Brooke's Priority
Chapter 3

Four weeks have passed since I learned that Lucas was the real target of the poison Brooke accidentally drank. I've gotten used to the way life happens in this world. More precisely in the southern Kingdom called Morrow. Every day, I wake up and eat with my family, wear beautiful clothes and do my hair, trying to remember Brooke's huge house plan for me and other activities. Every day I visit the library to read all the books related to this world.

I came to a conclusion and made it into a list with the title How to save my twin brother. I tried to write it in order of priority using simple English because the world has its own language which they call Izma language which is used in the south and Teezma language which is used in the north (strangely sounds like korean with different writing). I am quite familiar with both languages. I call it ‘Efek Brooke’ (i imitate the quote of the character of one of my favorite flim action. I call myself I am Brooke).

Apart from the effect of Brooke which amazes me because I don't have to bother anymore to learn the language, Brooke has a stamina problem. He does not train his body. The first thing on my list is to train stamina and learn to ride. The second thing is to try to become Brooke and slowly forget the old identity as Shin Yoo Ri.

Two of the most urgent things I have to do.

“Filley!” call me.

“Ya, Miss?” Filley was with me reading a book in the library. He's my personal bodyguard.

“Lend me your sword.”

“No, Miss. You never held a sword before.”

I'm pissed off. “I want to learn to use it.”

Filley then looked at me with that flat face. “You must get Duke's permission first, Miss.”

Of course I've sought permission from Brooke's father before.

My papa.

“I'll make sure you don't get punished for me. C'mon Filley..”.

Filley didn't budge even though I started whining like a five-year-old boy who wasn't bought a toy.

“May I know the reason you want to learn to hold a sword, Miss? You never asked for this before. You're not like the people I used to know.”

He's so outspoken.

Everyone quietly whispered and said I was not what they knew I was. The same is just a habit of being alone with books.

“Consider me so have a lot of new thoughts after almost dying.”

Filley's face changed. Maybe because I easily told you about my death threshold. The most sensitive topic in this house. I wonder why this should not be discussed.

“Alright Miss. I will lend you a wooden sword first.”

“Thank you, Filley.”

Persuading Filley wasn't as hard as I thought. It was very easy (i was worried that it would take days to persuade him). The other problem is that I can't wear a sword with this good outfit. Clothes that are like dresses from famous designers. I have to wear trousers like Lucas wears.

Hmm, did I just grab her trousers and return them later?

“Nona, can I know what you are thinking?” Filley suddenly asked with a suspicious look. He must have noticed my unconscious movements where I put my left hand to support my head. It is a habit to think about something seriously.

“Hmm, just thinking of borrowing Lucas.” trousers

I then laughed silly.

“You want to steal it?”

“Borrowing,” resolutely. Well, even though what I want to do is almost the same as stealing it. “Meet me in the park with his wooden sword. Okay?”

Filley nodded and then intended to resign. I intercepted him because I felt something was stirring my mind. I then asked him, “You are not afraid of being punished by my father?”

Filley shook his head. “No, Miss. I'm sure Miss will defend me because this is Miss's own request.”

He made me feel responsible.

As Filley walked out of the room full of books, I walked over and began to reassemble the books I read back into place. On my list, the third priority I set was to gather some trustworthy and reliable people to go to the north, looking for someone named Gordon Fichser, one who has enough influence to be able to replace Shaeviro's position in the Morrow Kingdom. I should be able to convince Gordon to go back south after everything he's been through. Shaeviro banishes him from the south through a conspiracy. I got this information from the last note Brooke wrote. Brooke was so careful that he realized that Shaeviro was a suspicious person when he met her at the age of twelve.

“Filley was one of the people I had to take on the expedition to the north.”

I rushed to Lucas' room to go on a mission to steal his trousers. I'm lucky I didn't meet Grace on my way.

Looks like Grace hasn't returned from the market yet.

She went shopping with Brooke's mom.

My mum. Remember, Second priority.

As per my prediction, Lucas was not in his room. I immediately searched his fancy wardrobe and found one pair of trousers I could wear. I just need to roll the bottom of those pants about three folds. For an eighteen-year-old, Lucas was quite tall. Soon I will see him as a tall and handsome adult man.

No one realized I was wearing Lucas' pants behind my dress. Upon arriving at the park, Filley stood near a large tree with a wooden sword in his hand. Unknowingly I smiled broadly.

“Give me.”

Filley. “Patience is one of the keys to learning to hold a sword, Miss.”

“Ya, I know,”.

I've been through some tough times practicing judo, taking police exams and practicing shooting. Well, even if it's not worth the conscription.

“Nona.,” Filley called me while glancing at Jane and Reevi who were approaching me as well as some waiters who were staring strangely at me.

I took a long breath. “Hai, Jane. Hi, Reevi,” my broom with a plain feigned face.

“Nona, what are you doing? You are not allowed to hold a sword. If Master knows..”.

Jane looked scared and worried for me. Reevi didn't say anything but I knew he was worried about Filley.

Reevi likes Filley.

“I don't need anyone's permission to do what I like,” I raise my voice. “All will be fine. I don't want to see anyone in the park except my bodyguard. Go back to your work.”

My observation gives confidence that no one will refute your words as long as your social status is higher than theirs. They'll be more careful. In this world, both southern and northern regions, your life depends on the noble titles that have been attached since birth. The thing that really pisses me off. I was living in an age long before Napoleon discovered the Americas and King Arthur had not yet pulled out the sword of legend.

After they left, I refocused my attention on the wooden sword in my hand.

“My physical form is the biggest problem,” I muttered slowly.

I then tore the bottom of my dress so that the Lucas pants I was wearing were clearer. I've seen In Ho train with a wooden sword. He studied kendo and judo. From the experience of seeing it, it was important for me to practice swinging the sword hundreds of times.

So, I started to stretch my body, did some warm-up moves and prepared to swing the wooden sword.

“Correction of my movements.”

Filley nodded.

I tried to target a hundred swings today. At the beginning I started, my hand felt like it was going to be dislodged from my shoulder joint.

“Brooke,” shouted someone. I turned to the direction of the voice and found Lucas half-running with an angry face. I stopped and snorted in annoyance.

“What are you doing, Brooke?”

Come on, I'm just getting started. Not even thirty times.

To be honest, I wish my dad had come screaming, not Lucas.

*****