Reborn As Noble

Anna smiled softly, the staff in her hand vanishing in a shimmer of light. She clasped both hands in front of her apron and bowed gracefully, her voice calm and modest.

”Your Highness is too kind. I merely performed what little I have learned during my years of service. Such simple spells are hardly worthy of praise from someone of your caliber.”

Javier patted his shoulder lightly while glancing sideways at her.

”You’re too humble, Anna. I’m genuinely impressed by your outstanding performance and power. Launching more than ten magic circles at once, maintaining perfect control over multiple elements, and not only launching offensive attacks, but at the same time, you had protective magic ready in case something went wrong. Your other hand was already positioned near your mana gun holster on your thigh. That level of foresight, readiness, and efficiency is exactly what makes an elite battle maid. Very good.”

He crossed his arms, his gaze steady and appraising.

”And what impresses me most is that you still didn’t use your full power. You’re cautious, calculated, and you never overextend yourself. That’s the mark of a true elite.”

Anna smiled again, bowing her head slightly.

”Your Highness gives me too much credit. I simply follow the teachings of this household. Nothing more.”

Javier smiled, his gaze shifting past Anna toward the grill. ”What do you think, Liana?”

Anna flinched hard, her entire body going rigid as she turned her head slowly toward the direction of the grill.

L... Liana is here?

Crap...

She must have seen it.

Ah... now I’m in huge trouble...

Liana, who had been standing near the grill, smacked Buddy’s huge beak with a metal tong as he tried to sneak another piece of meat from the grill.

”Cuquawked!?” (What was that for!?)

Buddy squawked in protest, pulling his head back with an offended glare, but Liana ignored him completely. Her gaze remained fixed on Anna, her voice soft and measured.

”She is impressive. A rare talent indeed. And I approve.”

Anna’s eyes widened, her thoughts spiraling.

A... approve?

What does she mean by approve?

M... Miss Liana is stronger than any of us. She and Miss Gloria have already passed level ninety-nine in the special underground training dungeon. For her to say that...

Anna turned and bowed gracefully, her voice respectful but carrying a hint of nervous curiosity.

”Miss Liana... Thank you for your kind words. I am merely a servant doing her duty. But... if I may ask... what do you mean by approve?”

Liana tilted her head slightly, a faint, knowing smile touching her lips.

”Hmm? Oh... Since Lady Mother wants to assign a personal maid for Young Master, I have been considering candidates. Mahira will be the first official personal maid assigned to him. And now, Anna... you are a suitable candidate for the second.”

Anna bowed in a rush, her voice carrying a strained politeness as she tried to find the right words.

”Miss Liana, I am deeply honored by your consideration, truly. But I do not believe I am worthy of such a position. There are many maids far more capable than I, and I would not wish to take a place that could be better filled by someone more suited to serve His Highness personally. I am content with my current duties, and I would not want to overstep...”

Before Anna could finish, Liana appeared beside her in an instant, her presence silent and sudden. She leaned in close, her voice sweet and melodic, yet carrying a dangerous edge that made Anna’s blood run cold.

”Ara~? Did I hear that correctly? Did you just say you were going to... refuse?”

Anna swallowed hard, her body going rigid as she stammered.

”I... I didn’t... I mean... I wasn’t going to refuse... I just...”

She trailed off, lowering her head in submission.

”I didn’t say that, Miss Liana.”

”Good.” Liana’s smile softened slightly, but her eyes remained sharp. ”I am only following Lady Mother’s orders. She gave me the list of candidates she recommended and asked me to evaluate them personally. I am here to assess each candidate and determine whether they meet the standards required to serve as Young Master’s personal maid. You are on that list, Anna. And I have made my decision.”

Anna stood frozen, her fingers twitching slightly at her sides, her mind racing.

Ugh!

Another trouble!

I am happy to be able to rank up to personal maid. The benefits are obvious. A personal room, higher status among the staff, double the pay of a household maid, and the honor of serving the Royal Family directly. It’s a dream position for most of the maids in this estate.

But the teasing from other maids... I can already imagine it. They’ll smile and congratulate me, but they’ll also tease me endlessly about getting too close to the prince.

Not to mention the expectations... and the worst part... the extra training. If I become his personal maid, I’ll need to be stronger, faster, smarter. The training will be relentless. And knowing Prince Javier’s standards, it will be even more intense than anything I’ve faced before.

Sigh... I have no choice since it’s Lady Mother’s order.

Anna smiled and bowed gracefully, her voice steady and composed. ”Thank you for this opportunity, Miss Liana. I will do my best to meet your expectations.”

”Good.” Liana’s face remained calm, but her voice carried a clear expectation. ”I expect you to pass level forty within this month, Anna.”

”E... eh? Just one month?”

Liana glanced at her, her voice steady and firm. ”Yes. After that, there will be more training for you to complete. I expect everyone on the list to be ready, because everything is being prepared for the days ahead. The coming months will not be easy, but you will be ready.”

”B... But...” Anna fidgeted in place, twirling her finger nervously as she pursed her lips. Her voice dropped into a low mumble, barely above a whisper. ”Prince Javier said... within two months...”

”Hmm? He said that?” Liana narrowed her eyes at Anna, who nodded quickly, still avoiding direct eye contact. Liana turned her head slowly toward Javier. ”Young Master? Is what she said true?”

Javier, who was about to pour Liana’s special sauce over his roast meat, glanced up at her. He let out a nervous, sheepish grin, rubbing the back of his head with his free hand.

”Err... yeah... I... said that... ehehehe...”

Liana shook her head slowly, a soft sigh escaping her lips before she turned back to Anna. ”Fine. Two months. And I will confirm this with Mrs. Erinette and make it official. You may resume your duty.”

Anna bowed in a rush, her voice quick and relieved. ”Thank you, Miss Liana! I will not disappoint you!”

She turned and walked away at a measured pace, her steps calm and proper. The moment she put enough distance between them, she broke into a full sprint, her apron fluttering behind her as she dashed back toward the manor.

( End Of Chapter )