Chapter 17
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: Super Maid 『Rana』
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Gift from the Princess 『Rana Anthus』
While Calix was still too stunned by the shocking gift to collect himself, Hart stepped forward first and led Rana to the reception room.
In the reception room, Hart... drank tea with Rana.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Rana."
"Yes, it's been a long time, Great-Uncle Hart."
Hart's full name was Hart Anthus.
In short, Rana was his grandniece.
That said, Hart had never felt much attachment to the Anthus family, so he rarely returned home.
The last time he'd seen Rana was five years ago, at the funeral of his brother—her grandfather.
"So, I heard you got into the Novarens Academy in the capital. Already graduated?"
"Yes, I graduated this year."
The last time Hart had seen Rana, she was a lively, adorable girl.
Seeing that cute granddaughter, who had bragged to him about getting into the prestigious capital school, Novarens Academy, now so coldly transformed left him with a bittersweet pang in many ways.
"Your grades... no need to ask, I suppose."
"Yes, I graduated top of my class."
"As expected, no need to ask."
"I'm sorry. I don't have many places to boast, so I wanted to tell you."
"...I see."
Hart felt a slight relief amid the bitterness, thinking at least some things hadn't changed.
He had always sensed something a bit offbeat about Rana, even back then.
"When did you go to the princess?"
"After graduation, on my father's orders."
Hart felt a surge of emotion.
He pictured his nephew's face—Rana's father.
Even as anger boiled toward the nephew who had used his own daughter as a tool for the family's prosperity, Hart kept his composure and spoke calmly.
"So that fool made that choice in the end... Are you all right with it?"
"My own will doesn't matter. Only the will of the family and my master does."
"I see... all right."
'Only the will of the family and my master matters.'
That was the family motto of the Anthus house, renowned for producing butlers and maids for 300 years.
Both sending him here and sending her here—all of it stemmed from that motto.
Hart set aside his anger and, as steward of the Cron family, asked Rana,
"So, Rana... what orders did the princess give you?"
"To serve Lord Calix with utmost sincerity as your master."
"That's all?"
"..."
"I see... as expected."
Hart had already heard the rumors of the princess's methods.
With lavish rewards and promises of power, she hired servants, molded them into perfect butlers and maids, then gifted them to her supporters.
Even in the empire, her handpicked beauties—male and female alike—served her backers devotedly, subtly steering them toward loyalty to her.
A few lords who knew her game wanted to refuse the gifts, but as presents from the princess herself, they couldn't easily send them back. In time, living together led to their downfall—either to her or through them.
Hart could easily guess that Rana had been sent with the same intent.
"Rana, promise me just one thing."
"Yes, what is it, Uncle Hart?"
At this point, there was no sending her back.
As steward of the Cron family, all he could do was act to protect his lord as best he could.
"Lord Calix is a lord who will become a treasure of the empire. No matter what, be a strength to him."
"Yes, I promise on the honor of the Anthus family."
"Good. I leave it to you."
Hart knew his grandniece's abilities well.
He entrusted her to support his lord as if he were his own child.
"And that's how it is. From today, I will serve you with all my heart and soul, Lord Calix."
"R... right. Looking forward to working with you, Rana."
With Hart's permission, Rana became my personal maid that very day.
The idea of a cool-eyed beauty, who could effortlessly snag the center spot in an idol group, as my exclusive maid filled me with uncontainable joy as a man.
But knowing her background, I couldn't hide my sorrow either.
Rana Anthus was, among maid characters, the one with the most versatile all-rounder abilities.
From basic housework like cooking, cleaning, and laundry to assistance in administration, politics, and diplomacy—she was a multi-support powerhouse.
Her crowning trait, though, was her dual class: by day, a 『Maid』, but by night, she could switch to 『Assassin』.
The shock of seeing that demure daytime maid slip into an enemy territory at night and sever an opposing lord's head—I still couldn't forget it.
The problem now was the chance she might target me.
The odds were slim, but if the princess ordered her to take me out, it'd be real danger.
"My lord, your face is pale."
"Must be the weather's gotten chilly today. I'll close the windows."
I barely swallowed the urge to blurt out 'It's because of you!' and began my first task with the super maid Rana by my side.
That day, I truly understood why she was called a super maid.
"My lord, I've brought the documents you might need."
"Ah, thanks."
Without a word, she handled office work and fetched the exact materials at the perfect timing.
It was so seamless I almost thought I'd asked for them in advance.
"My lord, I've brewed some tea."
And whenever I felt tired or my mouth dry, tea appeared.
The flavor was astonishing.
Even with the same leaves, the aroma varied so much by hand... I was amazed.
"Incredible. Hard to believe it's the same tea leaves."
"Of course. I am a perfect maid, after all."
At my praise, Rana lit up like a puppy thrilled for approval.
Though her cool eyes stayed impassive, of course.
And her talents didn't stop there.
Noah pulled her aside, saying she had something to ask.
Worried they might fight, I followed and watched from afar.
Noah struck first.
"Rana, was it? Are you truly prepared to devote yourself to our lord?"
"Yes."
At Rana's instant reply, Noah eyed her intently with her signature sharp gaze.
She seemed slightly surprised by whatever she saw, then wore a faintly uneasy expression.
"Hmm, doesn't seem like a lie."
She stepped closer.
Her face hardened into a scary glare as she pressed Rana.
"Just in case, I'll say it: I'm always watching, so treat our lord right. Got it?"
Even from afar, Noah's words made me flinch, but Rana replied calmly.
"Understood, Lady Noah."
Noah's composure crumbled in an instant.
The dark merchant turned into a flustered girl, at a loss.
"L-Lady!?"
"Is that not right? It certainly looked like you were the lady of the house."
"Ah! N-No, not yet... but, well... it sounds nice. Lady."
Noah's cheeks flushed; she was fully disarmed.
To fell even Noah so easily with a few words—truly a super maid.
"Looking forward to working with you, Rana."
"Likewise, Lady Noah."
And just like that, they seemed to become friends.
Was this... a good thing?
At least no catfights in sight—relief there.
The first day with Rana passed.
With her overwhelming skills, she left the other maids in our household demoralized by day's end.
According to Hart, three had already submitted leave requests to train more.
Splash!
"Ahh... this hits the spot."
Soaking in the warm water, the day's fatigue melted away.
As I bathed, I reflected.
I knew the princess sent people, but dispatching a maid like this? Total blindside.
...Wait, thinking back, strategy guides mentioned that allying the princess as a male lord unlocks some major perks.
I was the fool for not connecting those dots.
Back to the point: her goal was likely pulling me to her side.
Rana's role: nudge me that way and relay our territory's info.
And if I leaned toward the prince's faction? Taking me out might be on her mission list too.
'Keep friends close, enemies closer'—but this was a bit too close, no?
Speaking of, how would Rana try drawing me to the princess faction?
If I were the princess...
Lost in that thought, submerged in the tub—
The bathroom door opened, and a voice called.
"My lord, shall I wash your back?"
There stood Rana, wearing nothing but a towel draped over her perfect golden-ratio figure.
It was spring.