Brooke's Priority
Chapter 21's

When night came that day, I spent my time scribbling paper in the room while Fanita was asleep. I started by describing how I used to like my classmates, my seniors on the police or the handsome actors I saw in the weekly drama. There's one thing in common. And it was exactly the same when I saw Prince Carlo. I felt a thump in my chest.

So I wrote down a lot of possibilities.

Could it be that I fell in love with her like a bewitch?

But I'm not the type to fall in love just because of a handsome face.

Is it true that this is the same Brooke effect when meeting Levin?

My life will be more chaotic then.

Compared to Carlo, doesn't Levin look more sexy?

What kind of thinking is this?

Then I stopped writing and crushed the papers. I grabbed my hair and made it fall apart. As much as I thought, I didn't find a solution.

“Should I avoid it? Hiding like Darshan?” I said while weighing the choice. “But I have to earn his trust.”

I hesitated when I wrote down my fifth priority. In addition to changing diplomatic relations, I intend to gain the Crown Prince's trust so that he can convince him to replace Shaeviro with someone I trust in the future.

But this is harder than I thought. Really frustrating.

I can't like Carlo. In the end, Carlo will fall in love with Grace and therefore Brooke is killed. The Crown Prince certainly has many enemies in the blanket. I have a lot of people who hate him. Being engaged to Carlo is a big risk.

The thing is, I can't possibly forbid Grace from falling in love with Carlo. They will both fall in love with each other. I only make Grace suffer if I get in their way. I also don't know what to make excuses for (there's no way I'm telling her she's gonna get killed). Obstructed or not, the situation is equally unfavorable.

“I met Carlo sooner than I thought.”

I was quite aware that the future in my dreams changed following my decision now.

But until when am I tied up by Brooke's feelings?

Then I began to question the life I was living right now. Not accepting because I live in place of others whose feelings are forced upon me. Maybe it's a punishment for me for swearing that I'd only play with men without any intention of getting married in the past.

The day changed and I started it with eyes closed.

“If using poison to catch game animals, will it affect when we eat them later?” I asked with a curious face to Darshan.

“No direct effect, but it's a bad risk for the long term,” Darshan replied. “Such as drinking poison little by little every day.”

“So yes,” I returned the medicinal plant book I held to Darshan. “After the hunting event, let's look for poisonous plants.”

“For what?”

“Making toxins.”

Darshan immediately covered his mouth with a palm before saying, “Do you intend to kill someone?”

I laughed flatly. It was in my mind to add poison to the arrows, that way I could make it a deadly weapon to use on animals and of course the enemies I would face in the future.

“If cupid alone shoots arrows to make people fall in love, I will shoot arrows to change the future of others.”

The other person I was referring to was Grace, my twin sister who made me act this far.

“Cupid what is it?”

I took the book in Darshan's hands and placed it carelessly. We were in the school library, spending time skipping history lessons (i've read a lot of books and got sick of re-hearing the history of this world).

Then, I pushed Darshan out of the library. He was very difficult to get to lunch because the three legends made him very uncomfortable. The three fools would have sat at the same table as us if they hadn't missed lunch.

“Don't think of spending your food in a hurry before they come,” I said in an annoyed tone to Darshan who did feed himself quickly. He's still uncomfortable with everyone but me.

“Halo.”

I turned towards the greeting voice and saw Carlo smiling at me. We froze. Even Darshan dropped his tablespoon.

“Yang Mulia,” said we in unison.

“Can I join?” carlo asked simply in a stale manner as he immediately sat down beside Darshan.

“I haven't had lunch here in a long time,” Carlo said cheerfully.

I clenched my hand holding a beat in my heart. Now, I have something in common with Darshan. Awkward in front of the friendly Crown Prince.

“Do you feel better?”

“Yes, Your Grace. Servant is fine,” I replied after taking a deep breath.

Carlo looked at me and Darshan took turns. “Do I bother here? You guys don't look comfortable.”

“No, Your Majesty,” Darshan replied stammeringly.

“We are just surprised to see your sudden presence, Your Majesty” I said in a soft voice. “What business brought you here, Your Grace?”

I feel like crying. I was made even more palpitating just by seeing Carlo suddenly fix his random hair while still smiling. I wondered why Brooke wasn't pounding on Levin who had kissed him (i was pounding on that dream). What's the point of seeing someone you like from a distance. They even just say hello to each other. No kisses, no holding hands. If it was me, I would have made sure I would have chosen a more aggressive Levin. I prefer a non-serious relationship.

But now I'm Brooke.

I subconsciously flicked my finger. “True also.”

My second priority.

Carlo looked at me with a look of astonishment.

“What are you thinking?”

“I remembered the assignment in Sir Frank's class,” my pretext. I was too deep in my own thoughts. Lately, I've been thinking too much.

I saw Carlo nod his head in understanding and said, “Oh yes, you have some free time? Lucas Hyung seems to be busy. I want to go for a walk but have no friends.”

I wanted to refuse but knew I couldn't do it. Who am I to the point of rejecting the Crown Prince who is the busiest of any student in the academy.

“I will accompany Your Majesty around.”

Carlo smiled happily.

“By the way, I heard you kicked the bottom of a precious man,” he laughed. “Fanita says you have a personality problem.”

Ah, really. That shitty woman…..

*****