After Cassian's serious warning about my growing proximity to the King, I knew I had to distance myself.



For my own safety.



For my sanity.



For the sake of my future survival.



So, I carefully devised a strategy:

1. Be discreet. Avoid attention. Keep my head down.

2. Minimize interactions. Deliver tea and flee immediately.

3. Dodge suspicious situations. No more being alone with the King.



Perfect. Foolproof. Absolutely unbreakable.



I walked into the palace the next morning determined.



And then—



"Thalia."



I stiffened.



A royal attendant stood before me, visibly nervous.



"...Yes?"



His voice shook.



"His Majesty requests... your presence."



I exhaled sharply.



"Of course he does."



The moment I entered the royal study, the King didn't even glance up.



He simply said—



"Tea."



I sighed. "Obviously."



Then, before I could turn—



"...And a massage."



I froze.



"...Again?"



His golden eyes met mine.



"Yes."



I stared.



"Your Majesty," I began slowly, "perhaps you should seek a professional—"



"No need," he interrupted.



I fought the urge to scream.



After yet another session of kneading the tension out of the King's shoulders (he was noticeably more relaxed, much to my growing concern), I stood up, ready to flee.



But then—



"Thalia," he said smoothly, "what else can you do?"



I froze. "...Excuse me?"



He turned slightly in his chair, studying me.



"You seem to have... many unexpected talents," he said. "I am curious."



I hesitated.



"I—um."



My mind raced.



I couldn't exactly say, Well, in my old life, I was an heiress, so I was really good at shopping, ordering people around, and avoiding work.



That would be career suicide.



So instead, I blurted the next best thing.



"I can identify expensive fabrics just by touch."

"I have a sixth sense for the best desserts in any room."

"I can balance an entire tray of tea while walking on uneven surfaces."

"I can make people uncomfortable with a single well-timed stare."

"I have a high tolerance for noblewoman gossip battles."



The King stared.



"...That is not what I meant."



I shrugged. "You asked."



He exhaled deeply.



For the first time, I saw true regret in his golden eyes.



If I thought Cassian's warning was bad, the King's reaction to it was worse.



Because later that day—



The King summoned him.



I didn't see the conversation.



But I heard about it.



And according to palace whispers, it went something like this:



King: "You seem... very concerned for my maid."

Cassian: "Oh, you noticed? Fantastic."

King: "You spend a great deal of time near her."

Cassian: "So do you."



King: "I am her employer."

Cassian: "And I'm her friend."



Silence.



Then—



King: "Stay out of my way."

Cassian (grinning): "No."



Seriously, does Cassian have unlimited lives to talk to the King like that? I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up dead in an alley somewhere.



By the end of it, the entire palace was whispering that the King and Cassian were locked in some tense, silent battle.



And meanwhile—



I was hiding in the kitchens, hoping no one would drag me into it.



By the time I finished work, I was exhausted.



I stepped out onto the palace balcony for a brief moment of peace.



Unfortunately, I was not alone.



Duke Adrian was already there.



I hesitated.



"...Am I interrupting?"



He didn't turn.



"No."



I took a step forward, leaning against the railing.



For a while, neither of us spoke.



Then—



"You look tired," Adrian murmured.



I let out a hollow laugh.



"That's because I am."



Then, unexpectedly—



He removed his cloak and draped it over my shoulders.



I froze.



"...What?"



He finally looked at me.



"Take care of yourself," he said simply.



My brain short-circuited.



Before I could say anything—



A familiar, heavy silence filled the air.



And that's when I knew.



I didn't even have to turn around.



I already knew who was watching.



~~~



I had just finished cleaning the tea sets when I heard it.



A strange noise.



A faint shuffle from the back corridors—where no one was supposed to be.



I turned slowly.



"...Hello?"



No answer.



A cold feeling crawled up my spine.



I took one cautious step forward.



Then—



A gloved hand suddenly grabbed my wrist.



My heart stopped.



I barely had time to gasp before—



A voice whispered against my ear.



"You should not be here, little maid."



And just like that—



The real danger had begun.