My name is Liz. Or at least that’s what my friends call me. I turned sixteen earlier this year. My mother owns a small stall at the market square, selling various food. It’s a very tiring job. I helped out at the stall ever since I could remember.

Mother tells me that dad went off to join the royal army ever since I was four years old. He never came back. So, I’m pretty sure he’s dead.

Apparently, one of mother’s acquaintances, who she buys fresh ingredients from, heard about a job advertisement. A live-in maid at a small mansion. Mother urged me to go apply for it. She said she didn’t want me to be stuck here working at a small stall all my life.

She said I wouldn’t be able to get a good husband otherwise. Well, none of the boys ever pay attention to me anyways. Actually, mother is getting remarried. She has been seeing this city guard for some time now.

They’ve been getting all cosy with each other every time that man comes to patrol near the stall. She thought I wouldn’t notice. Honestly, I think mother just wants to kick me out so she can have alone time after they get married!

So, I went to the local employment office to apply for the job, thinking that I had nothing to lose. I got some details from the nice reception lady. Apparently, the employer is a rich upstart couple. The husband wants some maids to look after his pregnant wife and the house.

It seemed easy enough. I was always helping mother with chores and the like around the house you see. I met the man the next day. He was young! And a little good looking.

He smirked when he noticed me taking peeks at him. How embarrassing!

Anyways, he didn’t seem all that fussy. He selected two other older women together with me. I think he just picked the first three that came along.

When I saw his mansion, I couldn’t speak for a full minute. I mean, I’ve never been in a house that big! There was even a shiny carriage parked outside. All the furniture looked so expensive.

What if I break something. Such thoughts went through my head. I got a nice private room at the attached building, complete with all the bedding and furniture. I just had to bring my own clothing.

The wage is quite good too. Or at least that’s what mother tells me. I don’t really know how much one gold coin per month is.

I met the lady of the house. My first impression was that she was a gentle person. Not that pretty though. I wonder how a rich and handsome man got married to a plain girl like her. I mean, she wasn’t that much older than me!

My job at the mansion was quite easy. I just had to do whatever the two older ladies told me. They were maids who were fired after they got too old from a noble’s house. So, they knew what to do very well.

Later on, a gardener and a full-time cook was also hired. The gardener was actually one of the maids, Aunt Mary’s husband. A balding middle-aged man named Bill.

I had one day off a week. I used that time to visit mother and my friends. They were so jealous when they learned how much I earned. They made me promise to treat them to a meal.

My wages…

The madam would sometimes have her lady friends over for a party. Cleaning up after was hard.

The madam’s condition wasn’t so good when I first saw her. She seemed to be very tired all the time. Every morning, Mr Kyle would make breakfast for her personally, despite there being a proper cook. I’m so jealous. I wonder if I can marry a gentle and kind husband like that.

Oh! I saw a really very pretty girl come with the madam’s little brother. Apparently, they both go to the big academy to learn to be mages! How exciting! I had no talent when it was my turn to test so I couldn’t go.

Things went quite well for nearly two months. Then, the day when the madam would give birth came. The local midwife came in a hurry and went inside with the Aunt Mary and Laura.

I was just told to boil water and get clean cloths. Mr Kyle and Alex paced back and forth outside the room. They got in my way a few times but I didn’t dare say anything.

***

Kyle walked in a small circle in front of the room where Vanessa was in. Sometimes he would sit down, only to stand back up and resume shuffling shortly after.

Alex was a lot calmer but still worried for his sister. She hasn’t been feeling so well lately.

After what seems like an eternity, which in reality was little more than an hour, noises could be heard from within the room.

Accompanied by cries of a new born, Vanessa’s laughter could also be heard.

Kyle burst into the room without delay, scaring the midwife and maids.

“Wife! How are you? How’s the baby?!”

Kyle approached the bedside and looked at his wife and the tiny form she held in her arms.

“Dear, look at our little Kaylee! Isn’t she beautiful?”

Vanessa’s complexion was clearly much better, even straight after childbirth. The power of a Quasi-Demigod has already begun to restore her tired physique.

Kyle took the baby from Vanessa while he observed it with care. The child was peacefully sleeping after having cried for a short while.

“How’d you know it’d be a girl, wife?”

Vanessa took on a smug expression as if to say ‘I told you so’.

“I just knew dear.”

“Madam Audrey, Aunt Mary, Aunt Laura. Thank you so much!”

Kyle saw off the midwife after paying her a handsome fee. He also gave the three maids a gold coin each and thanked them for their services.

“Alex! Come hold your little niece!”

After the four family members were alone, Alex who was now holding little Kaylee spoke up.

“Sis, I can sense an abnormal amount of mana in Kaylee! It’s already about half of what I had when I was ten. She’s going to be a genius mage in the future!”

Vanessa glanced at Kyle who gave a reassuring smile back. The two had discussed this a few months ago. Vanessa knew that the child would be extraordinary. She also agreed that it would be better to keep Alex in the dark about the reason.

Vanessa could only feign happiness and astonishment.

“Really? That’s great! We’ll have one more mage in the family!”

The family of four took turns to fawn over their new member. After some time, Alex had to go back to the academy as it was not an off day.

It was surprising that the teacher even allowed him to come in the middle of a lesson. Kyle knew that Alex received ‘extra care’ but didn’t mention it to the boy.

Kyle helped Vanessa move to the main bedroom to rest. He placed Kaylee in the crib that they had readied a while back, right next to the bed.

He also took a seat next to his wife while he watched over them. His mind serene and his thoughts blank.

After a while, he shook out of his trance.

‘I could get used to this. My family can accompany me for a long time to come. The world is quite peaceful.’

Kyle smiled as he went over the memories of his long life. All the small steps he took right up until the moment he gave up on life, only to escape to a foreign land.

The time he spent on this planet was very brief by comparison yet it had been the most fulfilling. He thought about why he sought power. ‘Wasn’t it exactly for moments like these?’

Kyle very much looked forward to his upcoming life.