The moment I saw her, I knew I was in trouble.



There she stood—draped in elegant crimson silk, her posture perfect, her chin raised just slightly in the way of those who are used to being obeyed.



Her sharp green eyes flickered over me, taking in every detail—assessing. Calculating.



And then, she smiled.



Not a warm smile. Not even a polite one.



No.



This was the villainess-level, I-am-about-to-ruin-your-life kind of smile.



I turned around immediately.



Nope. Not today.



Unfortunately, before I could make my swift, heroic escape, a fellow maid whispered nervously next to me.



"That's Lady Celeste Varendon."



I froze.



"...Varendon?" I whispered back.



"The noble family that controls the palace's internal affairs," she confirmed. "She oversees the hiring and firing of staff."



My stomach dropped.



Oh no.



Lady Celeste wasn't just another noblewoman.



She was one of the most powerful figures in the palace staff hierarchy.



And judging by the way she was staring me down like a hawk—



She wanted me gone.



My instincts screamed at me to flee.



To vanish. To become one with the shadows. To not exist.



So, naturally—



"Thalia Windrose," Lady Celeste called, her voice ringing across the hall.



I winced. Busted.



I turned slowly, trying my best to look like a perfectly harmless maid.



"...Yes, my Lady?"



She approached, heels clicking sharply against the marble floor. Her steps were measured, calculated—like a predator closing in on its prey.



She looked me up and down.



I fought the urge to straighten my posture like I used to when meeting noblewomen as an heiress.



"You're the one they're all talking about," she said smoothly.



I forced a clueless, innocent smile.



"Talking about? Me? Pfft, that's crazy. No one talks about me. I'm just a humble tea maid."



Lady Celeste's expression did not change.



"...Indeed?"



Her tone clearly said I don't believe a word you're saying.



I swallowed hard.



This was bad.



~~~



Later that day, I was summoned to the grand hall, where noblewomen had gathered.



I should have run immediately.



Because the moment I stepped inside—



Lady Celeste was waiting for me.



The second she saw me, she smiled sweetly.



"Ah, the King's favorite maid," she announced, loud enough for everyone to hear.



The entire room went silent.



Every single noblewoman turned to look at me.



I internally screamed.



"Tell me," Lady Celeste continued, voice dripping with honeyed venom, "what makes you so special?"



I blinked. "...I... make tea?"



She chuckled.



"Oh, but surely there's more to it than that," she pressed. "After all, His Majesty wouldn't personally keep a simple maid in his service. Right?"



Oh.



She was going for the kill.



The nobles were watching—waiting, whispering.



This was a trap.



She wanted me to panic, stammer, embarrass myself.



Unfortunately for her...



I used to be a spoiled-brat heiress.



And I did not go down without a fight.



I straightened my back.



Raised my chin just slightly—not enough to be openly challenging, but enough to remind everyone that I was once one of them.



Then I smiled.



A slow, infuriatingly confident smile.



"Oh, you misunderstand, my Lady," I said smoothly. "I don't make ordinary tea."



Lady Celeste's eyebrow twitched. "Oh?"



The noblewomen leaned in.



I casually picked up a teacup from the nearby tray.



"You see, my tea is so divine," I said dramatically, "that it has become an irreplaceable experience. His Majesty himself refuses to start his day without it."



I sighed dramatically.



"A burden, really. But one I bear with grace."



Lady Celeste's eye twitched again.



Several noblewomen stifled laughter.



I had flipped the tables.



And then—



Everything got worse.



Before Lady Celeste could retaliate, a new voice cut through the air.



"Indeed."



The nobles whipped around.



I felt my soul leave my body.



Because standing at the entrance of the hall—



Was the King.



Everyone immediately lowered their heads in respect.



I, however, was too busy panicking.



WHY IS HE HERE?!



The King walked forward, his golden gaze sweeping the room.



Lady Celeste quickly curtsied.



"Your Majesty," she greeted smoothly. "I was simply discussing the value of your—"



"You were discussing whether or not to remove my tea maid," he said flatly.



The room froze.



I internally screamed.



Lady Celeste quickly regained her composure.



"Your Majesty," she said carefully. "I only meant to ensure the integrity of palace staffing. We cannot simply allow a maid to be treated as an exception."



The King tilted his head.



"Exception?"



The temperature dropped.



A few noblewomen visibly shivered.



Lady Celeste hesitated.



"...I only meant—"



The King turned to me.



"Thalia."



I snapped to attention. "Yes, Your Majesty?"



"Prepare my tea," he ordered.



I blinked.



"...Right now?"



"Right now."



He slowly turned back to Lady Celeste.



"Unless," he said smoothly, "you would like to explain why I should be denied my morning tea."



Lady Celeste visibly paled.



I left the noble hall victorious.



Lady Celeste? Fuming.



The King? Unbothered, drinking his tea.



And me?



I was alive, still employed, and—



More importantly—



Still undefeated.



As I walked past Cassian in the hallway, he smirked.



"Well, well," he said, "it looks like you survived another day."



I grinned.



"Of course," I said dramatically. "I am unstoppable."



Just then, a royal attendant appeared.



"Thalia," he said urgently. "His Majesty requests—"



I groaned.



"LET ME GUESS. TEA?!"