Uncle?
Cecilia frowned when she heard it. Even in her previous memories, she can't recognize this nonsense.
But, his face indeed have a similiar figure with Armano.
However, my father is more handsome than this man!
"I'm so disapointed of you, little niece. You didn't remember me. It is me, the one and only, Uncle Grant. So, how is your father?"
"I have no uncle… Sir."
Grant Lancia's jaw dropped. "What? 'Sir'? Hey, I'm much younger than your father. Call me brother!"
Cecilia gulped. "Br, brother? But we are not sibling."
"Why don't you just nod and be an obidient girl? Ah, shoot. That's not I want to asked you," His eyes glinted and he cleared the throat, "Can you fill me in about what are you and your father doing recently? Why did you bother the Scorpion?"
"Scorpion?" She look confused when heard it. He can't be talked about the poisoned animal or zodiac sign, right?
"Don't play dumb with me! What kind of deal you made with Scorpion and the South Island?"
This young lady sighed in disbelief. Is it too hard to keep my every movement in secret?, she asked to herself. Did someone really spying me? But why?
"I can tell you about the island. But, I really don't know about Scorpion."
"Huh! Don't lie to me! You know! Because of you, Mister Max is refused to help me!" Grant look angry and ready to explode.
"Mister Max?" Why did that name sound familiar to… "Ah, you mean that flirter?"
Now, Grant approached and shook her shoulder with his both hand, "How dare you insult him!"
"Wait, calm down. I'm not lying. It is the truth! If he is a gentlemen, he should've treat me better!"
Grant release his grip but his eyes is burning with rage, "You are just like your narcistic father! You think everyone will swept off from your feet? With that looks?"
Now, the rage is contagius to her like spreading fire. Not just because the insult of her face. But about her father too.
To be honest, Ji Eun really like her current flawless face. No matter what she do, eating junk food or stayed up until dawn, no acne or blackhead appear on her face. She only need to wash with a water and every skin's problem is gone.
Cecilia's face is one of a millions!
In other side, Armano is her beloved father and she didn't like it when an unknown man make a bad word of him.
"Don't you dare to say a stupid things like that! Or else--,"
He smirked, "Or else.. what? Just because you are a daughter of the most influencer Duke in this Empire, you think you can do everything you want? Oh, you are so naive, little niece."
"I can make your precious 'Mister Max' swept his feet off my feet!" Cecilia suprised at her own word. Where did she got the courage from? But, its too late to took it back.
"Like father, like daughter..," he couldn't continue the insult when saw her intimidating look. Her aura is, somehow, changing.
"Well then, it is wasting time to talk to you. I don't need you anymore."
He snapped his finger and Cecilia feel like her sorrounding is blurry and everything turned into a fog.
The last thing she saw is his smirking face.
***
"Miss! You are back!" Mary cried when saw her employer back to the room in that inn. She was going to cleaning it since the knights are out because of the search.
"Where did you go? Are you okay? Do you feel anything bad? Is there something you want?"
Cecilia's head feel dizzy and she got thirsty, "Water, please,"
Mary then gave her a a glass of water, "Miss, you look so pale!"
"It's nothing, Mary. How long I've been gone?" She asked after gulped down the water.
"It's almost half a day, Miss. You are missing before the midnight and came back when the sun is high." She said while pointing the windows. Indeed, it is already midday.
Cecilia sighed, "Then, can you call out one knight here? I need him to send a letter to my father. As soon as possible."
"To Duke? But, we are not arrived yet, Miss?"
"I can't tell you the details. But, I met a dangerous man. That's why I need an advice from my father."
"Alright, Miss. Please wait here. I'll be right back."
Just when she disspeared to the door, Cecilia take a paper and an ink pen from her bag. She streched her fingers before start writing.
[Dear, Father.
I'm sorry for bothering you.
But, I've met a man called Grant. He said that he is my uncle and want to know about our connection with Scorpion and the South Island.
What I supposed to do? Is it safe for me to continue this journey.
And please be careful, Father. Since he look like hating you from the bottom of his heart!
Currently I'm staying in the Pine's Inn. Please reply this letter as soon as possible.
Sincerely,
Cecilia Lancia]
"Miss, you are back!" Said Theo with red face and heavy breath.
Not just Theo, but all of the knight is here and make the room crowded. They looks so relieved when heard that their employer is returned safely.
She didn't know if they were relieved because she is back or because they save from Armano's wrath.
"Theo, I need your help! Choose one of your strongest knight from your team to send this letter to my father. He have to change to another clothes and rent a local house. Make sure no one know that he is serving the Lancia's."
Theo looks confused but didn't have a courage to ask, "Alright, Miss. Your wish is my command."
"And don't let him came back without the reply from my father. This is urgent matter! So run as fast as possible." She said while giving the letter and a pocket of silver coins, "Come back if it's not enough. Otherwise, keep the change."
Theo nodded. With this money, one can buy a high quality horse. "It's more than enough, Miss." He and the other knights then walked out from the room and began their discussion.
Cecilia bit her nail when the anxiety attacked her.
Will she made it?
That panicking state made her forgot to ask about the Scorpion on her letter…