Reborn As A Maid

Never in its long history had Seraiya Royal Palace seen such silence.

There were usually plenty of people around – servants, courtiers, and other nobles of different ranks. But now, even they could not interfere with what was happening.

The torches along the corridors were burning with unusual intensity, the flames in them flickering like in response to some invisible gusts. Even the portraits of past kings and queens were observing everything intently; their painted eyes followed any movement in the darkness.

Deep under the palace, far away from the throne room and royal archives, there was a room which even most nobles had never heard of.

The Ancient Observatory.

The name was deceptive; there was nothing related to the sky and stars in it. This was a place of magic, prophecies and power of the distant past, which had existed long before the present kingdom.

Thousands of years ago the greatest mages of that era had created this place to monitor the changes in the world’s magical energy; to find the awakening of ancient powers, the birth of new magics and the stirring of things which were meant to remain asleep forever.

This was an enormous room. Its roof was lost somewhere in the shadows which stretched infinitely. Black marble pillars stood around like ancient guardians of the observatory, with runes glowing faintly on their surface thanks to the accumulated power.

In this room everything was heavy – the smell of ozone and ancient incense hung in the air, and its temperature was always cool, even during summer days. There was no sunlight here, but the temperature of the air had nothing to do with it.

In the middle of the room there was a huge round device.

A magical radar.

Its surface was full of ancient runes – thousands of symbols which changed and rearranged themselves in a living manner. Crystal fragments which were glowing with their inner light were embedded in concentric circles which were rotating slowly around the core of the device. Blue rings of pure magical energy were weaving among the crystals like threads of destiny.

It had been sleeping for centuries.

The crystals had been dark, the runes silent and circles motionless. The mages taking care of it had grown old and died, leaving their knowledge to successors which had never seen the device activated. It had become a remnant of the bygone age – a monument to the power which had disappeared from the world.

Until tonight.

BOOM!

The whole room trembled.

Dust was falling from the shadowed roof. The pillars were shaking; their ancient runes suddenly flared with the light. Several ancient crystals suddenly started shining one by one – in several seconds the whole room was lit by them like the heart of the star.

The magical radar had flared with the power.

Lilia was standing before this enormous magical formation; her golden eyes reflected its strange light. She had been urgently summoned from her chambers only a few minutes ago, leaving her quiet evening of tea and paperwork due to the shouts of the great mages. Her robe was simple, and her hair was loose, but there was nothing simple about her face – it was the face of a queen which realized that the world had just changed under her feet.

Beside her a warm golden light was pulsing in the air.

It had no form. No body. No face.

It was simply... the presence.

The consciousness which existed since the creation of the world. The divine mind which had been watching the world for thousands of years. The sword which had been forged by the gods and given a soul to control it.

Aurelia.

The Divine Sword of Light.

She did not appear as a woman or as a man. She did not walk and did not breathe, she did not smile. She was light – pure, radiant light which pulsed with warmth and wisdom. When she was speaking, the voice was coming everywhere and from nowhere – directly into minds of the chosen people.

Three elderly great mages were standing nearby.

Their robes were full of ancient magical symbols – each of them testifying the centuries of study and service. Their faces were weathered with the time and wisdom, their hands were wrinkled with age, but their eyes were burning with the fiery intelligence of people who devoted all their life to studying the forces which were beyond the comprehension of mortal mind.

One of them slowly raised his trembling hand.

"Your Majesty..."

"I see it."

The face of Lilia became serious. Her voice was calm, but there was something special about it – the voice of a ruler which realized the danger.

On the magical radar there were seven points of light.

One of them was glowing bright – golden light which somehow was familiar to Lilia and was trying to call her in some way.

The other was flickering – a pale, unsure light which was wavering like a flame of the candle.

And five others were spread all over the continent. Some were burning steadily and strong; others were pulsing with the irregular rhythm like they were being sought, fought for or hidden.

The oldest mage looked at the formation in shock. His face, which was already pale with the age, turned into the color of old parchment.

"Impossible..."

Lilia turned to him. "What is it?"

He swallowed hard; his neck was trembling from the shock.

"The Divine Swords."

Silence.

The word hung in the air inside the chamber like a chime in a church—ringing through the halls, vibrating against the very foundations of reality.

Lilia blinked. Her steady heartbeat stumbled for a moment.

"The Divine Swords?"

The mage bowed his head. His white beard wavered as he nodded.

"The records were right. The disturbance we detected during the tournament wasn’t caused by the demons."

He pointed at the magical radar. His shaking finger betrayed not only his advanced age but his excitement.

"It was caused by the awakening of the Divine Swords."

Another mage stepped forward. His robes brushed against the stone floor and carried the resonance of experience in his voice.

"Your Majesty, the magical signatures are unique."

He waved his hand over the formation and touched it. The radar responded to his movements and revealed seven symbols.

EXCALIBUR.

The name shone in bright gold color—the brightest among the others. The light pulsed with a strong, steady rhythm as if the sword itself was alive.

LEVIATHAN.

The symbol was dark blue with shimmering effect—like the sea depths. The rhythm was slower, ancient and patient.

TEMPEST.

Silver and white swirl with the crackle of lightning energy that flickered unpredictably, like a storm.

AURELIA.

Golden symbol of warmth and light.

At the same time, the light next to Lilia pulsed—an obvious sign of recognition.

Then three unknown symbols.

They were dark and intricate—shaped in a way that confused Lilia when she focused on them. These were ancient, even by the standards of the Divine Swords—those swords whose origin was shrouded in the fog of the ages.

Lilia looked at them.

"Three ..."

The mage nodded. "Three Divine Swords remain unclaimed or lost. The records tell about them only in fragments—names erased, history forgotten. But they exist. And now, they awake."

Lilia frowned. The queen in her showed herself, overshadowing the woman who had been thinking about tea and quiet evenings.

"Where?"

The great mage paused.

"That is the problem."

His hand moved along the formation and the map of the continent appeared—the huge land filled with kingdoms and wild places, mountains and rivers and ancient forests. Several places started shining.

"One is somewhere inside the Kingdom of Nocturne."

A glowing spot appeared in the north part of the continent—that place where eternal night reigns.

"Another is hidden somewhere beyond the Forbidden Battlefield."

A second glowing spot appeared in the eastern part of the land, scarred by the battle that never ended and which the earth never forgot.

A third one appeared in the south part, hidden somewhere beneath the ancient mountain range.

"And the last..."

The mage’s face paled even more. He lowered his voice to a whisper.

"We do not know where it is."

"Why?" Lilia frowned.

"Because something is blocking the radar."

The room fell silent.

The temperature of the chamber suddenly dropped. It was not the natural cold of the underground room—it was something else, something chilling the blood and whispering of despair.

Then another symbol appeared.

Black mark.

It started appearing on the magical map like drops of ink spilled on the parchment—a stain that ate the light, devouring the hope and promising nothing except destruction.

The old mage took a step back. His face was ashen now.

"Your Majesty..."

Lilia looked at him. She was calm but her hand rested on the hilt of a small dagger on her belt—this automatic movement of a queen used to anything.

"What?"

"The Demon Generals."

Lilia frowned.

Black mark was gradually covering the magical map. It was not just a single dark point—it was many. Corruption that tried to reach the lights of the Divine Swords, trying to devour the hope.

"They have started their search too."

Immediately Lilia turned to leave. Her voice resounded with the authority of a queen who would not let darkness win.

"Prepare the royal war room."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"And bring Raven."

The great mages left to fulfill her orders, their robes rustling against the stone floor as they were hurrying away. The giant doors of the Ancient Observatory closed with a deep sound, leaving Lilia alone with the golden light.

The silence that followed was thick—filled with unspoken words and ancient secrets.

Light pulsated calmly, rhythmically—a heartbeat of divine energy that existed for millennia.

Lilia noticed the changes in the rhythm of the light.

"You’re silent."

Light flickered and then Aurelia’s voice resounded in her mind—warm and familiar, like the embrace of a mother.

I am thinking.

Lilia raised her eyebrow. "That’s ominous."

I am always thinking, Mad Princess .

Lilia snorted. "Don’t call me that."

I have known you since before you touched me .

Lilia winced at the nickname. "I told you to stop calling me that."

And I told you that I will stop when you stop being adorable.

"I am the Queen of Seraiya. I am not yours to say trash to ."

You are wearing slippers.

Lilia looked down. Yes, she really was—soft fluffy things embroidered with little golden lions. Lilia had forgotten to put her proper shoes when she hurried to answer the mages’ summons.

"... That’s irrelevant."

It is adorable.

Lilia sighed. "You’re impossible."

I am a Divine Sword. It is different.

Banter was usual and familiar—rhythm that Lilia was used to. Aurelia had been with her since the age when Lilia was barely able to walk. That golden light had appeared in her nursery one night and never disappeared. She had taught Lilia about the Divine Swords, ancient battles and powers sleeping under the ground.

Aurelia was the closest thing to a mother for Lilia in many ways.

Tonight was different, though.

Tonight something was off.

Lilia watched Aurelia’s light. It had always been steady – calm, wise, warm. Now the light was flickering – small movements of the light which could be noticed only by those who were well-acquainted with her.

"You’re worried," – Lilia noticed.

The light dimmed a bit.

I am always worried.

"But more than usual."

There was a pause.

Yes.

Lilia approached the light and touched it. "Why are you keeping secrets from me?"

There was a flicker of light.

There are many things I don’t tell you, Little Lily. There are some that are not important yet. There are some that you are not ready to hear yet.

"And there are some because I don’t want to hurt you."

Another flicker.

Lilia noticed it.

"Oh. So it’s like this kind of secret."

Aurelia didn’t deny it.

Lilia crossed her arms on her chest. "You know how I hate it when you do this."

I know.

"But then tell me."

I can’t.

"Can’t or won’t?"

Both.

The silence was heavy.

Lilia clenched her teeth. "Aurelia—"

Please.

The single word froze Lilia in her place.

Aurelia never used such a word – never in all the years they were together. The Divine Sword was many things but humble and begging were not among them.

But now, for the first time ever, the Sword was begging.

Lilia felt fear taking control of her. Anger disappeared.

"Aurelia." Her voice was soft now. "What are you hiding from me?"

The light was silent for a few moments.

Then Aurelia spoke.

The truth.

"What truth?"

The truth about the Divine Swords. The truth about the war. The truth about...

She paused.

...everything.

Lilia waited.

Aurelia was silent.

"I need more than that."

Light was flickering – gentle, sad rhythm.

I know.

She dimmed.

But I can’t give you more.

The light started fading and rising to the ceiling.

Not yet.

Lilia watched her.

"Aurelia."

The light stopped moving.

"When will you tell me?"

Aurelia didn’t turn back – she had no physical form to turn. Her presence stayed in the air.

When you will be ready to hear it.

"Ready how?"

When your heart stops being afraid.

Lilia frowned. "Afraid of what?"

A light flickered one more time. When Aurelia spoke, her voice was nothing but a whisper – as if she was sharing a secret with Lilia.

Of losing what you love.

She faded.

The chamber was empty.

Lilia was standing alone in the Ancient Observatory, surrounded with old runes and pulsing crystals. Magical radar hummed in the background and showed the seven spots of light symbolizing the Divine Swords.

One of them was flickering.

Golden one.

Excalibur.

Lilia looked at it.

And for some reason she couldn’t understand, she felt pain in her heart.

Aurelia moved through the corridors of the palace.

She had no body. She had no physical form. She was light – pure and radiant light moving unseen through the old stone of the palace. She could pass through the walls, through the doors, through the bodies of servants and guards, through the fabric of reality itself.

She was a sword.

She was a sword all her life.

She was forged in the fires of creation, she was tempered by the gods themselves, she was given consciousness and purpose by the incomprehensible powers. She existed before the first kingdoms arose, before the first wars were fought, before the first heroes were born.

She saw everything.

She saw the rise and fall of the empires. She saw the birth and death of gods. She saw the darkness threatening to swallow the world and she saw the light pushing it away.

She saw Leonis.

Sword King.

Greatest warrior who had ever lived.

Owner of Excalibur.

Hero who had died defending everything he loved.

Aurelia was present when Leonis fell. She saw his body collapsing, she saw his blood soaking into the ground, she saw his soul leaving his body – not to the afterlife but to the circle of rebirth.

She had been waiting for him to come back.

For a thousand years she had been waiting.

And now he was back.

Not as Leonis, though.

As Raven.

White hunter.

Tournament champion.

Queen’s personal maid.

Aurelia recognized him immediately. She had felt him in the arena – and knew that this was him. His movements, his sword, his soul burning with the same flame that was lighting the world.

It was him.

It was Leonis.

But he was not the same.

He was changed now – in some way softer, less driven by duties and more open to the pleasures of life. He was reborn, not only in body but in spirit too.

And he was carrying Excalibur.

Aurelia had felt its presence from the very moment she had entered the palace. The golden blade was hidden under the powerful magic but she could feel it. She could always feel her siblings.

Excalibur.

Leviathan.

Tempest.

Three swords that were forged along with her and that fought alongside with her in all the battles. Three swords that had been scattered across the world after the Great Demon War.

They were together now.

They were with Leonis.

They were with their master.

Aurelia’s light flickered with emotions.

She wanted to tell Lilia everything. To share everything – about rebirth, about past lives, about the love spanning through the millennia. She wanted to help her to remember.

But she couldn’t.

Because she knew what would happen.

Aurelia knew the pain of seeing her lover go through that process of remembrance. The pain of losing Jennie. Of waiting for her return. And of losing her again.

The Divinity had watched the woman suffer through many lifetimes. She saw her soul reincarnated many times over. Again and again, searching for something elusive. For someone that she cannot remember.

Now, she found that someone.

But Lilia did not know it yet.

She could not know it yet.

Because if she knows, she will want to be with her. She will yearn for her company and to be with her again. Loving her would entail putting herself in great risk. Her heart, soul, and even her life.

Aurelia cannot watch that happen again.

Again, she has to witness Lilia losing him once more.

So she kept the secret.

She kept her true love locked away in the depths of her divine consciousness. She carried the burden to spare Lilia from suffering.

Even if it means that Lilia hated her for that.

Even if it meant that she will never forgive her.

She would carry that secret forever.

Because that is what it means to love someone.

That is what it means to be a Divine Sword.

A Few Minutes Later

Jennie enjoyed her tea.

No monsters. No Demon Generals. No ancient ruins. No legendary swords. No prophecies of doom to the end of the world.

Just tea.

She sat under a tree inside the garden of the palace. She wore her newly acquired maid uniform. The afternoon sun shone upon her, casting patterns of golden light all around her. The smell of roses and jasmine filled the air together with the song of some birds singing somewhere far away.

It was, Jennie thought to herself, almost peaceful.

Almost.

She gazed down at her new black and white outfit. Yes, the dress had a good quality, soft and comfortable. Nothing can take away the humiliation of wearing one.

Her maid uniform, white apron, black dress, and the funny little hat on her head made her look like a character from a child story.

"This is humiliating."

Snow sat beside her. His white fur glistened in the sunlight. His intelligent eyes glittered with contained joy.

The white wolf looked at the dress and laughed.

"You’re adorable."

Jennie slowly turned to look at him. The coldness in her eyes said everything that needed to be said.

"Don’t."

Snow grinned. His tail swished back and forth in mock innocence.

"Little maid."

"Snow."

"My Majesty’s personal maid."

"Snow."

"Raven the White Sword Hunter, defeated by a dress."

Jennie’s eye twitched. Her fingers squeezed her teacup tightly, contemplating the idea of throwing it at Snow’s head.

Roxy sat across from her, fighting the urge to burst into a laughter. Her red hair seemed aflame in the sunlight and her fox ears twitched with concealed happiness.

"It suits you."

Jennie looked at her. "You’re my friend."

"I am."

"Then stop laughing."

Roxy covered her mouth, trying hard to hide her smile. Her shoulders trembled with the effort of hiding it.

"I can’t."

Jennie sighed. It was the sound of centuries worth of wars and experiences as a warrior, of fighting whole armies and defeating demons, of having been defeated by a piece of clothing.

But underneath her irritation, there was something else.

Something ancient.

She could feel them—the three presences that accompanied her for all that time. They were not physically present beside her, but were bonded with her soul.

Excalibur.

Leviathan.

Tempest.

The three Divine Swords that followed her through countless lifetimes. The three weapons that chose her—not Raven, not the White Hunter, but Leonis, the Sword King.

They were always with her. Even now, unseen by any mortal, hidden within her soul—they waited, watched, whispered.

You’re distracted.

Excalibur’s voice sounded in her mind—golden, warm, like rays of sunshine during the fall season. Her sword consciousness touched her mind gently but firmly.

Jennie took a sip of her tea. She knew how to reply to the swords’ voice—she would talk to herself.

I’m always distracted.

More than usual.

Leviathan added his presence to her mind—he was calm and deep, like the sea in rest. His blue sword presence was cool and soothing—a balancing point for Excalibur’s warmth.

You’re worried about something.

Jennie put her teacup down.

I’m always worried.

True.

Tempest joined the discussion in her thoughts—electric, sharp, like lighting splitting the sky. Silver sword’s presence was unpredictable and often irritable.

But this time, it was different. You’ve been brooding since the ceremony.

I don’t brood.

You absolutely brood. You brood right now.

Jennie’s eye twitched. I’m drinking tea.

While brooding.

I’m not—

You are. Your forehead is scrunched. You look tense. You keep touching Excalibur’s hilt like you expect an attack.

Jennie glanced down. Indeed, her hand rested on Excalibur’s hilt.

...That doesn’t mean I’m brooding.

It means you’re paranoid.

I prefer vigilant.

Same thing.

Tempest.

What?

Be quiet.

The laughter of the silver sword rang in her mind—bright and sharp, like a church bell on a stormy day.

You love me.

I tolerate you.

Same thing.

Jennie sighed. She had been fighting the same battle with her sword for many thousands of years, and she never won.

Excalibur’s voice sounded in her mind—gentle now.

She’s right, you know. You have been different since the ceremony.

Jennie’s grip on her teacup tightened.

I don’t know what you mean.

You do.

Leviathan’s presence pressed in her mind—understanding and relentless.

You’ve been remembering.

Jennie closed her eyes.

...Yes.

What have you remembered?

She was silent for a long moment.

Then:

A promise.

What kind of promise?

A promise I made to someone.

Who?

Jennie opened her eyes and looked at the palace—at the towers and spires rising towards the sky, at the windows catching the last rays of the setting sun.

Someone I loved.

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