I had a new goal in life.



Not riches. Not romance. Not reclaiming my lost status as a spoiled heiress.



No, my goal was much simpler.



I just wanted to survive this maid job without causing another catastrophe.



...So, naturally, the palace had other plans.



[New Task Assigned: Assist in the Guest Wing (Difficulty: Intermediate)]

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



I squinted at the system notification.



Guest wing? That didn't sound too bad. Maybe I'd just be folding towels or delivering tea—nothing dangerous.



Mara patted my shoulder. "Good luck, Thalia. Try not to get yourself into trouble."



I nodded confidently. "Don't worry. This time, I'll be extra careful."



Spoiler: I was not careful.



The guest wing was filled with visiting nobles, all of them staying for a few more days after the grand banquet.



My job? Deliver refreshments and try not to get yelled at.



Simple. Easy.



And then I entered the wrong room.



I knocked politely. No answer.



So, assuming no one was inside, I pushed the door open—



Only to find a half-dressed nobleman in the middle of putting on his coat.



I screamed.



He turned.



We stared at each other in mutual horror.



And that's when I recognized him.



Tall. Dark hair. Sharp, ice-blue eyes. A ridiculously expensive black-and-silver coat with intricate embroidery.



Even before he spoke, I knew exactly who he was.



Duke Adrian Reinhardt.



The Iron Duke.



A brilliant strategist, war hero, and one of the most powerful men in the kingdom.



Also rumored to be terrifying.



And I had just barged into his room.



Holding a tray of tea.



"...What," he said slowly, "are you doing in my room?"



My soul tried to escape my body.



I did the only thing I could think of—I bowed so hard I nearly smacked my forehead on the tray.



"I AM SO SORRY, YOUR GRACE. WRONG ROOM. PLEASE PRETEND THIS NEVER HAPPENED."



Silence.



I risked a peek upward.



Duke Reinhardt was watching me with a completely unreadable expression.



I had no idea if he was about to call the guards, throw me out the window, or declare war on me personally.



Then, finally, he exhaled. Pinched the bridge of his nose.



And said the worst thing possible.



"...Who sent you?"



I blinked. "Huh?"



His icy gaze sharpened. "You're obviously not a real maid."



I gasped, deeply offended. "Excuse you, I am absolutely a real maid!"



His eyebrow twitched. "You just walked into the wrong room."



"...Okay, yes, but that's beside the point!"



The Duke let out a deep sigh, looking almost... tired.



"Tell whoever sent you that I'm not interested," he muttered.



I frowned. "Sent me? Wait—do you think I'm—?"



Before I could even finish my sentence, the door suddenly swung open again.



And in walked Elara.



Elara froze.



Her eyes flickered between me and the Duke—noting my flushed face, his partially fastened coat, and the fact that I was still holding a damn tea tray.



Then, very, very slowly, her lips curled into a delighted smirk.



"Ohhh," she purred, eyes sparkling with evil. "What's this?"



I panicked. "It's NOT what it looks like!"



Elara gasped theatrically. "Did you... just come out of the Duke's room?"



The Duke groaned.



I hissed under my breath. "Elara, I swear—"



She ignored me, clearly enjoying this way too much. "Thalia. You minx. You didn't tell me you had connections with the Iron Duke."



I almost dropped the tray.



"THAT IS NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING."



Elara didn't look convinced.



The Duke, looking utterly done with this entire conversation, finally spoke.



"Both of you. Out."



I whipped around and fled so fast I nearly tripped.



By the time I returned to the maids' quarters, the damage was already spreading.



I burst into the room, face red. "I AM INNOCENT."



Mara blinked. "Uh... what happened?"



"Elara happened." I flopped onto my cot dramatically. "I accidentally walked into Duke Reinhardt's room, and now she's spreading lies."



Mara's eyes widened. "Wait. The Duke Reinhardt?"



"Yes!" I wailed. "And now Elara is acting like I'm secretly some mysterious noble lady sent to seduce him or something!"



Mara covered her mouth, barely holding back laughter. "Oh no."



"Oh yes."



[New Reputation Status: ???]

Rumors are beginning to spread about you!



I gawked at the system notification.



ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!



The cherry on top of my misery?



Cassian found me ten minutes later, looking far too entertained.



He leaned against the doorway, smirking. "So. I hear you and Duke Reinhardt had a moment."



I threw a pillow at him.



"GET OUT."



He laughed. "I'm just saying, Thalia. First the King's study, now the Duke's chambers? You're moving up in the world."



I groaned into my hands. "If I die, bury me far away from this palace."



Cassian patted my head. "Sure. Right after you finish your maid duties."



I screamed into my pillow.