Reborn As Noble

Chapter 574: Silver Hair, Steady Heart ( 574 )

The monsters kept coming—wave after wave. But neither Liana nor Gloria slowed down.

Each movement was practiced and perfect.

But inside, behind Liana’s calm face, her heart was racing.

She let loose another arrow, hitting three targets lined up perfectly in a row.

Her lips tightened.

Two… was already enough.

She and Gloria.

That should be all he ever needed.

So why…

Liana’s brows knit slightly as she fired again—this time with more force than necessary. The arrow pierced into a beast’s chest, exploded in mana, and turned it into dust.

They had already faced Mimi and Delya.

The beastkin princess and the demon king’s younger sister.

Yes, they were pretty.

But not on the same level.

Not like her.

Not like Gloria.

Mimi was still too young—cute and cheeky, but not truly a woman yet.

Delya had grace, yes—but lacked the strength and conviction.

They weren’t real threats. Not really.

But now, there was a new name…

Felicia.

Silver hair. Golden eyes.

Catfolk. Eighteen years old.

Mimi’s older sister.

Liana bit her lower lip. Her elegant fingers trembled for a split second before she drew another arrow.

“Focus,” Gloria said softly beside her, never turning her eyes away from the fight.

Liana didn’t answer. Her mind spun in chaos.

How beautiful is she?

How does her body move when she moves?

Is she elegant? Strong? Smart?

Liana’s next arrow cracked through a wall of summoned armor golems.

Young master…!

Her teeth clenched even tighter.

Don’t you dare add more!

It was a scream in her mind—jealous, fearful, fierce.

She didn’t care if the world called him a genius.

She didn’t care if he built machines or crushed armies.

There was only one thing that mattered.

Don’t let another woman steal his gaze.

Especially not some silver-haired princess from some distant palace.

No matter what promise she made with her father, King Lioness.

No matter what feelings she might have awakened in her.

Liana’s next arrow finished off the last monster in the room.

She exhaled sharply.

Gloria glanced at her.

“Still worried?”

“…No,” Liana lied softly. Her voice was quiet.

But her eyes shone with quiet fury.

If that girl really appeared…

She’d see for herself—

That Liana was first.

And no one, no one, would ever be allowed to take her place.

Just you wait…

Liana narrowed her eyes as the last flicker of summoned mist disappeared from the arena.

Felicia.

The name echoed in her mind like a challenge.

A catfolk princess with silver hair and golden eyes.

How bold of you… to make a promise to my young master.

Her pale pink lips curled into a faint, knowing smirk. She slowly lowered her bow, the white ore shimmering from her mana. The sweat from the battle had barely touched her flawless skin.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” she whispered softly.

I will test you myself.

See if you’re worthy.

If you have the grace.

The strength.

The devotion.

If you’re truly fit to stand beside him.

Because I—Liana—will be the first wife.

Gloria… she can have second place. That was already decided between them long ago.

But everyone else?

They’ll have to earn it.

And even then… they will walk forever behind her.

Behind the one who cared for him since birth.

The one who kissed him every morning.

The one who already claimed his heart.

“Liana,” Gloria called softly, finishing the last swing of her warhammer as it shrank back into its compact form.

Liana turned her smirk into a peaceful smile.

“Let’s finish this quickly,” she said calmly.

“There’s still a new princess to evaluate.”

And in her mind—

Felicia’s face was still a mystery.

But not for long.

Liana was going to look that girl in the eyes…

…and make sure she understood exactly where she stood.

Behind her.

Behind Gloria.

And far, far behind Javier’s first wife.

Meanwhile, in the Beastkin Kingdom.

Inside the royal palace, in a simply decorated room, Princess Felicia lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

Her golden eyes were gentle. Her silver hair draped loosely over the silk pillows. One hand rested softly over her chest, as if trying to hold onto something lingering.

A kiss.

A promise.

The memory of that moment—his eyes, the warmth of his hand, and his confident voice promising to take responsibility—refused to fade.

And Felicia… smiled.

A rare, unguarded smile.

Outside the door, two of her personal maids—seasoned in handling her icy commands and distant stare—looked at each other in disbelief.

“…Did she just smile?”

“That was a smile, right?”

“I—I think it was.”

They kept their voices quiet. The princess didn’t tolerate idle chatter, especially not outside her chamber.

Felicia’s mind drifted again.

That human… that handsome human.

Javier De Armand.

She pressed her hand more firmly over her chest.

“He said he’d take responsibility,” she whispered softly.

“…You’d better not forget your promise.”

“Princess…”

Felicia turned calmly, her silver hair swaying precisely as she sat up on her bed. Standing at the door was one of the royal advisors, bowing respectfully.

“His Highness is calling for you.”

“I will be there shortly,” Felicia replied in her usual graceful tone—neither cold nor warm, just perfectly controlled.

As the advisor bowed and stepped away, her gaze shifted. Her golden eyes settled on the two personal maids nearby, who looked way too surprised.

She narrowed her eyes.

“You two.”

The maids quickly stood at attention, backs stiff.

“Y-Yes, Princess?”

Felicia stood, brushing an invisible wrinkle from her silk nightgown. She approached them slowly, her tone calm but firm.

“That hair… is untidy.”

Her eyes flicked to the second.

“Your clothes are wrinkled.”

Then back to the first.

“And that apron… is stained.”

The maids flinched with each remark. She didn’t shout, but they felt her disappointment just as strongly.

“Go. Change. Now.”

“Y-Yes, Princess!”

They bowed deeply and hurried off, their slippers echoing down the hall.

She approached the tall mirror near the wall and carefully adjusted her long silver hair, making sure not a single strand was out of place. Her fingers moved precisely, brushing and fixing until her reflection once again reflected the image of a flawless royal.

Next, she opened her wardrobe and selected her white royal dress—a pristine, embroidered gown adorned with golden accents and fine threads, symbols of her status as the first princess of the Beastkin Kingdom. She slid into it smoothly, fastening each button and strap without assistance.

Then, her hands reached for the armor hanging beside her—a lightweight, custom-forged set designed to fit over her dress without hindering mobility. She secured the armored corset around her torso, then snapped the shoulder guards into place with quiet, confident clicks.

Two sheathed swords were strapped at her waist, their hilts simple yet elegant, bearing the royal crest. Hidden beneath the folds of her dress on her left thigh was a sleek, razor-sharp dagger—concealed but always within reach.

Finally, she slid a slim enchanted bracelet over her wrist—its core infused with elemental runes, serving as both a reserve of magic and a tool for combat and defense.

Felicia gave herself a final look in the mirror. Her figure stood tall—unwavering, regal, and ready.

No one would see her vulnerability.

Not her maids.

Not her father.

And certainly not the world.

( End Of Chapter )

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