Chapter 9
When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was an ornate canopy above me. Only one thought rushed through my mind:
“I survived!”
Rian hadn’t said it outright, but it seemed he had decided to hire me as his maid. The first thing I did was check my remaining lifespan.
<Remaining lifespan: 7 days>
Up until now, I had never lasted more than a single day in this game.
“At least I can finally sleep peacefully.”
Of course, I still had to keep completing quests, but seven days gave me enough time to live like a human being again.
Knock, knock.
The door opened, and Dylan entered the room. He paused briefly when he saw me awake.
“You’re up. How are you feeling?”
I tried to sit up, but he stopped me.
“You’re still recovering. Lie down.”
He handed me a contract. It basically stated that I was officially employed as a maid for one week.
I quickly reached for a pen to sign, but Dylan covered the signature line with his hand.
“Before you sign, I need to confirm a few things.”
“What do you want to check?”
“Who are you? Where did you work before?”
“…?”
I tilted my head. What else was there to say besides the fact I had been a maid in the Campbell household?
As if he had read my confusion, Dylan clarified.
“Where were you before working for the Campbell family?”
“Before Campbell Estate?”
That part never appeared in the game. The game’s story began only after Floria had been dismissed from Campbell Estate and entered Rebecca’s service.
So… what had she done before then? I had no idea.
“What do I even say?”
I looked at Dylan. His dark navy hair and eyes matched the stiff, perfectly ironed clothes buttoned to his throat.
He was as rigid and precise as he looked. If even he didn’t know my past, then no one did. I decided to mix a little truth with a little lie.
“I don’t know.”
“…What?”
“I don’t remember. Anything.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“Believe it or not, it’s the truth. You could ask the head maid or others if you like. But I really don’t remember my past.”
Dylan studied me carefully. But staring wasn’t going to bring out any answers.
“…Fine. I’ll let that go for now.”
His blue eyes gleamed coldly. He was clearly planning to investigate me later.
“How did you know the iced tea was poisoned?”
That, at least, was easy to answer.
“I received information that the tea gifted to you was poisoned.”
“From where?”
Of course, I couldn’t just say ‘From the game.’ But I had prepared for this question.
“I bought it from an information guild.”
“Which guild?”
“The underground guild in Harunia. You know, three buildings to the right of the red-roofed house on Third Street, basement level one.”
Dylan’s eyes narrowed.
“…That’s a very expensive place for someone like you to use.”
To ease his suspicion, I added, “It cost me about five thousand gold. My entire savings. But I needed to work under His Highness no matter what.”
Of course, I had never actually gone there. But I wouldn’t be caught—because in the original game, Rebecca had been the one to visit the guild, where she accidentally discovered the plot to poison Rian.
“They don’t seem to know what kind of poison it is yet…”
It was actually concentrated dragon’s blood.
For ordinary people, it was deadly. For royals, it was even worse.
The Hernandez royal family carried dragon blood in their veins. That blood granted them immense power, but it also came with severe side effects. Chief among them: madness.
For generations, the royal family suffered from this affliction. To suppress it, they regularly drank holy potions that kept the dragon blood in check. But if they consumed dragon blood directly? Their powers would spiral out of control.
“That’s not what you should be more concerned about,” I said softly.
“…What do you mean?”
“Who the spy is. And who sent them to you.”
Dylan’s face twisted. He already knew, but didn’t want to admit it. In the original story, he ignored the truth, only to later be accused of assassination and executed by Rian.
I looked straight into his eyes.
“You know who it is, don’t you?”
His expression hardened, ice settling over his features. He didn’t answer, but I pressed on.
“The person who introduced that woman to you, and gave you the poisoned tea. That’s the spy. Your mentor.”
“…”
“And you’d better decide where you stand.”
“…What do you mean?”
“That handkerchief had detox magic on it, yes—but not to save you. It was planted so you’d be framed as the culprit.”
Dylan closed his eyes, struggling to contain his grief.
“…I already know.”
He must have seen his old teacher as a father. Realizing he had only been used as a tool to kill the prince was too cruel. I felt sorry for him, but his pain wasn’t mine to bear.
Finally, Dylan moved his hand away from the contract’s signature line.
“That’s all my questions. Sign here and the contract will be valid.”
I pretended to read through the terms, then quickly signed. I was worried he might change his mind.
Once the papers were gathered, Dylan stood, then unexpectedly bowed to me.
“…Thank you.”
“…What?”
I stared blankly at him, not expecting this.
“If not for you, His Highness might have been in danger. And I… I might have been framed as the assassin.”
He straightened and extended his hand.
“Let’s work well together, Floria.”
A warm smile softened his usually cold face.
“Only for a week, but yes. Let’s.”
We shook hands lightly.
Dylan collected the documents and turned to leave. Work surely awaited him in piles. But at the door, he paused.
“Since we’ll be serving the same master, let me give you some advice.”
“…?”
“Don’t let your guard down.”
“What do you mean?”
“Even with a one-week contract… if you’re deemed useless…”
His blue eyes met mine, filled with quiet concern.
“…the contract will be torn up immediately.”
With that, Dylan left.
***
The next morning, my official duties as Rian’s maid began.
I stepped outside, preparing to help with his morning routine. At the same time, I decided to find Anna. After all, she had saved my life several times already—I owed her at least an update.
As I approached Campbell Estate, I spotted Anna walking in the same direction. Excited, I waved.
“Anna!”
Her eyes widened.
“Floria?”
She quickly looked around, making sure no one was nearby. Then she rushed over, grabbed my arm, and pulled me into a secluded corner.
Before I knew it, she was spinning me around, checking me over for injuries. Finally, she smacked my back with a sharp slap.
“Ow!”
“Do you have any idea how worried I was? What on earth happened to you?!”
So I told her everything—from begging to work under Rian, to drinking the poisoned tea in his place.
Anna listened, then finally let out a long sigh of relief.
“At least you’re safe. I thought something terrible had happened to you that day…”
Her eyes welled up with tears. Then, suddenly curious, she asked—
