Brooke's Priority
Chapter 13

I managed to escape without encountering any significant problems. I've been making the perfect escape route for six days so no one realizes I disappeared to meet the black-robed man. I also assigned Haley to go accompany my father who would attend meetings in other regions. The reasons I made sense.

“You are the most powerful among the other knights.”

Haley could not dispute that fact. His main task is to escort me, but I can change it at any time.

I was walking through the market. People are still selling and some of them are also offering games of getting prizes. To me, this place looks just like a night market in Korea. I corrected the hood of my robe once in a while, almost opening from the wind and restlessly glancing around me.

I wish no one would follow me without my knowledge.

I then arrived at the bookstore I had been to and found another way out easily. The store owner seemed indifferent to the buyers. I quickly closed the exit and waited in the darkness. I narrowed my eyes through the darkness on my left and right.

Is he coming?

I wanted to believe he was coming and not try to put a knife on my neck. In anticipation, I carried a sword from my father and a dagger that I tied around my waist. I wear comfortable pants and boots. I took that step, preventing anything bad from happening. If it happens, I will also do a spinning motion or side kick.

Apparently, I don't have to wait long.

“You came faster than I expected.”

I was shocked.

I didn't hear her footsteps when I was sure I was watching vigilantly. The man unfolded the hood of his robe and I saw his face clearly with the help of the moonlight. If he doesn't show his face, I might think he's a ghost.

He had dark blue eyes and deep black hair. His skin was so white as if it had never been exposed to the sun.

“I need an explanation,” I said without knowing that I cannot hide my nervousness.

“So, why did you come with pants and guns on your waist?”

I saw a displeased face.

“I want to live.”

Then he laughed. “Don't judge me like that. I'm inviting you to meet because I miss you.”

“You miss me?”

I pretended to be surprised. He tried to tease me. That's the most boring sentence I've ever heard.

“I'm disappointed you forgot our relationship.”

I saw him put on a face pretending to be disappointed. The Brooke effect just made me feel used to it, not the feeling of a person missing his lover.

“I'm not sure now you're telling the truth,” I stepped back because he walked closer to me. “Tell me what your name is.”

“Levin.”

“Brooke,” I said afterwards. “Let's consider this our first meeting. We've been acquainted just now.”

I saw Levin smiling withholding laughter and in the blink of an eye, he had already cornered me to the wall. Holds both hands until it hurts.

“I'd rather see you wearing a dress when you meet me,” Levin whispered in my ear. “But you still look beautiful.”

Levin meant that whatever I wear, I'm still pretty. And it doesn't matter to me.

“You're a perverted guy huh?”

I said as I moved my head so that he would stop whispering things into my ear. I feel ticklish. Finally, he lifted his face and looked at me expressionlessly. Instantly I shivered all over my body. That feeling was fear, just like when I was trying to get away from her when I first saw her at the hardware store.

“I don't like being called perverted,” explains Levin. “Many women come to me by begging.”

Do I need to know about his personal affairs?

“Then I beg you. Explain what you meant at that time.”

“Poisons?” he smiled slightly while tilting his head. “You bought it from me. I'm not lying.”

“Reason?”

“Do I have to tell you why?” Levin narrowed his eyes. “It's not that easy.”

“I have no shortage of money.”

Hearing that, I was very upset.

“What do you want?” I'm not impatient. I began to think about whether maybe the new priorities I made could be realized. How can I get him on my side while what he needs is not money.

“Hmm, what about the sword on your waist. Duke Cohenherb's sword isn't it?”

“Where..”.

“Symbol,” Levin cut my question. “Can give it to me?”

I was amazed by his careful observation. I didn't think he could notice the symbol when we were standing in a place that wasn't getting the proper lighting.

“No. I'd rather you ask for something else.”

“What else can a hit man ask for? That sword must be good to meet my client's request.”

“Payman? You?” my yelling. Levin shut me up.

I feel shaken.

It would have been completely unthinkable for me if the person I was talking to was a hit man (i felt a lack of responsiveness). I can't blame him if he kills me at any time because it's his job. Damn, I'm not a cop now. Moreover, my petite body was much weaker than her.

Brooke's gone crazy.

I don't know if being friends with a hit man is a new trend in Morrow Kingdom.

“You have no intention of killing me, do you?” I was nervous when he kept his palm out of my mouth. “You missed me.”

Levin laughed out loud and finally let go of both hands. I wanted to run away but he must have easily chased me. I was embarrassed to see him laugh. Maybe he thinks I really believe he misses me.

“You're so much funnier,” Levin's words sound like a compliment to me. “I cannot tell you because I want to see you again. As a gift, I swear that I didn't lie at all about the poison.”

“Can't you just tell me what really happened?”

Levin refused. “I want you to think about me more often.”

I'm at a loss for words.

He's outrageous.

Substantial. The burden of my mind knows a lot.

The thing is, I was in a position where I wanted to beat him up for being played around but I couldn't. I can't beat up a hit man as easily as I beat up Alex. I would have died if I had been rude to him.

Suddenly, Levin pulled my hand and I fell to the ground for losing balance. Levin pulled out his sword and stood in front of me who had fallen. I got up and realized there was someone else here. Levin has put on the hood of his robe and I'll fix mine immediately.

My instinct to survive made me hold onto Levin's robe and hide behind him.

They have five people. Levin clucked in annoyance because he couldn't move freely if he had to protect me behind his back. I wasn't sure I could help him use the real sword while I was only training with the wooden sword, so I took out a dagger.

“Can last a minute? I will finish them off quickly,” Levin half whispered to me.

I nodded in understanding.

“Who are they?” manya curious.

“Enemy.”

Levin moved forward and I heard the sound of swords clashing against each other. Levin's movements were so fast that he had already slashed his sword into the bodies of two of his five enemies. I saw blood flowing from Levin's sword and suddenly felt nauseous. It's not the blood I'm used to seeing in murder cases. The blood I saw was fresh blood coming out of someone's body.

I suddenly got dizzy.

Then, I heard Levin screaming and running towards me. I had no idea one of them had swung a sword to slash at me.

I feel like my world is dark.

*****