Reborn As A Maid

Chapter 165: Chapter 165 - News From the North ( Part 1 )

The southern kingdoms were another world altogether.

The rugged mountains of the western borderlands had transformed into lush green hills. Miles and miles of fertile farmland stretched to the horizon in patchwork quilt formations of gold and emerald colors. The rivers glistened under the blazing summer sun with crystal clear water flowing in them. Merchants’ caravans passed by on broad stone highways, while friendly travelers greeted each other from all over the continent.

For the first time in weeks, music could be heard coming from afar instead of the echoes of battles.

Snow took a deep breath and sniffed the air. "...I almost forgot what peace smells like."

"Peace smells like fresh bread," Roxy offered cheerfully.

"Nope." Snow took another whiff and shook his tail with amusement. "Peace smells like grilled meat."

Jennie let out a happy laugh. "I think you are just hungry, boys."

They walked on until they saw the walls of the city rising from the hills. The walls were massive white stone formations surrounding one of the largest cities in the southern kingdoms. Beautiful blue banners depicting the silhouette of a soaring wyvern fluttered in the wind as if they were trying to imitate the flying creatures themselves.

The city gates were crowded with merchants, travelers, scholars, and adventurers. It was an extremely lively atmosphere, something Jennie didn’t witness since she left the western frontier.

"It feels like a busy place," Jennie said.

"And exciting!" Roxy agreed.

Snow glanced at the never-ending line of merchants with distaste. "And very noisy."

Once they got inside the city, they explored the bustling streets lined with flower stalls, bookstores, shops where one could buy armor, and coffeehouses. Street entertainers amused little children with juggling, acrobatics, and other tricks, while the musicians played cheerful melodies on the cobblestone streets.

"This city is vibrant and alive," Jennie exclaimed.

An old merchant overheard her and let out a hearty chuckle. "Of course, our queen works hard on making sure of it."

"Our queen?" Jennie questioned curiously.

"Yes, The Queen of Wyverns. The Mad Princess," the man said and pointed to the newspaper stand in the middle of the square. "Go get today’s newspaper. You’ll see."

Roxy rushed to the stand and bought the latest edition of the newspaper, rummaging in her pocket frantically. The first thing she saw was the impressive headline of the news.

THE QUEEN OF WYVERNS RESTORES THREE MORE BORDER PROVINCES

Under the title there was an elaborate illustration of a young queen standing in front of thousands of cheering citizens. She was wearing elegant white-and-blue royal attire with silver crown on her long, golden hair.

Jennie silently accepted the newspaper.

The moment she looked at the illustration—

She froze.

"...Lilia."

Time had taken its toll on her looks. She had changed; she looked older, more mature, more regal. The youthful roundness was replaced with dignified facial features.

But Jennie recognized her at once.

Her bright blue eyes, full of doubt back then.

Her gentle smile, always seeking approval.

Her determination, which finally found its voice.

It was no other but Lilia Kingheart.

Roxy noticed her silent reaction. "You know her?"

Jennie nodded thoughtfully. "I met her... a long time ago."

She traced the picture with her finger, touching the paper lightly.

Once she was a naive princess, who didn’t know how to take care of herself—a girl hiding behind royal guards and asking stupid questions because she doubted her right to the throne.

Now she stands as proud as one of the most respected rulers of the continent.

Jennie smiled happily. "You’ve grown so much."

Snow looked over her shoulder silently. "That’s Queen Lilia."

Roxy started reading aloud with admiration shining in her voice.

"Under the rule of Queen Lilia, three more provinces, ravaged during the recent demon attacks, have been completely restored. Roads, schools, hospitals, and farmlands have been built already. Trade with the northern and central kingdoms doubled in two years’ time."

Roxy looked up excitedly. "She is amazing."

Jennie nodded proudly. "She always cared more about protecting her citizens than having power."

Further in the newspaper there was another news.

"During the reign of Her Majesty, citizens of the northern kingdoms started referring to Queen Lilia as The Queen of Wyverns after she personally led the rescue actions in the border territories. Not sitting in the royal palace, Queen Lilia personally visited every village affected by the war, even helping ordinary citizens."

Snow nodded approvingly, the glitter appearing in his golden eyes. "Such ruler would be followed willingly by everyone."

Jennie smiled. "Sounds like her."

And further in the newspaper there was another information.

"The Royal Treasury finances the reconstruction of over a hundred villages destroyed during previous conflicts. Thousands of refugees returned to their homes. Crime level fell dramatically due to the creation of employment programs and better trade routes."

Roxy lowered the newspaper in amazement. "She is rebuilding an entire kingdom."

Jennie looked toward the northern skies beyond the walls of the city.

"I knew she could do it."

An old woman arranging the flowers overheard them. "Have you heard of our queen?"

"We just read today’s newspaper," Jennie answered politely.

The woman smiled and continued working with flowers in her hands. "She visits villages personally. My grandson met her. He said she remembers every child’s name."

Snow raised an eyebrow. "It is unusual for a queen."

The woman laughed, the laugh full of love and appreciation. "That is why everyone adores her."

Jennie folded the newspaper gently, her actions slow and thoughtful.

She remembered the hesitant girl, who sought for advice from the legendary Sword King—a girl, who trembled before her own image, wondering whether she is worthy.

Now this girl was the ruler beloved across the continent.

Pride swelled in Jennie’s heart.

Because she was a queen like this one now.

Silently, Jennie whispered to herself, her words barely heard in the city noises.

"You don’t need me anymore. You found your own path."

The warm wind carried her words away, as the bells of the southern city chimed in the square—a melody of hope and new beginning.

For the first time since the start of her new journey, Jennie felt real happiness for her past self.

In the northern part of the continent Queen Lilia Kingheart was continuing building the wounded kingdom, oblivious of the fact that the legendary Sword King, whom she once admired, proudly smiled at her achievements from many miles away.

"Come and buy!" the vendors cried to the customers passing by. Kids were running in between the stands, laughing like mad. The aroma of freshly baked bread filled the air, mixing with fragrance of many flowers.

Yet in all that buzz—

Jennie hardly heard anything.

She sat quietly at an outdoor cafe having a cup of hot tea in front of her, untouched and getting cold. The newspaper was still lying in her hands.

Well—it was rather lying open to some specific page.

The portrait of Queen Lilia Kingheart.

Roxy came back with three plates of food, her cheeks reddening from the effort. "I managed to find a place which is not too expensive."

She put a plate in front of Jennie. "...Jennie?"

No answer.

Jennie’s blue eyes were gazing into the portrait. Her fingers were touching the page’s edge, slightly shivering.

Snow noticed that as well. "...She’s been looking at this page for almost twenty minutes."

Roxy blinked. "Really?"

Snow nodded, his voice quiet. "She hasn’t even touched her tea."

Roxy quietly sat beside her. "What are you reading?"

Jennie looked up, as if waking from a dream. "Oh... Nothing."

Snow responded immediately. "Obviously, that’s a lie."

Jennie laughed awkwardly, her laugh sounding hollow. "I was just..." She glanced at the newspaper. "...remembering someone."

The article, under the portrait, gave a detailed description of Lilia’s recent achievements.

"Queen Lilia personally visited the northern frontier this week to inspect newly built villages. Despite numerous requests from her ministers, Her Majesty insists on not travelling in unnecessary luxury, saying that a ruler should know first about the life of common people."

Jennie smiled, her smile soft and bittersweet. " I guess King Aldric must have gone . And Adrian Too . And She took the burden to be Queen . "

Roxy tilted her head to the side. "You know the queen."

Jennie nodded quietly, her look distant. "A long time ago. When she was much younger."

Her memories drifted back, carried by a gentle breeze.

She remembers a princess hiding behind royal guards, asking questions about things she doesn’t know .

"What makes a good ruler?"

"How do I protect everyone?"

"What if I’m not strong enough?"

Jennie had answered these questions as Leonis, giving a princess advice and support, believing that frightened girl can one day become something outstanding.

Now, seeing the newspaper, she realizes that Lilia has found the answers herself.

Jennie quietly read another piece.

"The Queen has ordered that every orphan from the recent conflict should receive free education, financed by the royal treasury."

Her smile deepened, filling her with warmth. "You did great job ."

Roxy looks confused. "What?"

Jennie shakes her head, still smiling. "Nothing."

She remembers one conversation from many years ago—a conversation that happened under a starry sky, when a princess was crying, after listening to the stories about children leaving without any family because of wars.

She promised—

" When I become adult ... no child will be forgotten."

Now, reading this article, Jennie understood that she has kept that promise. Not in vain words, but in deeds. In sacrifice. In the same compassion that had always burned inside her heart.

Snow was watching Jennie’s look carefully.

It was calm. Even serene.

But—

There was something more. A quiet sadness was hidden behind her smile, like a shadow under the sunny surface.

He saw that look before. People put this look whenever they remember someone precious whom they will never see again.

Jennie turned another page. Her fingers moved mechanically.

There were news about new schools. Hospitals. Trade roads. Harvest feasts. Each of the articles bore Lilia’s name, each of the achievements was showing the compassionate heart that had always belonged to her.

Jennie whispered almost unconsciously, her voice quiet as a prayer. "You became an incredible queen."

Roxy smiles, her look warming up with sincere happiness. "I would like to meet her someday."

Jennie nods, her eyes still glued to the page. "I think you’ll like her. She’s kind. She listens before speaking. And..." She hesitates, her voice growing weaker. "...she always believed that people deserved a second chance."

Snow smiles faintly. "She seems familiar."

Jennie blinks, surprised. "What do you mean?"

"You." Snow’s golden eyes are looking into Jennie’s eyes calmly. "She sounds like you."

Jennie instantly shakes her head, a light blush appearing on her cheeks. "I’m not like that."

Snow laughs softly, his laugh being warm. "You rebuilt villages instead of chasing glory. You spared Barthus. You gave Rosario hope. You’ve helped strangers all the way during this journey." He shrugs, as if stating something obvious. "Sounds familiar to me."

Jennie looks away, blushing, her fingers fiddling with the newspaper’s edge.

Gentle breeze was flipping pages of the newspaper. They were whispering like secrets.

The portrait of Lilia was shown once again.

Jennie’s eyes were following it instinctively.

Unconsciously, she stops reading. She’s only looking.

Lilia was confidently smiling in the illustration—so different from the shy princess Jennie remembers, yet still recognizable as her.

Jennie feels pride. Relieve. And quiet ache that she couldn’t explain.

"I wonder..." The words slip out of her mouth before she realizes it.

Roxy looks up. "Hm?"

Jennie continues staring at the portrait, her voice distant. "I wonder if she’s still happy."

The question hung in the air, filled with silent longing.

Snow answered first, his voice soft. "I hope so."

Roxy nods definitely. "Someone who works so hard deserves to be."

Jennie smiles softly, her eyes still staring at the portrait. "...Yes. I hope she smiles as much as she used to."

Several minutes passed.

Roxy finishes her meal, pushing away her plate with a satisfied sigh. Snow has eaten everything that was on the table, his belly was full and satisfied.

Jennie still didn’t turn the page.

Snow leaned forward to whisper into Roxy’s ear. "See how many times she looks back at the portrait."

Roxy watched silently; her heart breaking.

Every time Jennie attempted to read another article, she found herself looking back.

Once again.

And yet again.

Unconsciously, she ended up spending more time gazing at Lilia than anything else in the newspaper.

Roxy sighed. "...I guess she really misses her."

Snow merely nodded, without a single hint of emotion. "I don’t think she knows it."

Jennie finally put the newspaper away, folding it very slowly and putting next to her empty tea cup.

She didn’t realize how she was smiling all this time.

Not to mention that she had been spending much too much time looking at one portrait.

Roxy watched her, then smiled. "Jennie?"

"Hm?"

"If you miss her..."

Jennie’s eyes widened.

"...You could always visit her someday."

Jennie’s mouth opened—and closed immediately.

This thought had not crossed her mind.

Visit Lilia?

After everything happened?

Can she just... travel north?

Snow understood her silence. "There is nothing in the rules about that."

Jennie glanced from one person to another, then to the folded newspaper.

"...Someday."

She didn’t specify when.

But there was hope in her voice.

That was enough.

To the far north, Queen Lilia Kingheart continued leading her country towards a better future, not knowing that the reincarnated Sword King who had once been fascinated with her had started wondering whether the princess he had once protected was still smiling under the weight of her crown.

The golden afternoon sun still shone upon the southern city, full of warmth and possibilities.

And somewhere in Jennie’s heart, a small seed of hope had grown—for perhaps, some day in the future, she would get a chance to see her dear friend again.