Jovi tidied up some files that afternoon.

Rey was supposed to still have some errands until the evening, but the nobleman had abruptly canceled the appointment Jovi had arranged without notice.


It was none other than because he had promised Luana to take her this afternoon to meet someone Rouletta had introduced her to the other day.

"Did you call the mansion?" Rey was still fixing his bead on the screen, almost done with his work. "Ask Luana if she is ready. If so, then we can leave in five minutes."

Jovi, who worked in the same room as Rey, nodded his head and took out his cell phone to dial the mansion's main phone.


Speaking in typical German, the young man hung up after a few moments.

"Mare says the mistress is ready, sir," Jovi reported. "Shall we go now?"


Rey seemed to glance over, before closing the screen of the laptop sitting on his desk. Getting up and shaking out the suit he was wearing a few times, the man seemed to be straightening his suit.

"How do I look?" Rey turned his body to face Jovi now.

Making the secretary and confidant momentarily stunned, before giving both thumbs up in response.

"You look neat, and authoritative as always, sir."

Jovi did not know what was going on, because it had been a long time since Rey seemed to pay so much attention to his appearance.

But Jovi suddenly remembered that Rey had said that he would go with Luana somewhere after this. Without him, and without Mare to accompany him.

"Come on," the noble invited. "I don't want her to wait too long."

Rey was already on the move, moving slowly toward the door and turning later. Followed by Jovi who tried to keep pace with his master, the young man whispered softly as they stood side by side to wait for the elevator to open.

"Aren't you going to buy a cell phone for Madame Luana, sir?"

With two hands tucked into his pants pockets, Rey developed a smile with an unpredictable facial expression. The man only glanced briefly at Jovi, as the elevator doors had already let them in.

"Do you think it's necessary?"

Jovi seemed to nod in agreement, as this was not the first time they had talked about a cell phone for Mrs. Lueic.

The tinkling of the elevator sounded softly, as the doors closed. A few seconds later, the metal box had moved with two handsome men inside.

"Okay, I got it," Rey said happily.

"I'll call the cell phone booth to--"

"No need," Rey cut in quickly. A smile was still on his face as she continued. "I'll accompany her later. Besides, you don't know which model she might like."

The chiming of the elevator sounded again, even before Jovi could respond.

But Rey was already on his way, creating distance between him and his secretary. Leaving Jovi behind there who still looked a little confused, because his great master was now acting like he was not him.

Rey was not used to listening to other people's opinions, nor did he ever waste time on unnecessary things. Usually he would tell Jovi to do everything.

However, Jovi was pretty sure he hadn't heard wrong this time.

The fact that Rey would be driving himself after this, and then take the time to buy Luana a cell phone was questionable. Because that was... not 'Rey' at all.

But even though he had many questions, Jovi chose to remain silent. Until the parking attendant handed over the keys to the car that was waiting in front of their company, followed by Jovi taking the wheel.

Rey sat in the back seat with a lingering smile, though his eyes were clearly fixed on the screen.

Catching a glimpse of his employer through the rear mirror, Jovi shuddered in horror and monologued to himself.

What's wrong with Mr. Rey? Is he possessed by a smile demon?

***

It was the third time Rey drove with Luana by his side.

The first, when Luana had just set foot in Leipzig. The second, when they visited the Leipzig Grande Hall to meet the nobles.

And now, Rey was driving Luana to a building located in the center of Munich. The place where one of the top-level noble societies was headquartered, with one of its officers who had spoken with Luana on the phone yesterday afternoon.

Dressed in a bright blue dress, Luana looked elegant with her hair up. While she usually chose to tie her hair in a ponytail, this time Mare had curled the hair of their great mistress. To look more charming, Mare said.

A roll that also successfully showed off Luana's long neck, with skin as smooth as alabaster.

Almost three times it seemed Rey had glanced at his wife, who seemed to be calmly sitting in her chair and looking out there. It was as if he didn't care too much about the driver, despite the silence that had enveloped them since earlier.

Rey cleared her throat softly, indicating that he intended to open the conversation.

"So, you managed to reach her yesterday afternoon?"

Luana glanced over, drawing a smile before parting her lips slowly.

"Oh yes, I called her," she said softly. But the answer stopped, because Luana wasn't planning to answer at length.

Still holding the steering wheel with both hands, Rey again tried to break the silence.

"What do you think of her?" the man asked this time. "What's her name?"

Again, Rey's question made Luana turn her head, even though she had hoped that she would not have to talk too much that afternoon.

"Valerie Genneth," Luana replied. Mrs. Lueic now looked a little dreamy, perhaps picking out the right words to describe Valerie whom she hadn't even met yet.

"Her voice sounds friendly," said Luana. "She said hello nicely, and seemed enthusiastic about accepting new members to their association. Well, let's hope it's filled with good people like the ones we visited in Leipzig."

Rey tugged at the corners of his lips to form a smile, somehow suddenly pleased that his car was filled with Luana's voice.

A voice that sounded soft, and also soothing.

Thinking for a moment, Rey tried to remember where he had heard the name Valerie Genneth before.

"I hope so," Rey greeted happily. "It's not my intention not to introduce you to the society I have, it's just that it would be better if we had different societies."

Luana glanced at Rey, before nodding vaguely to show that she agreed.

"I hope you'll fit in," Rey hoped. "Then, I can introduce you to my club, which is mostly made up of men."

Luana settled for a smile, and went back to wringing her fingers on her lap. She silently refused the invitation, because she should not make more acquaintances from Rey's side.

It might make things difficult if Beatric took her place again and Luana had to leave.

"We're almost there," Rey said as he slowed down.

After Rey parked the car in the available parking slot, the couple got out of the car and stood side by side.

Observing the surroundings of the towering, bright salem-colored building, with its name clearly printed as an identity.

'Der Beste'.

Which also means 'the best'.

"Let's go."

Rey reached out first, followed by Luana who welcomed the nobleman's open hand later. Grasping his wife's hand tightly, Rey guided Luana to enter the building with sure steps.

Approaching the door, Rey found a man who was standing straight behind them in a pitch black suit. Intending to ask for directions, Rey first said hello.

"Good afternoon, sir. Is this really Der Beste's club?"

The man with broad shoulders turned his body slowly, being right in front of Rey a few seconds later. With a smile on his face, the man returned Rey's gaze.

"You've come to the right place, Mr. Lueic," the man said. "Welcome."

Luana felt Rey's grip tighten down there, and she unconsciously frowned at her husband.

The pain was growing, and Luana did not know why Rey was doing this. The nobleman gritted his teeth with a sharp glare, though his lips were still sealed tightly.

Damn it!

Luana was just about to protest about Rey's grip on her hand, when now the man in the black suit had greeted her with a very sweet smile.

"How are you, Luana? You look nice and charming this afternoon."

Luana smiled no less broadly, followed by an uncontrived nod.

"I'm fine. How about you, Mr. Pedro Viscout?"