Chapter 91: Chapter 91
Duke Lancia slowly shake the white liquid on his tall glass before take a sip of it.
The sky, outside his study room, already getting darker because it is almost midnight.
"It's tasty. Too bad, this has a short shelf life."
He said to Albert, the Butler, who still reading the rice wine's recipe which Cecilia made.
He already tasted it and kind of like that liquor.
Never crossed in his mind that a mere grain can be made as a refreshing beverage. It almost looks alike with milk, however has a slight viscosity that tastes slightly sweet, tangy, bitter, and astringent.
The alcohol rate was lower than regular beer and tasted more refreshing than it. For Albert, it is a revolutionary culinary invention.
"It will be a great idea to sell the rice wine across this empire. We can use a pasteurization technique to prolong the shelf life. Same like as we do while produce beer. The main ingredient's price is low. Not to mention, Young Miss wrote the instruction with very detailed, and it's easy to understand." The Butler said with confidence.
Duke Lancia drink the remaining liquor on his glass and staring on it. "You are right."
This beverage business will be one way to decrease the unemployment rate. One of Lancia's territory should cultivate some rice fields. Besides, they can reduce the production cost, rice can be used as wheat's substitute.
Rice is easy to plant, but need more care and time to harvest.
Cecilia already wrote this at the recipe, too.
Armano feel grateful to her. With her knowledge from another world, he can be made so many changes to this duchy.
However, he can't forget what his real daughter said. A cold father who neglect his own child. The one who make her want to end her life.
Duke Lancia closed his eyes and feeling a bit guilty because he didn't have so many memories with her.
Only with the current Cecilia, he can feel the families bond.
For him, she has so many good qualities to became Lancia's successor. They have the same opinions and several traits, too.
How could this happen, he thought to himself. As if she is my true daughter. Not swapped with a stranger.
"Is there something you need, My Lord?"
Armano shook his head before rose from the chair, "Let's discuss it tomorrow. Tell Christo to come after breakfast."
The Butler bowed gently, "I understand. Please have a good rest, My Lord."
Duke Lancia then left the room without saying anything.
***
"Boss, you haven't eaten something from yesterday." Hugo said while he ate some sandwiches in the kitchen.
Max put his lunch to Hugo's plate with a bored face. "Thank you, Boss! Anyway, Sir Gale never lost his touch! I'm certain that Young Miss will love this."
The masked man let out a heavy sigh, "I'll go back to the office. You can take a day off, now."
"WHAT?!" Hugo's eyes sparkling brightly. "Really? What happened?"
"Nothing."
The brown-eyed man snickered when heard his discomfort voice,
"Ah, you must be arguing with Young Miss."
"Shut it, Hugo."
"Well, it doesn't matter. Then, if you change your mind, please meet me on the school. I want to check something."
Max's brows raised. So does his curiosity. "How is the progress?"
"It's doing great. Young Miss strategy never wrong. They were diligently studying their lesson. No one absent because of the pocket money. Hmm, there are several troublesome children who made some ruckus. But, it's still under control." Hugo said proudly as if he is the headmaster of that school.
"Is that so? Then, enjoy your day off." Max said before left the kitchen and walk lazily to the office.
It's been a while since he sits behind the desk. He used to be the one who rarely left the office.
But, since Cecilia came to his world. Everything slowly changing. The boring adventure became more interesting. Her smile make him feel comfortable.
For him, Cecilia is feel like home.
"Ah, I should do something to distract my mind." He said while opening the cupboard. But it's empty.
Then he looks at the pile of papers in the desk. "Hmm, Hugo already work the monthly report."
When he looks at the bookshelves, there is a familiar book with pink cover. It was the same book which written by Gillian Bridgerton.
Something make him feeling uneasy after realizing a possibility that both Gillian and Cecilia was coming from the same world.
"It's annoying." He whispered and choose to read it to wasting some time.
The story was about a noble man who fall in love with his maid. The man's parent didn't agree with the relationship. The man chose to ran away with her and move to a small cottage in the outskirt of the city.
One day, when the man dug their small land to plant some flowers, he found several golden bars buried in there.
After he sold it, they became richer than the man's parent and live happily ever after in a huge mansion. Not to mention, have a dozen of children, since they can't hold their lust on each other.
For Max, it's neither good nor bad story. But, he couldn't put it down.
Max gulped down when he read a kissing scene on that book which make his imagination goes wild.
His mind come back to the most embarrassing moment. When Cecilia kissed him, out of nowhere. What he can do was dumbfounded and cowardly left with teleport.
"She must be thought that I was such a wimp. What should I do if we meet at the tomorrow's ball?" He asked after let out a heavy sigh.
For Max, now, he prefers to kill the strongest monster, or fight another dragons than face with Cecilia.
Suddenly, he heard a footstep and quickly, put that book on the bookshelf before sit on the chair, pretend to checking Hugo's report.
A gentle knock make his heart excited. It's a perfect time to accept another request from the client. Max really hoped that this mission would be so hard and need a long time to solve.
So, he has an excuse to skip the ball.
"Please, come in." He said with cheerful voice.
The door was open and his jaw dropped. It wasn't a guest, but Cecilia who smile so shyly.
Just like the other days, she looks so beautiful even she was wearing her daily outfit along with cheap black robe.
Max give her an awkward smile when she greets him, "H-hi! L-long time no see, Max."