I had seen many strange things since becoming the King's unfortunate tea maid.

1. Serving tea at midnight? Ridiculous, but manageable.

2. Being requested to serve tea before dawn? Questionable, but fine.

3. A royal tea obsession? I was getting used to it.



But this morning?



This morning, I hit my limit.



It started at an ungodly hour.



KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.



I groaned, rolling over in my cot. "No." The knocking persisted.



"Thalia."



I flopped my arm over my face. "NO."



"His Majesty requests tea."



I sat up so fast I nearly gave myself whiplash. "IT'S SIX IN THE MORNING!"



The royal attendant shifted uncomfortably. "He's already awake."



I stared at him in disbelief. "Does he sleep at all?"



"...No."



I clutched my blanket dramatically. "This is abuse." The attendant said nothing. Probably because he agreed.



✔ 6:30 AM – Delivered the first cup of tea.

✔ 9 AM – "Another cup."

✔ 12 PM – "Tea, now."

✔ 3 PM – "Why are you taking so long?"

✔ 7 PM – "One more before bed."



Then.



The worst one.



✔ 3 AM –



KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.



I wanted to die.



~~~



The next morning, I was so sleep-deprived that I nearly put salt in the King's tea instead of sugar. But just as I was about to collapse from exhaustion—



The head steward walked in. "Thalia," he said, handing me something small.



I blinked blearily. "Huh?" He sighed. "It's your salary."



I froze. Then I stared at the small pouch of gold coins.



"...You mean I actually get paid for this?"



The steward pinched the bridge of his nose. "Yes. This is a job." I clutched the gold like it was my firstborn child.



"MY MONEY."



"You also have a day off."



My soul ascended.



"I'M FREE."



I had every intention of being responsible with my money.



Really.



But the moment I stepped into the bustling city market—



My self-control evaporated.



✔ 10 minutes in: "Ooooh, silk gloves!"

✔ 20 minutes in: "A new hairpin? I NEED IT."

✔ 30 minutes in: "THIS DRESS. I DON'T NEED IT, BUT I WANT IT."



I was unstoppable.



Until—



"Thalia?"



I turned around, arms full of shopping bags—



And came face to face with Cassian.



Cassian took one long look at me. Then at the bags. Then back at me.



"...Did you just spend your entire salary in under an hour?"



I hugged my purchases defensively. "I have no regrets."



Cassian snorted. "You're impossible."



Then, just as I was about to run away before he judged me more—



A new voice joined in.



"...You're spending money recklessly."



I turned. And there stood Adrian.



And behind him—



Damian.



~~~



Cassian.



Adrian.



Damian.



All in one place.



The gods were punishing me.



Adrian crossing his arms, unimpressed, "You wasted your entire paycheck."



While Cassian is grinning like an idiot. Damian, amused, watching my suffering like it was a performance. "Fascinating. I wonder how long before she's broke."



I threw my arms up. "CAN'T A GIRL ENJOY HER WAGES IN PEACE?"



Somehow, we all ended up wandering the market together.



Which meant:



1. Duke Adrian looking constantly irritated.

2. Cassian starting unnecessary fights with vendors.

3. Damian making snarky observations about everything.

4. Me trying to buy even more useless things.



At some point, Cassian accidentally knocked over a fruit stall. Then Adrian got dragged into haggling over a sword. Then Damian mysteriously disappeared and reappeared with free food.



It was a disaster. What are they even doing here?



~~~



After the best day ever, I returned to the palace—relaxed, refreshed, and totally broke. But when I arrived...



Something was off. The palace halls felt tense. The maids were whispering. Even the guards looked unsettled.



And then, as I rounded the corner—



I saw her.



A new noblewoman, dressed in deep crimson, standing in the center of the hall. Her sharp green eyes flickered to me.



She smiled. But it wasn't a kind smile.



It was a dangerous one.



And I immediately knew—



She wanted me gone.