Tina brushed the dust off her clothes, her mind racing to figure out how to escape from Lia.
The moment she saw her enter, she didn’t even try to hide, but still got caught.
“What’s your name?” Lia’s face turned icy again, every word dripping with the authority of a queen.
“T-Tina…” Tina mumbled softly.
“Why were you hiding from me?”
“Actually… I was just catching a rat. A mouse somehow got into the café, so I ran under the table to catch it.”
It sounded like a decent excuse, but Tina still felt guilty.
“Where’s the rat now?”
“It ran away…”
Lia was silent for a moment, scanning Tina up and down, then thoughtfully said, “Alright, how much do you make working here? Stop working and come with me.”
“Huh? Me? The little mouse?” Tina felt something was wrong and kept signaling the manager for help, hoping to be rescued from this mess.
But the manager ignored her plea and dealt another blow: “Miss Tina works eight hours a day here and earns 20 Silver Coins.”
Damn, don’t expose me like this at a time like this!
“Oh? Just serving tables, yet you earn quite a bit,” Lia wondered aloud.
“That’s obvious. She’s our star attraction here.”
The manager paused, revealing a sly smile.
“So, without her, we’d lose a lot of customers. We can’t let the customers have her all to themselves. Besides, we didn’t sign a Contract Agreement forcing anyone to work here forever; Miss Tina has the freedom to choose.”
Tina let out a breath of relief.
At least you have some conscience, though not much—the greedy boss still thinking about money at a time like this.
But what Lia said next shocked everyone present: “If you come with me, I can offer you endless wealth and honor, even grant you a noble title.”
Including the manager and all the staff, everyone stared at Tina with a mix of envy and resentment, thinking how ungrateful she was to be in such a fortunate position.
“Wait, are you saying she’s from the royal family? Why her?”
“But I refuse.”
Tina would never follow Lia. The transformation potion could hide her secret for a while but not forever. If they interacted more, her identity would be exposed, and then… there would be no turning back.
“You refuse me?” Lia’s expression visibly darkened. She had expected the opposite—that Tina would gleam with greed and readily agree.
After all, most maids here were like that and couldn’t resist such temptation.
This outcome was unexpected. “Interesting. Then I’ll have you anyway.”
She reached out, grabbed Tina’s cheek, pulling her close and forcing her to meet her gaze for several seconds at an uncomfortably close distance.
“Are you afraid of me?” Lia noticed the fear.
“Of course. Who wouldn’t be scared when someone just comes up and starts grabbing you like that…”
Tina’s explanation was reasonable, though not the main reason.
“Heh, did I scare the little mouse?” Lia smirked. “Alright, I won’t push you for now.”
Lia let go, and Tina gasped for air. She hadn’t even relaxed for a moment when Lia added:
“Listen, just because I’m letting you go now doesn’t mean I’ll do it in the future. You stay here. I’ll come every day this week, and if you’re not here one day, you’ll know what happens.”
“W-What? This is bullying! It’s a threat!” Tina protested to the manager.
But the manager couldn’t help; she had done all she could. “The guests come here of their own free will. We can’t interfere. If Miss Tina doesn’t want to work, she can resign.”
“Resign, fine!” Tina was furious. Even after leaving the simulator, she was being threatened. If the tiger didn’t show its claws, it really thought she was just a little mouse.
“If you resign before the month is up, according to the Contract Agreement, you must pay ten times the Breach of Contract Compensation.”
The manager produced a contract, the terms clearly written in black and white.
Tina froze.
Damn, I never thought about quitting halfway! I was so greedy for the money that I signed the contract.
It’s all ruined.
“Well then, be a good little mouse and serve me,” Lia smiled like a victor.
She got the service she deserved. The manager gained a new customer.
Tina got the hardship of being summoned away every day on schedule.
They all had a bright future.
“I hate rich people.” Tina obediently carried the tray, looking miserable. “Mew, Master, what would you like to order?”
“Just a cup of coffee. Then… sit down. I have some questions for you.”
“As you command, Master.”
The manager admired the power of money from the sidelines—what she had done to this new maid.
But since the two seemed to have private matters, it was better not to disturb.
“Master, please enjoy.” Tina reluctantly served the coffee and then sat down under Lia’s watchful gaze.
“Your name’s Tina, right?” Lia lifted her teacup and stared at the maid with a scrutinizing look.
Tina’s voice trembled slightly.
“Don’t be nervous. I’m not going to eat you.”
For some reason, Lia felt no malice toward the maid before her, unlike the other maids in the café. It made her seem biased, but she couldn’t explain it—Tina simply didn’t match any other maid’s traits.
“I want to ask where you’re from, how your family is, and where you live now.” Lia was trying to extract all the information at once.
“Well… it’s not customary here to reveal personal info in our shop.”
“Speak up.” Lia’s face darkened again.
“Don’t get mad. I’m just saying I don’t know.” Tina was helpless; most of this info had to be made up since she wasn’t a resident of this world and had no connections.
“I’m from Valencia originally. My parents are gone, so I work to support myself. I live in a Nobleman’s Mansion, helping with chores.”
Yeah, that’s it—airtight.
Tina just needed to explain to Vanessa and the others later and get them to corroborate.
“Oh? You’ve had it rough, haven’t you, little mouse?” Lia stared intensely, making Tina uncomfortable.
“Of course I’m not lying.”
“Good. Since that’s the case, take me to your place after work?” Lia’s invitation was straightforward, and Tina could only agree—refusing would mean lying.
To earn Lia’s trust, she had to bite the bullet for one week.
“Okay, sure. Master, remember to come every day.”
“You don’t have to say it; I will anyway.”
Lia finished the last of her coffee and stood to leave, planning to meet her teammates first.
“Come find me after work. I’ll be at the inn across the street.”
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