Vol 1 Chapter 2: Anna, the Chosen Maid

Happy Morning

POV: Anna, Exclusive Maid

That morning… should have been ordinary.
But not at Arclight.

Because mornings in this palace are always like the first bars of spring music: slow, bright, and gently touching.
The sun crept shyly through the stained glass. The marble floor reflected a painting of light: hues of rose, gold, and sky. The maids hummed softly, clinging to the scent of jasmine and freshly brewed tea.

The young knights had lined up in the front courtyard, dashing and neat. From the balcony, they looked like silver chess pieces on a dreamboard. And from the end of the deserted eastern hallway… a girl appeared.

Her steps were light. Her green hair swayed gently, following the rhythm of her own heartbeat. Her golden eyes reflected the morning light like beads of honey. Her maid's uniform was simple—black and white, unadorned, but as if made especially for her.

Several knights greeted her. Their smiles were nervous. But the girl only returned with a light nod. Her smile was small, polite, barely noticeable.
Today… was not the day for pleasant smiles.

Today, she would see Prince Lune again.
After three months, that felt like an eternity.

—

Anna, Exclusive Maid

Her name was Anna.
Among the maids, her name was often whispered: "The beautiful commoner who became the prince's exclusive maid."
But Anna wasn't one to boast about it. She simply wanted to do her duty, and today, she woke up earlier than anyone else.
She prepared breakfast with her own hands: warm cheese bread, sweet peeled pomegranates, and jasmine tea steeped for exactly three minutes. No more. No less.

"The Prince's first day back at the palace... after so long. I hope his smile is still as I remember it..."

Anna's face flushed. She bit her lower lip. Her heart was beating faster than usual.

—

One Year Ago... Flashback

At that time, the palace opened the registration for servants to the public.
Anna—a girl from a family of small merchants—applied with full courage. Her father sold cloth, and her mother was a housewife. She had two cute little sisters who often made a mess of the house.

“Anna, are you sure you want to go to the capital?” her father asked worriedly.

“This is the world of the nobility, dear… who are we?” her mother said quietly.

But Anna nodded firmly.

“I want to try. Not just for myself… but for my younger siblings too.”

With initially hesitant approval, Anna set off.
The first three months—apprenticeship as a palace maid—turned out to be anything but fairytale-like. Hard work, long hours, and rigorous training. But most painfully… were the disdainful looks from fellow candidates.

When Anna finally passed the exam with top marks, her pride couldn’t be hidden. But with that pride came… jealousy.
One afternoon in the dormitory, several girls confronted her.

“Isn’t that Anna? A country bumpkin from the country?”

“She thinks she can become a prince’s maid just because of her good grades?”

“The countryside looks. From a commoner’s family. Hahaha…”

Anna simply lowered her head, smiled faintly, and walked past them.

“Hey, that’s rude! You didn’t even answer our greetings?”

“Why greet someone who isn’t even my friend?”

Anna's answer was calm, yet piercing.

They were angry.
A small argument was starting to escalate.
But…

Tap… tap… tap…
Someone approached.
Silver hair. Blue eyes. A smile that made time stop.
Prince Lune.
The girls immediately became nervous and sweet. Their voices changed drastically.

“P-Prince…!”

“Can we help you?”

“How lucky we are to meet you, Prince…”

Lune smiled like a kitten lost in a flower garden.

“I'm looking for someone,” she said innocently.

“Who, Prince?”

“Her name is Anna.”

The sky seemed to stand still.

“Why are you looking for her?”

“Because I want to make her my exclusive servant.”

A burst of silence.
Faces stiffened.

“Anna? But she's a commoner!”

“That's precisely it,” Lune said innocently, “Because she topped the exam. That's enough, isn't it?”

One of the girls tried to coax her.

“Prince… I'm a noble. I can serve you well. Even… satisfy you.”

“No need. I just need Anna,”

Lune replied, stroking his head, confused as to why the atmosphere had become so awkward.

Just then, Anna stepped forward.
She bowed gracefully.

“Prince Lune… I’m Anna.”

“You’re the one I’m looking for!”

“Why did you choose me?”

“Because… you’re the best. Does being a commoner matter?”

Anna’s eyes were misty.
Her hands were trembling with emotion.

“If you’re not sure, we can negotiate the salary.
I want you to be comfortable.”

“No… I accept your offer.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, Prince…”

Lune turned to the other girls.

“Thank you for your help, ladies.”

Then he walked away with Anna.
The girls were frozen.
But as soon as Lune left…

“Kyaa! The Prince greets us!”

“Even though I was rejected… my heart is in bloom!”

That day… Anna not only won a place. But also… her little world.

—

Back to the Present

The slow footsteps stopped in front of the door.
Anna stood with her breakfast tray in hand.
Her heart was pounding. Her hands were cold.

“Prince Lune is so kind… he never judges by background.
I… just want to see his smile again…”