Chapter 68: Chapter 68

"And that's how we married." Kaleela said when she ate her breakfast.

Max mixed the porridge with his spoon." Congratulation, both of you."

"Thank you so much, Mister Max! I'm glad you give us a blessing." Grant smiled ear to ear.

But, the only one who look dissatisfied was Cecilia, "Wait a minute! How come you doing marriage without a ceremony or dress or party?! I can't accept this!"

Kaleela rolled her eyes when saw that her niece pouted, "I already too old for wearing a gown. Besides, the most important of this was the marriage certificate."

"But, still it--,"

"Then, hold your own ceremony. I will be more than glad to be your bridesmaid."

"Auntie!" She snapped after steal a glance to Max, who looks uninterested mixing his bowl.

Something seems bothering his mind and Cecilia sighed before drop that meaningless discussion.

"Then, congratulation. I hope you will be happy forever. Once again, please come at the island for honeymoon."

Kaleela and Grant traded a brief glance.

"Why did you look like that?" She asked.

Grant clear his throat, "No, nothing. We will come to the Island at the launching date."

"Great! Oh, did Mary say something?"

"No. Everything according to the plan. Except that Havana already left the Island."

"Eh? Why? The banquet is still two weeks later?"

He shrugged. "I'm not certain. But, it's mean you have to go back as soon as possible."

"Thank you for the foods." Max rose from his chair after drink a glass of water. "Chili, I'm sorry. I will go back to the guild for a while. Can you wait?"

"Wait! Did something happen?" She asked with a worried look.

But, he shook his head. "Not really. Then, please stay at home before I come back."

Before she gives an answer, Max already vanished.

Kaleela took a spoon of the porridge to her mouth, "He looks bad."

"Yeah. He's been weird since yesterday."

"Do you mean after we left?" Grant put his index finger under the chin. That masked boy really make him worry.

"Yeah, around that time. Last night, we were going to Hagrav, but, well, he still looks like that."

Kaleela turn her gaze to his husband and whispered, "The golden flowers that you gave to me, is it from her seeds?"

"Yes," he nodded. "It's already bloom perfectly surround the lake. Do you want to go there, Darling?"

Kaleela flinched. Seems she needs a time to adapting with her new nicknames. "Please just call me by my name, Grant."

"Why? Darling is great, isn't it?" Grant kissed her cheek lightly.

"Please, get a room, Uncle. I'm still too young to see this." Cecilia collected the dirty plates before she enters the kitchen to washed it.

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Hugo scratching his head when make a report about the monthly cost of this guild.

"No matter how many I read this, this report make me want to cry. They completely deceive that stupid Emperor." Max said after reading several brown paper in his hand.

"If they succeed, the Emperor will step down from the throne and the crown prince take the succession after marrying the selected candidates."

Max massaged his temple. This is bad because Cecilia has a bigger chance to be the future Empress. Since, the culprit of this mess was Aileen Silver, the strongest candidates, "There is no other choice. I will come to the palace and explain everything."

"Be careful, then. By the way, Duke Lancia already sent the letter to termination the contract between you and Young Miss."

Max's eyes widen. It's look like that his heart already squeezed by a cold hand." What?! Then, burned the letter! Pretend that we never received it."

Hugo shrugged, "You know that's impossible. He sent it along with the payment, though."

Max put his back on the couch and pull out a small red box. He closed his eyes and began thinking, whether he gives it or not.

"Sometime, I want to give up." He murmured after kiss the box lightly. "But, if I did it, regret is the only one who greet me for the eternal life."

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Cecilia was busy in the kitchen. She is all alone because Kaleela and Grant were out to Hagrav. There is no normal book in this house. Everything was written in a language she can't read.

Slowly, she open a dark brown earthenware crook to check the fermentation process. A proud smile escaped from her mouth. It's already bubbling a lot less than yesterday.

She used a wooden spoon to separated it between a clear liquid on top and a milky mixture on the bottom.

"I can't wait. Next week, this will be perfect. Father will be shocked about this!"

She was humming when put a cotton cloth under the crook's lid before close it.

"You look so happy, Chili."

She turned her body to find her guards who crossed his arms. "Max! You are back?"

"Yeah, I already put your things back to your room on the island. Let's go back, now."

Cecilia's frowned. "Now?"

"The faster, the better. Your father already sent the termination letter."

"What?!"

He shrugged and try his best to look calm, "Perhaps, he already on the city."

"So, this is the last time we meet?" Cecilia's face darkened. Suddenly, the air surround her is heavy. She never thought that this time will come so soon.

His presence, something that always accompany her. Make her feel comfortable and safe.

I will miss him, she said to herself. But, for Max, I'm just a client.

That thought, made Cecilia shivering.

"Of course, no. You can visit me in the guild. I always there. Come when you are free." But, Max didn't certain with his word.

"I understand." Cecilia forced a smile. It's already 4pm, and it seems that her uncle or her aunt won't back today. "Then, can we eat dinner somewhere?"

"Okay. I will treat you something delicious."

Cecilia approached him and hold his hand. For some reason, she feels like Max is far away and unreachable. Somehow, Cecilia want to hug him. But, it's impossible.

She smiled faintly. "Let's go, Max."