The young woman's blood rushed, with an expression on her face that she could not control now. Had her hand not been in Patricia's, Luana would have reflexively stood up, due to the shock that had seized her heart a few seconds ago.

How did Patricia know? To what extent did Rey's mother know their secret? Had her status as a servant been revealed?


And all kinds of speculations and questions that arose in Luana's mind, making her tongue tongue-tied and unable to move.

Her eyeballs were still fixed straight at Patricia, who now also seemed to be breathing very slowly.

"Mother... Did you know about that?" Luana stammered, dragging out word after word to ask in a choked voice.


Patricia looked down for a few seconds, before her breath came first.

"I know, Luana," Patricia said.


The middle-aged woman lowered her voice just as two waiters approached with two trays in their hands.

Asking permission to set down what they had brought, one of the young girls moved a large teapot of hot tea onto the table, then arranged two glass cups with flowers in them in front of Luana and Patricia.

The other placed a couple of plates in the empty space, where Luana now found several types of fruit and chocolate cake also neatly arranged on the table.

Having completed their task, the two girls retired and left Luana and Patricia to continue their delayed conversation.

Luana was still trying to regulate her ragged breathing and racing heart, as she tried to think quickly and rationally.

"Mom, can I ask how much you know about this?" asked Luana, trying to be polite.

She didn't want to seem like she was prying information out of her mother-in-law, but she really needed to know the extent of Patricia's secrets.

"You must be curious, my child," Patricia said gently. "Are you sure we can discuss this?"

Luana immediately nodded her head, because she needed information from Patricia. Who else knew their charade besides this woman, so she could discuss what she and Rey should do next.

"If you don't mind, then I want to hear everything from you," Luana pleaded.

Patricia took another breath, before she began.

"Mrs. Collins called me the day after your wedding," the middle-aged woman began to explain. "She said it should have been her daughter, Beatrice Collins - who was the bride for Rey on that wedding day.

Mrs. Collins broke down in tears, telling me that the woman Rey married that day was the daughter of a distant relative of hers, who happened to be staying at their residence. And it was you, Luana, who was kind enough to ensure that the good names of both our families were not tarnished."

Luana listened carefully, not wanting to miss a single piece of information that she would later have to relay to Rey.

"Mrs. Collins apologized repeatedly, because she also didn't know why her daughter disappeared so suddenly," Patricia continued. "She also said she would find Beatrice as soon as possible, then put this mess back in order."

Luana kept her lips tightly sealed, beginning to draw conclusions from what she had heard.

First, the fact that Patricia didn't know Beatrice meant that it was true. Patricia only knew that Beatrice Collins was Rey's lover, who was supposed to have married the man a few days ago.

Second, Madam Collins was protecting Luana's true identity, saying that the girl was her distant relative. Relatives which also meant that they belonged to the same caste.

"Does anyone else know about this besides you, Mother?" Luana asked hesitantly.

This time Patricia gave a smile, followed by a slow shake of her head with her gaze still fixed on Luana.

"I'm the only one who knows this, Luana," Patricia said honestly. "I can't even tell Rey's father, because I'm afraid he'll be shocked and make his health condition worse again."

Luana blinked twice, who could now only bow her head slowly.

Whether she should be grateful or not, but at least she was relieved that only Patricia knew about her and Rey's relationship. Lueic's extended family--including Rey's father, clearly considered her a legal wife, without Beatrice's shadow behind Luana.

"Can you fulfill my one request, Luana?" Patricia spoke up again.

Luana raised her head slowly, feeling Patricia's grip which did not loosen at all. Deep down inside, she felt very happy that Patricia was now in her life.

But again, that was not where Luana should be. Because this position was only temporary, and Luana was not playing around with her words that she planned to go as far away as possible after Beatrice was found.

"I... I don't know what to say, Mother," Luana answered honestly. Her heart rumbled, because that promise was too difficult to fulfill.

There was no love between her and Rey, regardless of what had happened between them. Luana knew she was just a substitute, and that would never change.

"Don't you love Rey?" asked Patricia suddenly.

A question that made Luana flinch again, followed by a firm shake of her head.

"I don't know him," Luana said straightforwardly. "He didn't know me before this either, so talking about love seems so far away, Mom."

What Luana said was true, for the woman had never once expected anything more from this sham marriage. Her sole purpose was to help Madam Collins, and she really didn't want to get involved with the nobleman.

Patricia patted Luana's hand gently.

"Do you know why I asked you to stay by Rey's side, Luana?"

Two seconds of silence, as Luana shook her head again.

Patricia pulled the corners of her lips together to form a smile, in time with the sound of her voice now.

"Because he looks different after marrying you," Patricia said.

A sentence that again left Luana speechless, as Patricia continued.

"He never came home," Patricia said. "Rey is a very private person, he doesn't even greet his extended family properly. But through the banquet last night, I saw how Rey seemed to warm up when he was with you."

Luana really didn't know what to say, because this conversation with Patricia was already getting further and further away.

"Whether it was an act or not, I really don't want to bother," Patricia continued. "I'm just happy to see Rey smiling and laughing like he did last night, because it's been too long since I've seen him like that."

The more words Patricia said, the more silent Luana became. The young girl could not answer, nor did she know what to say.

Especially last night she had heard a glimpse of Rey's words before he returned from the balcony, which made her really curious if it was true that Beatrice had indeed been found.

"Rey is looking for Beatrice right now," Luana stammered. "And I, for one, plan to hand everything over after she returns."

Patricia seemed far away this time, deliberately taking deep breaths to let Luana know that she was starting to get short of breath.

"Did Rey say he was going back to that woman?"

Patricia looked curious. Indeed, she had not yet met or been acquainted directly with the woman named Beatrice. But after what happened, Patricia had really lost interest in getting to know her.

"I... I don't know," Luana replied.

Looking back at her conversation with Rey the other day, it was he who said that he would be the one to leave after Beatrice was found. Rey had not said anything about his plans with his ex-fiancée after this. Besides, it was really none of Luana's business and she didn't want to know.

"Whatever the reason, running away from marriage is indefensible, Luana," Patricia opined. "Especially for a noble like us, she shouldn't have acted so thoughtlessly."

Luana ran a hand through her hair, unconsciously biting her lip as her brain was forced to think hard.

"Then I'll change my request, but you have to promise to do this later," Patricia said, breaking the silence.

Luana was already afraid, worried that she could not make it happen like Patricia's first request.

Not waiting for Luana to reply, Patricia had already spoken up.

"First, don't tell Rey about this," Patricia pleaded. "I don't want him to know that I know what happened, so we'd better keep this conversation to ourselves, Luana."

Luana thought quickly. Patricia's request didn't seem difficult, as long as they both kept each other's secrets.

"Okay, Mom."

Patricia smiled.

"And secondly, you can just say that there is no love between you now..." Patricia said again, hanging her sentence.

The woman's beautiful eyes penetrated Luana's, radiating hope and desire.

Opening her lips slowly, Patricia's voice returned to the air.

"Promise me that if one day love comes and greets you, you will never reject it," Patricia pleaded again. "Have faith and trust in your own heart, and let love guide you in making choices."

Luana was again silent, thinking to herself.

If I am a fake, is it possible that love will come between us?