Chapter 49: Chapter 49

"What? Why?" Kaleela look confused. So does Max.

"Well, maybe because I'm lacking appeal and--," Then Cecilia stooped her word after realize that she is not Ji Eun. "A-ah, forget it!"

Then some realization struck in Kaleela's head, "Wait, I heard you were stepped back from the election. So, were you doing that because, perhaps, rejected by the Crown Prince?"

Max almost got a heart attack when heard that question. For him, Cecilia and the crown prince is an impossible combination. A goddess and an insect can't be together, right?

When Cecilia want to oppose it, a memory from the past come to her mind.

She remembered that the real Cecilia, indeed confessed her feeling to the Crown Prince when he came at her fourteenth birthday. He was nineteen back then. He said that she was too young for him.

Of course she was unable to accept that. Using her family's power, she will do anything to win the election. She thought that if she can't get the Crown Prince's heart, then no one else can.

"Oh no! I can't believe it was true!" Kaleela say when noticing her dumbstruck reaction.

Max can't find his voice and simply frozen in place.

Fortunately, Gil came down with a backpack which full of his clothes. He gave a small golden key to Kaleela and says, "Here is the key and I already bring everything, so I won't come back here."

"Thank you." She said after put the key to the pocket. Kaleela feel glad she can found a perfect place to hide. But, because Capital forbid every witchcraft activities, she needed to restrain herself for doing that.

Meanwhile, Cecilia waves and say goodbye to Gil when he takes a leave.

"Ah, thanks for your help, Lovebirds. I will pay it later. So, if you're done with your business, please get out from my house." Kaleela said while she open the door.

"We don't need the door." Max said in a clenched fist with a cold stare.

After Cecilia saying goodbye, both them disappear to the mist.

Kaleela closed the door and smiled faintly, "Seems like they have a long way to go."

__

"Thank you, Max. Have a nice dream." Cecilia said after they arrived in front of her room's door.

But Hugo held her right hand, "Is that true? Do you like him? I mean that crown prince."

Cecilia averted his gaze. Not sure why she doesn't want to saw his face now, "It was a long time ago. It is not a big deal."

"Oh." He releases his grip and both of them drowning in an awkward silence.

In an unidentified amount of time, Max finally said, "Is this why you're always looking down to yourself?"

"Max, I don't--,"

"Why don't you understand that you are a remarkable person? You are the kindest person I ever seen.  Always put someone else's happiness before yourself, thinking about how to make the world became a better place and being so kind to everyone. Including the one who treat you badly."

Cecilia feel something warm moving in her chest. Max look so serious about his word.

When she saw his dark mysterious eyes, there is nothing except sincerity there. Cecilia getting curious about his face which hidden behind his mask.

"You didn't believe me?"

"Max, just like I used to said to you. I'm doing this just for my convenience. So, please don't think highly of me. I am just doing what I can."

Max hold her right hand so tightly, "Chili, honestly, from the first time we met, I always… I mean…,"

Suddenly Cecilia's heart beating so fast. Right now, she can't understand why Max feeling as nervous as her.

Max doesn't know why he can't say the sacred word that hidden in his heart, "I always… admire you. No matter what that bastard told you, don't believe him."

Max took a step forward and reflexively, she took a step back until her back is faced the wall. "For me, you are still and always be the amazing Cecilia 'Chili' Margareth Lancia I know."

Cecilia gulped since they only one inch away. She can smell his breath which as fresh as morning dew. "It, it so we-weird, I mean.. I mean to hear your praises to, towars the others."

Max then kneeled, he grab her left hand and put it to the top of his right shoulder. "Milady, I, Maximilian, a humble servant from Scorpion's guild, pledge my loyalty to you, Lady Cecilia Margareth Lancia. My life, fate, future are in your ha--,"

"Wait!" She quickly pull his hands to help him stand. "No, Max. You can't do that."

"Why?" He asked in confusion

"Because I don't want to. Once you pledged your loyalty, it means you have no freedom anymore. Your whole life will be dedicated only to protect them."

Max exhaled his breath when saw her worried purple eyes. "Am I not enough for you?"

"Of course, no. You know that it's not true. The problem is on me. I, was the one who, don't deserve your loyalty's oath."

Max let out a heavy sigh and wondering why she can't see herself with the same way he saw her. It's look like that he needs to work harder in orderto make Cecilia understand her charm points.

Then, just like their previous encounter in the guild's office, he took a part of her hair and gently kissed it.

Max's feeling to her gotten stronger than before. Same goes with his anger to the Crown Prince who make his Chili became so insecure.

"Sleep well, My Lady."

__

Hugo waking up from his short nap. "Aaah, just sleeping for fifteen minutes can make my body feel better." He stretches his arm before start writing some reports.

"To be precise, it was two hours."

Hugo's eyes widen when he saw his boss who casually sitting in the couch and crossed his arms.

"Ah, good evening, Boss."

"It is already two in the morning, Hugo."

"Yes, yes." He sneered.

"Hugo, I change my mind. I'll come to that stupid dance party."

He raised his brows, "Oh, so you know? I'm surprise that you know that news. I thought you were just playing around on that remote island."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Seeing his blank look, Hugo exhaled heavily, "I've should've known... Well, it is about the Crown Prince. He rejected Miss Lancia's resignation from the election."

Word can't express Max's annoyance. Today must be a very unfortunate day for him. With a clenched jaw, he only managed to say, "Why?"

Hugo shrugged his shoulder. "I don't know either. However, the Emperor seems to reconsider his oldest son's opinion. Although, honestly, Crown Prince's response toward this matter was too late. Oh, and Lancia's family already sent the reply to the palace. To confirm their arrival in the banquet."

Max massaging his temple. Seem he has to take an extreme action. "Hugo."

"Yes? Do you need something, Boss?"

"Send a message to the best tailor in the Empire to have a secret meeting with me. Tell him I need some clothes."