Brooke's Priority
Chapter 30's

A few months passed. I'm sixteen years old.

I received a party invitation from the palace. The invitation was written on gold-colored paper, given a royal seal and there was a flower taped to the envelope. The invitation smelled fragrant like being deliberately sprayed with perfume first before being shared. The invitation contained a call to attend a party held next week.

I stared boredly at the invitation and dumped it carelessly.

I opened the desk drawer in my library and picked up a pile of paper. Brooke's Journal. I read it over and over again and remember the dream I added there. Dream about a ball at the palace when she was sixteen.

Soon, that day will come and I am preparing to face it.

“Levin,” I said as I wrote the name down on the paper.

I had no particular intention when I wrote that name. I just wish we'd met and talked about some things that still bother my mind. Even though I was afraid of being killed by him, I still had to take him north. I need a hit man on my expedition.

My plan is dangerous and I need a strong man.

Then the day changed and the night of the dance came.

An official event aimed at introducing the nobles in their circle of social status. In other words, the goddamn invitation was meant to find you a partner. The most annoying part of this event is that after the dance, more private invitations will come.

“You are so beautiful, Miss,” Jane combed my short hair. He put some jewel ornaments in my hair that he had braided. From morning, Jane and the other waiters were busy preparing me and Grace for the party. I was tired before I set foot in the palace.

“I hope Fanita is not late,” mumbles slowly. Fanita and I plan to keep an eye on Lucas at the event. Haley couldn't get into the party room so we couldn't count on her while Darshan chose not to draw attention and blurred quietly from the event.

Fortunately, Fanita changed her mind and did not have a one-on-one conversation with Lucas.

After listening to my plans to the north of that time, he said to keep acting like he knew nothing about Lucas' relationship.

“You will meet Mr. Lucas' future fiancee at the event, Miss,” Reevi whispered in my ear after Jane left to take my shoes. Reevi already knows the information I shared with Fanita and Haley. I decided to inform Reevi on the basis of consideration of the advantages I had compared to if I were to inform Darshan of the information. Reevi was responsible for listening to all the rumors at home and reporting them to me on a regular basis.

“Lucas will ignore it,” I whispered to Reevi. “I hope the woman did not make a fuss because of Lucas.”'s cold demeanor

A few weeks ago, the woman who was about to be betrothed to Lucas, came looking for me and Grace. He said Lucas shouldn't be indifferent to him. I don't know why he involved us in his dealings with Lucas, but he insisted that Lucas would listen to my advice because Lucas's face turned soft only when talking to me and Grace. From what I saw the woman was already very fond of my tall and handsome brother.

Lucas was just being nice to the woman he liked.

To my surprise, Lucas was such a man. Therefore, I didn't expect Lucas to choose someone other than Josephine. He worked hard to replace his father's position and made it a reason to buy his match. Marriage among the nobility is not only concerned with the interests of both parties but the social status and political advantages that are always involved.

“My poor brother.”

I came out of my room and saw Grace chatting with Lucas and Alex. They were waiting for me to ride the same horse carriage.

“Why are you here?” I asked Alex. He looks great in a black tuxedo suit.

“We'll go with Alex,” Lucas said. “He does not want to go there alone.”

“Alyson how?” I looked at Alex with a look of annoyance. “Be careful if you don't ask her to dance later. I'll step on your foot,” I said in a threatening tone while pointing towards my high heels.

Alex closed his mouth and just looked at me.

Lucas told us to hurry so that it wouldn't be too late.

Beautiful music was heard throughout the room. I saw a magnificent party decoration with widened eyes and an almost agape mouth.

Fanita elbowed me and I felt ashamed of my tacky attitude. I didn't realize Fanita was standing next to me and I saw her chatting with Lucas and Alex as they used to do in the academy.

I looked around me. Grace is trying to persuade Alyson to get her close to Alex. I also saw another female noble whispering to each other while looking at me with envy and they were also staring at Fanita. I think they also do not like Fanita who is familiar with two handsome noble men with high status. Their sight disgusts me.

The door then opens.

The King and Prince Charles entered the room in the royal red robes. Shaeviro followed them behind along with other nobles I didn't know.

“Josephine,” I said in a soft voice when a woman was brought in by Shaeviro shortly after the King finished his speech.

I recognized Josephine based on the traits mentioned by Reevi. The Josephine that Reevi portrayed was tall and slender with dark brown hair that glittered. He is humble and he does not like to gossip. She's graceful like a mother.

Shaeviro introduces Josephine to Prince Carlo. That's what everyone and I are seeing right now. After that, Raja and Shaeviro left the room. The sound of music grew more beautiful and people began to stretch out their hands, inviting their partners to dance.

I glanced at Lucas who was staring at Josephine from a distance. Fanita then gave me the code to move to the left side of the room so she could keep an eye on Lucas from the other side.

“You want to dance with me?” Alex suddenly extended his hand to me. I looked at him with a surprised face.

“You're crazy?” ask me in a slow voice. “Why take me instead of Alyson?”

Alex didn't answer me.

“Let's dance,” she pulled my hand and kissed it. I was surprised by his attitude. I looked to my left and right side uncomfortably.

“Stop.”

“I just want to dance with you,” Alex said firmly and his voice was quite strong until I felt my heart would be dislodged. Not because of Alex's invitation, but because Carlo smiled at me and I started pounding again.

Carlo seemed to be holding back a laugh. She knew I wouldn't dance with my friend's fiancee. The last few months, I've been trying to get along with Carlo whenever he visits the academy. As a result, my guess about his smile and my feelings is exactly one hundred percent correct.

Alex pressed my palm as if I didn't want to think of an answer that would reject him. So I had to dance with him.

“You have the heart of Alyson,” I whispered in the middle of our dance round.

“I don't care about him,” Alex said as she looked at me.

“Stop being rude to her.”

“I love you.”

I take a short breath. Alex had already started expressing his affection for me the day after my birthday. His forthright statement got Lucas to hit him and tell him to stay away from me. She's engaged anyway and Lucas knows I don't like Alex one bit. But Alex never listens to anyone's orders voluntarily. For the sake of their friendship, Lucas did nothing more.

Loving someone is not easy.

I feel guilty for not being able to reciprocate Alex's feelings and getting Alyson hurt. Alyson must have been embarrassed in the presence of other nobles because her fiance was dancing with her best friend.

Grace and I know that Alyson sincerely likes Alex but she's afraid of Alex's cold demeanor.

As I was about to finish one song with Alex, I saw Carlo approach Grace and ask her to dance. I immediately stopped my steps without noticing Alex who was about to fall tripping over my leg.

Carlo and Grace danced like I saw in my dreams.

*****