Reborn As A Maid

Chapter 13: Chapter 13 - Kidnapped Princess ( Part 3 )

The doors of the fortress exploded inwards.

Cracks of wood and stone. The moonlight illuminated the hall as armored Royal Knights poured in through the gates.

"Clear the area!"

"Check on the hostages!"

"Don’t let any of the bandits escape!"

Sound of steel ringing echoed around.

In the middle of it all stood Arthur Queens. His sword was out, his gaze sharp and focused.

He did not waste any time.

Despite the sight of collapsed bodies sprawled across the floor.

An unconscious Rogan.

A knocked out Vera.

Silas trapped beneath rubble.

And Garrick ’Iron Wolf’ Vargos on one knee, struggling to breathe, unable to stand.

Arthur stopped for a fraction of a second.

"...What happened here?"

Then he glanced sideways.

Jennie.

Sitting politely beside Princess Lilia as if she had been waiting for tea.

Lilia happily waved both arms.

"We’re here!"

Arthur blinked.

"...You’re... safe."

Jennie nodded politely.

"Yes, Father arrived on time."

Arthur glanced around again.

Slowly.

Methodically.

"...And the bandits?"

Jennie waved her hand indifferently.

"They tripped a lot."

Silence.

A Royal Knight whispered.

"...All of them?"

Another replied.

"...Looks like it."

Arthur let out a slow breath.

"...I see."

He did not need to ask any more questions.

He already understood what needed to be understood.

There are some truths better left unsaid.

---

King Aldric came not long after.

The moment he entered the hall and saw the unharmed Princess Lilia, he finally showed his true emotion.

"Lilia!"

He ran to her and embraced.

"I was told... I thought..."

"I’m fine, Father!"

Lilia proudly pointed.

"Jennie defended me!"

The king stopped.

"...Jennie?"

His eyes shifted.

Jennie gave a respectful nod.

"It was nothing, Your Majesty."

Silence.

Long one.

Then King Aldric looked at Arthur.

"...Your daughter called that nothing?"

Arthur awkwardly smiled.

"...She’s modest."

Jennie nodded.

"Yes."

No one bought it.

Not even a bit.

---

The captured bandits were quickly escorted away by Royal Knights.

As Garrick was dragged past, he met a glance of Jennie.

There was no hate in his eyes anymore.

Only confusion. frёeωebɳovel.com

And something resembling fear.

"...Who taught you?" he mumbled.

Jennie silently replied.

"No one."

It was worse.

Way worse.

---

Afterwards, back in the capital...

The report was formally declared as:

"Royal Knights successfully rescued Princess Lilia from Crimson Wolf Brotherhood ambush. All hostiles neutralized."

No mention of a kid.

No mention of an empty battleground.

No mention of impossible accuracy in eliminating a mercenary clan.

Some truths were not made public in history.

---

Two days later...

An official audience was held in the Royal Palace.

The hall was quieter today.

No celebration.

Just recognition.

King Aldric stood before the throne, meeting the gaze of Arthur Queens.

"You once refused power."

Arthur nodded.

"I did, Your Majesty."

"And yet," the king said, "you continue to serve as its shield."

Arthur remained silent.

Jennie stood behind him.

Calming.

Serene.

Observing.

King Aldric stepped down from the throne.

"I will not ask you again to take the role of my Royal Hand."

Arthur lifted his head slightly.

The king smiled a little.

"Because this time..."

"...It is not a request."

Silence filled the hall.

Even the nobles forgot how to breathe.

King Aldric put his hand on Arthur’s shoulder.

"I appoint you as Royal Hand of Seraiya."

"The First Counselor of the Crown."

Shockwave spread through the hall.

Exclamations.

Whisperings.

Shocked.

Arthur closed his eyes.

Then he bowed deeply.

"...I accept."

This time, there was no refusal.

---

The king continued.

"And as for your family..."

He looked at them kindly.

"The Queens household shall be given residence in the capital."

"A noble estate worthy of your status."

"From now on, your house shall stand as one of the highest pillars of Seraiya."

Lucas nearly dropped his sword.

"What?!"

Elena gasped in disbelief.

Jennie just blinked.

"...A mansion?"

King Aldric nodded.

"Yes."

Then he looked at Jennie a little longer than everyone else.

"...And a warning."

Jennie raised her head.

"A warning?"

The king smiled gently.

"To keep as you are."

Jennie instantly understood.

He didn’t want her "to remain small".

He wanted—

not to show everything yet.

Jennie bowed politely.

"I understand."

King Aldric sighed.

"...Good."

---

That evening...

The Queens family was leaving the Royal Palace in a royal carriage.

Lucas couldn’t stop himself from talking.

"We’re now nobles of the capital!"

"A mansion!"

"Do you realize how many training halls it gives us?!"

Elena chuckled softly.

Arthur remained silent, digesting everything.

Jennie looked out the window.

Lights of the capital passed slowly.

Beautiful.

Peaceful.

Familiar.

Lilia looked at her from the other seat.

"...Hey."

Jennie turned.

Lilia frowned a little.

"You’re strange."

Jennie smiled.

"I’ve been told that."

"But..."

Lilia hesitated.

"...You’re cool."

Pause.

Jennie blinked.

"...Cool?"

Lilia hastily crossed her arms.

"Don’t let it go to your head!"

Jennie nodded.

"I won’t."

In her head...

A thought.

"This life..."

"...is getting complicated."

Not better.

Not worse.

Just... different.

Far above the capital sky, unseen once again, the Goddess Miasa observed quietly.

And smiled.

"Now..."

"...let’s see how long you’ll manage to be just an ordinary girl."