Chapter 85: Chapter 85

"Care to explain why do we have to walk?" Cecilia asked in curiosity.

Max walked beside her after he escorted that wise old man back to the temple.

"Because we have health and strong leg." He answers cheerfully.

Cecilia shook her head and choose to drop their silly argument.

Heart of Ligaya Island is a name of the restaurant where they had their breakfast.

It was supposed to further from their previous meeting place. But, for some reason, they often get lost and Max refused to use teleportation.

Cecilia feel irritated because she has poor sense of direction and the man beside him, most likely, seem enjoying this situation.

"If we got lost again, I will ask another people to escort me." Cecilia said when she passed the same road for fourth time.

Ligaya Island is not only about the beach scenery with the white sand. It also consists of small shore town with plenty citizen who reside on this island. Most of the building were selling foods and souvenirs.

Several tourists seem enjoying their walk since the vehicle rarely cross the stone road. The huge trees was neatly lined up in the street, to make it feel shady even the weather was raised.

Max snickered, "I doubt it. With your current ability to communicate, well, you have no chance."

"I will find a way since this place is full of the tourist and foreighner. They must be has no difficulty to understand me." She confidently answered it.

Max smiling because he almost forgets that this girl is tougher than he thought. "I will never win against you, Chili."

"Just lead the way, please."

"Honestly, I'm a bit surprised to see that woman on the screen. She looks almost like you."

Cecilia frowned, "No. In the past, I wasn't looked ... like that."

"It's proved me one thing. The rumor about her was true. I'm impressed by the fact she can make me irritated in the first meeting for three minutes straight."

Cecilia threw her gaze to the shadow from the trees in the street. They already reached a market which sell various things.

Max casually grab her hand, "This place is huge. You can get lost easily."

Something moving in her belly. The sensation was tickling to all of her skin. Not to mention, Max look so fine without his mask and Cecilia's heart throbbing faster. However, she chooses to look cold. "We should find another way."

He laughs lightly before enter the market, "Don't worry. It's not like everyday we have a chance to visit here. Just enjoy the scenery."

"I'm sorry."

"Hmm? Why?" His eyes catch the glimpse of a blue stall which sell the street food. "Let's try some sweet."

She shook her head. "Duke Lancia is waiting."

"Don't worry. Besides, you need some energy. Come on, it's my treat."

Then he approached a stall which have a gigantic steamed pan which full of the shredded corn.

Max ordered it by saying something unknown to a middle-aged man who was behind the counter.

They were talking a bit before he scoops the corn into a cup, tops on some fresh shredded coconut, and seasons it with salt.

That man adds some sweet condensed milk to one of the cups.

"Take this one. It's a sweet version." Max give it to her with a wide smile.

Cecilia staring at her food thoroughly. It was a combination of corn, sliced off the cob, with some fragrant lemongrass. She takes a spoonful to her mouth, "It's delicious."

"Really? They called this as Binatog. I prefer this salty version. Do you want some?"

"No need." She said before continue to walk.

"It's not good to eat with walking. You can get choking."

Cecilia stopped and finishing her food before she threw that empty cup to the trash bin, "Tell me, why did you do this?"

"What?"

"I don't know what your plan is. But, it seems like you tried to slow me down."

Max threw his empty cup to the bin. His eyes locked on her and all of a sudden, his expression changed to serious mode, "I just want to talk to you for a bit longer."

Cecilia crossed her arms, "Talk?"

"I've got a feeling that you will be avoiding me after this meeting. Even though, I beg you to stay, but, it seems that you can disappeared anytime."

"You are a silly man." Cecilia rolled her eyes before she answered, "You are the one who said that we were destined for each other."

Max nodded. However, he looks gloomy, "Chili, what if we ran away from Duke? I will teleport him back to the South Island. And then, we can go to an adventure together."

"That's the weirdest plan I ever heard today."

"No one know what he will do to you. If that person, choose to executed you...,"

"Then, I have no choice."

"Have you ever consider my feeling? Do you think I will be okay to see you dying right in front of my eyes?"

Cecilia gulped and look at her shoes because she finds no word to say.

He takes a step forward and hug her. "I don't want to lose you." He whispered in her left ear.

Instead of telling him about her real feeling, Cecilia said in a low voice, "

"No matter what the punishment is, I deserve it."

"Chili, I can--,"

"I love you, truly."

"What?" Max tried to release his embrace to see her expression when saying it.

Cecilia was blushing so hard and she looks like almost crying. Honestly, she was afraid if she has no chance to say those sacred word to Max.

"I'm sorry for being selfish. To toss aside your feeling by only thinking of mine. But, like I said before. Rather than live with this guilt, I rather died. If you have someone to blame, then blame me. Blame this selfish girl."

"Chili…,"

"The red-headed woman said that we will bound to each other in our next life. I hope we can meet each other with the best version of us. That's why, I want to take all the responsibility before I can confidently face you in the future."

Max didn't say anything. He let out a heavy sigh before lightly kissed her top of her head. "I really can't win against you."