Later that evening, Nailah wandered the hallways of her home, her heart heavy. She barely noticed when Jason, her adoptive father, approached.

"What’s wrong, my dear?" he asked, his gaze filled with concern.

Nailah sat down beside him. "Kenny has just been deported to the Lowlands."

Jason nodded grimly. "Yes, I heard about the Blues family..."

Nailah’s expression twisted in anger. "Why? It’s so unfair!!"

Jason sighed. "That’s just the way the Empire works. Nobility is earned by those who contribute the most to the Empire’s prosperity. If you can’t contribute enough, you’ll be sent to the Lowlands with the workforce, and someone else worthier will take your place."

Nailah’s frustration grew. "How did they stop contributing to the Empire’s prosperity?"

Jason leaned back, his expression thoughtful. "You know, it’s said that the Blues Family is cursed with kindness. I believe that is what led to their demise. They sometimes let their morality get in the way of efficiency, and Taben Blues let it happen too often."

Jason placed a reassuring hand on her forearm. "I know you were friends with one of Taben’s sons. I’m sorry. Even though lots of people saw him as a lazy fellow, I could see the smarts in him."

A soft smile appeared on Nailah’s lips. "I know that better than anyone."

That night, Nailah lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Kenny is probably already in the Lowlands... The thought weighed heavily on her mind. Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and she drifted into sleep.

Flashback

A younger Nailah stood nervously at the front of a classroom. The teacher placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Today, we have a new student. Introduce yourself!"

Nailah took a deep breath. "Hello, my name is Nailah. I’m 8 years old. Nice to meet you all."

A kid in the back scoffed. "It’s not nice to meet you. Who wants to meet a Lowlander?"

Laughter erupted around the room. Nailah shrank under the attention, her face burning with embarrassment.

The next few days were no kinder. One student poured water over her head. Another bumped into her so hard she lost her balance and fell onto someone else.

"Are you okay?" a voice asked.

She looked up to see a boy, Kenny, offering her a hand.

"Sorry..." she muttered, quickly getting up and walking away. But Kenny’s eyes followed her, a frown settling on his face as he watched the other students sneering.

Days later, during lunch, a student knocked Nailah’s food to the floor and smirked. "Eat it, Lowlander pig!"

The chant began. "Eat it! Eat it!"

Nailah froze, her heart pounding. Then, from across the room, Kenny discreetly tied the bully’s shoelaces together and flashed her a thumbs-up. You know what to do!

Nailah straightened up, a smirk forming. "Why don’t you eat it? With that big belly of yours, I doubt you’re full."

The bully turned red. "What did you say?!"

He lunged at her, but the moment he stepped forward, he tripped, landing face-first in the food.

Kenny grinned. "Oh, I was trying to help you with your laces. Looks like I messed up. Sorry!"

Laughter rippled through the room. Furious, the bully swung at Kenny. Only for his arm to be caught mid-air.

"G...Gawain?!" The bully paled as Gawain, one of the top students, held his wrist with an iron grip.

"Leave," Gawain ordered.

The bully yanked his arm free and stormed off. "It’s not over! I’ll get you all!"

Kenny laughed and high-fived Nailah and Gawain. "Nice teamwork!"

After class, Kenny extended his hand to Nailah. "I’m Kenny!"

Gawain grinned, pointing to himself. "I’m Gawain. Nice to meet you!"

Nailah hesitated, then smiled. "I’m Nailah. Nice to meet you too."

Gawain’s eyes widened in realization. "You’re the girl the Pristine family adopted from the Lowlands?!"

Kenny blinked. "Oh, that’s you?"

Without hesitation, he reached out his hand again. "Let’s be friends, Nailah!"

Gawain smirked, pointing at himself. "And if anyone bothers you again, just call me."

Years later, the three walked side by side through the academy, laughing together. But in the distance, Kenny’s image began to fade.

"No... No!" Nailah’s voice cracked as she reached out.

Before Kenny could disappear completely, a loud ringing snapped her awake.

One Week Later – The Gala

A grand hall buzzed with chatter. Jason stood on the stage, microphone in hand.

"Hello, everyone. I hope you all had a wonderful evening! Before the night ends, as you all know, I will be announcing my successor."

The room fell silent in anticipation. Jason took a deep breath.

"The next head of the Pristine Company shall be..."

Tom sat confidently, smirking. Nailah remained composed. Duran barely paid attention.

Jason pointed directly at someone. "Nailah Pristine!!!"

Gasps echoed throughout the room.

Tom’s eyes widened in shock, then burned with fury. Guinevere’s jaw dropped. The murmurs of the crowd turned to loud protests.

Nailah had taken the first step toward her goal.