Luana hurriedly swung her steps to catch up with Rey up ahead.

The nobleman didn't seem to have any intention of playing it easy, although earlier, it seemed that he was the one who wanted Luana to join him this afternoon. Rey did not have any intention. He just wanted to breathe in the fresh air of Heidelberg.


It had been long since he had walked leisurely in one of his favourite cities. However, he was no longer alone because someone new was following him.

Luana kept a distance that she considered safe enough, still not wanting to get close to Rey. It was nothing because she knew the man didn't like her being around him.

Passing through the grand lobby, Rey paid no attention to the few hotel employees who saluted him. Jovi was out to care for something before they would later attend the dinner.


Turning left, Rey seemed to really just want to walk. The city of Heidelberg was famous not only for its beauty but also for its accessibility and friendly people. Glancing back, Rey made sure Luana was still there.

The man stopped suddenly, which made Luana also break her steps suddenly.


"Why did you stop?" asked Luana innocently. Looking at Rey's sturdy back, the woman frowned.

Rey turned around. He found Luana leaning forward slightly, trying to maintain her balance. The man's hands were intertwined at the waist, looking at Luana with an unfriendly gaze.

"Why are you so far back there?" Rey scolded. "You said you wanted to be a tour guide! How can any tour guide walk behind a customer, heh?"

Luana blinked at the handsome man's words. A sense of resentment just enveloped her because Rey was getting more arbitrary. Since the morning of their meeting, the man had not shown the slightest kindness.

"Okay," said Luana. The woman took three steps forward, cutting the distance between herself and Rey.

"Walk, I'll be right behind here," Luana said again. She never thought- or instead never dared to believe- that she would walk next to Rey. She could have been flogged a thousand times. How horrible!

Rey snorted in annoyance. It seemed like the woman didn't understand what he was saying, and the thought of him having to repeat himself a second time made him even more upset.

"Come here!"

Rey took three steps forward, approaching Luana, who was still trying to keep her distance. For whatever reason, they shouldn't be walking side by side!

Rey pulled Luana's hand roughly, positioning the girl beside him now. Making Luana hold her breath, her bead burning wide.

"Hey, I can't-"

"Move!" Rey ordered firmly. Not trying to ignore Luana's apparent refusal, the man remained silent until Luana hissed softly.

"I can't be next to you," she whispered. Her voice was very low, but Rey could hear the words clearly due to their proximity.

"You're wasting my time, Luana!" Rey retorted later. Deliberately not replying to Luana's sentence earlier, the man changed the subject.

Several passers-by seemed to notice them, perhaps concluding that Rey and Luana were lovers having a minor quarrel.

Luana looked around, but there was not much time to think now.

"Alright," she said later. She silently prayed that she would not come face to face with people from her past, or at least prayed that no one would recognise her there.

Because he really didn't deserve to be next to a high-caste noble like Rey Lueic.

Rey was still waiting.

"Come on," the woman said this time. Let it be. She wanted to enjoy this beautiful city anyway. "Do you want to buy something?"

Luana tilted her head, looking at Rey through her dazzling tanned bead. Rey reflexively looked away from Luana, blinking twice, followed by a stern look.

Why did this woman's face seem... soft?

"What can you buy here?" Rey asked. "Where are you taking me?"

Luana painted a faint smile on her pink lips. Her hair was moving in the wind, and her hand was still clutching the sling bag slung over her shoulder. She didn't know how well Rey knew the city, but it was part of her life.

"Anything," Luana replied lightly. "Anything you want, you can find here. I don't know if Kornmarkt will suit you, but there you can get to know how this city really is."

Rey smiled. Luana had begun to fulfil her role as a surrogate wife and as a tour guide. Not wanting to look so friendly, Rey nodded as an answer.

"Let me see if your tastes match the caste you belong to," the man's sneer was obvious.

Luana held back the resentment in her heart, wanting to punch the arrogant man right now. But she knew she wouldn't have the courage to do that, so she smiled again.

"Come, honourable Mr Rey," Luana said in a tone of voice that seemed contrived. "Follow me!"

***

Kornmarkt is one of the largest markets in Heidelberg, which is usually the choice for tourists and locals to pass the time. Stroll along the streets of Kornmarkt, famous for its souvenir vendors, and stop at the end of the street to enjoy the sunset against the backdrop of a calmly flowing river.

Luana certainly knew the city well. Her steps didn't falter at all, accompanying Rey as he continued to weave through the stalls of the small Kornmarkt street. The afternoon sun accompanied them, mingling with the bustling humanity that filled the market.

Luana explained a few times, exchanging glances with Rey, who pretended to be displeased. He wore an indifferent expression, but the man listened clearly to every word Luana said.

"Look at that!" Luana's exclamation diverted Rey's gaze, following where his fake wife was pointing.

Luana widened her smile, unable to contain the excitement that permeated her afternoon.

"People hunt for fridge magnets like this," Luana explained. "Not only from abroad but also from out of town, they buy these as souvenirs."

She pointed to a souvenir fridge magnet displayed in the window of one of the shops.

Rey glared.

"Don't tell me you told me to buy that," Rey sneered. The man crossed his arms over his chest, looking straight at Luana, who shook her head.

"No," Luana replied quickly. "What for? I want to go back sometimes, but having something like that will only make me miss the city more. I'd rather not have it, even if I wanted to."

Rey smirked. What the hell was this woman talking about?

Luana swung her steps again, pointing alternately at some of the typical souvenirs that tourists wanted to buy as souvenirs. It feels incomplete if we don't buy souvenirs about a city when we visit it.

Rey thought silently, watching Luana who was still looking around.

"Hold on!" called Rey, stopping Luana.

The woman turned around.

"Yes?" she asked. "What's wrong, do you want to go back?"

Rey cleared his throat. Taking a few breaths, the man was debating whether or not he should go ahead with his plan.

"I saw a coffee shop over there," Rey said, pointing to a coffee shop with a round umbrella. Luana turned around, directing her gaze in the direction Rey was pointing.

"Uh-hm. So, you want some coffee?"

Rey shook his head faintly.

"Go over there and wait for me," Rey ordered. "I need to call someone."

Luana's beady eyes squinted for a moment, but then she nodded her head.

"Alright," she agreed. "I'll be there."

Rey raised an eyebrow, waiting for Luana to turn around and take a step to leave him still frozen in place. After finding Luana far enough away from where he was now, Rey turned around to walk through the shops he had passed earlier.

The man's steps stopped right at the shop that Luana had pointed out earlier, looking around in front of it until a middle-aged man greeted him with a distinctive Heidelberg accent.

"Welcome, sir. Anything you need?" the man asked kindly, developing a smile as wide as his face.

Rey cleared his throat softly. His finger pointed at one of the fridge magnets, followed by a chuckle. As if he was afraid someone would hear what he was saying.

"I want this one," Rey said in a half-whisper. "Please pack one for me."