There were many things I never expected in my life.

1. Accidentally becoming competent at being a maid? Unbelievable.

2. A nobleman taking interest in me? Terrifying.

3. Being appointed as the King's personal tea maker?



Absolutely not. Immediate rejection.



Yet, somehow, all of those things were happening at the same time.



The one silver lining was that I had been Cassian-free for over a week.



Why?



Because he had been sent away on an assignment.



Something about investigating bandits on the northern borders.



Honestly?



I was too afraid to ask for details.



All I knew was that my days were suspiciously peaceful without him popping up to tease me.



Of course, that peace didn't last.



Because something worse was coming.



"You'll be assisting with today's noble gathering," the head maid told me early that morning.



I perked up. "Ah! So I'll just be serving food?"



She gave me a strange look. "No. You'll be making the tea."



I froze.



"...Excuse me?"



"The nobles have been requesting the maid who served the Countess last time," she explained.



I stared.



Oh no. Not this again.



"I—uh—are you sure I'm the best choice?" I asked weakly.



The head maid's expression darkened. "Are you refusing an assignment?"



I immediately straightened up. "No! Of course not! I love assignments! So fun!"



And that was how I ended up standing in the palace kitchen, staring at an array of expensive tea leaves, questioning my entire existence.



The gathering was a formal social event, held in one of the palace's elegant reception halls.



Attendants moved with graceful efficiency, carrying silver trays with precision.



Everything was organized, elegant, and perfect.



...Until I arrived.



I was stationed at the tea table, where nobles would be served personally brewed tea.



The head steward glanced at me, unimpressed.



"You're the one making the tea?" he asked.



I nodded nervously. "Apparently."



"Don't ruin it."



Great. So much faith in me already.



I carefully prepared the first batch—pouring water, steeping the tea leaves just right, adding just a hint of honey.



I watched the noble guests as the attendants gracefully served them their cups.



The first sip was taken.



Then another.



I held my breath.



A noblewoman blinked in surprise.



"This... is excellent," she murmured.



Another noble took a sip and nodded in agreement.



"Remarkably well-balanced."



I stared.



Did I just... succeed?!



Unfortunately, that success meant attention.



I suddenly felt it.



Someone watching me.



I turned my head.



And that's when I saw him.



A dark-haired nobleman, seated near the King's table, watching me with keen interest.



His expression was calm, composed—yet somehow amused.



He tilted his head slightly, as if evaluating me.



Oh no.



I quickly looked away, pretending I didn't notice.



That didn't work.



Because the moment I finished preparing the next tea batch, a servant approached me.



"The Lord over there would like to speak with you," she whispered.



I tensed.



"...What Lord?"



She tilted her head toward the dark-haired nobleman.



I gulped.



I hesitated, then approached his table very reluctantly.



I kept my eyes down, hands folded.



"Y-Your Lordship," I said carefully. "Did you need something?"



He studied me for a long moment.



Then, he smiled.



"You brewed this tea?"



I nodded. "Yes, my Lord."



He took another slow sip, savoring the taste.



"...Impressive."



I blinked rapidly.



Wait, what?



He set his cup down.



"I must say, I don't often encounter maids with such refined skills."



I sweated. "I-I'm just following my training."



He raised an eyebrow. "Are you?"



I smiled nervously. "Absolutely."



He chuckled. "Interesting."



No. Not interesting.



Please stop finding me interesting.



~~~



I was still processing my new crisis when I overheard a conversation nearby.



A royal attendant approached the King's table and whispered something.



The King raised an eyebrow, glancing toward the tea table.



I instantly panicked.



The King was looking in my direction.



The attendant whispered again.



Then, to my absolute horror, the King gave a slight nod.



And the attendant turned toward me.



A few moments later, the head steward approached me.



He looked exhausted.



"The King has requested that you be assigned as his personal tea maker."



I dropped a teacup.



"...Excuse me?!"



I stared at the steward, horrified.



"The King wants me to make his tea?"



"Yes."



"Forever?"



"Until further notice."



I screamed internally.



As I tried to process my new fate, my system suddenly pinged.



[New Title Unlocked: Royal Tea Maker ]

You have been personally selected to serve tea for the King. Your brewing skills may now be closely monitored. No pressure!



I slammed my face onto the table.



Mara, who had just returned from serving guests, peeked over my shoulder.



"...Thalia?"



I groaned. "I'm doomed."



She tilted her head. "What happened this time?"



I muffled my voice into the table.



"I accidentally became the King's personal tea maker."



Mara burst out laughing.



I, meanwhile, was reconsidering every life decision.