Chapter 86: Chapter 86

"What take you so long?" Duke Lancia sit on his chair with intense gaze.

Cecilia slightly bowed, "Please forgive me for my carelessness."

"Sit down. However, due with all respect, I don't remember to invite you to this boring conversation, Your Highness."

Max casually sitting beside Cecilia, "Don't mind me, Duke. I just want to have some lunch. Besides, it feels so lonely to eat by myself."

Armano look uncomfortable, but he didn't have the choice, since that second prince play a big role in this confusing confession. "Cecilia, do you want something to eat?"

Doesn't expect that question, she flinched and take a look at the menu book. All of them was written in weird language.

Max cleared his throat, "You are holding it into the wrong direction."

"Ah! I see." She answered and reverse the menu's position. But, it is still unreadable.

"How about Bicol Express?" Max said after he notices her confusion.

Armano shook his head, "It's too spicy, Your Highness. She doesn't like it. Try Sinigang, a sour and light stew."

"I see." She said in a low voice.

"Actually, Cecilia is a big fan of spicy food, Duke Lancia. She even shared some recipes to the chef in Dandelion Town."

Armano frowned, but he became a bit hesitant before opening his mouth. As if he realized something, "Ah, I forgot. You aren't her. I'm sorry."

Cecilia lost her appetite. She rose from her chair before bowed deeply to the Duke, "No, I am the one who need to apologize. I will take the responsibility for the mess I made."

"Responsibility? Mess?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

Armano let out a heavy sigh, "What are you saying? Please sit down, Cecilia."

Slowly, she's doing what he asked and looking at the empty table because has no courage to face him.

"I want to thanks to you. To let my daughter take over your place and give her a chance to taste the happiness. Something I can't give her."

Cecilia shook her head, "But, she can say something harsh like that to you."

"Honestly, you don't need to get worked up. What she said about me was correct. I am just a cold father who only care at money. I will owe you for a lifetime since you saved her."

"But, I lied to you." She said while nervously squeezed her hand. "Beside, don't blame yourself, Your Excellency. This is the first time you became a father. Making mistake is normal. Unlike me, I already became daughter for the second times. That's why I don't want to mess up again."

His gaze getting soften." Then, I will adopt you as my daughter. So, you don't have to lied anymore."

She almost jumped from the chair, "What?"

Armano smiled to assure her, "Yes, you are now my daughter. So, try to call me as it should be."

"But, I lied to you, to everyone else. I don't deserve this."

"Cecilia, did you know what Albert, the butler, said about you? He said you became softer and sharper than before. He believes that the future of Lancia's family will be brighter than now."

"But, I… I--,"

"I think Your Highness the second prince has the same opinion with him." Armano crossed his arm and threw a sharp gaze to him.

Knowing it as a signal, Max smiling, "You are right. She was different from the rumor I heard. Perhaps, if I met with the original one, I mean the one in the screen, I will have no interest with Cecilia Lancia."

"I'm sorry if my daughter didn't meet your standard, Your Highness."

Max's forehead broke a sweat. Something in Armano's voice make him shivering, "No, Duke. You know that's not what I meant!"

He closed his eye, try to ignore him. "And to me, you are a good person, Cecilia. I know that something was going on when you were stepping back from the election and choose to starting a business. Not to mention, you want to create a better environment for everyone. You have qualities for became Lancia."

Cecilia bit her lips, try to hold back her tears, "Your Ex--,"

"It's not how a daughter calling her father, Cecilia."

"Fa, father…,"

"Good."

Then, she raised from her chair again and bowed deeply. With a loud voice, she gratefully said, "Thank you so much for giving this chance, Father! I will do my best!"

"Then, I'll be in your care, My daughter."

She smiled widely before said, "Yes!"

But, something unexpectedly happened. A second later, she passed out. Luckily, Max quickly hold her before fall on the ground. The two men around her became panicked.

"Chili!"

"Your Highness, please bring us back to Lancia's household. I can't let anyone examine her except my private doctor."

"I understand!"

The three of them then teleporting to the drawing room. Max hold her tightly and Armano yelling to the maid who cleaning the windows.

"Call the doctor to Cecilia's room!"

The maid was shocked because of his sudden appearance. But, she quickly nodded and run in lightning speed.

"Your Highness, please follow me." Armano said while he guided him to his daughter's room.

Not long after he put her in the bedroom, the doctor hurriedly enter the room. He looks worried,

"Your Excellency, what happened? I thought you were left to the South Island along, Young Miss."

Armano frowned, and he looks intimidating, "Just examine her. Now."

The doctor quickly touched her wrist. Then, he took a stethoscope to examine. A minute later he takes off it and said, "Don't worry, Your Excellency. Young Miss is okay. She just tired."

Then his face became shocked when notice the presence of the second prince. He quickly takes a light bow to her, "Oh, I greet the star of the Empire, Your Highness, The Second Prince. Please forgive me for failed to notice your presence."

Max smiled awkwardly, "Nah, it's okay, Doctor. More importantly, what is happening to Chi, I mean, Miss Lancia?"

The doctor scratches his head. He was confused to see the sudden appearance of his employee.

And Max's presence make everything weirder. However, he can't carelessly ask it. "Miss Lancia was exhausted. She needs to take some rest. I will give some medicine to reduce her fatigues. Make sure she drinks plenty of water after wakes up."

Armano seem relieved, "I see. Thank you, Doctor."

"Then, please excuse me, Your Excellency and Your Highness. I will notify the people in apothecary." The doctor bowed once again to the both of that noble man.

However, his curiosity, about the relationship of the second prince and Lancia's family, still haunting him.