Reborn As A Maid

Chapter 1: Chapter 1 – The Last Wish

Winter had come and blanketed the Kingdom of Seraiya.

White snow fell from the sky and covered rooftops, streets and even the tall walls of the royal capital with a sheet of snow. The bustling city became silent for today was not the day for celebration.

Today was the day to say goodbye.

At the center of the capital stood the Royal Palace which witnessed generations passing away. Inside the oldest chamber, which was lit only by candles, there was a man whose name gave an era its name.

Leonis KingHeart. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

First King of Unified Seraiya.

The Sword King.

The Hero who brought peace to the centuries of war.

Age took his life finally.

His once strong body became feeble. His hands, which once could wield a sword capable to split mountains into pieces, were shaking when laid upon the sheet. Silver hair surrounded his worn out face which was marked not by vanity but years of duties.

However, his eyes remained the same crimson red color.

The very eyes which used to look without fear into countless battlefields.

Thousands of citizens crowded the palace courtyard despite the snowing weather.

Nobody talked loudly.

Nobody cried openly.

They just stood in silence.

Some of them were carrying flowers.

Others were holding wooden swords crafted by their kids.

The rest of them were lowering their heads in gratitude.

For Leonis was never just a king to them.

...

Before peace appeared, Seraiya was a fractured kingdom.

Seven kingdoms were constantly fighting over the territory.

Villages disappeared overnight.

Children started learning the sounds of war before reading.

Mercenary armies were hired to whom could offer them more money. ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Weaklings survived thanks to their prayer that the stronger pass them by.

That was a harsh period.

That age where humankind gradually forgot about kindness.

But then there was a young swordsman.

There was no divine blessing in him.

No legendary bloodline.

No prophecy foretelling his name.

But there was a sword...

...and willingness to finish the eternal circle.

Fight after fight, Leonis made a way across the continent.

Not to conquer.

But to bring peace.

He killed tyrants ruling by the force of fear.

He spared kings who surrendered.

He joined his enemies under one flag instead of killing them.

Eventually those who once fought against him began bowing to him voluntarily.

Not being afraid of something.

Believing in something.

After some years, Seraiya appeared.

Single kingdom where cities which were once enemies became connected by roads.

Trade was prospering.

Children laughed in absence of soldiers marching on the streets.

Military camps became schools.

Execution grounds became hospitals.

And even former enemies sat in the Royal Council.

People called it the Golden Age.

History called it the Miracle of KingHeart.

Leonis just called it...

Duty.

...

A soft cough escaped his lips.

Red spots appeared on the white cloth beside him.

His physician said to him weeks ago the unpleasant truth.

There was nothing else to heal anymore.

His body reached the limits of its durability.

Even magic was powerless to prevent the flow of time forever.

Door to the chamber was opening.

Old knight entered the room.

His armor was perfectly polished despite his age.

But his eyes revealed years of grief.

Slowly the knight kneeled near his bedside.

"Sire..."

Leonis smiled weakly.

"Edgar..."

Old knight lowered his head.

"Sire, I served you for fifty years."

"I know, Edgar."

"Sire, I failed to protect you."

Small laughter escaped Leonis.

"Sire, I did. You protected the whole kingdom."

"That was always enough."

Elder knight started trembling.

Leonis laid his trembling hand on the knight’s shoulder.

"You earned your rest."

Knight closed his eyes.

For the first time since he was appointed to be captain of the Royal Guard...

...he cried.

...

Hours had passed.

Ministers, generals, servants and scholars one by one were entering his room.

Some of them were thanking him.

Some of them were apologizing.

Some were just bowing silently.

Leonis received all of them with the same kind smile.

There was no spite.

No anger.

No fear.

Just peace.

After last guest left, the silence reappeared in the room.

King turned his gaze to the window.

Snow was still falling.

Luminous city lights were shining under the winter sky.

So beautiful.

So peaceful.

Everything he wanted to see.

"I have fulfilled my promise," he whispered.

Then...

...he laughed quietly.

Not because he was sorry for his life.

But because he found something which he had never admitted before.

"I have never lived for myself."

When prince...

...he trained for the kingdom.

When general...

...he fought for the kingdom.

When king...

...he ruled for the kingdom.

All decisions.

All fights.

All sacrifices.

For Seraiya.

He had no regrets.

But...

There was one thing which he had kept silent about in his heart.

Before becoming a king...

...he liked a sword.

Not the war.

Not the victory.

Just the sword itself.

Elegance of each strike.

Discipline of eternal trainings.

Feeling of merging himself with the blade.

Somewhere in the middle of his journey...

...he put aside this dream.

Duty asked too much.

And he gladly gave it.

But now...

On the verge of his death...

...he began wondering what his life would be if he just continued his path of the sword.

Without anything.

Except the dream of becoming the greatest swordsman.

"I wanted..."

His voice weakened.

"...to become the greatest swordsman."

Not the greatest king.

Just...

Swordsman.

Light from the candle was flickering.

And stopped.

Time itself froze.

Snowflakes falling beyond the window stopped moving.

Radiant aura filled the chamber.

Gentle.

Clean.

Eternal.

Lady was emerging from the light.

Her silver hair was looking like moonlight over a quiet lake.

Her golden eyes contained countless stars inside of them.

She was wearing a white dress that was seeming to be woven of light.

Each flower in the chamber was blossoming immediately after her arrival.

Leonis looked at her quietly.

Somehow...

...he already knew it.

"You are..."

Woman smiled kindly.

"I am Miasa."

"The Goddess of Creation."

There was no fear in Leonis’ eyes.

Only curiosity.

"So... This is the end."

"No," Miasa whispered softly.

"It is just the end of one journey."

She kneeled next to his bedside.

"I have been watching your life from the beginning."

"You ruled without greed."

"You conquered without cruelty."

"You built instead of destroying."

"You have fulfilled each duty a king is supposed to fulfill."

She paused.

"But your soul..."

"...did not belong to the throne."

Leonis closed his eyes.

"You noticed."

"Yes."

"What is your last wish, Leonis KingHeart?"

He was silent for a while.

When he spoke at last...

...his voice was almost whisper.

"If next life is waiting for me..."

"If I become another king."

"If I become another hero."

"If I search for wealth."

"If I search for fame."

Kind smile appeared on his face.

"I just wish..."

"...to devote my whole life to the sword."

"For the first time..."

"I want to live for myself."

Goddess looked at him with gentle smile.

And nodded.

"So be it."

"I shall fulfill your wish."

"You will be born again."

"In a thousand years."

"The world will change."

"And you will change."

"But your love to the sword..."

"...will not fade."

With the bright light that filled the room, there was no pain or fear for Leonis, only relief.

He began to slow his breathing and slowed his heart rate.

Eventually, his heart stopped.

The greatest king of all time, King Leonis, departed from the world with a smile on his face.

The bells in the palace rang clear across the land.

All citizens of Seraiya bowed their heads.

Knights saluted.

The snow continued to fall softly.

Above all of the citizens of Seraiya, and out of reach of the eyes of men, Miasa watched as Leonis left.

"Sleep well, King Leonis KingHeart; the next time you open your eyes, it will be the start of your true life."