a lot."

"Don't worry. That's what friend supposed to do."

Suddenly, Max's head feel like washed by cold water. "Friends?"

"And don't holding girl's hand like this. They will be misunderstand your action."

Max blinked twice. When Cecilia tries to release her hand, he refuses to let it go, "Are you misunderstand too?"

"Huh? About what?"

"Do you think I'm holding hands with every girl I met?"

"You don't do that?"

Max rolled his eyes and feeling frustrated. He wants to say something but his ears can hears the footstep which getting closer. So he shook his head, "Thank you for the food. If you have nothing to do, let's meet at the lake tonight.

Cecilia nodded, and Max then vanished like a smoke.

"Miss! I'm back. Everyone really like it. Oh, Is there something I can help?" Mary said after she had opened the door. She doesn't bring back the tray.

"Thanks, Mary. Well, I think we need to go finding Baron. Oh, did Theo already prepare what I wanted?"

Yes, Miss. Although he looks so confused.

Cecilia nodded."I bet he is. Now, Mary, let me change my clothes first."

***

Baron Ambrose can't believe what he ate. How can a mere fruit be like this? Fluffy like bread, has appetizing aroma and taste like sweet.

"It was not a fruit, Baron," Cecilia said it as if she can read his mind.

"Actually, this is the same kind with potato. Please help me to convince everyone so they can plant this to their backyard. Sweet potato is easy to plant. We can use vine cutting method before plant it to the soil."

"Vine cutting method?"

"Yes, you cut the vines, put it to the water until it sprout the root, and plant it to the soil. Even though sweet potato is easy to plant, it grow well in dry or poor quality soil and doesn't need extra care because it can grow by itself."

Baron Ambrose nodded his head, "I see. Does My Lady said that this sweet potato was found in the lake behind this building?"

"Ah, yes. Yesterday, I took a short stroll there and found this plant. The sooner we develop this plant, the faster we solve the grass problem for the horses. Because it is fast growing plant too."

"I understand, Young Miss. I will announce this news to everyone else."

"That's good. Please make sure they bring an empty bottle. I will give them the pesticide too."

"Pesticide? What is this?"

"A medicine to repel the pest."

Baron gasped, "Is it true? Oh my, you are really marvelous, Young Miss!"

"It is too soon to celebrate because the medicine is still on development and I don't know the effectiveness. That's why I need to doing some more research."

"Young Miss, I can see why Duke Lancia send you here by yourself. Because you are very compassionate and hardworking. As South Island representative, I can't thank you enough."

"It is really nothing, Baron. I'm just doing what I can."

"Still, you are so talented. Ah, by any chance, I want to make a confession."

Cecilia narrowed her eyebrow when she noticed his hesitation, "Confession?"

"Yes. Actually… Actually, it is neither South Island citizens nor me, who find the irigation or agriculture technique. It was a witch."

"Witch? Do you mean like a magician?" Cecilia blinked twice and wondering if those kind of thing were existed in this world.

Baron has no courage to saw his interlocutor. So he only managed to stare at the floor, "I'm sorry, Miss. However, we made an agreement with her. She will help us to do this farming thing, in exchange she got a small part in the far east of the island for herself. To be honest, I was a bit frustrated back then.

If only Young Miss came sooner,  perhaps everything will be different. Just to think that we life in the same place make me shivering!"

"Baron, can you bring me there? I'd like to meet her."

"What?!" Ambrose's eyes widen.

"Young Miss, that was a dangerous idea! She is wicked witch!"

Cecilia shook her head,"If she was that wicked, she will never helps you. Please tell me where she lives!"