Chapter 8: Chapter 8

Cecilia feeling so tired after her fake possesed performance. Mary combed her hair and keep complaining about her dissapearance. Cecilia know that her servant is worried about her. When they met at the market, Mary was cried and hugged her so tightly.

"You have to promise me that you will never doing that again, Young Miss. Now, your hair is done and let's go to the dining room. I heard Lord was waiting there."

Her eyes widen, "Father?"

"Yes! You must be happy, right, Miss?" Mary said with a big smile on her eyes.

"It's strange," she said and start walked to the dining room.

Armano closed his eyes. He looked like thinking about something. But his eyes was opened when one of his servant said, "My Lord, Young Miss is here,"

"Good evening, Father," Cecilia elegantly bowed to greet him. "I'm sorry to made you wait."

"It's okay." he said while raised his right hand as a sign for the servants to serve the foods.

Even after one week, Cecilia still amazed about the food they served. Today menu is caesar salad, corn soup, roasted beef and vanila cake.

"You are eating well." Armano said when his daughter ate her second plate of the cake.

"It because the food taste delicious, Father!"

His left eyebrow raised, "Oh, really?"

After Cecilia done with her cake, Armano continue his sentences, "Your resignation on crown princess election was accepted,"

"Hmm, it's good news, then."

"Is there anything do you want to do?"

"Well, I have so many plans. But, I dont think that Father will agree about this,"

"You can do whatever you want. You are Lancia's, afterall." Armano sipped his coffee from his cup. She might want to buy dress again, or maybe a jewelry, he thought.

"First of all, I want to learn about self defences."

Armano calmly put his cup to the table. "Is this a new way to spell jewel?"

"I know you will disagree about this," she murmured by herself.

"You are acting strange lately, Cecilia. It seem like you are changing into different people."

Cecilia froze. Even Duke Lancia is a cold person but he know her daughter more than anyone.

But, she cannot reveal her identity because maybe she can end up to the mental hospital.

However, since that kind hospital is not available now, she might got exiled to faraway island. And the fiery river must be waiting for her.

"Since Lancia's family were famous because of their military strenght, as a family representative, I want to be a part of them, Father."

"You don't have to. Your husband will do that."

"I don't want to get married! I just want to spend my lifetime to serve this family and protect the people who serve us!" And avoid the fiery river too, she said to herself.

Suddenly, Armano lost his voice. Her word was reminded him about his childhood.

The same oath he said to the late Duke, when he have to do the political marriage. But, in the end, he fell in love with Cecilia's mother.

He smiled faintly and felt a little bit lonely because he can't share this moment with his late wife. Darling, our daughter is growing well.

"And, what about the other plans?"

"I want to started a bussiness!"

"Cecilia, you are giving me a headache,"

"I'm sorry, Father. I know I was being greedy. But, I-,"

Armano stood up from his chair and said, "Tommorow, bring me your proposal about your bussines plans. You can find me to my study room. I have to go now,"

Cecilia raised and bowed to her father, "Thank you so much, Father. Have a nice dream,"

***

"What happened to your eyes?" Armano asked when he met his daughter in the corridor. It's still early. Even the breakfast isn"t ready yet.

But Cecilia already brought a pile of paper with her puffy eyes.

"Good morning, Father. This is the proposal. It's included with the estimation cost too." Actually it is the first time she made a bussines proposal like this. But her experience as Ji Eun helped her a lot.

She used to be the vice president of her art club which is in charge to make an inventory report and make a proposal for purchase art applliances to the club advisor.

Ji Eun is the one who responsible to the financial record of the club funds, too. She used to hate her task because the club's president is handed every task to her and annoyed when Ji Eun make some mistake.

"You are stayed up all night, aren't you?"

"I can't sleep well when something isn't done yet."

Armano smiled when he know that her habit is just like him. Well, like father like daughter, he thought to himself.

"So, what do you think about the proposal, Father? I'm sorry if it still lacking,"

"I'll check it latter. Now, go back to your room,"

"Huh? Why?"

"Sleep. I'll tell the servant to serve your breakfast to the room, if you want."

"But, I want to know about the proposal. I think.. Eh! Wait! Fa, Father!" Cecilia stuttered when Armano carry her in his arm. She look like a princess now.

"Father! Please put me down..., Pretty please?" She begged and even tried to look cute.

But, of course, it failed.

"No."

"But, I, I, I'm heavy! I gained some weight!"

"Do you think I, Duke Lancia, as a weakling?" His gray eyes look so cold when said it.

It make Cecilia froze and stop talking. She even held her breath.

Armano put her on the bed, "I will check your proposal. So, you can rest, now."

"Th, th, thank you, Father. I'm sorry for being troublesome."

Armano's eyes glued to her when she looked so timid. He turned around and say, "How many time do I have to tell you, Cecilia? You are Lancia's. No matter what people said, you can do whatever you want. Keep it in your mind, because I don't like to repeat the same thing."

Cecilia didn't say anything and watched her father's back disappeared from the door.