There were many things I had accepted about my new life.

1. The maid system was actively working against me.

2. Cassian Valenhardt existed only to make my life miserable.

3. Duke Adrian Reinhardt was a terrifying, emotionally constipated nobleman who somehow kept crossing paths with me.



But I was not ready for the palace to think I was involved with said Duke.



And worse?



Lady Vivienne was definitely not ready for it either.



The rumors had officially spread too far.



I knew this because, while I was minding my own business, fluffing a pillow in one of the guest rooms, I suddenly heard a very sharp voice behind me.



"You."



I froze.



That voice. That tone.



Slowly, very slowly, I turned around.



And there she was.



Lady Vivienne Althaus.



Looking absolutely furious.



I dropped the pillow. "Oh. Uh. Lady Vivienne. What a surprise! Haha. What brings you here?"



She tilted her head, smiling in that terrifying noblewoman way.



"I heard something very interesting about you."



Oh no.



Lady Vivienne took a slow step forward, her heels clicking against the floor.



I instinctively stepped back.



She smiled sweetly. "There's a rumor that you've captured the Duke's interest."



I choked. "WHAT—NO—WHO TOLD YOU THAT?!"



She ignored my panic. "So... what exactly is your relationship with Duke Reinhardt?"



I panicked immediately.



"I—uh—he's—"



Say something normal, Thalia.



Say something that won't get you killed.



"He's... a man."



Silence.



Lady Vivienne's smile twitched.



I mentally screamed.



Before I could correct myself, the door suddenly opened.



I turned.



And standing there, looking tired of everything, was—



Duke Adrian Reinhardt.



Oh no.



Lady Vivienne's smile turned sharper.



"Ah. Speak of the devil."



I whispered under my breath. "Oh gods, I'm going to die."



Adrian glanced between us. "...What's going on?"



Lady Vivienne folded her arms. "I was just discussing a certain rumor with our dear Thalia."



Adrian exhaled sharply.



Then, in the most deadpan voice ever, he said—



"There is no truth to the rumors."



I exhaled in relief. "Oh, thank the gods—"



"...Thalia is not my type."



Silence.



The entire world stopped.



I blinked.



Lady Vivienne's eyes gleamed with amusement.



I processed his words slowly.



Then, very loudly, I shouted—



"EXCUSE ME?!"



Adrian raised an eyebrow. "What?"



"Not your type?!" I clutched my chest dramatically. "My heart! My dignity!"



Lady Vivienne chuckled. "Oh, do go on, Adrian."



Adrian sighed. "I simply meant—"



I cut him off. "No, please explain, Your Grace! What exactly is wrong with me?"



His eye twitched.



"I didn't mean it as an insult," Adrian muttered.



"Oh, of course not!" I crossed my arms. "You're just saying that if you did happen to look my way, you'd immediately turn to stone."



Lady Vivienne hid her laughter behind her hand.



Adrian sighed heavily. "That is not what I said."



I dramatically flopped onto a chair. "I see how it is. I'll just go live the rest of my life in the shadows. A forgotten maid. A tragic tale."



Adrian rubbed his temples. "Thalia."



Lady Vivienne grinned. "Honestly, Adrian. If you weren't interested, you could have just said so. There was no need to crush the poor girl."



Adrian looked like he wanted to disappear.



"I wasn't trying to—"



"You know what?" I stood up. "Maybe I should spread a counter-rumor."



Adrian stared at me. "What."



I nodded dramatically. "Yes. I'll tell everyone that I rejected you!"



Lady Vivienne laughed. "Oh, this is marvelous."



Adrian sighed deeply. "Do whatever you want."



Then he walked out.



Lady Vivienne turned to me, still amused.



"Well, this was delightful. I'll be taking my leave now."



She paused at the doorway and looked at me over her shoulder.



And said—



"Oh, and Thalia?"



I gulped. "Yes?"



She smiled.



"I'd be careful if I were you."



Then she left.



I collapsed onto the chair.



~~~



As if my day couldn't get worse, Cassian found me twenty minutes later.



He leaned against the wall, grinning.



"So," he drawled, "I hear you're not Adrian's type."



I threw a pillow at him.