"Thanks, Gale." Cecilia still said it even when the bartender has left.
She took a sip of her glass. The sweetness with a bit dry sensation were tickling her throat. She likes it and emptied the glass in one big gulp.
"Is it fits your liking, My Lady?" Hugo asked when he saw her smiling.
"Yes, it's so fresh and tasty!"
For some reason, Cecilia feels lighter and everything around her was getting brighter.
Fifteen minutes later, she felt something moving in her bloodstream.
Max feeling a bit suspicious when saw her suddenly became quiet and staring blankly at the floor, "Is there something wrong?"
"In the contrary, no. Everything was fine! Hic!"
The men were exchanging looks. Hugo quickly checked empty glass, "It was, without a doubt, apple cider."
Then as if he remembers something, Hugo frowned, "Ah, Gale always add two spoons of rum. But, it is still too weak to make someone drunk, right?"
"Who's drunk? Hic!" Cecilia's cheek getting reddens. She then takes a seat at the nearest couch. Her head feels a bit dizzy and the whole room seem moving to unknown direction.
In different circumstance, Max will laugh to see her becoming like that.
However, his face looks a bit panicked. He walks approached her and kneel in front of her.
Max cupped her face with both hands and asks, "Chili, look at me. Are you feeling sick?"
Hugo doesn't know what shocking him more. The caring tone from his weird employer or that stupid nickname. "Wait a minute! Why did you call her with 'Chili'? Are you guys dating or something?"
Cecilia shooked her head, "Calm down, Hic-go. I hear you. Hic! Can I get some water?"
Max turned his head and Hugo understands it even he didn't say anything. "Okay. I will be right back."
When Hugo disappeared to the door, Cecilia said, "And you, hic! Don't treat me like I was drunk. Because I'm not."
Max smiles and his hand still cupped her pretty face. "Yes, Chili. To be honest, you look cuter now."
Cecilia nodded in agreement, "Yes, I know it. My face is perfect! Hic!"
He grinned when noticed a faint smile escape from her lips. So, instead of answering, he slowly draws a circle on her cheeks.
"Can I see you face too? Hic!"
Before he can react, her hand took off his mask. Max will never forget her reaction when she sees his face. Her eyes widen in wonderstruck. "It's beautiful. You are so… Hic!"
He let her hand trailed the scar on his face. The red line which vines from the left to right side in half of his face.
It was a curse from the dragon.
The same dragon who gave him the stone. Grant Lancia was worshiped him because a reason.
The scars always burning his face when the full moon came. It was an unbearable pain. And now, this girl say it was beautiful.
"I thought Hic! was a tattoo. I'm sorry. It must be hurt you a lot."
"No. It is getting better," Max lied.
Cecilia stares blankly and hiccuped. "I almost forgot… hic! My mother's face. But, I remember…Hic! She always does this when I got hurt."
She hums something like a lullaby in foreign language. Max didn't understand what she was trying to say. However, he closed his eyes.
Once in a while, she blows his face. Max can smell her breath which is sweeter than an apple. After that, Cecilia cut the distance between them and kisses his forehead.
"Do not worry, you will be healed in no time."
A white light shining so brightly and almost blinding them. A second later, Max found himself on the familiar cave. Cecilia was passed out on the ground.
"Chili! Wake up! Open you eyes!" He said while kneeling.
"You found it. The antidote of the curse." A deep and dark voice make him shivering. It was a dragon called Hark. "I'd congratulate you, Mortals. What an irony, the one who can heal you was his niece."
It was still the same with the last time they met. A huge red dragon casually laying down on the ground while it olive reptile's eyes watching them in amusement. Hark's scales was glowing in the dark cave.
"What did you do to her?!" Max felt something burning in his heart. He would never forgive him if he dared to touch his Chili.
"Nothing. She is just sleeping."
"Then, I should go." Max said while he carries her on his back.
"Wait, Mortals. I have something for both of you. To celebrate it."
"We don't need it."
"Unlike her uncle, you are still altruistic as ever." Hark said with a cloud of steam comes out from it nose.
Max was trying to focus. But, his teleportation power doesn't work here.
"Don't even bother to try, Mortals. Have you forgot that your little power was a small gift from me too?"
"What do you want, Hark?"
"Stay still and I will send you to your home."
The blinding red light from Hark's body was spreading across the cave. Max didn't feel any differences except his body getting warmer.
"This is the last time we met, Mortals. Since I've already pay my debt. Farewell and enjoy your gifts."
The steam's cloud from Hark's nose was getting thickening. Max can't see anything and he tightens his grip to Cecilia's body. A second later, Max who getting dizzy, closed his eyes to reduce the effect.
After that, when he opens his eyes. He found himself on the lake behind the City Hall. Max slowly bent his body. Using one hand, he wraps the sweet potatoes to his handkerchief before he put Cecilia back to her bedroom.
Mary, Cecilia's maid, was sleeping so soundly in the couch and failed to notice his presence when he put the sweet potatoes in the wooden table beside her.
"You always surprise me, Chili." Max whispered when he put a blanket to Cecilia who already curled up on her bed. Max touched his face and couldn't find any traces of the scar. As if, it was never there.
He opens his mouth, but the words won't come out. Unable to express his feeling, Max jumps out to the nearest tree and watching her from afar.