Brooke's Priority
Chapter 15's
History records the habits of those who lived in the north. They love to hunt, roam in the open and raise wolves. There's nothing wrong with them. That's my personal opinion. The war was triggered by the greed of the previous King who wanted to seize the mining wealth, the main source of income of the Kirkuz Kingdom.
Reading the history books made me sleepy. I wasn't very good at lessons but now I have a lot to learn to convince Gordon Fichser when I get to see him.
I heard a knock on the door and saw Grace peering after opening the door.
“I haven't slept, come in,” I put down that history book and intend to get out of my bed.
“Can I sleep here?” Grace welds. “Tomorrow you will go.”
Tomorrow is the day I take my exams at the academy.
“Sure,” replied. “Come here,” I opened the blanket that covered my bed.
I saw Grace holding a cute teddy bear.
“You slept with a doll?”
Grace nodded, making me think for the umpteenth time that she was adorable.
“Are you confident for tomorrow's test?” ask Grace.
“Kurasa. I'm sure it won't fail. Lucas taught me well.”
Lucas gave me a prediction about what he thought would come out later.
“You're not afraid?”
“Why should I be afraid?” many wonder. “Are you afraid of something?”
“Can this be our secret?” Grace looked at me while convincing herself. “It's about next year.”
We'll be sixteen soon.
“You are afraid that you will start to officially socialize among the nobility?”
“I'm afraid I can't control my anger.”
I rolled my eyeballs trying to remember the wrong thing Grace had done. However, I did not find any. If you think about it, I'm the one who's been out of control at will since living as Brooke.
“When are you angry? I never saw him.”
Grace let out a short breath. “I'm angry and defend you.”
He's getting sullen.
“You said it lost control of your anger?” i laugh. “You did the right thing. They do have to get it.”
Grace sighed again as if I did not understand the true meaning of what was on her mind.
“I'm afraid to embarrass you, Brooke,” continued Grace. “I can only shout in anger but don't know how to say after. I'm different from you who can ignore them. I always thought I'd make a mistake.”
“We will definitely make a mistake,” I said confidently. “And there will always be those talking behind us.”
People always like to gossip.
“I've guessed you'd think so,” said Grace. “But we were born special, Brooke. Because special there are some things that we must obey even though we do not like it.”
“Special?”
“Born as a nobleman,” replied Grace. “There are things we cannot change. Our social rules.”
I can understand what Grace said. There must be many things that are permissible and not allowed for a noble. Such an education left most of them arrogant and pitiful. I don't know what it's like to have an education like that from birth, I don't want to understand it but Grace knows it's a burden.
“I can't promise you about keeping my mouth shut when they talk nonsense,” I pulled Grace's hand and put our little finger together. “But I can promise you one thing. I'll try to follow the events we have to follow. Hmm, like a dance party.”
I intend to avoid it but I'm not sure it's possible.
“I didn't ask you to promise like that.” Grace tried to pull her finger. “I must promise to control my anger.”
“Come on, that's not anger, Grace. That's a reasonable reaction,” I explained. “The so-called can not control the anger, as I have done. Kicking Alex or against Dad.”
I remember having a heated argument with my father a few days ago because he changed his mind about the academy after finding out I was coming home with a body covered in blood.
“Listen, if you hear nonsense about yourself, you can fight them. Make them quiet with piercing words. You should promise not to ignore that kind of nonsense again.”
Grace looked at me doubtfully. I was so angry to see him because he was too innocent to seem stupid to me. He's a typical kid who won't fight back if he gets bullying at school.
“Grace, you have to promise. Gotta,” I half forced her. “Don't let yourself be humbled by others.”
My journey to make him learn to protect himself is still long.
“Ya, I promise.”
“Good,” I breathe a sigh of relief. “Hmm, by the way you can ride a horse?”
“Riding horses is not difficult,” continued Grace. “We used to play with ponies that Dad gave us.”
I don't know about ponies. But it's a cool gift.
“Are you not interested in studying at an academy like me?” I asked him a second time.
“I'm not interested.”
At least Grace can ride a horse. I thought about the possibility of the situation worsening and he had to escape quickly and being able to control the horse harness would save his life. Even so, he still needed a weapon. I'll find something suitable for him.
“Make sure you visit me occasionally.”
“You don't plan to go home every week?”
I'll live in the dorm. I was quite aware that I had to catch up and the academy side did suggest that.
I only had four years before Grace's engagement was announced.
He was killed shortly after the announcement.
“I'll be home for the weekend,” I said, “Let's go to bed. Tomorrow I'm exam.”
“I want to say one more thing.”
“What?”
“Thank you for waking up, Brooke,” Grace clasped my hand. “Thank you for being my sister again.”
He moved me.
“Thank you for being my twin brother.”
I'm not lonely anymore.
No longer living alone in a cold rented room.
*****