5:00 AM, Imperial Capital, Royal Palace, Kingdom of Avalon
…The rod fell like rain upon the girl.
In a world of nobility like this, no one cared whether a commoner maid lived or died.
That was, until a slow, steady set of footsteps approached.
“G-good morning! Your Highness…”
“Uh… up so early? You are as disciplined as ever…”
Aisha opened her eyes in a daze.
The Head Maid had lowered the wooden rod in her hand and turned her head toward the newcomer.
Her tone… fawning?
However, the warm liquid dripping from the top of her head blurred her vision, making it difficult to see clearly.
“Head Maid, what exactly are you doing?”
The newcomer’s voice was light and sweet, like a mountain spring.
At the sound, the Head Maid’s vicious tone vanished completely, replaced by nauseating sycophancy.
“Ah… Third Princess!”
“I am truly sorry. I was disciplining this clumsy maid; I did not expect you to witness such a ridiculous sight.”
‘The Third Princess?? Is it the legendary Princess Fina!?’
Leaning against the wall, Aisha felt her spirits lift slightly.
The Third Princess, Fina, was recognized as the most talented heir in the Kingdom of Avalon, infinitely more excellent than her two good-for-nothing brothers.
Disciplined, kind, beautiful, talented… a model every girl aspired to emulate.
A sudden burst of strength ignited in Aisha’s heart as she struggled to wipe her eyes with her sleeve.
She wanted to see her with her own eyes…
But as Aisha turned, the Princess looked at her.
Fina tilted her head slightly, her smooth, pale-gold hair falling loose.
On that exquisite face, a dignified and elegant smile always lingered.
And yet… when she looked at Aisha, a flicker of pity shone in her golden eyes.
“I apologize, Your Highness! She is new and does not understand palace rules.”
The Head Maid’s loathsome voice rang out again.
“Look, you wake up at 5:00 AM every day, yet this lazy creature actually slept until now…”
Fina’s brows knitted in confusion.
“Head Maid… are you saying she was punished simply for oversleeping?”
She looked Aisha over, clearly noting the severe punishment inflicted.
“No, no… her faults go far beyond that. She knocked over a water cup yesterday, and the day before… she dozed off on duty.”
Fina ignored the trivial details the Head Maid tried to highlight.
“Are all the injuries on her body your doing?”
The Head Maid’s back broke into a cold sweat as she caught the faint anger in the Princess’s tone.
“Your Highness, this is the usual rule in the palace. Commoner maids who make mistakes all receive the same punishment…”
But the pity on Fina’s face did not waver.
Fina leaned down slightly and gently patted Aisha’s shoulder.
A strange light flickered in her eyes as she gazed at Aisha’s fearful, small-animal-like expression.
“It’s all right… I will handle this for you,” Fina said with a gentle smile.
Aisha’s body trembled.
She tried to speak her gratitude, but it only emerged as a few choked sobs.
“Assign her to my side,” Fina said, turning to the Head Maid.
“I will teach this newcomer the rules of the Royal Palace.”
The Head Maid nearly jumped.
“How can that be?? The ones serving you must be high-ranking maids! And she has no noble title!”
Fina lowered her eyes, her expression tinged with annoyance.
“It doesn’t matter. I never liked being served by maids anyway. I just think she’s cute and want her by my side. Is that not allowed?”
Her tone carried a hint of confusion…
“In addition, if harshness toward newcomers is a hidden rule of the palace…”
Fina’s gaze pierced the Head Maid.
“You will be responsible for abolishing it.”
Though gentle in tone, her golden eyes clearly conveyed dissatisfaction.
“Furthermore, to ensure this rule disappears as quickly as possible, lead by example, Head Maid.”
Pointing at Aisha, Fina continued, “Given that you failed to distinguish between reward and punishment, oppressing others wantonly… you will receive the same punishment she did.”
The Head Maid’s face went deathly pale, and she stammered compliance.
Even at the Third Princess’s side, assisting with her daily affairs, Aisha felt lightheaded.
Last night, her roommate had thrown her blanket out of the Royal Palace, leaving her unable to sleep.
Early this morning, she’d been dragged from bed and severely punished.
She hadn’t expected a blessing in disguise.
‘So… I’ve been promoted?’
Aisha looked toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
This was the highest point of the Royal Palace.
Through it, the entire Imperial Capital lay before her.
A blue-gray sky shrouded the city, and the low toll of a bell echoed faintly, rousing scattered lights.
While the Imperial Capital still slumbered, the Third Princess had already begun handling government affairs.
“…Little Aisha? Do your injuries not require rest?”
Fina’s voice, full of concern, startled Aisha.
She waved her hands frantically.
“Reporting to the Third Princess! I have already applied ointment!”
Seeing Aisha flustered, the other maids nearby exchanged subtle glances.
Whispers spread quickly.
“So uncultured… so undignified…”
“Truly… impolite…”
Aisha, used to such treatment, felt dejected.
Without family protection, beatings, scoldings, and ridicule were a daily reality.
Even if Princess Fina had taken her in, it seemed she’d only changed the location of her suffering.
But Fina, at her desk, had already seen everything.
“Aisha, fetch today’s mail for me…”
By the time Aisha returned, she carried a large stack of letters.
‘Does the Third Princess really handle so much every day? Not just government affairs, but all these letters…’
She placed the letters gently on the table, careful to behave properly.
She glanced at the other maids, expecting ridicule… but none were looking at her.
The harsh expressions had vanished.
‘Eh…?’
Fina spoke again.
“Separate the letters addressed to Kares Territory; do not miss any. Throw away the rest.”
Aisha nodded repeatedly.
“Yes, Your Highness!”
As she sorted the letters, whispers resumed—but now, they weren’t about her.
“I heard Duke Caris’s side has been sending frequent reports of victory…”
“Tsk… Luve Karis really has good luck, having such a capable father.”
“I still remember what she said to the Third Princess at the coming-of-age ceremony!”
“Yeah… it was infuriating…”
‘Duke Caris…? The State Preceptor of Avalon?’
Aisha was puzzled.
Fina sifted through the letters, her expression shifting from joy to somberness with each one.
‘She really cares about Luve’s affairs…’
Aisha felt bewildered at how openly the maids discussed the Princess’s private matters.
Then, Fina found a letter sealed with an elegant wax stamp.
“Aisha, help me with this letter.”
Fina’s expression darkened, yet her eyes betrayed a complex emotion.
“If it’s official business, show it to me again. If it’s meaningless venting, discard it.”
Aisha hesitated but obeyed.
‘The signature… Luve Karis?’
The maids had mentioned Luve as the Third Princess’s childhood playmate.
Why would Fina show this private letter to her?
Carefully, Aisha opened it…
After reading just the first line, she nearly dropped the letter in shock.
[Help! Fina, only you can help me now!!]
“P-Princess!”
Aisha held the letter at arm’s length, eyes squeezed shut.
“There’s something urgent in this letter!”