There were three universal truths I had learned in this ridiculous second life:

1. The maid system was a cruel, unforgiving tyrant.

2. Lord Cassian Valenhardt had a deeply irritating face.

3. I was absolutely, positively not prepared for this banquet.



The palace was buzzing with activity as servants rushed around, setting up for the grand event of the season. Nobles from all over the kingdom would be attending, and unfortunately, that meant I had to act like I knew what I was doing.



Spoiler: I didn't.



[New Task Assigned: Assist with Banquet Preparations (Difficulty: Beginner)]

Reminder: Failure to complete your task will result in a penalty.



I groaned, staring at the floating system text. "Can't I just sit this one out?"



Mara patted my back. "Nope! You're on serving duty."



I froze. "I'm on what duty?!"



Elara, my new least favorite person, smirked as she walked by. "Oh, didn't you hear? You'll be serving drinks directly to the nobles."



My soul left my body.



I stared at the head maid in horror. "You're putting me—the least qualified person in this entire palace—on serving duty?"



She sighed. "Unfortunately, we're short on hands. Do not mess this up."



That was a very bold expectation.



Mara, ever the optimist, handed me a silver tray. "It's easy! Just balance this and serve drinks. And please don't spill anything on a noble."



I swallowed hard. Right. Simple. Just carry a tray.



I could do this.



Probably.



~~~



As the banquet hall doors swung open, I froze at the sight before me.



The room was massive, with towering crystal chandeliers, golden accents, and tables lined with exotic dishes that I wasn't allowed to eat.



And the guests? Draped in fine silks, glittering jewels, and expressions of barely concealed judgment.



I am going to die here.



A sharp nudge from Elara snapped me out of my panic.



"Move it, newbie," she hissed. "And try not to embarrass us."



Ugh.



Balancing my tray like my life depended on it, I inched forward, carefully maneuvering through the room.



So far, so good.



No spills. No disasters.



Maybe—just maybe—I would survive this night.



And then, of course, I bumped into someone.



Wine sloshed over the rim of a goblet.



I gasped, watching in slow-motion horror as dark red liquid arced through the air—



—and landed directly on a noblewoman's expensive gown.



Silence.



The entire hall froze.



I stared. She stared.



I recognized her instantly.



Lady Vivienne Althaus.



A high-ranking noble. Rich, powerful, and very, very angry.



My life flashed before my eyes.



The noblewoman's face turned an alarming shade of red. "You—!"



Before she could explode, I panicked.



I snatched a napkin and started dabbing at the stain.



"OH DEAR LADY, PLEASE FORGIVE ME," I dramatically wailed. "MY HANDS HAVE BETRAYED ME! MY LIFE IS YOURS! TAKE VENGEANCE AS YOU SEE FIT!"



Lady Vivienne stared at me, completely thrown off.



I continued my desperate performance. "SHOULD I THROW MYSELF INTO THE PALACE FOUNTAIN IN REPENTANCE? OR SHALL I LIVE FOREVER IN SHAME?!"



Mara and the other maids gawked.



Cassian, of course, was watching with immense amusement from across the room.



I shot him a look that screamed, DON'T YOU DARE LAUGH.



Lady Vivienne blinked. Then, she exhaled sharply.



"...Just clean it up," she muttered.



I snapped to attention. "Yes, my lady!"



[Task Completed: Crisis Averted!]

+2 Maid Experience!



I collapsed in relief.



As I hurried back to the servants' area, still rattled, I felt someone fall into step beside me.



"Quite the performance," Cassian murmured, smirking.



I scowled. "Don't start."



He chuckled. "You could've just apologized like a normal person."



"That wouldn't have been dramatic enough," I huffed.



He gave me a knowing look. "You handled yourself well... for a maid."



I narrowed my eyes. "That sounded oddly like a compliment."



"Perhaps."



And before I could respond, he was gone.



...Weird.



~~~



Miraculously, I survived the rest of the banquet.



The second the event ended, I rushed back to the maids' quarters and flopped onto my cot.



"See?" Mara grinned. "You didn't completely fail."



I groaned. "That was awful."



She laughed. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow, you'll probably get assigned to..."



I cracked open an eye. "To what?"



Mara hesitated. "Uhh... I heard something about royal quarters duty."



...Royal.



As in... the King's quarters?!



I sat up in horror. "WAIT. WHAT?!"