Reborn As Noble-Chapter 1144: Beauty Rankings and Silent Rivalries ( )
Javier smiled, gently pushing her against the wall and caging her in with his arms, leaning down close to her face in a cool, confident pose.
"That’s why I love you, Liana."
Liana smiled and shook her head, leaned in slightly to sniff his shirt. She shook her head again, a playful glint in her eyes. "I can smell Gloria’s scent on you~"
Javier chuckled softly, glanced around to make sure they were alone, then leaned in and kissed her lips.
Liana returned the kiss, her eyes fluttering closed before she pulled back with a soft smile.
"Now, Young Master. Get going, or your father will be mad and you’ll be in trouble."
"Huh? How do you know?"
"I’ve been with you longer than anyone. Of course I know." She gave him a knowing look. "Besides, you wouldn’t be walking alone in the hallway this early unless something important came up. Especially after spending the night with Delya."
Javier smiled and kissed her cheek. "I’m going."
"Mm~ After that, just wait in your room, Young Master."
"Hmm? Why?"
"Because I cooked something special for you today."
"Mm... okay, Liana."
Javier leaned in for another kiss after making sure no one was around.
"Young Master." Liana pushed him gently after returning the kiss and smiled. "Go now." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
"Aw, come on~ One or two minutes won’t get me into any trouble~" Javier chuckled softly.
"No... no... you know how His Majesty is. You better not make him wait."
"Fine." Javier turned and glanced over his shoulder, giving her a cheeky grin before walking away with a wave. "I’m going, Liana~"
"Yes, yes." Liana smiled and watched him walk away toward Garius’s private room.
He never changes.
And I hope he stays this way.
I don’t want him to lose that playful, mischievous spark. I love him just as he is: playful, warm, mischievous, and deeply caring.
She smiled softly to herself.
I guess I’ll head to the kitchen now.
Liana turned, adjusted her dress, and smiled softly, looking down at the familiar fabric.
Sooner or later... I won’t be able to wear this anymore. After I’m officially engaged to Young Master later...
And I, along with Gloria, will be officially dismissed from working as maids in the Armand household.
I wonder if I’ll really be able to let go of this part of myself... this role that’s been a part of me for so long.
While walking along the hallway, Liana glanced around and noticed several Armand household maids working diligently.
The maids noticed Liana approaching and paused their tasks, placing their left palms over their hearts and nodding respectfully.
"Good morning, Miss Liana."
Liana smiled softly. "Mm..." She glanced around at the faces of the household maids, noticing many new ones among them. "Continue your work."
"Yes, Miss Liana." The maids smiled and returned to their tasks, stealing glances as she walked away.
"She’s so beautiful."
"Yes. No wonder she scored our handsome Prince Javier."
"She’s so lucky."
"I really wish he’d take me as his wife, too."
"Heh~ In your dreams. The first one you’d have to face is Miss Liana, you know. And not only her, look at all of Prince Javier’s girls."
"Yeah... all beautiful, and not to mention, princesses, too."
"But I heard Liana was a noble daughter as well."
"Yeah, I heard that too. But now she’s also a princess, if I’m not mistaken."
"How so?"
"Her father was the one who took Queen Mylezra’s place as ruler after she married King Garius. So technically, she’s also a princess now."
The other maids looked at each other and exhaled softly.
"Not to mention, for the maid ranking in the ’beauty for partnered’ category, I heard she’s ranking first now, leaving Miss Gloria slightly behind."
They looked toward one of the senior maids among them, one who had been working in the estate much longer than the newer recruits.
"So, Senior?" one of the younger maids asked.
"Hmm?" The senior maid glanced over, her hands still busy folding linens.
"Is it true Miss Liana was once the Head of Household Maid?"
The senior maid placed a finger to her lips thoughtfully before nodding. "I heard that, too. She was Head of Household Maid before being promoted to our handsome Prince Javier’s personal maid. And Miss Gloria became the next Head of Household Maid after her."
"Both of them are so lucky. Being assigned as personal maids and now becoming his future wives..."
"I wish my life story was like that, too," another maid chimed in, sighing as she placed both hands over her heart. "Ah~ If only I could catch the eye of someone so handsome and kind..."
The senior maid chuckled softly. "Better get back to work now. After this, I’m having breakfast in the maid dining hall."
"Yeah! The breakfast here is too good."
"So, Senior?" another maid piped up.
"What is it now?" The senior maid smiled, her hands never stopping their work. "If you want to chat, your hands should keep moving, too~"
"How long has Miss Liana been working in Armand?"
"I don’t know much, but she’s been working for years before being assigned as Prince Javier’s personal maid. I believe it’s been more than 20 years?"
"Ehhhh!?" The new maids gasped in surprise.
"So how old is Miss Liana?"
"Don’t tell us she’s around 500 years old or something."
The senior maid chuckled. "No... I don’t know about that. Some say hundreds... but I’m not sure."
The other maids glanced at each other. "Must be so lucky to be an elf. They still look like they’re in their teens."
"Yeah... I guess so."
Just as they were about to continue gossiping, a sharp voice came from behind them.
"What are you all doing?"
They all flinched and turned, standing straight, placing their palms over their left chests, and bowing in panic.
"M... Miss Erisa."
"You’ve all been assigned a simple task today, and yet you haven’t finished? Hmm?" Erisa glared at them, crossing her arms. She looked at the senior maid among them. "You’re the senior here, so I expect you to lead them properly, not encourage idle chatter."
"Yes, Miss Erisa."
"Now, all of you, get back to work." Erisa commanded before continuing on her way.
After making sure Erisa was out of sight, the senior maid smirked and leaned in to whisper to her team.
"I think I know why she’s so... tense lately."
"Why?"
"Because she’s interested in our Prince, but Prince Javier has never shown interest in her. Not to mention, she’s now ranked 4th in the Maid Beauty Ranking for the single category, even though she’s the current Head of Household Maid. She lost to Mahira, who’s now ranked first."
The others giggled softly, exchanging knowing looks.
( End Of Chapter )
