There were many things I could handle.

1. Scrubbing floors for hours? Annoying, but fine.

2. Brewing tea for terrifyingly important people? Somehow, I was surviving.

3. Slowly becoming a competent maid? Okay, sure.



But this?



This was not something I had prepared for.



Because today, I learned a very crucial fact about my life.



The King did not like sharing.



~~~



I was midway through stacking linens when a senior attendant called me aside.



"Lady Clarisse Arleston wishes to speak with you," she said briskly. I blinked.



"Lady... who?"



"Clarisse Arleston," she repeated, eyeing me like I was stupid.



Oh.



She was a high-ranking noblewoman.



Famous for being elegant, composed, and slightly terrifying.



Which meant one thing.



I was in trouble.



I arrived at Lady Clarisse's sitting room, where she was gracefully sipping tea. She looked perfectly poised—the kind of noblewoman who probably never tripped over her own feet in her life.



"You are Thalia, correct?"



I bowed quickly. "Yes, my Lady." She studied me for a long moment.



Then, to my complete shock, she said—



"I would like to take you as my personal maid." I froze.



"...Excuse me?"



She set her teacup down.



"I have observed your work, and you are clearly exceptional," she continued smoothly. "You handled the banquet service with impressive composure. The way you managed the kitchen delays was sharp. You are wasted in general service." I gawked.



Wasted? Me?!



She tilted her head slightly. "Would you be interested in transferring to my estate?"



I opened my mouth. Then promptly shut it. Because what was I supposed to say?! I had worked so hard to keep a low profile. And now a high-ranking noblewoman wanted to personally take me?!



This was too much!



Just as I was trying to process my imminent doom, a heavy, suffocating aura swept into the room. The temperature felt like it dropped ten degrees. Every maid within five feet of me stiffened.



The noblewoman's attendants lowered their heads immediately. And I heard the slow, deliberate sound of footsteps.



I turned—



And there he was.



The King.



Everyone lowered their gazes instantly. Even Lady Clarisse, ever composed, sat up straighter, folding her hands neatly in her lap.



I, however, stared directly at him.



The King's gaze was unreadable. He was tall, draped in regal black and gold, his sharp golden eyes taking in the situation. The atmosphere was heavy. It was the kind of silence that made people tremble.



And yet, for some reason, my mouth worked before my brain did.



"Uh... Your Majesty?"



I felt the entire room mentally SCREAM at me.



You do NOT speak first!

You do NOT meet his gaze!

You do NOT sound confused in front of the King!



But I had already done all three.



The King finally spoke. His voice was calm, slow—yet terrifyingly final.



"I'm afraid that won't be possible."



Lady Clarisse hesitated.



"...Your Majesty?"



The King strode forward, every step precise and deliberate. "Thalia belongs to me."



The entire room went still.



I choked on air.



EXCUSE ME?!



Lady Clarisse remained composed, though I noticed her grip tighten slightly on her tea cup. "Oh?" she said. "I wasn't aware you had taken her as your personal maid."



"I haven't," the King replied smoothly. "But she serves my tea."



Silence.



Then—



Lady Clarisse, in a tone of pure diplomacy, asked—



"...And that means she belongs to you?"



The King gave her a very matter-of-fact look. "Yes."



I threw my hands in the air.



"THAT IS NOT HOW EMPLOYMENT WORKS."



The King completely ignored me. Instead, he looked at Lady Clarisse.



"She has already been assigned to palace service," he said smoothly. "And she fulfills a role that cannot be easily replaced." I squinted at him.



"...I literally just make tea."



"Exactly." I gawked.



"That's not a rare skill!" He tilted his head. "Then why do I refuse to drink anyone else's tea?"



I froze.



Lady Clarisse raised an eyebrow.



"...Interesting."



I pointed aggressively. "NO, IT'S NOT."



~~~



After barely escaping that public humiliation, I returned to my maid duties. Everything was calm for approximately five minutes. Then, I heard a familiar, smug voice.



"Well, well, well. Looks like someone's been moving up in the world." I froze.



Slowly, very slowly, I turned.



And there he was.



Cassian.



Finally back from his assignment. Looking annoyingly relaxed—arms crossed, smirking like he had missed way too much entertainment.



He leaned casually against the wall. "I leave for a couple of weeks," he drawled, "and suddenly, you're the King's most prized tea maker?"



I scowled. "That's NOT what happened."



"Oh?" He grinned. "Because the palace is buzzing with rumors about how the King won't let you leave his service." I groaned loudly.



"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT."



Cassian chuckled. "Sure, sure."



I threw my rag at him.



As if my day couldn't get any worse, my system suddenly pinged.



[New Title Acquired: The King's Favorite ☕]

The ruler of the kingdom has made it clear you are his preferred servant. Congratulations?



I slammed my head into the table.