After everything—after dodging assassins, crashing secret meetings, and barely surviving a noble rebellion—I really, really thought I could just fade back into my normal maid duties.



You know, just blending into the background like a sensible, unimportant person.



Unfortunately, the King had other plans.



Because the moment I set foot in the grand hall, ready to resume my life of wiping tables and carrying tea, the King made an announcement that nearly ended me.



"From this day forward," he said, in his usual calm and regal manner, "Thalia will serve as my exclusive attendant."



The room fell silent.



The kind of silence that usually happened right before a storm.



Then I heard the sound of my own choking.



"Wait. WAIT. HOLD ON," I spluttered, waving my arms like a lunatic. "Exclusive what now?! I—I never signed up for a lifetime contract!"



The King, looking far too entertained, tilted his head. "You belong here."



I nearly collapsed on the spot.



"Belong?!" I repeated, clutching my chest. "Since when did I become your personal property?! I demand to see the contract! Is there fine print?! Is there an escape clause?!"



The King took a sip of tea and, in the most casual and villainous tone imaginable, said:

"I burned it."



"You WHAT?!"



A noble gasped. Another dropped his cane. A maid in the background crossed herself.



Meanwhile, I was about to explode.



I turned to Cassian, Adrian, and Damian for help—surely, surely they'd be just as shocked and appalled as I was, right?



...Right?!



Wrong.



Cassian just smirked. "Honestly, I'm surprised it took him this long."



Adrian nodded. "We did warn you that escaping wouldn't work."



Damian, the traitor, shrugged. "The King was in a terrible mood the entire time you were gone. This is a win for the entire palace, honestly."



"I was unbearable?" I sputtered. "You're all acting like I'm some kind of emotional support pet!"



Cassian looked me dead in the eyes. "You kind of are."



"I—" I grabbed my forehead, feeling deeply betrayed. "I am a respectable member of society!"



Adrian sighed. "You cause too much chaos to be considered respectable."



"AND WHOSE FAULT IS THAT?!"



At that moment, I realized.



I wasn't getting out of this.



~~~



I spent the next hour trying to negotiate my way out of this "exclusive attendant" nonsense, only to realize something horrifying.



I had no leverage.



The King just sat there, sipping his tea while I had a full-blown crisis in front of him.



"This is unfair," I grumbled, crossing my arms. "You didn't even ask for my opinion."



"I did."



"No, you told me. That's different!"



The King looked at me like I was a particularly interesting feral animal. "Would your answer have changed if I had asked?"



I opened my mouth—paused—then scowled. "...That's not the point."



"It kind of is."



I wanted to throw something at him.



The worst part? A tiny, stupid part of me actually felt warm inside.



Because the King was smiling.



Not smirking. Not looking amused at my suffering.



Just smiling.



Like he was... happy.



Oh, no.



~~~



As if my suffering wasn't enough, Cassian, Adrian, and Damian made it their personal mission to emotionally destroy me.



"So," Adrian started casually, "when's the wedding?"



I choked on my own spit. "EXCUSE ME?!"



Cassian rubbed his chin, nodding. "If we're being technical, Thalia is the first woman the King has ever kept this close. The nobles were already whispering about it before, but now? It's basically a done deal."



Damian, completely deadpan, added, "I'll start preparing the guest list."



"YOU PEOPLE ARE INSANE."



Adrian leaned in, smirking. "Admit it. You like him."



I immediately pointed at the door. "GET OUT."



Cassian laughed. "We're not even inside your room."



"GET OUT OF MY LIFE."



They were having way too much fun with this.



~~~



That night, I lay in bed, aggressively rolling around like a human burrito of denial.



Because one terrible, horrifying thought refused to leave my mind.



...What if I actually did like him?



I shot up, grabbed my pillow, and screamed into it.



"No. Nope. Absolutely not."



But my brain, that traitorous organ, wouldn't let it go.



He smirks at everyone, but he smiles just for you.

He listens to every ridiculous thing you say.

He protected you from nobles, assassins, and an entire rebellion.

He let the entire kingdom think you're his so they wouldn't dare harm you.



I threw the pillow across the room.



NOPE. NOT HAPPENING.



...But.



Maybe.



Just maybe.



I was doomed.