Luana's words caught attention.

Mare turned around. She was putting Madame Lueic's clothes into the wardrobe when Luana said what she just said.


"Of course not, ma'am," Mare said in a polite tone.

Hanging up some of her young mistress's dresses, Mare watched Luana's still-lying figure out of the corner of her eye.

Somehow a lot of things suddenly entered the maid's mind, but her lips could no longer open for some reason.


The fact that she should not talk too much would make her job easier, especially since it was Rey's request for her to be by Luana's side.

Luana could be heard sighing. At least she was thankful Rey hadn't dumped her somewhere else, though she didn't know what exactly she was supposed to do there.


"Mare," Luana called. Rising, the woman sat back down on the edge of the bed.

Mare paused her cleaning scene for a moment, turning around to look at Luana.

"What is Rey doing here?" she asked cautiously.

Luana had no idea what world Rey was in, or what the man did for a living. Madam Collins had only said that he was one of the nobles of a fairly high rank, and there was no other info other than the fact that Rey Luiec was a very handsome man.

"I'm sorry Madam," Mare replied. "I don't know exactly, but Master came to do business and develop a subsidiary in this city. That's all I know."

Luana nodded vaguely. Was Rey also a businessman?

"Mare, what kind of business does Rey have?" asked Luana again.

This time Mare took a few seconds' pause, watching Luana intently from where she stood.

It seemed that the rumors circulating among the servants that this Mrs. Lueic was not a woman who should be a mistress were true. Because it seems so odd when a wife doesn't know the ins and outs of her husband's work, don't you think?

"Master runs many businesses, ma'am," Mare said again. "But I don't know every detail. Perhaps you could ask Jovi," Mare offered an option.

Luana blinked a few times. It seemed that Mare had already given the answer that the woman could give, and Luana chose not to continue her question.

She was still curious, but asking Rey was not in her options. Perhaps Mare's suggestion to ask Jovi made more sense if only he would give her an answer later.

Circling the hotel room with her bead, the woman marveled at how every detail and interior of this room was built with great taste.

Mare was done with her work on Luana's clothes, now stepping politely over to the bed.

"My room is next door, ma'am," Mare said softly. Folding her arms at her sides, the woman was respectful of Luana's presence there.

"Now Madame can rest for a while. I will be back at five, to help Madame prepare for dinner."

Luana watched Mare intently, paying no attention to the words Mare was officially saying to her.

"Mare."

Mare bowed her head.

"Yes, ma'am."

"How old are you?" asked Luana.

Mare was silent for a few seconds, before finally speaking softly.

"Twenty-three, ma'am."

Luana blinked. There wasn't much distance between them, as Mare was 23 and she was 21.

"Then call me Luana," Madame Luiec pleaded. "I'm not comfortable with you always calling me 'madame', it makes me feel much older."

Mare gasped, taking two steps back with a perfectly rounded bead.

"I can't, Mistress," Mare refused smoothly. "You are someone I must serve, I wouldn't dare call you names."

Luana shook her head faintly. She knew servants should never be presumptuous to their employers, just as she could not shake her head when Madam Collins asked her to take Beatric's place this morning.

Neither could Mare, who certainly did not want to be seen as presumptuous.

"This is my request, Mare," Luana said again. Her beady eyes glinted deeply, revealing a sincere light to the servant.

"I have no one here," Luana continued. "And I wish I could at least be friends with you, that I could share things, and that you could be the only person I could rely on."

Mare raised her head slowly. Her mistress's eyes looked so calm, with a smile etched on her face. This time Mare realized that her mistress looked so beautiful, with everything she had.

"But, Mistress-"

"No buts, Mare," Luana cut in quickly. "Be my friend, you can talk casually with me if we're both like this. You can call me mistress in front of Rey, that's fine. But when it's like this, act like you're my friend. You can do that, right?"

The mare could not possibly refuse her master's request. Although she hesitated, the gleam in Luana's eyes penetrated her heart. Mrs. Luiec seemed so sincere, with an inner beauty that could not be defined with words.

"B-well, ma'am."

Luana widened her smile. "Call me Luana."

"All right, L-Luana."

Luana laughed happily. Finally, someone was calling her back by name, and she liked that.

"Thank you, Mare," Luana said as she took Mare's hand that dangled at her side. "Thank you for being my friend."

Mare was lost for words, overwhelmed by the kindness of a noble like Luana. It was the first time she felt so appreciated, and it made Mare's heart warm.

"Go back to your room, Mare," Luana said. "I'll see you in the afternoon."

Mare nodded her head quickly, understanding her employer's request.

"Yes, L-Luana." It was still strange to say the young mistress's name with her own lips, but Mare tried her best to make Luana happy.

Luana raised the corners of her lips, forming a smile. Mare excused herself, stepping away towards the door and disappearing. Leaving Luana alone, exhaling quietly in the wide room.

Just as Luana was about to lie down on her soft-looking bed, suddenly the sound of ringing bells filled the room. Reflexively turning her head towards the door, Luana got up quickly. Who had pressed the bell? Had Mare come back because she had forgotten something?

Luana waited a few seconds. The tinkling of the bell sounded again, and it seemed that the guest would not break in. Luana got up, climbed off the bed, and took a wide step toward the door.

The bell chimed a third time, just as Luana reached for the handle to open the door.

"Yes, one moment. Who's there?"

The wide door opened. A man stood directly in front of her, staring at her with sharp eagle eyes. Luana was stunned, speechless.

"You?!"