Reborn As Noble

Chapter 417 417: Ready for Duty ( 417 )

Meanwhile, in Javierʼs Room…

The morning sun peeked gently through the curtains, casting soft rays across the bed.

Liana, still half-asleep, let out a quiet sigh as she shifted slightly beneath the covers. She was hugging something warm, soft, and—

Squish.

Her fingers paused.

Squish squish.

”...Hmm?”

”Since when did Young Masterʼs body feel like this…?”

Still in that foggy space between dream and wakefulness, Liana furrowed her brows slightly.

Meanwhile—

”Ahn~ Young Master, naughty boy~”

Gloriaʼs sleepy voice murmured with a soft shiver, clearly enjoying whatever dream—or misunderstanding—was playing out in her mind.

There was a moment of shared silence.

Then—

Flick!

”Ow!”

Gloria yelped, her eyes flying open.

Liana sat up slightly, now wide awake and glaring at her.

Gloria pouted, rubbing her forehead.

”That hurt…”

Liana crossed her arms under the blanket.

”Stop moaning like that in the morning.”

”I thought it was him!” Gloria whispered back, cheeks flushed.

Just then, the door to the room creaked open slightly, and Iriaʼs voice floated in.

”Young Master already left to meet Lord Garius.”

Both women blinked, then turned slowly to look at the now-empty spot beside them.

A moment passed.

”...Weʼve been hugging each other this whole time, havenʼt we?”

”...Yep.”

Another beat.

”...Letʼs never speak of this again.”

”Agreed.”

After that awkward moment of realization and silence, Liana quietly stood up, brushing back her long hair with a quick swipe of her hand. Her expression was calm, but a tiny twitch of embarrassment lingered at the corner of her eye.

”I woke up late… I wasnʼt supposed to.”

Though she didnʼt say it aloud, her stride as she exited the room spoke volumes—measured but quick, filled with subtle urgency.

She made her way down the hall and entered her personal quarters—a neatly arranged room attached to Javierʼs wing of the estate, reserved for his exclusive maid.

Without wasting a second, she moved to her wardrobe and opened it. Inside hung her new maid uniform—a tailored set crafted and enhanced by none other than her Young Master. It was sleek, reinforced with thin layers of magically treated fabric and subtle rune embroidery woven into the lining. Elegant enough to pass for noble maid attire, but durable enough to withstand high-speed combat.

She changed swiftly, brushing her hands along the skirt to smooth it out. Then she bent down and—execution honed by practice—slid her hidden blades into the holsters beneath the uniform skirt. One on each thigh. Silent. Accessible. Deadly.

Across the hall, Gloria was doing the same.

In her own room—neatly decorated, slightly more bookish—she adjusted her uniform with precision, her glasses gleaming faintly in the morning light. Her version of the maid outfit featured reinforced sleeves and hidden compartments. She reached under the skirt and slipped in two mana grenades, one shock dagger, and a compact version of her warhammer.

She gave herself one last look in the mirror, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

”Letʼs not embarrass ourselves again.”

Both women stepped out of their rooms simultaneously, turned down the hallway, and locked eyes. A silent nod passed between them. Fully equipped. Composed. Ready to serve—and protect.

Liana and Gloria walked side by side through the polished hallways of the Armand estate, their new uniforms crisp, weapons concealed beneath the fabric, and footsteps light and composed.

As they turned past the grand stairwell, Liana paused. She turned to a nearby household maid who was arranging flowers along the corridor wall.

”Excuse me.”

The maid turned quickly and bowed respectfully, recognizing them immediately.

”Ah—Miss Liana. Miss Gloria.”

Lianaʼs tone remained calm but polite.

”Have you seen Young Master Javier?”

The maid stood straight, hands folded neatly in front of her apron.

”Yes, Miss. I believe the Young Master is currently in the main dining room.”

Liana nodded.

”Understood. You may continue your work.”

”Yes, Miss Liana. Miss Gloria.” She bowed again and quietly resumed her duties.

Gloria exhaled softly and glanced at Liana.

”Well… I guess heʼs already eating.”

”Yes. I suppose we should head to the maid dining room and have breakfast ourselves.”

”Agreed.” Gloria smiled faintly, then paused.

”But… umm… if weʼre not beside him, whoʼs serving the Young Master right now?”

Liana blinked, then turned back to the maid before she got too far.

”One more question—does the Young Master have someone else serving him right now?”

The maid nodded quickly.

”Yes, Miss Liana. A few senior maids are attending to him while you were still resting.”

”Alright. Thank you.”

”Of course, Miss.” The maid bowed once more and continued her task.

Liana turned to Gloria.

”Well, heʼs in good hands for now.”

”Still feels strange not being there…” Gloria mumbled.

Liana gave her a small smile.

”Letʼs eat quickly. Weʼll return to his side soon.”

The two walked off toward the maid dining room, silent but efficient—ready to return to duty at any moment.

As Liana and Gloria stepped through the doors of the maid dining room, the familiar buzz of morning conversation and the clinking of tableware filled the air. Dozens of household maids were already seated, enjoying breakfast and chatting quietly.

But the moment they noticed the two approaching, all conversation stopped. Every maid in the room stood up immediately, placing their utensils down and bowing respectfully in unison.

”Good morning, Miss Liana. Miss Gloria.”

Their tone was crisp and polite—not fearful, but disciplined.

Liana offered a soft, graceful nod, her voice calm and composed.

”Good morning, everyone. At ease.”

The room relaxed again, and the maids returned to their meals, though their posture remained proper in the presence of two of the estateʼs personal maids.

Gloria leaned slightly toward Liana with a small smirk.

”Still not used to that.”

Liana gave a tiny smile in return.

”Youʼll get used to it.”

They headed to the food station, where trays of fresh bread, fruit, seasoned meats, and warm porridge were laid out neatly. The aroma was comforting.

After serving themselves, they scanned the tables and found a familiar sight. Meira—Cedricʼs catfolk maid—and Lithia—Marcellusʼs quiet dark elf maid—were already seated together, eating in silence.

Liana and Gloria approached.

”Mind if we join you two?” Gloria asked casually.

Meira looked up with a cheeky grin, her tail flicking behind her.

”Oh, you two also woke up late?”

Gloria pouted.

”Itʼs not like that…”

Lithia, in her usual soft-spoken voice, quietly added,

”We just finished preparing Master Marcellus and Master Cedricʼs meals. They told us to go ahead and eat.”

Liana nodded and set her tray down.

”I see. Thatʼs kind of them.”

Meira smirked.

”Well, Cedric canʼt eat unless Iʼm the one serving him. But since the food was all pre-prepared, he let me off just this once.”

Gloria raised a brow.

”He really has you wrapped around his holy aura, huh?”

”Jealous?” Meira winked.

Gloria pretended to scoff and turned back to her porridge.

Liana just smiled quietly, listening to their banter as she began to eat.

( End of Chapter )