Brooke's Priority
Chapter 33

Haley insisted on following me. I planned to escape from the escape hole I had made secretly but I undo my intentions when I saw that the hole was closed neatly and the culprit was Haley. So, I said I would like to see the lantern festival held once a year in the Kingdom of Morrow.

“That guy named Levin is looking for you again, isn't he?” Haley looked at me sharply. He doesn't like Levin who he's never met.

“Yes. I have to see Levin,” I answered honestly. I gave up because I didn't want to be questioned constantly. Haley kept asking me why I didn't ask Grace, Lucas or Fanita (she thought we were familiar) and luckily she didn't mention Alex by name. I don't know how Reevi quickly got rumors about me at the dance and told Haley.

Reevi just wanted to have a chat with Haley.

“I'll come for your safety,” persuade Haley.

Not that it was bad advice, I was just afraid that Levin wouldn't show himself if he knew someone was following me. Going quietly is the best option.

Lantern festival. Nine o'clock at night.

Levin gave me a message at the dance. I was shocked and chased after him. He disappeared in the crowd. From what I've observed, hiding in the crowd is one of Levin's newfound skills.

“He could not have appeared when he saw me coming with you,” I explained. “We need his help. He has a lot of information and he can't be said to be evil.” I convinced Haley by repeating the incident when I was found lying covered in blood on the gate of my house. “I have to take her. Levin is the fifth person.”

Haley took a short breath. He knows I'm hard to stop. I also understand why Haley won't let me go alone. A person with a lot of information, like Levin, is definitely not an ordinary person. Haley thinks so.

We finally reached an agreement. Haley's gonna catch up with me when the clock strikes ten o'clock at night.

The night sky was not full of stars.

I just stared at the empty sky and the full moon that showed itself.

I bought a lantern when I saw a little boy carrying it with his tiny hand. The boy smiled broadly as he hoped the sky would grant his request if the lantern reached the moon. Of course, that's bullshit to me.

The lantern dealer asked me if I wanted to write a wish. I shook my head. Then, I took a walk while watching the people wearing robes. On a night like this, it was only natural that many people came to the capital.

“Hey,” I heard someone whispering in my ear.

Someone stood behind me and caught the lantern I almost dropped in surprise. His hand was stuck forward and I knew it was Levin's.

I immediately turned my body.

“Hai..,” I was awkward when I saw Levin looking at me without smiling. His eyes make me feel uncomfortable.

“My hands are sore,” Levin said slowly. “Take the lantern first so I can hug you.”

I felt the pressure of the lantern from behind my back so that I was already in Levin's arms. He held the lantern without strength, his hand and the lantern touched my hip. I also saw her smiling sweetly. Makes me look at his lips.

“Don't turn your face away,” he whispered in my ear without lowering the hood of his cloak.

I turned my face away from Levin after clearly seeing the strong desire that was emanating in his eyes. I feel the heat on my cheek. I haven't been so ashamed in a long time.

Levin wanted to kiss me.

“Everyone glanced at us,” I whispered to Levin.

We are standing in the way that many people are going through in a position that can make others misunderstand.

Levin snorted in annoyance but he removed one of his hands from the lantern and gave the lantern to me using the other hand. I breathed a sigh of relief and fixed my headgear.

“We need to talk in a safe place,” my advice. “You're not afraid anyone recognizes you?”

Levin shrugged his shoulders not caring. “This lantern must be flown first.”

“Put it down,” I said.

I just bought it so I don't look suspicious.

“You don't have a request?”

“It was just a way to sell or make an interesting day to bring a lot of people to the capital. Business limit.”

Levin's face turned sour. “You are looking forward to lantern festival every year. It's your favorite.”

Levin's cold hand touched my face. The sudden touch of his hand almost made me take a step back. He looked at me deeply and I couldn't interpret it.

“You want me to make a wish?”

I was told the reason why Levin invited me to meet.

And I saw Levin nod. He forced me through his eyes.

“Let me think,” I chose to give up and try to make a wish. I don't have much time until ten o'clock at night. I don't dare guarantee Levin's gonna be happy to see Haley. Before that happens, I have to manage to get answers to some of my questions.

Then, I wrote down my short plea with a smile.

Brooke Priority.

Levin scrunched his forehead as he read my writing. “What do you mean?”

“Reclaration.”

If the plea can reach the sky, I hope there is another way that opens every time I meet a dead end.

I flew the lantern.

“How about you? You didn't make one wish?”

Now, we're walking toward a place that only Levin knows about. He said we could talk quietly there.

“I don't need lanterns. You'll grant my request.”

I remember a promise I made in desperation.

“Have you decided?” many doubt. “You want to kiss me?”

Levin stopped his steps and pulled the tip of the hood of my cloak. “You turned into a perverted girl. You scared me.”

I know he's kidding but I'm still upset. How dare he call me perverted when he starts to approach me, kiss my forehead and act pretentious.

This boy definitely doesn't know the number of my girlfriends.

In my old life, there were two men who had a big influence on my attitude change (i don't blame them). After losing them, if not wrong, I started to like with ‘just not serious relationship’ with many other men. Kim In Ho used to complain to me because he didn't like my bad habits. In Ho always said ‘people should recover from their heartbreak’.

“What place is still far away? You're not planning on killing me secretly, are you? Here there is no gap.”

“There is no such plan,” replied Levin. He said as if he would kill me later in the time he had set. “I came to take my application.”

Finally we arrived at a river. The market full of colorful lanterns is still clearly visible from here. Before, I had never noticed there was a river located near the capital market. All the events were centered in that market so the riverbank looked quite dark to me.

“This location feels not so safe.”

“This way you can open the hood of your cloak,” Levin said as he unfolded the hood of his own robe. He let his face be clear. “No one will attack you like that time.”

I nodded in understanding and asked, “Your enemy back then, do you know who sent him?”

“I know.” Levin banged his shoulders. He looks tired. “Payers are used to having a lot of enemies.”

Levin knew the one who attacked him wasn't from Palace or Shaeviro. Levin's whereabouts are still unknown to them. Levin accidentally takes a job as a hitman to disguise his tracks. He can help Carlo get rid of his enemies by taking jobs from those who hate their targets and if he kills secretly, he will hire someone to spread rumors over a beer.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Your questions are like so many.”

“How can I know you?” I looked seriously at Levin's face. “Why are you going to kill me? What's your business with Lucas? What poison did you give me? How'd you get it? And.”

“Enough,” Levin shuts my mouth and looks at me annoyed. “I will only answer three questions. Consider it a gift because I'm in a good mood.”

I then held the hand that closed my mouth and pulled him away. “Why just three?”

“Explaining something is much harder than it looks.”

I let go of Levin's hand and held onto my head that didn't hurt.

“Good. I also hate to have to explain my situation.”

Try to explain your situation. From my experience, it's very difficult to do.

*****