Chapter 5 5

The atmosphere was strange.

Rey had already put his branded glasses back on, right after the snappy sentence that flew out of his thick lips a few seconds ago. Out of the corner of his eye, the man watched Luana closely, hiding behind the glass mirror.

Luana took a breath. Swinging her steps slowly to reach the empty chair right next to Rey, the woman really had no other choice. Flinging herself down to sit there, Luana exhaled heavily.

Where are we going?

She was eager to ask, but a glance at Rey, who had already turned his face in the opposite direction, discouraged Luana.

Rey really did not hide his feelings, which were feelings of hatred towards the woman who was now his wife.

Luana couldn't help but squeeze her fingers on her lap. Mare no longer appeared, nor did Jovi, who should have been next to Rey before.

Luana didn't know if Mare was on board this plane or not, and again, she didn't have the courage to ask.

The pilot's voice came over the loudspeaker, saying that the plane was ready to take off in the next two minutes.

Luana's heart raced even faster, with all kinds of speculations flying through her head. The faces of Madam Collins and Beatrice took turns appearing in the corner of her eye, and the young girl grew more and more afraid to face her destiny ahead.

She silently prayed over and over again that Rey would at least have the mercy not to alienate her on her first day as a wife.

"Please, at least don't leave me somewhere else," Luana whispered to herself in silence.

The airplane did not fly in the air for long. Luana almost fell asleep after glancing repeatedly at Rey, who did not think he was there, but she did not because the pilot's voice was heard again.

This time, Luana was informed that they would be landing in ten minutes, and she hurriedly checked the cheap watch on her right wrist.

With widened eyes, she counted the time, which turned out to be thirty minutes. But it seemed like a long time, because neither she nor Rey had made a sound since before.

Luana glanced to the side again. Rey still kept his head turned in the other direction, perhaps deliberately not wanting to see Luana even though they were quite close.

Luana had wanted to stop breathing during the trip because every time she drew in oxygen, Rey's masculine perfume also penetrated the crack of her nostrils. She was making Luana shudder silently but inwardly praising how Rey's taste was indeed something else.

Even her perfume was almost intoxicating, and Luana loved that.

The pilot's voice was heard once again, followed by Rey, who was now moving slowly to correct his sitting position. Luana watched in silence and gave a small gasp when Rey glanced sharply at her.

"Straighten your seat," Rey said flatly.

Luana nodded faintly. Biting her lower lip, she spoke softly then.

"Are we there yet?"

Rey glared. Taking off his glasses and storing them in his shirt pocket, Rey could be heard sighing.

"Didn't you hear what the pilot said? Are you deaf? Or do you not understand the German language?"

It was a sneer, and for some reason, Luana didn't like it. It didn't feel like she'd done anything wrong, and Rey's attitude was just too much.

"Of course I listen," Luana said, turning up the volume. "I understand German very well, in case you're curious. Whether it's Hochdeutsch or Standardeutsch, I understand it all. I'm just making sure, because you've been as still as a statue. Where are we going? Nobody answers my questions, and it's like you really don't think I exist!"

She really doesn't know what possessed her this time. Judging from the family tree, she should be kneeling to Rey right now. To beg forgiveness for her audacity, for raising her voice in front of a highly respected nobleman.

But what Luana felt was not the case because now a feeling of relief filled her heart. She didn't want Rey to see her as someone who didn't have a life. She didn't want this arrogant Rey to underestimate her. She wanted to prove that she could also be sarcastic and make a high voice.

Rey growled with a hardened jaw. No noblewoman had ever yelled at him before, especially now that he was being yelled at by a girl so young. Rey's manly soul rebelled, with his pride being completely tarnished now.

Damn this woman!

"You!" Rey snarled under his breath.

Luana had a small gasp, unconsciously leaning back a few centimeters. Her eyeballs widened when she found Rey staring at her with a sharp gaze, and the man seemed to be really angry.

"How dare you-"

"I can speak too," Luana cut in quickly. Not giving Rey room to continue his delayed sentence, the woman had already barged in first.

"Listen, Mr. Rey. I didn't want to be here so that you know," Luana continued. Rey was already angry, so let's just get angry. "I'm trying to save the good name of two, including yours, and you've been yelling at me over and over again ever since. What am I doing wrong? I don't want to be here either! I'd also prefer to go home if I had that choice!"

Rey's eyeballs widened perfectly. Her fingers unconsciously clenched tightly, making her knuckles turn white involuntarily. This young woman's voice was very annoying to the ears, but Rey could not deny it because what this fake Mrs. Lueic said was indeed true.

Because Luana is the fake one.

Because she shouldn't be the one holding the title of Mrs. Lueic.

Because she should be...

A flight attendant arrived with a smile on her face, giving a respectful gesture to Rey and Luana, who were still staring at each other with hatred.

Thankfully, the flight attendant had come at the right time, as she was now helping to break down the hostile atmosphere bubbling up between the two passengers.

"Prepare for landing, Ladies and Gentlemen. I will open the window now." The flight attendant's voice filled the room, followed by Rey's action, who now chose to reaffirm his seating position.

Luana also chose to avert her eyes, paying attention to the airplane window that the flight attendant had begun to open.

Slowly, Luana's beautiful bead found a familiar sight, especially when a bridge below seemed to welcome her home.

"We're going to Heidelberg?!" Luana unconsciously turned her body to stare at Rey, leaving not much distance between the two.

Rey was stunned. Slightly surprised at the sudden movement of his fake bride, he held his breath unconsciously for a few seconds. Luana's face looked very close, and Rey could see how the structure of the woman's face was perfectly chiseled.

"Y-yeah," Rey replied a little haltingly.

Damn, what's going on with Rey now?

Luana widened her smile, oblivious to the happy twinkle in her eyes. Turning her gaze outward, the woman did not stop smiling.

"Do you know this place?" Rey asked curiously. Why did Luana seem so happy?

Luana nodded, turning her gaze once more to answer Rey's question.

"Of course," she said cheerfully. "Because this is Heidelberg, where I was born and raised."

Rey knitted his eyebrows together, thinking quickly. He had not asked or investigated this woman's background before, and now the facts about Luana were slowly starting to emerge.

Rey was still staring at Luana when the pilot's voice filled the entire cabin.

"Mr. and Mrs. Luiec, welcome to this romantic city, Heidelberg."