Cecilia crossed her arms, "Why are you here? You are spying on me, aren't you?"
Max smiled. It's hardly to see his expression behind his crow mask, "Of course, no. I am working, right now."
Cecilia's brows raised and suddenly she has a bad feeling, "Don't tell me..,"
"Yes, Duke Lancia hired me as your guards. Be happy, Young Lady. I was the best one for this matter."
It's was a half truth. Surely, Duke Lancia hire a member from his guild.
Max was the one who chose Hugo as the guard on the South Island. But, he change his mind after their fateful meeting. Especially since Grant 'kidnapped' her, Max chooses to follow her around. Of course as a client. Nothing more or less. Or so he thought.
"Do you mean by stalking someone?" Cecilia didn't know why did she always being cynical to him.
Max holds his chest with a fake painful expression, "Ouch! You hurt me, My Lady."
She rolled her eyes but she feel a bit lighter. When did the last time she feels like this? Joking with her friend without any worry to hurt their feeling?
Then she realizes that she never has any friends. But, maybe this Max just being friendly because it was his job. "Too bad..,"
"Huh?"
"No, nothing. Say, Max, are you doing this to all you clients?"
"What do you mean with 'doing this'?"
Cecilia sighed, "Forget it. I'm just dizzy. Well, if you excuse me, I like to continue my activity."
"Stroking the horse's hair? I don't mind for being the subtitute." Max bowed so his head is on the same position her shoulder.
Cecilia didn't like his playful smile. It's like he already knows everything. Maybe Max predicted that she would refuse it.
That's why she raised a hand to stroke his hair and slowly patted it, "Good boy, good boy. You are already doing the best."
For the first time in his life, Max feels something strange. Something moving from his belly and slowly warmed his chest. He felt something alive within his body.
But, what?
After all, why did the word he wants to hear all the time was spoken by her?
When did the last time he heard it? Starting from very young age, he was working so hard to hear that word from his father, step mother, or all of his family. His mother was deceased when he was too young to remember. That's why Max tried his best because no one really cares about his existance.
Until one point, Max found out that no matter how hard he tries, nobody will appraise him. After that, Max stops trying and build the guild when he was only 12.
But, why? Why from all of the people…
"Max? Are you okay? You didn't change into the horse too, right?"
Cecilia bowed her body to checked on him and their face is just an inch away.
Max blinked twice and wondering why did Cecilia looks more beautiful tonight. Is it because the moonlight?
Then she stretches the body, "Well, it can't be helped. Since I can speak horse's language, let's part here. I have something to do."
All of sudden, Max straightening his body, "Wait, My Lady. I'll come with you."
"Fine then. But, don't ask anything. I want to think."
"Oh, great! I know a perfect place to think. Follow me, My Lady."
Cecilia frowned, "Really?"
"I was the one who came here to do your research, My Lady. My knowledge is as good as the native."
"Okay. Let's go."
Max takes a torch in the stable and walking in front of her. "Don't stray, My Lady. None of us who want it happen."
Cecilia sighed and holds his free hands.
Max gasped, "What are you doing, My Lady?"
"What am I doing?" She asked with confusion.
"Are you casually holding hands with man like this?" This thought make him angry somehow.
She releases his hand, "Fine. Let's just walk. It almost midnight."
But, Max stared at his free hand and feels disappointed, "Why did you release it, My Lady? Who told you to?"
Cecilia has an urge to slap him. However, she already did it in their first meeting. Max must be enjoying to play around, she thought to herself. I should have been doing the same.
So that's why she took his free hands again and kissed it for a second before release his hand again.
Max's heart was died. It stopped working for a milliseconds. So does his brain.
After that, he put his hand to her shoulder. "Miss, don't you do it to any man! Except for me! Really! Just don't! It is againts the courtesy! Well, I mean.. we are friend, right? So it is okay to do it with friend."
She rolled her eyes in cynical way, "Then stop addresses me with that 'My Lady' things when it just two of us. Call me by my name."
"WHAT!"
Cecilia put her index finger to her mouth, "Shhh! Why are you so weird today? I'm just kidding."
"No, no! I mean.. I mean. It's an honor to me, My lady.... Can I call you 'Chili' instead? I'm still impressed with your appetite in Dandelion."
"Cecilia… Ce… Cilia.. Chili! Wow! You have good sense. Yes, you are right. I like spicy food." Beside, she feels like it was special and original.
Old Cecilia doesn't like spicy things. It's look like that name was especially made for her. For once, she feels like she was being a part of this world as herself. Not a daughter of powerfull Duke.
"Me too. Too bad the Capital doesn't sell it."
"Yes, yes. I thought so. Oh, Max. Wait, if you are following me all day and night, when will you eat?"
Max winked his eye, "I have my own way, Chili. Please do not forget that I am a professional spy."
"Fiiiiiine. I should have not asked. But, we have to go now."
"Okay, then. Chili, please hold my hand and don't stray."
Cecilia smiles and doing what he asked. It was good to have a light conversation.
Mary might be her closest person, but she still has hesitations toward Cecilia. Maybe because their status. However, Max was just being natural despite their status gap. He just being friendly.
Well, it's look like Cecilia still need a long way to go. Friendship doesn't happen overnight.
But with Max's hand in her, Cecilia have a premonition that everything will be fine in the end. "Okay. Let's go!"