By this point, I was fully aware that Lady Genevieve wanted me gone.



What I wasn't aware of?



How petty she could be.



It started with a formal noble gathering—the kind that maids weren't supposed to get involved in.



But because I had the worst luck in the world, I was suddenly dragged into it.



"Thalia!" one of the senior maids grabbed my wrist. "You're serving tea today!"



I stared.



"...Me?"



"Yes, you! Lady Genevieve specifically requested you."



I should have run immediately.



Because if that woman wanted me anywhere near her, it wasn't for a good reason.



I stepped into the grand banquet hall, balancing a silver tea tray.



Everything was elegant—golden chandeliers, nobles dressed in shimmering silks, and expensive laughter filling the air.



And at the center of it all?



Lady Genevieve.



She sat at the head of a long table, her perfectly composed smile sending alarm bells through my head.



I immediately knew.



She's planning something.



Unfortunately, by the time I realized it, it was already too late.



I approached Lady Genevieve's table cautiously.



"My Lady," I said politely, lowering the teapot. "Would you like me to pour—"



Before I could finish—



She suddenly jerked her hand forward—



And 'accidentally' knocked the entire tray over.



CLATTER!



The entire hall went silent.



I froze.



The tray hit the floor, the teapot tipped over, and hot tea spilled onto Lady Genevieve's lap.



For a horrifying second, I thought she might shriek.



Instead, she gasped dramatically, eyes widening in mock horror.



"Oh dear!" she exclaimed. "How clumsy of you, Thalia!"



Every noble in the room turned to stare.



The whispers began immediately.



"Did you see that? She spilled tea on Lady Genevieve!"



"How disgraceful for a palace maid!"



"I heard the King favors her. What a terrible example!"



My stomach dropped.



This was a setup.



And worse?



It was working.



Just when I thought things couldn't get worse—



A familiar voice cut through the room.



"Explain."



The air shifted.



Everyone immediately stiffened.



And there, standing at the entrance—golden eyes cold, expression unreadable—



Was the King.



Lady Genevieve immediately changed tactics.



She lowered her gaze, looking tragically pitiful.



"Your Majesty," she said sweetly, "I don't blame her. It was only an... accident."



I internally screamed.



She was pretending to be kind so she could look like the victim.



It was brilliant.



It was evil.



It was—



"An accident?" the King repeated, his voice dangerously calm.



Genevieve smiled demurely. "Of course! We can't expect a maid to have noble-level etiquette, after all—"



The temperature dropped.



The King's golden gaze locked onto her.



"Then perhaps I should assign her noble-level responsibilities."



The room fell into absolute silence.



Lady Genevieve blinked. "...Your Majesty?"



The King turned to me.



"Thalia," he said smoothly, "as of this moment, you are no longer a general palace maid."



My stomach dropped.



"You are now my exclusive personal maid."



I choked.



The nobles gasped.



Lady Genevieve looked like she had just swallowed a lemon.



But the worst part?



I absolutely did not want this.



"But—Your Majesty!" I spluttered. "That's not necessary! I—"



"It is necessary," he interrupted smoothly.



"But—but—"



"Do you have an issue with my decision?"



I clamped my mouth shut.



Oh no.



If I argued too much, it would look like I was refusing an honor.



Which meant—



I was stuck.



~~~



The protests began immediately.

- Noblemen grumbled about a mere maid getting special treatment.

- Noblewomen whispered about how 'scandalous' it was.

- Lady Genevieve looked ready to murder me.



And then, of course—



I personally protested the hardest.



~~~



Later, in the royal study, I dramatically collapsed onto the floor.



"YOUR MAJESTY," I groaned, "why would you DO THIS TO ME?!"



The King sipped his tea, completely unfazed.



"You prefer your previous position?"



"YES."



"You wish to continue cleaning floors?"



"*Absolutely.**"



He raised an eyebrow.



I deflated.



"Your Majesty," I tried again, "do you understand what you've done?! Now everyone thinks—"



"That you are highly competent?"



I gawked.



"...That is NOT what they think!"



The corners of his lips twitched.



"...Regardless," he said smoothly, "the decision is final."



I groaned in defeat.



My life was officially over.



~~~



The next morning, everything changed.

1. I was no longer assigned household chores.

2. Other maids looked at me like I was some legendary figure.

3. Lady Genevieve's death glare had intensified to maximum levels.



And as I passed through the halls, I heard it—her whispering to her noble friends.



"If the King favors her so much... perhaps it's time we make things difficult for her."



I shivered.



This war was far from over.



In fact—



It was only just beginning.