Chapter 40: Henceforth, the Monarch Skips Morning Court

Tina dusted herself off, her mind racing to figure out how to escape Althea.
The moment she saw her walk in, she’d ducked without thinking—yet still got caught.

“What’s your name?” Althea’s face turned icy, each word laced with royal authority.
“Tyna…” Tina mumbled softly.

“Why were you hiding from me?”
“W-Well, I was chasing a rat. A rat got into the café, so I went under the table to catch it.”

It sounded plausible, but Tina felt a pang of guilt.
“Where’s the rat?”

“It… ran away…”

Althea paused, eyeing her up and down thoughtfully. “Fine. How much do you earn here? Quit and come with me, little mouse.”
“Huh? Little mouse? Me?” Tina’s heart sank, shooting desperate glances at the manager for rescue.

But the manager ignored her plea, twisting the knife instead: “Miss Tyna works eight hours a day here, earning 20 silver coins.”
Damn it, don’t expose me now!

“Oh? Pretty good for a tray-carrier.” Althea raised an eyebrow.
“Of course! She’s our star attraction,” the manager said with a sly grin. “But without her, we’d lose customers. We can’t let you monopolize her. Besides, we don’t force lifelong contracts—Miss Tyna has her own choice.”

Tina exhaled in relief.
Some conscience there, but not much. Greedy boss, still chasing profit.

To everyone’s shock, Althea’s next words stunned the room: “Follow me, and I’ll give you endless wealth and a noble title.”
The manager, staff, and patrons all stared at Tina, green with envy. “Wait, is that the king? Why her?”

“But I refuse.”
Tina couldn’t go with Althea. Her transformation potion could hide her temporarily, but prolonged contact risked exposure—and then, no turning back.

“You’re refusing me?” Althea’s expression visibly chilled. She’d expected greedy eyes and eager acceptance, typical of the maids here, unable to resist such temptation.
This refusal was… intriguing. “Fine, then I insist on you.”

She grabbed Tina’s cheeks, pulling her close, forcing eye contact for a few seconds.
“You’re scared of me?” Althea saw her fear.

“W-Well, who wouldn’t be scared of someone grabbing and intimidating them like that…”
Tina’s excuse was reasonable, though not her main reason.

“Heh, did I scare the little mouse? Alright, I won’t push you—for now.”
Althea released her, letting Tina catch her breath. But before she could relax, Althea continued:

“Listen, I’m letting you off now, but not forever. Stay put—I’ll come every day this week. If I don’t see you, you know the consequences.”
“What? That’s just bullying! It’s outright threatening!” Tina protested to the manager.

But the manager was helpless. “Guests come of their own will—we can’t interfere. If Miss Tyna doesn’t want to work, you can quit.”
“Quit then!” Tina was furious. Threatened even outside the simulator? If the tiger didn’t roar, did they think she was a mouse?

“If you quit before a month, per the contract, you owe ten times the penalty fee.” The manager produced a contract, terms in black and white.
Tina froze.

Damn it, I didn’t plan to quit halfway! I signed for the quick cash.
Ruined. Utterly ruined.

“Well? Serve me obediently, little mouse.” Althea flashed a victor’s smile.
She got her customer service, the manager got new business, and Tina got daily summons.

Everyone had a bright future.
“I hate rich people.” Tina grudgingly picked up a tray, face full of resentment. “Ugh, Master, what would you like?”

“Just a coffee. Then… sit. I have questions.”
“As you wish, Master.”

The manager marveled at money’s power, taming this new maid so thoroughly.
But they seemed to have private matters, so she didn’t intrude.

“Master, please enjoy.” Tina reluctantly served the coffee and sat under Althea’s gaze.
“You’re Tyna, right?” Althea sipped her cup, eyes locked on the maid.

“Y-Yes.” Tina’s voice trembled slightly.
“Relax, I’m not going to eat you.”

For some reason, Althea couldn’t muster malice toward this maid, unlike the others, making her seem inconsistent.
But she couldn’t pinpoint why—Tyna had none of Tina’s traits.

“Where are you from? Family situation? Where do you live now?” Althea probed for every detail.
“Um… our café doesn’t encourage sharing personal info.”

“Speak.” Althea’s briefly softened expression darkened.
“Okay, okay, I’ll talk!” Tina sighed. She had to make it up—she wasn’t from this world, unconnected to anyone.

“I’m… local to Valencia. Parents are gone, so I work to support myself. I live at a noble’s place, doing odd jobs.”
Perfect. Flawless.

She just needed to sync with Vanessa later to cover her story.
“Oh? That sounds tough. You’re not lying, are you, little mouse?” Althea’s stare made Tina uneasy.

“Of course not.”
“Good. Then take me to your place after work.” Althea’s invitation was deliberate—refusal would mean Tina was lying.

To gain her trust, Tina had to play along for now. Just one week.
“Sure, Master. Come back every day.”

“I’d do that even without you saying so.”

Althea finished her coffee and stood to leave, needing to regroup with her team.
“Come find me after work. I’m at the inn across the street.”