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[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 17: Super Maid『Lana』
A Gift from the Princess—『Lana Ansus』
When Calyx received the shocking gift from the princess, he was too stunned to gather his thoughts. Hart stepped in first and took Lana to the reception room.
Once there, Hart and Lana shared tea.
“Ah, Lana, it’s been a while.”
“Yes, it has, Uncle Hart.”
Hart’s full name is Hart Ansus. Simply put, Lana was his grandniece. However, Hart, who never really cared much for the Ansus family, rarely returned to their household. The last time he had seen Lana was five years ago when his older brother—Lana’s grandfather—passed away.
“I heard you got into the Novarens Academy in Jedo. Have you graduated already?”
“Yes, I graduated this year.”
The last time Hart saw Lana, she had been a lively, adorable girl, proudly telling him about her acceptance to the prestigious Novarens Academy. Now, seeing her so cold and composed, Hart felt a bitter mix of emotions.
“How are your grades? I don’t suppose I need to ask.”
“Yes, I graduated top of my class.”
“As expected. No need to ask then.”
“I’m sorry, I just wanted to share something I’m proud of.”
“Hmph, I see.”
Hart was somewhat relieved that some things hadn’t changed. Still, Lana had always been a bit peculiar in his eyes.
“When did you leave to serve the princess?”
“After graduation, by my father’s orders.”
Hart’s chest tightened. He thought of his nephew—Lana’s father—who had used his own daughter as a mere tool for the family’s prosperity. Despite the anger welling up inside, Hart kept his voice steady.
“So that’s the choice he made... Are you alright?”
“My own will is irrelevant. The family and my master’s wishes are what matter.”
“I see...”
‘The family and master’s wishes are all that matter.’
That was the Ansus family motto—an elite household that had produced butlers and maids for over 300 years. Sending Lana here was no exception; it was all because of that family oath.
Putting aside his anger, Hart, as steward of the Cron estate, asked Lana plainly.
“So, Lana... what orders did the princess give you?”
“To serve Lord Calyx wholeheartedly as my master.”
“Is that all?”
“......”
“I thought so.”
Hart already knew, through rumors, about the princess’s methods. Using massive rewards and influence, she hired servants and trained them into perfect butlers and maids, then sent them as gifts to her supporters.
The princess’s servants—carefully selected beauties and handsome men—served their masters with absolute loyalty, effectively binding them to her cause.
Some lords who knew the truth had wanted to refuse the gifts but dared not insult the princess by returning them. Eventually, they all fell under her sway.
Hart could easily guess that Lana had been sent with the same intention.
“Lana, promise me one thing.”
“Yes, Uncle Hart.”
At this point, there was no turning her away. As steward of the Cron estate, Hart’s only choice was to ensure Lana acted in the best interest of their lord.
“Lord Calyx is a treasure of the empire. No matter what happens, be his strength.”
“I promise, on the honor of the Ansus family.”
“Good. I’m counting on you.”
Hart knew his grandniece’s abilities well. He trusted she would support their lord—just as if he were her own kin.
＊ ＊ ＊
“Starting today, I will serve you with the utmost sincerity, Lord Calyx.”
“Uh... R-Right, I’ll be counting on you, Lana.”
And just like that—with Hart’s approval—Lana became my personal maid that very day.
A beautiful girl with sharp eyes that looked like she could be the center of a top-tier idol group... had now become ‘my’ exclusive maid. As a man, I couldn’t help but be a little thrilled.
But knowing who she really was... I also couldn’t hide my unease.
『Lana Ansus』was a character known for her absolute versatility—an all-rounder among maids.
From basic housekeeping like cooking, cleaning, and laundry, to supporting in administration, politics, and diplomacy—she could handle it all.
But her most distinctive trait? Her ‘dual class.’
By day, she worked as a『Maid』.
By night... she could operate as an『Assassin』.
I still remember the chill that ran down my spine when I first saw that poised, elegant maid by day… and cold-blooded assassin by night, slipping into enemy territory like a ghost and cutting down a rival lord without a sound.
And now the terrifying part…
In this situation... ‘I’ could end up being her next target.
The odds were low. Probably.
But if the princess gave the order to ‘take care of’ me?
Yeah. That’d be game over.
“Lord Calyx, your face has gone pale.”
“It’s probably just the cold today. I’ll... close the window.”
I almost blurted out, ‘It’s your fault!’—but managed to swallow it down.
And thus began my first day working with the so-called Super Maid, Lana.
It didn’t take long to understand why she earned that title.
“Lord Calyx, I’ve brought the documents you’ll need.”
“Oh, thanks.”
Without a word of direction, she quietly assessed the paperwork in the office, fetching exactly the right documents at exactly the right time.
It was so seamless, I actually started wondering if I had asked her in advance and just forgot.
“Lord Calyx, here’s your tea.”
Whenever I looked tired or just a little bored, she’d brew tea on the spot.
And the taste? Absolutely phenomenal.
Even though she used the same tea leaves as anyone else, the aroma and flavor were on another level.
“I’m honestly shocked—these are the same leaves?”
“Of course. I’m a perfect maid, after all.”
When I complimented her, she lit up like a happy puppy being praised—even if her expression remained stoic and her eyes cold.
But her skills didn’t end there.
Nova called Lana aside, saying she wanted to ask something.
I trailed behind, worried the two might butt heads, and observed from a distance.
Nova strikes first.
“Lana, was it? Are you truly prepared to serve Lord Calyx with complete devotion?”
“I am.”
Lana answered without a second’s hesitation.
Nova narrowed her eyes—that sharp, signature look of hers—and studied her in silence.
Then, after seemingly reading something in Lana’s gaze, Nova flinched ever so slightly and muttered.
“…You’re not lying, huh.”
She stepped closer. Her tone shifted—serious, sharp.
“I’m just gonna say this in case it wasn’t clear—I’m watching you. Always. So treat Lord Calyx well. Got it?”
Even from where I stood, the sheer pressure in Nova’s voice made me tense up.
But Lana, ever composed, replied calmly.
“Understood, Lady Nova.”
And just like that, Nova’s whole expression cracked.
The fierce enforcer had transformed into a flustered girl in seconds.
“L-Lady?!”
“Was I mistaken? I could’ve sworn you seemed like the lady of the house.”
“A-ah—no! Not yet! I mean… but, um… that was kinda nice to hear. Lady Nova…”
Her cheeks flushed bright red, and all her walls just crumbled.
Just a few lines, and Lana had Nova wrapped around her finger.
This girl really was a Super Maid.
“I’ll be counting on you, Lana.”
“I look forward to working with you as well, Miss Nova.”
And with that, the two of them… seemed to become friends.
Should I call that a success?
Well, at the very least, I wouldn’t have to worry about any sudden catfights. Thank the stars for small mercies.
＊ ＊ ＊
The first day with Lana had passed.
Lana, with her extraordinary abilities, had already managed to demoralize the maids working for our household by the end of the day.
According to Hart, three of them had already submitted leave requests, saying they needed to go off and train more.
Splash—!
"Ahh... this feels good."
As I sank into the warm bathwater, I could feel the fatigue of the day melt away.
While I bathed, my thoughts wandered.
I knew the imperial princess was sending someone. But I never expected she’d dispatch ‘this’ kind of maid.
…No, wait. Thinking back now, I probably should’ve seen this coming. There was that guide on the strategy site—the one that said something wild happens if you team up with the princess while playing as the male lord.
Yeah. Thinking back on it, this was totally foreseeable.
I guess I was just the fool who didn’t connect the dots.
Anyway, back to the point—If I piece the situation together, the princess’s goal is clearly to bring me over to her side.
Lana’s role? To guide me in that direction… and likely pass along information about our territory to the princess.
And if I looked like I was going to side with the prince’s faction instead? Then maybe ‘cleaning me up and disappearing’ is also part of her mission brief.
There’s a saying—’Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.’
But isn’t this… a little ‘too’ close?
Anyway—how exactly does Lana plan to win me over to the princess’s side?
If ‘I’ were the princess…
I was still mulling it over while soaking in the bath, when—
Creak—
The bathroom door opened, and I heard a voice.
“Lord, allow me to scrub your back.”
There she stood—Lana—wrapped in nothing but a towel, her flawless figure striking enough to steal the air from the room.
It felt like spring had just arrived.
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[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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