Reborn As A Maid

The championship ceremony was still going on amidst the cheering crowds.

Raven stood in the middle of the Royal Arena. A championship medal rested in her hand—a golden disk that reflected the light of the late afternoon sun like a piece of shattered sunshine.

The metal was hot.

The medal was still warm from the moment when the Queen had placed it on her.

And she still remembered how it felt.

The memory of Lilia’s fingers.

The memory of her delicate hands touching her collarbone during the ceremony... Just a quick brush of their fingertips, just an accidental touch—but such a burning memory, brighter than anything else!

And she could still hear those words.

You’re not a stranger.

You never were.

These words reverberated in the hollows of her heart, making her remember the chords of her soul that she believed to be long silenced. Those words struck her defenses—centuries of solitude had built up a strong wall around her heart—and it started to shake, threatening to break.

Jennie’s heart didn’t calm down.

It was beating in her chest as a wild caged bird, each beat reminding her that she wasn’t ready to forget the past she wanted to bury so badly. She had spent decades and even centuries trying to convince herself that the past was over—that the girl who had loved and lost and then loved again was finally laid to rest with the Legend of the Sword King.

Leonis was dead.

Jennie was alive.

That was supposed to be enough.

That was supposed to be enough.

Somehow, though, one conversation with Lilia had shaken her entire life. With the help of some simple words—said with her usual gentle certainty—Jennie’s defenses started crumbling apart.

She glanced at the Queen.

Lilia was standing on the royal platform, looking elegant and noble. The late afternoon sun was playing with the silver threads woven through her golden hair, making her look almost divinely beautiful. She was beautiful in her grace and nobility and in something else that Raven couldn’t exactly name...

But Jennie saw something else.

Lilia was looking at her.

Again.

And again.

Her crystal-blue eyes seemed to have a magnetic attraction towards Raven. They kept glancing in her direction, lingering too long before reluctantly returning to the ceremony. Each glance made her heart burn with something she tried to deny.

Roxy saw it too.

She bent close to Jennie’s ear and whispered, "She is doing it again."

"Just stop it," Raven sighed.

"But," Roxy insisted with a mixture of amusement and concern that belonged only to her, "the Queen of Seraiya looked at you about forty-seven times in the last ten minutes. I’ve been counting."

"As always."

Snow barked—a noise that said ’yes’ both agreeably and mischievously.

"See?" Roxy pointed at the white wolf. "Even Snow agrees."

Jennie looked at the wolf that had been her faithful companion for many battles and campaigns. His silvery fur was shining in the sunlight, sparkling together with intelligent eyes. "You betray me."

He wagged his tail slowly and deliberately, showing no sign of guilt whatsoever.

Before Roxy had a chance to say anything else, Lilia stepped forward.

The stadium fell into silence. The cheers and applause faded away, leaving an absolute silence behind like the sea before the wave. Thousands of eyes were fixed on the Queen as she raised her graceful hand.

All voices stopped.

The absolute silence reigned—like a suspended breath taken by the entire nation. Even the wind seemed to freeze, waiting...

Lilia looked directly at Raven.

Her blue eyes met hers, and she felt something squeezing in her chest. The world shrank into nothing but two people—the Queen on her platform, the champion in the arena, and the connection between them.

"Before we end today’s ceremony," Lilia said in her clear voice that sounded loud enough in the arena despite its softness, "I have another announcement to make."

Arthur Queens stood next to her—Royal Hand of Kingdom, his eyes full of the warmth only Jennie could recognize as the fatherly pride and... perhaps, apology. He was standing tall and proud, his eyes sparkling in the light, but there was a smile on his face that said that he knew exactly what would come next.

Lucas Queens stood under the royal platform. His face was serious. Commander of the Royal Knights positioned himself perfectly, his hair brushed aside from his face, but Jennie noticed that he was avoiding her gaze.

Other participants of the tournament watched the Queen with curiosity—Kai Viper was frowning, Mira Kingston was looking at her interestedly, even Gareth’s stoic face showed a trace of confusion.

Lilia took a breath—a small, barely noticeable one that betrayed her nervousness. This tiny vulnerability made Jennie’s heart constrict.

"Raven."

Jennie immediately straightened. She couldn’t do anything else—she reacted instinctively, all of her training and discipline asserting themselves. "Yes, Your Majesty?"

Lilia smiled.

This smile was a sunrise over the frozen landscape—a warmth that penetrated into places Jennie believed to be frozen forever.

"From this day forward..."

She paused.

The tension grew in the absolute silence like a bowstring pulled to its extreme position. Somewhere in the crowd, a child was whispering. Some bird was calling from the distance. The world kept turning eternally while Jennie’s heart seemed to stop beating.

"...you will serve as my personal maid."

Silence.

Absolute, devastating, world-changing silence.

It seemed that Jennie’s mind had stopped working – a mind that had planned the strategy in hundreds of battles during many centuries. The words were echoing in her consciousness like thunder, but not forming any sense.

Personal maid.

The Queen’s personal maid.

Lilia’s maid.

Roxy gasped. And it wasn’t easy considering that the fox-kin had seen everything the world could show. Her crimson eyes opened wide; she looked absolutely stunned.

Snow stood up. The wolf’s fur seemed bristling, and he looked at Jennie with question in his eyes.

Kai Viper blinked several times. His scarred face changed through several emotions – confusion, surprise, then, at last, amusement.

Mira Kingston raised an eyebrow. The most elegant competitor in the tournament smiled.

Even Gareth seemed confused. His massive body language clearly showed it.

Someone whispered among the crowd: "Has the Queen really appointed maid?"

"Yeah."

"She’s the tournament champion."

"Exactly."

Whispers spread among the crowd like stones that fell into a lake and spread waves in all directions.

Roxy turned to Jennie slowly; her expression changed from surprise to the expression that meant that Roxy was ready to explode from delight. "This is going to be so funny!"

Jennie looked at the Queen.

Her mind stopped working. The legend Sword King – the warrior, who had fought with armies, monsters and gods – stopped like a beginner during the training.

And then she found her voice.

"I’m sorry, Your Majesty."

Lilia waited. Her expression was serene; Jennie saw the gleam in her blue eyes.

Jennie made a polite bow that gave her some time to regain control of her thoughts. When she raised her head, her voice was confident. "But I cannot accept it."

The complete silence fell on the arena. It was the kind of silence that was different from before – sharp and brittle like the ice before the breaking.

Roxy put her hands in front of her face. "She’s actually refuses the Queen..."

Snow put his head low. He understood that the things were about to complicate.

Jennie felt the pressure of thousands of eyes on her skin. The knights started moving uncomfortably on the arena floor. The nobles leaned forward in their boxes and held the armrests of their seats with their hands decorated with precious rings. From somewhere behind Jennie came the sound of the sword that was being dragged from its sheath – the sound of the nervous person.

Lilia blinked.

Perhaps for the first time that day the Queen looked really surprised. Her carefully composed face broke, showing her true feelings. The sight affected Jennie badly.

"You cannot accept?"

Jennie nodded. She felt the sweat starting to appear on her palms, and deliberately ignored it. "I’m already a Hunter."

Jennie pointed on herself, on the championship medal in her hands, on the worn leather armor that told about the long and brave history of her battles.

"I have responsibilities."

Her words sounded weak even to her ears. She had responsibilities indeed – yes, technically. Monstrs to kill, people to protect, the whole world to save. But these responsibilities had been flexible and always adjusted to the freedom that Jennie wanted to have after all those years of serving.

Roxy whispered: "That’s an awful excuse."

Jennie ignored her. She ignored the fact that her heart was beating fast, that her throat was constricting, that the eyes of the Queen seemed to see right through her defense.

The expression of Lilia remained the same. The calmness of the Queen was worse than the anger – it meant that the Queen had expected it and had prepared to it.

"I understand."

Jennie felt relief. Perhaps it would be so easy after all. Perhaps she would manage to leave and return to her freedom.

But Lilia continued.

"But this is not a request."

Jennie’s smile disappeared.

Arthur stepped forward; his expression transformed into the one of the King. The man that she knew – who had taken care of her as a kid, taught her how to fight and had shed silent tears when she had left – disappeared under the mask of the King.

"Raven."

Jennie looked at her father slowly. "Father..."

The expression of Arthur didn’t change. "Her Majesty has given you a royal order."

Jennie’s eyes narrowed. She felt the trap closing round her; she saw the plans, carefully arranged in advance. "You can’t be serious."

Arthur remained professional. "I’m afraid I am."

Jennie looked at Lucas. Her brother was standing among the Royal Knights; his shoulders were squaring, and he seemed the very Commander – except for the fact that he tried to avoid looking at her.

Lucas flinched. Slightly – almost imperceptibly, but Jennie noticed it. Her expression became suspicious.

Lucas sighed – the sound of the resigned man.

"Raven, please, don’t make it complicated."

"I’m not going anywhere."

Lucas rubbed his forehead. The gesture was so familiar – it reminded of the childhood days when he had been the responsible brother taking care of his crazy sister – that Jennie felt a pang of nostalgia.

Arthur nodded – the sign of apology that made Jennie want to throw something.

Lucas turned to the knights reluctantly. His voice echoed on the arena, sounding strong and determined. "Royal Knights."

The knights immediately straightened – the wall of steel and discipline. "Yes, Commander!"

"Escort Raven to the palace."

Jennie widened her eyes. "Wait..."

Lucas looked at her apologetically. Genuine repentance could be read in his eyes – the eyes, passed by the Queen’s bloodline – but he remained unmoving. "Sorry."

The knights approached. Their armor creaked on the arena stones, marking the beginning of the endgame. They seemed calm and collected, but their posture and movement spoke volumes.

They knew who she was.

They knew what she could do.

Still, they were approaching her.

Jennie took a single step backward. Her hand moved reflexively towards her weapon... until she realized that she did not have her sword with her, since she decided to attend this ceremony without it.

A mistake.

An amateur mistake.

Roxy stepped aside immediately. "Sorry, Jennie."

"Roxy! You are supposed to help me!"

Roxy shook her head. Her dark red hair swayed slightly in the process. "I cannot fight all the Royal Knights."

"Roxy!"

"You know that you can do it!"

Snow barked in response. It sounded both approving and mocking at the same time.

"And you?" — Jennie turned to Snow.

Snow immediately lowered himself and settled comfortably on the floor. The wolf’s silver eyes looked at Jennie with perfect innocence. I am just a wolf. Why are you asking me anything? I have nothing to say about your plans.

Jennie looked at her father. Arthur smiled weakly, looking like a man who loves his daughter and has some obligations towards the Queen.

"Come quietly."

Jennie crossed her arms in front of herself protectively. This gesture made her feel vulnerable and childish. "You know that I could leave whenever I wanted."

Arthur nodded. "I know."

Lucas nodded too. "We all know."

The silence that followed said it all. These people understood the power that Jennie possessed—the decades worth of experience and impossible skills she gained. She could disappear from the arena faster than anyone could blink.

She could leave the palace unnoticed.

She could run across the kingdom before the sunset.

She could disappear in the wilderness and never come back.

Still, these weren’t enemies.

These were her family.

The people she had spent years defending.

The people she loved—more than anyone else—and for whom she was still ready to do anything.

Jennie sighed. This sigh bore the weight of defeat.

"Fine."

The knights stopped advancing and relaxed instantly—they felt relieved, dropping their guard.

"But I am walking."

Lucas nodded. His face showed his relief and understanding. "Of course."

Jennie started to walk to the palace.

Every single step was a little concession—to the queen, to the crown, but mostly to the family she could not abandon despite trying for so many years. The arena stones were warm under her boots—from the sunlight and thousands of feet pressing upon it.

Roxy followed her, her steps swift and elegant as always. She fell into the rhythm with Jennie as if this was any ordinary day, like she was accompanying her to their home after yet another successful hunt.

Snow followed Roxy. His claws clicked against the stones rhythmically, keeping time with Jennie’s heartbeat.

In a few minutes, the legendary champion of the tournament became escorted by the Royal Knights. Jennie thought that it probably was the most unusual victory procession in the history of Seraiya.

Roxy leaned closer to Jennie and whispered something. "They arrested you for refusing a job?"

"Not really," — Jennie sighed.

"What do you mean ’not really?’"

"Well, look at them."

Roxy looked at the knights around her—a whole squad of them, fully armed and alert, but still showing respect and staying at a respectful distance from her.

"What is it then?"

Jennie looked at the palace looming in front of them. Its golden spires pierced the sky like the fingers of an eternal conqueror of everything and anything. "Forced employment?"

Roxy burst into laughter. Her loud laughter surprised a few of the knights and they exchanged glances in confusion.

"That is not a legal term!"

"It should be."

Snow barked.

Jennie looked up. The sun was slowly descending into the horizon, coloring the clouds in gold and rose colors. Her face grew weary—not physically, but spiritually. The weariness of the old warrior.

"Why is my life repeating the cycle again?"

Roxy looked at Jennie curiously. "What cycle?"

Raven remembered something from another time. A time when she was someone else—with another name, another face, another heart. A time when she was surrounded by people.

A time when peace was never permitted to exist.

Raven sighed. "I just wanted a peaceful life."

Roxy smiled. Her expression was gentle and kind—as if she was looking beyond the legend at the woman inside. "You chose the wrong life."

Jennie looked at her. "Evidently."

Snow barked again.

Finally, the group reached the palace. It loomed in front of them—another monument to the power and history of this place. Centuries of kings and centuries of Queens, whose blood flowed through Jennie’s veins. The massive golden doors were covered with ancient battles and legends of ancient heroes.

The doors opened with a sound of deep groan, announcing another participant of the history of Seraiya.

Jennie stepped into the palace. Cool air enveloped her, carrying the smell of old stones and secrets. She expected to be brought to servants’ rooms.

She was led right to Queen’s chambers.

Jennie paused. "Wait."

The knights kept going.

"Where are you taking me?"

Lucas, answering from behind her, kept a neutral tone, though she could detect an amused one in there. "To Her Majesty."

"Why? Thought I was being assigned as her maid," Jennie said suspiciously.

"You are."

"Shouldn’t I meet the head maid then?"

Lucas chuckled. The sound was very unusual coming from his normally serious brother. "You don’t have one."

Jennie froze. "What?"

Arthur, who accompanied them too, replied coolly. "Queen herself requested you."

The implication of those words fell over Jennie, and she immediately knew she wasn’t going to be assigned to work with the palace staff. Instead, she was going to be Lilia’s personal servant.

"Ah, okay." Jennie’s eyes slowly turned to the huge, gilded doors ahead of them. "So, I am the Queen’s personal maid?"

Arthur nodded.

"I see." Jennie sighed. She walked to the huge doors and they opened for her automatically. Ahead of her stood Queen Lilia.

She was waiting by herself.

The room was beautiful – more beautiful than Jennie had expected. High windows let the fading light enter the room and illuminate the shining floor. Bookshelves covered with leather books filled the walls. Cracksling fireplace warmed the chilly evening air. Flowers, fresh and fragrant, stood in glass vases all around.

Jennie didn’t notice anything else.

Her whole attention was occupied by Lilia.

The Queen had changed from her majestic clothes into a dress that made her look... ordinary. It was a deep blue, almost black color that fitted Lilia’s eyes perfectly, its fabric smooth and flowing. Her golden hair fell down on her shoulder in waves that were illuminated by the light from the fireplace. She looked... human. Accessible. Real.

At that moment, when their eyes met, Lilia smiled.

This smile – warm and sincere and containing something that made Jennie’s heart skip beats – transformed Lilia into an astonishing beauty.

"Welcome, Raven."

Jennie stared at her, not knowing what to do. For some reason, that smile made her feel excited. Lilia as if had been waiting for her, not as a queen waiting for a servant, but as a person expecting another person.

"Come in," Lilia invited her and gestured to her room.

Jennie took a few hesitant steps to her and entered the room. Her boots, dusty after arena, marked her way with faint marks. She suddenly felt very conscious about herself – about her armor and her rough hands and the thousand years of blood that had made her into a sword of death.

The doors closed behind her.

Their sound was soft but decisive – like an end of a Chapter and a beginning of a new one.

And for the first time in a thousand years...

Sword King became a servant once again.

But now he was serving his Queen and becoming her maid again.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!