Chapter 64: Chapter 64
"Thank you, Gale. This look remarkable!" Cecilia said before she took a bite of the toast which the bartender made for her breakfast. "Hmm! It's delicious!"
Gale bowed before he sits beside Hugo. They are eating together in the small dining room which located in front of the cellar. "Thank you, Young Miss. I'm glad it suits your taste."
"It's just a simple toast, Chili. Everyone can make it." Max said after he drinks a glass of an orange juice.
Cecilia shook her head, "You are wrong, Max! Everybody sure can make it. But, to make a toast with this perfect golden color and a bit crispy without any burnt like this, it is a masterpiece.
I'm not sure if you are a good bartender, Sir Gale. But, you must be skilled in cooking!"
Gale didn't reply even she suddenly adressed him as 'Sir'. He silently ate the toast, but a small smile escaped from his lip.
"Oh, how did you know that Gale isn't a bartender?" Hugo asked after he finished his breakfast. "He used to be a head chef of a restaurant in this Capital."
"Wow!" Cecilia eyes widen, can't hide her excitement. "Really? It's an honor to eat with you, Sir Gale!"
"The pleasure is mine, Young Miss. Besides, it was an old story. I already retired in so many years ago and chose to work here as a bartender."
"Ah, I see. But, you must be bored since the bar is always empty. Perhaps, if you cook something, it will be different story."
"Thank you for your concern, Young Miss. However, this is what I want to do. I have no regret, even just for once."
Cecilia smiled. "If that was the case, then I'm glad. To be living a life without any regret, it's truly a bliss."
Max put his untouchable toast to Cecilia's empty plate. "You seem like the toast very much, Chili."
She grinned widely. "How did you know that I'm still hungry? Thank you, Max!"
"Then, wipe your mouth. You are drooling."
"I'm not!"
Hugo and Gale traded a brief gaze and exchanging a smile, when watch their argue. People said that the more they were fighting, the more they became closer.
"Aah, I want to have a girlfriend, too." Hugo murmured, and only Gale can hear it since Cecilia and Max are busy arguing.
Gale just smiled. He knows that it must be impossible for Hugo to have one. Since he has a tight schedule in Scorpion guild since Max practically just playing around with Cecilia and left his task on Hugo's hand.
He must be smitten with this Duke's daughter, Gale thought to himself. I'm so sorry about Hugo's condition. But, I'm glad that His Highness find his own happiness.
The truth is, Gale was a chef of the Palace's kitchen. He already knew Max for a long time and feel a bit sympathetic to a child who tried his best to adapt in the palace's life.
The world seemed cruel to that child. That's why, he often made a special dessert for him to cheer him up when he was studying or after practicing sword training.
And then, Gale's position is changed after the Empire didn't renew his contract.
With all of his saving, he built his own restaurant in the Capital. Too bad, he got bankrupt after two years.
Max, who already step down from the succession, sent a letter to ask him for joining his guild. Gale accepted it, and he is delighted with his new job as a bartender.
Sometime, he cooks for Hugo and Max. But, most of the time, he made some experiments to invent new beverages.
Just like Cecilia said, living without any regret is a blessing.
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"Max, shall we go back to that house again? I want to take a bath. But, my clothes was there. We can't go back to the South Island, either. " Cecilia said while they are walking to Hagrav after breakfast to see the flower's festival.
It's still early but the street already crowded. The scent of blossom flowers was so strong and almost make her drunk. Her eyes enjoying the colorful scenery since every house or shop using so many flowers to decorate their wall.
Every woman in the festival wear flower crown, including Cecilia who wear lilies and rose wreath in her head.
"Why don't you take a bath in my room? I can buy clothes for you."
Cecilia blushed a little and murmured, "Of course, I can't, Silly!"
But, Max can't hear her, "What did you say?"
She cleared her throat, "Because, you have no soap with rose scent!"
"Ah, yes, my bad."
"Anyway, Max. What is the important thing you do last night? Hugo said you were home at three in the morning."
Max shrugged, "It's a secret."
"Ah! I smell a secret rendezvous." She said cheerfully despite a nasty jealousy creeping in her heart.
Max must be seeing his girlfriend, she thought.
Max holding her shoulder when she almost bumps into another pedestrian. It makes her heart jumped excitedly for a moment.
"Anyway, Chili. You didn't forget about that promise, right? To make me as a partner in Emperor's birthday party."
"Yes? Why?" She asked in curiosity.
"Something came up, and I can't pick you up. Can you meet me on the first balcony on the second floor?"
Cecilia wrinkled his forehead and try to remember her memory about the palace. The first balcony is the least popular spot to meet up since it located in the very northeast of the main corridor.
For Cecilia, it seems like Max doesn't want anyone to know about the meeting. "Yeah, okay."
"What happened?" He asked when noticed her gloomy face.
"It's okay. I just want to take a bath."
Max smiled because she looks so cute when pouted. "Well, let's found your soap, first."
Cecilia nodded. But before she can't answer, her eyes catches something interesting.
There are several flower's names which written on a small blackboard in front of a seed store.
"What is 'golden flower'?" She asked and gently pull his arms to make him stop.
"Actually, It was an ordinary yellow daisy. Nothing special about it."
"Is that so?" She narrowed her brow and can't ignore the feeling she forgot an important thing about this flower.
"You can ask your uncle, since he is the Marquess of this place."
"This is so frustrating." She said when she can't remember anything about it.
"What do you mean?" He asked and raising his brows.
She shook her head and before enter the store, she said, "Nothing. But, I need to buy some."