Chapter 31: Chapter 31: The Night Intruder, the Hidden Truth, and an Unwanted Comfort

I knew something was wrong the moment I heard it—a faint shuffle, a whisper of movement where no one should be.

I had been alone, heading back from the kitchen after cleaning the tea sets. The hall was dimly lit, silent except for my footsteps—until it wasn't.

That was when I felt it.

A presence.

Something lurking.

I turned slowly.

"...Hello?"

Silence.

Then—

A gloved hand clamped over my wrist.

I froze.

A low voice whispered against my ear.

"You should not be here, little maid."

Every rational thought in my brain shut down.

All I knew was one thing—

I needed to survive.

The intruder tightened his grip, but before he could do anything else—

I reacted on instinct.

Step 1: I slammed my foot onto his with all the strength I had.

Step 2: I elbowed him right in the ribs.

Step 3: I spun around and—**without thinking—**delivered a perfect, noblewoman-style slap.

SMACK!

The intruder stumbled back.

I gasped. I ACTUALLY HIT HIM?!

He recovered quickly, eyes flashing with surprise.

"You—"

I grabbed the nearest object (a teapot) and threw it at his face.

CLANG!

The man barely dodged.

I grabbed a second teapot.

"I'M WARNING YOU!" I screeched.

He lunged again.

I ducked, grabbed a tray, and—using all my strength—swung it like a weapon.

WHACK!

The intruder staggered, completely caught off guard.

"Who—who even taught you this?!" he hissed, holding his arm.

"Expensive etiquette classes!" I snapped back.

Then, because I was in full panic mode, I grabbed a sugar jar and launched it at his head.

CRASH!

Sugar exploded everywhere.

"WHAT WAS THAT SUPPOSED TO DO?!" he shouted.

"DISTRACT YOU?!"

The intruder recovered faster than I expected.

He moved sharply, grabbing for me again—

And then—

BOOM.

A door SLAMMED open.

Two things happened at once.

1. Cassian appeared.

2. So did Duke Adrian.

"THALIA?" Cassian barked.

"What's going on—" Adrian started.

They both took in the scene.

✔ Me, wielding a silver tray like a weapon.

✔ A masked intruder covered in sugar.

✔ Teapots, shattered everywhere.

Cassian's eyes widened.

"Oh," he breathed. "I AM SO PROUD."

The intruder cursed and moved to escape.

And then—

Cassian, grinning like a lunatic, YEETED a bread roll straight at his head.

THWACK.

The man stumbled, utterly unprepared.

Then—

Adrian stepped in, blocking his escape.

"Surrender," Adrian ordered.

The man hesitated—then bolted the opposite direction.

Cassian—**laughing hysterically—**ran after him.

Adrian sighed deeply and turned to me.

"Are you hurt?"

I shakily clutched the tray.

"...Only emotionally."

~~~

The next morning, I was still shaken.

The palace was in an uproar.

Nobody knew who the masked intruder was.

But I did.

Because in the middle of my sugar-fueled fight, I had overheard something.

Something terrifying.

Before the intruder fled, I had heard him mutter:

"The job's not finished yet. The palace is already watching her. If we don't act soon—"

He had stopped himself.

But I knew what he meant.

Someone was targeting me.

And this man had only been the beginning.

I burst into the royal study in full panic mode.

"YOUR MAJESTY—"

The King looked up.

I collapsed onto the floor, arms outstretched dramatically.

"I ALMOST DIED LAST NIGHT."

He stared at me.

"...Explain."

I launched into my story.

- Masked intruder.

- My epic (and totally graceful) self-defense.

- Cassian and Adrian showing up.

- The overheard secret.

By the time I finished, I was breathing heavily.

The King was silent.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"Come here, Thalia."

I hesitated.

"...Your Majesty?"

His gaze softened.

"Come here."

I cautiously stepped forward.

Then—**to my complete and utter horror—**he took my wrist gently and inspected it.

I froze.

"You were grabbed," he murmured. "Does it hurt?"

I swallowed.

"I—no, it's fine."

He studied me.

Then, in a tone softer than I had ever heard before—

"You did well, Thalia."

I malfunctioned. The King had just complimented me.

The King.

His Majesty Golden Eyes & Tea Obsession.

I had no idea how to process this.

So naturally, I did what I do best.

"W-Well," I stammered, "I do have survival instincts, Your Majesty."

His lips twitched—just slightly.

"...Clearly."

As I left the royal study, I knew.

This wasn't over.

The palace wasn't safe.

Cassian had been right.

Someone wanted me gone.

And now, after last night's attack—

The King was involved.

This was only the beginning.

And I was right in the middle of it.