Joseph was more surprised the boy hadn't automatically dismissed him as someone not of rank. While he always dressed finely, his mannerisms often had others assuming he was just another middle of the pack anacillae. Joseph has never had much use for putting on airs, even when he was alive. He had less use for it now.
Presented himself alone? What was more amazing than Rhys doing so was how it had been hushed up. But Tremere. They didn't like to advertise their internal affairs ever. So it made sense, in a way.
Most likely, Henry was waiting until his childe was ready. It could take years to prepare a youngling for Kindred society. Some clans took longer than others. If Henry hadn't disappeared, the boy would likely still be in his care, learning what he needed to know.
"Well, considering how young you are and how little time you had with your sire, you're doing very well," he assured Rhys. "I was still accidentally breaking everything I touched a few months after my Embrace."