CHAPTER 138: BE AGGRESSIF!

Alora entered the gate after finishing work. Instead of going to her room, she chose to walk to the dormitory even though it was quite far.

When she arrived, she saw Garry leading out another man who looked angry.

She quietly stood behind a tree until they passed. Even though she stayed silent, she knew many things happening inside the palace. This was because everyone considered her invisible or harmless.

Since childhood, she had learned how to survive among people who looked down on her. It was common for them to openly hurt her and her mother, calling them the scum of society.

Everyone called her the illegitimate child or a whore’s kid. She and her mother lived in isolation for years. When her mother fell ill and eventually died because no one would give them work, she knew she would starve if she didn’t do something.

At the age of ten, she understood how nobles lived. Her mother had forbidden her from approaching the Vemming family, afraid she would get hurt. But her only choices were to die of starvation or risk being killed.

She made sure the Vemming family didn’t hurt her by telling everyone she was Adam Vemming’s abandoned child. She succeeded in gaining attention. When she came to the family, they were busy finding excuses and trying to protect their reputation.

With so much public attention, no one dared touch her, because they didn’t want to make the problem worse. She shamelessly stayed with the family even though she faced insults and unpleasant treatment every day.

But she endured it. When she said she wanted to become a servant in the palace, they gladly let her go.

And here she was. After years of studying in the capital and at boarding school, she finally entered the palace. Her path seemed brighter when she saw Kai. She heard about the young man’s relationship with the prince.

Her goal was to reach the highest status in the palace, to have enough power to destroy the Vemming family. But she knew she couldn’t rush. She didn’t want to be seen as a threat, and Kai was the best bridge.

She was sure Kai would get close to Sylas. She had to help make that happen, then she would serve the young man and win the favor of one of the royal families. Or a noble’s heir. Anyone with high power.

She wasn’t picky.

Alora walked into the dormitory with a spring in her step. A bright future was in sight. She couldn’t wait to crush all those arrogant and conceited people.

Her mind was already full of plans for revenge. But for now, she had to get closer to Kai. Luckily, the young man was sweet and easy to approach.

Even so, she knew Kai’s personality would make it hard for him to reach the top of the palace, which worried her. Her future was in his hands. She had to work harder to help him.

Alora knew Garry had been ordered by Sylas to watch Kai. She knew everything. She had to be careful and always alert.

Alora stepped onto the terrace, passing through the front door, when she saw a woman coming down the stairs. She knew her well: Amelia Sarani, the daughter of the head of the royal servant academy. She didn’t understand why the young woman was there.

Alora bowed respectfully.

Amelia looked her up and down. She felt like she had seen her before but couldn’t remember. She did recognize the servant’s uniform Alora was wearing.

"Are you a servant? Why are you here?" Amelia asked.

"I want to see Kai. He’s my friend. My shift is over," Alora replied politely, smiling sweetly.

Seeing that smile, Amelia immediately remembered her. She had seen the girl once at the graduation ceremony when the girl had bumped into her on purpose. That innocent smile was disgusting to her.

"You know that not everyone is allowed to enter the dormitory, right?" Amelia snapped, her voice suddenly harsh.

"I’m not just anyone, Madame. I’m an alumna of this academy, so let me see my friend. There’s no rule against visiting friends before ten o’clock at night," said Alora confidently, still bowing politely.

Amelia fell silent, thinking of Kai. And Kai was not an ordinary servant. He was the young king’s favorite. She would get into trouble if she upset him. Finally, she walked away without saying anything.

Alora rolled her eyes before heading to Kai’s room. She knew where it was. She had visited him yesterday through the back door, but this time she didn’t want to sneak in. Now that Sylas was king, Kai’s status was surely better.

"Sssttt!" Alora whispered softly, calling Kai, who was sitting on the edge of the bed.

Kai immediately looked up, his eyes widening when he saw her. For some reason, he was happy she had come.

"What’s wrong?" asked Alora, sitting next to him.

Kai shook his head.

"What’s wrong? Tell me. You know you can’t hide anything from me. Your eyes say everything," said Alora, trying to provoke him.

Kai blinked repeatedly, looking away, wondering if his eyes really show everything.

After some conversation, Kai finally confessed his worries. He felt guilty about getting Mrs. Gremblin imprisoned.

"You don’t need to worry. It’s just a formality to remove her from the palace. If they really imprisoned her, you would have been summoned to court," Alora reassured him. She now knew why Amelia was there. So the woman was replacing Mrs. Gremblin.

The girl smiled slyly. "You’re very naive, but you should know that our principal, Mr. Sarani, is cruel and evil. He won’t take Mrs. Gremblin to court because he knows she won’t stay quiet. The principal has done many bad things and always covers them up. Now he’s making it look like Mrs. Gremblin is in prison so he can get rid of her."

Kai stared at Alora, trying to process her words. He tried to connect who Mr. Sarani was to Mrs. Gremblin.

"Now he’s making his daughter take care of the dormitory so he can do whatever he wants," Alora added.

Kai felt his chest tighten. He felt sad. Because of him, Mrs. Gremblin’s life was getting worse, and the headmaster was making it even harder.

Alora looked at his troubled face. "You can’t do anything. Servants like us can only endure. And even if we know the truth, it’s better to stay quiet."

"Why?"

"What can you do? You’ll just be killed by those in power. How many people have died from murder but were said to have committed suicide?"

Kai looked down. He didn’t like this feeling of guilt. His body felt restless.

"You can only act if you have strength, power, and brains," Alora continued.

"Can we save Mrs. Gremblin?" Kai asked.

"Why? She took your money. If I were you, I’d let her be expelled," Alora replied.

Kai stayed silent.

Alora sighed, then had an idea. "If you want to help her, you have to talk to His Majesty." She wanted to see how much Sylas would interfere in Kai’s affairs. That way, she could decide her next move.

Kai took a deep breath. He remembered the kind-hearted Bram. He would feel guilty if the man was expelled too. But talking to Sylas seemed impossible now.

"I don’t know if Master will see me," Kai said sadly.

Alora patted his back impatiently. "Then you have to find him!"

Kai turned his head, confused.

"You have to be more aggressive!" Alora insisted.

Aggressive?

Alora immediately stood up. "We have to move now."

Kai looked at her in confusion, especially when she opened his closet and pulled out some clothes.

Alora turned around and picked out a set: the shirt Sylas had given him, made of thin fabric, and gray pants.

"Take off your clothes," said Alora.

Kai stood hesitantly. He didn’t understand why she wanted him to, but he obeyed.

Alora turned her face away. The young man didn’t ask questions. He just undressed in front of her! Didn’t he have any shame?

"Ah, wear this!" Alora held out the clothes.

Kai put them on without a second thought.

Alora glanced at him and sighed in relief when she saw him dressed.

"So, we’re going to His Majesty’s residence. The guards will stop you, but just say King Sylas is looking for you."

Kai stared at her. "Why should I do that?"

"So you can meet him, of course. He’ll be happy to see you. If you keep accepting things like this, His Majesty will forget you soon. You have to be more active!" Alora explained at length.

But Kai hesitated. How could he dare to meet his master without being invited? He had never done that before.

But Alora had already pulled his hand.

"Ah, p-please slowly..." He couldn’t walk fast.

Alora looked at his feet. In the end, they walked at his pace even though he tried to go faster. Along the way, Alora kept talking, giving him ideas.

Kai got goosebumps hearing some of them.

"When the king tells you to return to the dormitory, just say you’re not feeling well. That way, you’ll have no choice but to stay longer. And you can slowly take off your clothes, teasing him a little."

Kai remembered he had been naked twice and had offered himself, but the man hadn’t been interested. In the end, he had only made Sylas angry. He stopped in his tracks. What if he made the man hate him?

"Oh, come on! Do you want to lose the king’s attention?" Alora asked.

Kai shook his head. Of course not.

"That’s why you have to try harder!"

Kai didn’t know if this would work, but Alora’s words were so convincing that he felt he couldn’t refuse. He had to try.

When they reached the royal family resident, Alora stopped and urged Kai to keep going. She encouraged him softly.

Come on, you can do it! For the sake of our better life! Alora whispered to herself.

Kai walked hesitantly toward the palace terrace. The guards stopped him immediately but recognized him at once.

"I-I have to meet Master Sylas..."