Reborn As Noble

Chapter 1145: Between Father and Future King ( 1145 )

While they were working, the senior maid among them noticed three figures walking their way.

She stood and smiled.

”Ah, morning Anna, Izia, Iriya.”

”Good morning, Miss Khila,” Anna replied with a warm smile.

Khila smiled. ”Where are you three going?”

”We’re heading to the maid dining room,” Anna said.

Khila gestured for them to come closer.

”What is it, Miss Khila?” Iria tilted her head, confused.

Iriya simply followed her sister, walking over to join them.

”Anna~ You’ve been working here since Liana was Head of Household Maid before, right~?”

”Hmm? Yes. Why?” Anna glanced at the gathered maids.

”Some of them are curious about how old Liana is, you know?” Khila smiled while keeping her hands busy.

”Hmm? You mean Liana, our Prince Javier’s fiancée, right?” Iria said, looking at them.

”Yes. How many Lianas do you think we have in the Armand estate?” Khila chuckled softly as the other maids kept watching them.

Iziya adjusted her maid dress and smiled thoughtfully. ”If I’m not mistaken... hmm...” She lifted a finger to her lips. ”She’s around... 34 years old, I guess?”

”Ehhhhhh!?” Khila and the other new maids gasped in surprise.

”What’s with the surprise?” Anna tilted her head in confusion. ”She was 18 when Prince Javier was still a baby, I think. And she was 29 when he was eleven years old. I still remember how I had to chase Prince Javier back then when Liana told me to keep an eye on him.”

”That means...” Khila paused, processing the information. ”She’s practically still a teen by elven standards.”

”Yeah... why?” Iria asked.

”Everyone thought she was around a hundred years old or something like that,” Khila explained, looking amused.

Iziya let out a soft laugh. ”No~ I still remember back when Young Master...ah, Prince Javier, saved us in the capital long ago. Liana mentioned her age once. That was when our Prince was attending his noble school.”

”Yes... I still remember it.” Iria smiled warmly. ”Back then, Liana was still so serious and stern. And Gloria was, too.”

Anna giggled softly. ”Maybe it’s because she was like that... but because of Prince Javier, she softened over time.”

Khila exhaled and smiled. ”Anyway~ Congratulations to both of you, Iria, Iziya.”

”Hmm? What for?” Iria asked, confused.

”Hmm? Aren’t you two going to be assigned as Prince Javier’s personal maids after Liana and Gloria... you know, after they’re no longer his maids following their official engagement?”

”Huh?” Iria and Iziya tilted their heads in unison. ”No. It’s not even confirmed yet. Besides, Mrs. Erinette mentioned that...” Iria lowered her voice slightly, ”...perhaps only the top two in the Maid Beauty Contest for the single category will be assigned as his maids.”

”R... really?” Khila’s eyes widened.

Iria and Iziya nodded. ”We’d love to become his personal maids, but we don’t know yet.”

”Yeah... becoming his personal maid is a high honor. But if what Mrs. Erinette says is true... that means Anna and Mahira will be the ones assigned to him.”

”Ehhh?” The maids gathered around them, their curiosity piqued.

”What?” Iria asked, noticing their reactions.

”Why would Anna be assigned?” one of the younger maids asked, her voice full of curiosity.

Iria smiled. ”Because she currently holds rank second, leaving...” She leaned closer and whispered, ”...our strict Head of Household Maid by a huge margin.”

”Really?” Khila and the others looked at Anna, who flustered and fidgeted slightly under their gaze.

Khila turned her gaze toward Iria and Iziya. ”So... you two? What rank?”

Iria let out a nervous chuckle while Iziya mumbled softly, looking down shyly. ”Um... ten... sister’s nine...”

Anna quickly stepped in, bowing slightly before grabbing both Iria and Iziya by their arms. ”Let’s go, or the high-premium meat will be gone from the tray in seconds!”

”We’re leaving, Miss Khila.”

Khila smiled and waved. As the three hurried away, the other maids turned back toward her.

”Lucky for her.”

”Yeah...” Khila sighed softly. ”Being assigned as a personal maid means a higher salary. Even our current salary is already the highest compared to what head maids in other kingdoms or noble households could ever pay.”

”I wish I could get it, too,” another maid murmured wistfully.

”Oh, hush... now let’s get back to work, and fast. Or we won’t get any of that premium meat either.”

”Oh, right!”

Meanwhile.

Javier arrived in front of his father’s room.

He inhaled and exhaled softly before knocking on the door.

”Father... it’s me.”

A voice came from inside. ”Come in.”

He opened the door and stepped inside, noticing his father at his desk with his usual aides. Alf was seated at a nearby table, reviewing documents, while Erinette poured hot drinks and served breakfast.

Javier’s eyes drifted to one of the chairs near the wall.

Damn... the Shadow Leader is concealing his presence perfectly. I wouldn’t have noticed him if I hadn’t used my specialty skill to detect the trace of mana. Not to mention, he’s able to trick mana signals across multiple locations. Looks like the Shadow Leader’s assistant who was assigned to me before is still far from catching up to him, huh?

He stood at a respectful distance from his father’s desk and bowed slightly.

”Good morning, Esteemed Father.”

Garius put down his pen and exhaled. ”Javier.”

”Yes, Esteemed Father?”

”I believe I called for you...” He checked his mana watch and exhaled again, ”...55 minutes ago.”

”Ah...” Javier rubbed the back of his head before straightening his posture again. ”I was preparing, showering, choosing an outfit...”

Garius shook his head before looking back at the documents.

”You know you can’t fool me, right?” Garius said in a calm, steady voice.

Cih... Father and his Eyes of Truth. It’s hard to trick this strict man. Ugh. Lucky he can’t read my mind, I’ve confirmed that. But according to the data I’ve gathered, even if he can’t read thoughts, he can perfectly perceive lies, notice inconsistencies, and sense deception in real time.

Does his eyes scan and show letters like an appraisal skill or something?

Damn.

Javier let out a sheepish smile before bowing again.

”I’m sorry, esteemed Father.”

”You’re lucky it’s not too urgent this time. Anyway, good job handling my duties while I was away.” Garius added a subtle nod of acknowledgment.

Javier smiled sheepishly and let out a nervous laugh. ”Ah... I couldn’t have done it without the help of Varrick, Mahira, the Shadow Leader’s assistant, and the two female officers.”

”Hmm... good. So they are confirmed to assist you when you take over my responsibilities in the future,” Garius said, his tone carrying the weight of unspoken expectations about the succession.

Ceh... again with the heir talk. Can he stop it already? Sigh...

”Anyway, Javier.”

”Yes, esteemed Father?” Javier straightened slightly, his expression attentive.

Garius crossed his fingers, resting his elbows on the table and leaning forward. His lips rested just behind his clasped hands, his posture calm, serious, and stern.

”Care to tell me what this agreement is about?”

( End Of Chapter )