At this point, I had come to a conclusion.



The palace itself was out to get me.



There was no other explanation for why I kept accidentally overhearing classified royal information or stumbling into places I absolutely should not be.



Because today?



Today, I walked right into another problem.



It all started with another "easy" task.



[New Task Assigned: Deliver a Message to the Head Maid (Difficulty: Beginner)]



Simple. Too simple.



Which was why I should've known something bad was about to happen.



I made my way toward the servants' hall, where the head maid's office was. But as I turned the corner, I spotted two noblewomen whispering in the hallway.



I recognized one of them instantly.



Lady Vivienne Althaus.



Yes. The same noblewoman I had spilled wine on during the banquet.



I immediately pressed myself against the wall, praying she wouldn't see me.



I wasn't in the mood to be murdered by a noble lady today.



But just as I was about to sneak away, I heard something that made me pause.



"...The Duke hasn't responded yet?" Lady Vivienne asked.



Her companion, a dark-haired noblewoman, shook her head. "No. He's completely ignoring the proposal."



I froze.



Proposal?



As in... a marriage proposal?!



I should've walked away.



I should've minded my own business.



Instead, I leaned in closer, trying to hear more.



Lady Vivienne huffed. "Tsk. Does he think he can refuse forever?"



The other woman sighed. "He's Duke Reinhardt. He refuses everything."



...Wait. WAIT.



Were they talking about Adrian?!



I clapped a hand over my mouth to muffle my gasp.



Lady Vivienne crossed her arms. "His family is already connected to mine. This arrangement makes perfect sense. And yet, he continues to be difficult."



The dark-haired noblewoman hesitated. "You don't think he's... interested in someone else, do you?"



Lady Vivienne scoffed. "Adrian Reinhardt? Falling for someone? Don't be ridiculous."



I blinked.



I mean... yeah. Fair point.



The Duke was about as romantic as a brick wall.



Lady Vivienne sighed dramatically. "If he keeps refusing, I may have to... persuade him differently."



Her companion frowned. "That sounds ominous."



"Oh, hush." Lady Vivienne waved a hand. "I'll figure something out. He won't ignore me forever."



Then, before I could escape, the worst possible thing happened.



My foot slipped against the polished floor.



And I stumbled forward with a very loud—



"EEP—!"



Both noblewomen whipped around immediately.



Their sharp gazes landed on me.



I froze.



"...A maid?" the dark-haired woman muttered.



Lady Vivienne's eyes narrowed. "You."



I sweated nervously. "Me?"



"Yes, you." She stepped forward, inspecting me like a bug she wanted to squash.



I frantically tried to come up with an excuse.



"I—I was just—uh—cleaning!"



Lady Vivienne raised an eyebrow. "With what?"



I glanced at my empty hands.



"...My enthusiasm?"



Silence.



The dark-haired woman giggled behind her hand.



Lady Vivienne did not look amused.



"You were eavesdropping," Lady Vivienne said flatly.



I gasped dramatically. "How dare you accuse me of such a thing!"



"You just admitted it."



"...Oh."



Lady Vivienne's eyes glinted. "How much did you hear?"



I sweated. "Uh... something about... tea?"



Her expression darkened. "You heard everything, didn't you?"



"...Maybe?"



Lady Vivienne exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of her nose.



"I should report you," she muttered. "Meddling servants are dangerous."



My soul left my body. "W-Wait! There's no need for that!"



She smirked. "Oh? And why not?"



I panicked. "B-Because! I—uh—"



[New Task Assigned: Escape This Situation Without Dying (Difficulty: HARD)]



OH, COME ON.



Just as Lady Vivienne opened her mouth to scold me further, a sharp voice interrupted.



"Vivienne."



We all turned.



And standing at the end of the hall—arms crossed, expression unreadable—was Duke Adrian Reinhardt.



Oh.



Oh no.



Lady Vivienne's expression immediately changed.



Gone was the annoyed noblewoman ready to scold a maid.



Instead, she smiled sweetly. "Adrian. How unexpected."



Adrian's icy blue gaze flickered to me.



Then, back to Lady Vivienne.



"...Is there a problem?"



Lady Vivienne tilted her head. "This maid was eavesdropping."



I gulped.



Adrian was silent for a moment.



Then, to my absolute shock, he said—



"I see."



Lady Vivienne brightened. "So you understand that she needs to be disciplined, correct?"



Adrian paused.



Then, with the most neutral, unreadable expression, he said—



"...No."



Lady Vivienne blinked.



"...What?"



Adrian sighed. "If she were eavesdropping, I'd assume she'd be much better at not getting caught."



Lady Vivienne frowned. "You're defending her?"



Adrian rubbed his temples. "No. I'm bored of this conversation."



Lady Vivienne looked ready to argue but seemed to think better of it.



She sighed. "Fine. If you say so."



She shot me one last glare before turning and stalking off.



The dark-haired noblewoman gave me a small, amused smile before following her.



Once they were gone, I exhaled dramatically.



"Phew! That was close."



Adrian stared at me. "Why do you keep getting involved in things you shouldn't?"



I shrugged. "Talent?"



He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Do I even want to know what you overheard?"



"...Probably not."



"...Stay out of noble affairs, Thalia."



I saluted. "Absolutely! No more eavesdropping for me!"



Spoiler: That was a lie.