The Grand Assembly



The Royal Assembly Hall was a sight to behold—a place where power was fought over with words instead of swords.



Massive marble pillars stretched toward the high-arched ceiling, adorned with intricate gold carvings. A long red carpet lined the floor, leading up to a raised platform where the most powerful noble families stood in clusters, their gazes sharp and calculating.



The Grand Assembly had been called under the pretense of "discussing the stability of the kingdom."



Which, in noble language, meant they were plotting something.



At the center of it all stood Lady Genevieve, dressed in an immaculate emerald gown, looking like a snake that had just shed its skin.



"His Majesty has become unstable," she declared, her voice rich with false concern. "His recent erratic decisions have put this kingdom at risk. The nobles have served this land for generations—we must act before the throne is compromised."



Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.



A Duke adjusted his monocle. "The King has dismissed multiple court advisors without explanation. He refuses to engage in marriage alliances, which are crucial for stabilizing power. And worst of all, he has begun favoring a mere servant—a maid."



A Count sneered. "How can we allow a commoner to hold such influence over our ruler? We must take steps to ensure His Majesty is guided by nobility, not by lowborn distractions."



Lady Genevieve clasped her hands together delicately. "That is why we propose an official regency council. The King will still have his title, of course, but decisions will be made by those who truly understand governance."



A low murmur of agreement passed through the hall.



And just like that, the trap was set.



This wasn't about the King's so-called instability. This was a coup in disguise.



They wanted to strip him of his power—all under the pretense of 'helping' him.



Everything was falling into place for Lady Genevieve.



Until I showed up.



~~~



I had no idea any of this was happening, of course.



All I knew was that I was lost.



Very, very lost.



I had been minding my own business, walking through the palace halls, trying to find a snack (or maybe a distraction from my life crisis), when I realized something very concerning.



This was not the hallway to the kitchens.



"This doesn't look familiar..." I muttered, glancing around.



Everything was way too fancy. The carpets were fluffier, the chandeliers were shinier, and the air smelled vaguely of rich old people.



In my defense, the palace had way too many corridors. It was like an endless maze of gold, marble, and unnecessary luxury.



I sighed, turning toward a pair of massive double doors ahead.



"Maybe someone in there can tell me where I—"



I pushed the doors open.



And walked straight into a political war zone.



Silence.



A hundred pairs of noble eyes turned toward me.



The entire hall froze.



I blinked.



They blinked.



I blinked again.



Lady Genevieve's lips curled into a slow, predatory smile.



Oh no.



This was not the kitchen.



"...Oops," I said weakly.



I should have run.



I should have turned around and pretended I was a ghost.



But my feet refused to move.



"Lady Thalia," Lady Genevieve said, her voice smooth and sweet, like poisoned honey. "What an unexpected... coincidence."



I swallowed hard. Abort. Abort.



"I was just—" I glanced around wildly. "—uh, looking for... um... His Majesty?"



A noble snorted. "Lies. The King is not present here."



Oh. Oh, great.



My eyes darted to the back of the hall—and then I saw him.



Standing against the far wall, arms crossed, watching.



The King.



He was here.



And he was letting me drown.



You smug bastard!



I squared my shoulders, trying to salvage the situation. "Well, then I must be lost. I'll just be on my way—"



Lady Genevieve's smile widened.



"Oh no, Lady Thalia," she said silkily. "Since you're here, why don't you stay? We were just discussing you."



My stomach dropped.



Oh.



I forced a laugh. "Me? I'm just a humble maid. Surely, there's nothing to discuss?"



A Duke scoffed. "You hold unnatural influence over the King."



A Count sneered. "How did a maid become his personal attendant?"



Another noble whispered, "She must be a witch."



I sighed dramatically. "Oh no. You've caught me. I am, in fact, an all-powerful sorceress who has enchanted the King with my mop-wielding skills."



A few nobles actually looked concerned.



Lady Genevieve tilted her head. "Your presence disrupts the balance of the court. The King must be guided by noble wisdom, not..." Her gaze raked over me. "...by an inexperienced servant."



Ouch. Lady, you don't even know how to fold your own bedsheets.



I opened my mouth to retort—



And then, a noble in the back suddenly gasped.



"Wait," he whispered. "Could it be...?"



The entire hall turned toward him.



He inhaled sharply. "Could Lady Thalia be... the King's secret fiancée?!"



WHAT.



My soul left my body.



The entire room erupted into chaos.



"She must be!" one noble exclaimed.



"That explains everything!" another agreed.



"She's the reason he won't marry!"



I choked.



Lady Genevieve choked.



The King—was that a SMIRK?!



I turned desperately toward the back of the room, silently pleading for help.



The King did not help.



He was still watching, amusement flickering in his golden eyes.



You absolute menace! Do something!



Nope.



He was going to let me fix this myself.



Oh my god.



I am so screwed.



I closed my eyes and screamed internally.



"SYSTEM! HELP ME!"



...



Silence.



Nothing.



Not even a ding.



I opened my eyes slowly.



Oh.



Oh no.



It had been ages since the system last popped up.



Had it... abandoned me?



Was I truly alone in this mess?!



Lady Genevieve's lips curled in satisfaction. "Well, Lady Thalia?" she purred. "Care to explain yourself?"



I opened my mouth.



Closed it.



Opened it again.



Yeah, I had nothing.



This is a disaster.



I had accidentally crashed a rebellion meeting... and somehow left with an engagement rumor?!



I wanted to die.



But hey—at least I wasn't getting executed today?