It turned out that dying once made Aria incredibly observant.

For example:

She noticed how every servant flinched at the sight of her.

Except one.

The maid from earlier—the one who found her after the “drowning.”

Small, sharp-eyed, and strangely calm. While everyone else screamed, she had simply stared at Aria and said, “Do you want tea?”

Aria liked her immediately.

Back in her chambers—luxurious, gothic, and recently scrubbed of bloodstains—Aria lounged on a velvet chaise while the maid brushed her hair with mechanical precision.

“You haven’t asked any questions,” Aria said, watching the girl in the mirror.

“I figured you’d tell me what you wanted me to know,” the maid replied. Her tone was flat, respectful… and slightly amused.

Aria smirked. “Smart. Name?”

“Elin.”

“Are you loyal, Elin?”

Elin shrugged. “Depends. Do you kill your maids?”

“Only if they steal my hairpins.”

Elin gave the ghost of a smile. “Then I suppose I’m loyal.”

Aria sat up. “You’re not just a maid, are you?”

“No, my lady.”

“Assassin?”

“Half.”

“Explain.”

Elin pulled open a drawer. Inside were twelve knives, each perfectly arranged by size. Some were labeled. One was engraved with ‘For nobles only’.

Aria whistled. “Do all maids get issued murder kits now?”

“Only the pretty ones,” Elin replied without blinking.

New Ally Acquired: Elin (Stealth/Assassin Class)

Passive Effect: Bedroom conversations now leak less.

Hidden Trait: Likes violence more than tea.

“You saved me,” Aria said slowly. “Why?”

Elin stopped. “I didn’t.”

“You pulled me out of the water.”

“No,” Elin said. “I found you already breathing. Already glowing. You weren’t supposed to survive. Something brought you back, and I figured… that something might need a maid.”

Aria narrowed her eyes. “You want in.”

“I want revenge,” Elin said softly. “Same as you.”

Aria stood, her red cloak falling behind her like wings.

“Then you’re hired. Starting now, you’re Head of ‘Problem Solving.’”

Elin bowed, deeply. “Should I start with your stepfather?”

“No,” Aria said, eyes glittering. “He gets to live a little longer. Fear is a slower poison.”

Quest Chain Unlocked: The Rotten Roth Household

Target List:

Cassian von Roth (Stepfather)

Lady Virelle (Scheming Aunt)

Sir Lorne (Family Dog, possibly rabid)

Yvonne... (Status: Unknown. Revenge Priority: MAXIMUM)

Just then, a loud knock slammed against the door.

A soldier shouted, “Lady Aria, by royal decree, you are to attend tomorrow’s tribunal to prove your identity!”

Aria grinned. “Oh, we’re doing trials now? Fun.”

New Quest: Prove You're Not Dead (Again)

Bonus Reward: Public Humiliation of Your Killers

She turned to Elin. “How’s your handwriting?”

“Elegant.”

“Perfect. You’ll be forging a few death threats tonight. I want them to panic before breakfast.”

Elin’s smile widened just a little. “Understood, my lady.”

Chapter 4: The Tribunal, the Tiara, and a Tiny Explosion