4 Allies

At night.

"Mother," Lily complained in a high pitch-tone. "Why does Chloe always get the good stuff?"

"Darling, what are you talking about?"

"How come Chloe can go to Palm Tree Academy and I can't?"

Aunt Alice forced a smile. "It's not that you can't, Lily darling. Your grandfather agreed to send your cousin to that school. If you want to go, you have to convince your grandfather."

"That's not fair! How is Chloe any better than me?"

"Of course she's not better than you," Aunt Alice consoled her. "She's just lucky, that's all."

Lily bit her lips.

"When have I not given you what you wanted?" Aunt Alice put Lily's hand in her own. "You wanted Chloe's bedroom and I got it for you. You wanted to go to Sea Leaves Academy and I got you in. What else are you not satisfied with?"

"Nothing," Lily grumbled.

"You don't need to waste your emotions on your cousin. She's just a stray mutt with no parents. She won't be able to fight with you for the successor position." Aunt Alice patted Lily on the back. "Go back to your room now, it's late."

"Alright," Lily responded unwillingly before trudging to her bedroom.

Once in her room, Lily locked her door and whipped out her phone. She scrolled through her contacts while biting her thumb, aggressively searching for a name. Found it, she thought.

Ring… ring… ring…

"What is it, Lily?" A bell-like voice sounded through the phone.

"Kitty, you go to Palm Tree Academy, right?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"You see, my cousin is planning on transferring there and-"

"Don't be so long-winded. Get to the point."

Lily took a deep breath. "I want you to make it so that she won't ever want to come to school again."

Kitty laughed. "What? Just that? Easy-peasy."

"So you'll do it?"

"Of course I'll do it. You're my friend, aren't you?"

"…Yeah."

…

Small rays of sunlight shone into the room, illuminating the room in a bright, hazy glow. A girl with her blonde hair spread out on her pillow lay peacefully on the bed, her breathing steady in a rhythmic motion.

A series of knocks came from the door, jolting the girl awake.

"Who is it?" Chloe muttered.

"It's the maid."

"Come in."

The door slid open and a lady in her mid-twenties entered the room with her head bowed. Chloe observed the other from top to bottom. Pearl earrings, a gold necklace, a silver watch, an expensive cotton blouse and a stylish short skirt.

Looks like she's received quite a lot from Aunt Alice.

Chloe smiled. "Did my auntie send you?"

"Yes, Miss."

"It's unfortunate but I don't need anyone to help me wear my clothes or fill a bathtub for me. You can go back to my auntie and tell her that I didn't need you."

The maid dropped to her knees. "Miss, I can't do that."

"You can't do what? You can't listen to me?" Chloe turned away and laughed. "The maids here don't have any discipline. If I wanted to, I could fire you on the spot, you know that right?"

The maid shuddered.

Chloe walked over and lifted her chin. "What's your name?"

"It's Mary," she squeaked.

"Okay, Mary. You have two options. One, work for my aunt. Two, work for me. You decide."

"I…"

"You better choose wisely." Chloe said, her eyes cold. "If you choose my aunt, she might give you a lot of money, but it's very likely that she'll make you the scapegoat in her schemes."

Mary looked up. "Then what will you give me, Miss?"

"Oh? How brave." Chloe chuckled. "What do you think I can give you?"

Mary lowered her eyes. "I don't know, Miss."

"Since I admire your courage, I'll explain it to you." Chloe spoke. "If you decide to follow me, you will not merely be a maid. You won't be a pawn that can easily be discarded. I'll tell you in advance – I treat my people well. I won't ask you to be loyal to me, but I will treat you well until you betray me."

"Miss, the truth is… I'm desperate."

"Oh?"

"My brother's health is poor and he's in the hospital. I need enough money to be able to pay for his surgery. Miss, are you able to do that for me? If you are, I will swear my loyalty to you."

"If you put it that way, it's no longer as simple as following me, is it? I can do that much for you, but I can't trust you just yet. So Mary, sign a contract with me."

"A contract?" She asked, confused.

"I'll give you some time to think." Chloe said, smiling. "I'll be waiting for your answer."

In a daze, the maid stood up. She bowed clumsily then left the room.

I have to get as many people as possible onto my side, Chloe thought. It'll be dangerous if I don't have sufficient allies. But I can't just trust anyone. I won't make the same mistake twice.