After the King's terrifying declaration that I was never allowed to leave the palace again, I did the only logical thing.



I planned my escape.



Step one: Find a disguise.



I couldn't just waltz out in my maid uniform, so I stole an old cloak from the laundry room. It was gray, tattered, and smelled slightly like wet dog. I gagged but powered through. Desperate times called for desperate measures.



Step two: Avoid the knights.



The palace was crawling with guards, so I had to be sneaky. I grabbed a mop, hunched my shoulders, and pretended to be a janitor. Unfortunately—

- I didn't have a bucket.

- I was mopping a dry floor.

- I was mopping in the middle of the royal courtyard.



A passing knight stopped and stared. "Miss Thalia?"



I froze. "Uh... cleaning?"



The knight frowned. "You're holding the mop upside down."



I looked down. He was right. I had been mopping the air.



"...I'm just testing the broom's durability."



The knight sighed. "Miss Thalia, please go back inside."



So much for step two.



Step three: Climb the palace walls.



If sneaking through the gates didn't work, I'd just climb over the walls. Easy, right?



Wrong.



I managed to get halfway up before my cloak got caught on a jagged stone. I struggled, trying to yank it free, when—



Riiip.



The cloak tore in half, and I plummeted straight into a rosebush.

- Now covered in scratches.

- Dignity destroyed.

- In full view of two palace knights.



One of them rushed over. "Miss Thalia?! Are you hurt?!"



I sat up, twigs in my hair, trying to salvage my pride. "...No. Just admiring the, uh... flowers."



Step four: Bribe the carriage driver.



I snuck into the stables, where a merchant's carriage was preparing to leave. I climbed into the back, preparing for my grand escape—



Only for someone to grab me by the back of my cloak and yank me out.



I turned slowly.



And there, standing directly behind me, was the King.



The moment I saw the King, I knew I was doomed.



Golden eyes glowed dangerously as he crossed his arms. "Thalia."



"...Yes, Your Majesty?"



"Explain yourself."



I thought fast. "I... was looking for fresh air?"



His eyebrow twitched. "You were inside a carriage."



"...Very fresh air?"



The King sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. Then, his golden gaze locked onto mine.



"If you cannot be trusted to stay in the palace," he said smoothly, "then I have no choice but to guard you myself."



I froze.



Wait.



What?



Before I could argue, he snapped his fingers. Instantly, two knights flanked me.



"You are to follow Miss Thalia everywhere," the King ordered. "Do not let her out of your sight."



I gasped. "Wait, wait, wait—"



The King ignored me. "And I will personally check in on her every hour."



I stared. "...Like some kind of overprotective father?"



The King's lips twitched. "No. Like a King keeping his most troublesome maid in check."



And just like that, my life was ruined.



~~~



By the next morning, everyone in the palace knew.

- The King was now personally guarding me.

- I had two knights shadowing my every move.

- Cassian and Adrian were losing their minds.



Cassian stormed into my quarters first. "THALIA, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!"



I groaned from under my blanket. "Go away."



Adrian appeared next. "You must have done something extremely reckless for the King to go this far."



I popped my head out. "...I tried escaping the palace."



Cassian gasped dramatically. "AGAIN?!"



Duke Adrian sighed sharply. "...You truly are a menace."



Then, the door swung open once more.



And the King himself entered.



The room fell silent.



His golden gaze swept over Cassian and Adrian before he spoke.



"Both of you. Out."



Cassian froze.



Duke Adrian blinked.



And for the first time in history, both of them shut up and left.



~~~



Meanwhile, at a secret noble gathering, the true masterminds behind my kidnapping were revealed.

- Duke Valemont: The King's uncle, who lost his claim to the throne.

- Lady Genevieve: A noblewoman furious that a maid had the King's favor.

- Lord Edgar Rothwell: A corrupt noble with ties to underground dealings.



Lady Genevieve gritted her teeth. "The King has become obsessed with that girl."



Duke Valemont nodded coldly. "Which means she is our best weapon."



Lord Rothwell smirked. "Then let's put more pressure on her. Let's see how long she lasts."



And just like that, my real trouble was only beginning.