Reborn As A Maid

The ground of the Royal Arena shook with the roar of fifty thousand voices.

"RAVEN! RAVEN! RAVEN!"

The chants rolled over the stadium like thunder, and every banner in the stands bore the image of the White Sword Hunter—a simple design consisting of a silver blade crossing over a white cloak.

Jennie stood at the center of the battle field, her broken practice sword in her hand. It was cracked, splintered, nearly falling apart from the last bout with Kai. But she had won. She was the winner.

The loud voice of the announcer echoed throughout the arena with the help of the wind magic.

"YOUR CHAMPION! THE WHITE SWORD HUNTER! RAVEN!"

Her cheeks heated with embarrassment. She had never wanted all this attention—had never dreamed of being famous and glorious. And now she stood before the thousands of people, watching her from the stands and calling her name.

She raised her hand awkwardly, waving half-heartedly.

"Oh no," she muttered under her breath. "This is terrible."

Snow managed to come onto the battlefield and barked loudly from the sidelines.

"WAVE PROPERLY!"

"Don’t encourage them!" Jennie hissed.

Roxy stood nearby, shouting from her cupped hands. "YOU’RE THE CHAMPION!"

"I KNOW!"

"ACT LIKE IT!"

"NO!"

The audience chuckled and cheered even louder.

Kai Viper approached her, his spear slung across his shoulders. His armor was dented, and he was breathing heavily, but there wasn’t a hint of disappointment in his eyes—only of respect.

He stretched out his hand.

Jennie took it.

"That was the best fight of my life," Kai said sincerely. "I’ve never faced such a fighter."

Jennie’s embarrassment faded as she smiled. "You were fantastic. I had to use all I had."

Kai chuckled. "You even didn’t use your real sword."

"What are you talking about?" Jennie asked, looking puzzled.

Kai pointed at her broken practice sword. "That is not the sword you used in the tournament. You brought the other sword to the arena."

"It’s enough," Jennie muttered and tightly gripped her practice sword.

Kai considered her face carefully and then nodded slowly. "Perhaps this makes you so terrifying." He smiled. "You don’t need a legendary weapon to be a legend yourself."

Jennie blinked, surprised by the compliment. "Thank you."

Kai bowed deeply. "If we meet once again, I want to fight with you. With everything you have."

Jennie bowed in return. "I would like that too."

As Kai went away, other familiar faces approached her.

First was Mira Kingston with her crimson hair glowing in the sun rays. She smiled warmly, holding her staff in her hand.

"Congratulations, Raven."

Jennie smiled in response. "Thank you, Mira. Your fights were brilliant."

Mira laughed softly. "I barely survived King Gale."

As if his name was called, King Gale appeared near Mira, his silver wolf sitting besides him and Bruno following him. His hawk flew above the arena, uttering its shrill cry.

"You fought bravely," King Gale said, smiling warmly. "This tournament has become better because of your skill."

Jennie bowed politely. "Thank you. Your bond with your companions is amazing."

Bruno snorted affectionately and nuzzled Jennie’s hand with his huge head.

Snow growled fiercely and stepped protectively in front of Jennie. "BACK OFF, BEAR."

Bruno looked confusedly at him.

Snow growled again. "I saw her first."

Roxy covered her face with her hands. "Snow, he’s a bear."

"I don’t care. She’s my human."

Jennie sighed. "Snow, stop."

The great white wolf huffed indignantly, but obeyed her, keeping his eyes on Bruno.

King Gale chuckled warmly. "Your companions are protective."

Jennie nodded, smiling fondly. "Yes, they are."

Gareth Gerat was the next warrior who approached her, his huge shield hanging on his back. Despite of his threatening size, he looked very friendly and his voice was soft.

"You fought with honor, Raven."

Jennie lifted her face to look at the giant warrior. "Thank you, Gareth. Your defense was incredible."

Gareth smiled. "I’ve never met anyone who could sneak past my shield. Until you did."

Jennie scratched her cheek. "I had to do something different."

Gareth chuckled and his voice resounded in Jennie’s ears like rumble. "You succeeded."

He held out his palm—the size of Jennie’s whole head. She shook his hand, her fingers hardly reaching his thumb.

"If you ever need a shield behind your back," Gareth said solemnly, "you will always have mine."

Jennie felt warmth in her chest. "Thank you. This means a lot for me."

The warriors kept approaching her, one by one.

Valtor Cain, the Iron Blade, nodded respectfully. "You have earned it."

Dar Vane patted her shoulder. "The wooden sword. I will never forget that."

Even Valen Stroud, who was defeated by Rudy, congratulated her roughly.

Jennie gratefully accepted each of these compliments, feeling warmth in her heart. These weren’t her opponents—they were warriors who understood the meaning of battle.

And that was worth more than any trophy.

Then Arthur Queens came down the royal balcony.

The audience fell silent and Jennie’s heart started beating faster.

Father.

She pushed the thought aside.

Arthur came near to her, looking at her face thoughtfully. For some time, he remained silent.

Then he smiled a warm and sincere smile. "Raven," he said, his voice reverberating in the arena. "You have shown swordsmanship equal to the best warriors in the history."

Jennie blinked, surprised by such compliment.

Arthur continued. "Your footwork, your timing, your control—this aren’t the skills you learn in one lifetime. This is the mark of a true prodigy."

The audience burst into cheers.

But Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly and his voice dropped until Jennie could hear only him. "Or something else entirely."

Jennie felt chill along her spine.

He guesses something.

Arthur smiled again, but his eyes became sharp and searching. "I hope we will have an opportunity to talk in private. There are things I would like to discuss with you."

Jennie forced a smile. "Sure, Lord Arthur."

Arthur nodded slowly, studying her face for a while longer than it was necessary.

Then he turned and left.

The chant continued, growing louder as the ceremony slowly ended.

For a moment, Jennie had been able to forget the pressure of their suspicions. Almost.

Until she saw her.

Rudy Kiss.

The Phantom Thief was sneaking up on Jennie from within the crowd, a playful smile firmly etched on her face.

Jennie’s heart fell.

"Oh no."

Roxy stood up next to her, narrowing her eyes at the approaching thief. "What is she doing here?"

Snow’s ears twitched excitedly. "This should be fun."

Jennie glared at him. "Don’t encourage her."

Snow wagged his tail.

Rudy arrived in front of her, her hands clasped behind her back, dark wind-tousled hair, and mischievous eyes.

"Congratulations, champion," she said, her tone sincere.

Jennie steeled herself for the joke. "Thank you, Rudy."

Rudy smiled—but then the mischief was gone from her eyes. "Actually, seriously."

Jennie stared at her, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You were amazing," Rudy continued. "I’m very proud of you."

Jennie blinked. "Thank you... Rudy."

Rudy stepped closer to her, her hand raising towards Jennie’s face.

Jennie froze. "What are you—"

Rudy leaned in, and kissed her.

It was a small kiss, soft and unexpected.

Jennie’s brain short-circuited. Her eyes widened, and her cheeks started burning red.

She let go of the practice sword she was still holding, and it fell on the ground with a clang.

"..."

Rudy pulled back, her playful smile returning, triumph gleaming in her eyes.

"Mwah."

Jennie was about to open her mouth to respond.

She realized that nothing was coming out.

She tried again, but still nothing.

Her cheeks burned like molten lava.

Roxy’s reaction was instant.

"RUDY!"

The Phantom Thief took off running, and the sound of her laughter echoed throughout the arena.

Roxy chased after her, her voice filled with righteous fury. "GET BACK HERE!"

"NEVER!"

"YOU KISSED HER!"

"YES, I DID!"

"I’LL KILL YOU!"

"TRY IT!"

Roxy ran after Rudy through the crowd, weaving around surprised spectators.

Snow looked at them with gleeful tail wagging.

"HAHAHAHA!"

Jennie, still frozen in place, had her hand on her mouth. Her face was red, and her heart was racing so hard that it was hard for her to hear anything else.

She looked at the royal balcony.

There was Lilia, looking at her.

The Queen’s expression was difficult to read—confusion, curiosity, and some other emotion that resembled... jealousy?

Jennie immediately averted her gaze.

"This is the worst day of my life."

Snow approached her, looking at her with gleaming golden eyes. "Actually, it’s the best day of my life."

Jennie shot him a glare. "You are enjoying this way too much."

"Yes, I am."

"I hate you."

"No, you don’t."

Jennie sighed, relaxing a little bit. Despite everything, a small smile tugged at her lips.

"No, I don’t."

She looked back at Roxy and Rudy, who were still chasing each other through the crowd.

Snow nudged her foot. "You’re going to be famous not only for your skills with the sword now."

Jennie groaned. "Please don’t mention it."

"It’ll be in every newspaper. ’White Sword Hunter kissed by Phantom Thief.’"

"I will kill you."

"Love you too."

Jennie shook her head with a reluctant laugh.

Despite the chaos, despite all of the embarrassment, and confusion, she felt grateful.

Grateful for the tournament.

Grateful for her friends.

Grateful for the warriors she met.

And, even though reluctantly, grateful for Rudy Kiss.

She looked up at the sunset sky.

For a while, the pressure of Leonis, the Divine Swords, and the upcoming war disappeared.

For a while, she was simply Jennie.

And that was enough.

Finally, Rudy escaped Roxy by disappearing in a shadow. She reappeared on the roof nearby, waving to Roxy.

"Until next time, Roxy!"

Roxy was shaking her fist in the air. "I WILL FIND YOU!"

"NOT IF I FIND YOU FIRST!"

Rudy laughed, her voice ringing through the square.

Then she looked down at Jennie, who was still standing in the arena.

She touched her heart, smiling gently.

"Goodbye, Leonis."

She whispered her name, so softly that no one could hear.

Then she vanished in a shadow once again.

And Jennie had no idea that the kiss was not meant as a joke.

It was a promise.

A promise that Rudy would protect her.

No matter what.

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