Brooke's Priority
Chapter 6's

The sun enters through the cracks of the wood that compose the hay storage shed. I spent the last three days here. I feel uncomfortable because this is not the cellar I was expecting. The reason I volunteered to be locked up there was to rest without any visits from anyone. Haley is an exception. In fact, because my mother disapproved of my confinement, my father turned it into a straw storage warehouse located some distance from the main house.

“Dad and Mother..”

I began to get used to calling them, the Duke and Duchess Cohenherb as my parents. Through my speech and thoughts. It's hard to think of both of them as my new parents. In my old life, I started living independently from the beginning of junior high school with a sum of money that was far from enough due to my parents' divorce. The tough days I went through at my first part-time job, the first day at a new school, the exams, my friends and the last place I worked, all came to mind. Everyone's faces were now spinning in my head.

I know I can't think of them anymore.

I was hurt because of them.

But I can't hate them.

I wonder, are they crying over me who just left?

Farewell without farewell. How big of a wound did I inflict? Those I mean refer not only to my parents, but friends, co-workers and people who know me.

I hope they can forgive me.

All I can do now is accept and live my new life.

“I'll be fine going through every change and uncertainty,” I said slowly. Trying to encourage my restless soul.

I promised to do my best for my new life. I would do anything to protect my new family.

As I was immersed in my thoughts, there was a knocking sound at the entrance of the warehouse.

“Can I log in?” Grace opened the door slowly and peered inside. See what I'm doing.

“Come in, Grace.”

Over the past three days, Lucas has visited me ten times, Grace has visited me seven times and to my surprise Alex has come to taunt me four times.

I want to be locked up in the cellar.

“What do you bring?”

I glanced at the cloth parcel that Grace was carrying.

“I brought some snacks.” Grace looked excited and opened the package. “The waiter in the kitchen prepares many kinds of snacks for you, Brooke.”

“I'll thank them specifically later.”

I feel overwhelmed. As Brooke, I'm very much loved in this house. Unexpectedly, the news of Filley's new name spread and made me very famous. They were as if telling each other about a new hero, their young miss who was protecting ordinary people from being punished.

“Aren't you bored here, Brooke?”

I forbid Grace to call me sister. We were only five minutes adrift.

“Not really,” I replied. “This is very quiet and quiet. I can think of many things.”

Tranquility always provides space for creativity, recovery and contemplation.

“Not lonely?”

“Slightly,” I chuckle. “I just hope you guys don't visit too often. It's not like I offered Dad.”

Grace, Lucas and Alex. I refer to all three names.

“I can't,” Grace suddenly moody. “I'm worried. Very worried just like when you don't open your eyes for days.”

That happened about a month ago. Not just Grace, I know everyone who knows Brooke is still thinking about that day.

“I'm fine. You should worry more about Mom.”

Haley said my mom got sick from not being able to see me locked up in the cellar. My stubborn father finally gave up and moved me to a place that he thought was not as bad as being underground.

“Mom is much better because we visit you often. Promise not to be too angry with Daddy.”

I patted Grace's shoulder. “I'm not mad at Dad. There are seven days left. I was thinking what I wanted to do after I got out of here.”

“Practice sword?” ask Grace.

“That's for sure I did. I mean the other thing.”

I just realized that I only knew this world from Brooke's books and memories. The Brooke effect gives me a little idea of some places. It could be said that I was like looking at a photo of that place in my memory if you mentioned its name.

“How about we go to market? It has been a long time we did not buy some twin clothes.”

I love the idea of going to the market but hate the twin clothes.

“I think it would be strange to wear twin clothes at our current age,” I said honestly.

“You don't want to?” Grace looked at me with clear eyes saying she really wanted to wear twin clothes.

Puppy eyeballs.

I couldn't refuse it.

The sun then set and Grace had already returned to the main house. Haley was always standing guard at the warehouse door. Dad also put some guards around the barn to watch over me. I was thinking Dad might be wondering if I'd run away or not. Alex made this a mockery for me.

“Haley.”

Ever since I gave her a new name, Haley has become much friendlier to me. He smiled more often even though I felt it did not match his flat face. I called Haley to go inside the warehouse because I wanted to hear the story of the north. Haley doesn't know about my expedition to the north yet and I don't want to share my plans.

“Northern areas are much more beautiful as they are covered in snow almost all year round,” my chatter.

“You think the north area is more beautiful?”

I'm nodding. “I like snow.”

“You have never seen it.”

Haley said that because the south has only two seasons. Summer and rainy season. Unlike the northern regions that have snow and spring.

“I have imagination to use.”

Haley smiling. “I like it too. Snow that is so white covers a large area.”

We talked about the beautiful places there. I can feel Haley longing for her homeland. I hope to bring him back to the north soon.

“Is there a way to go north other than through the border?” my many.

The border was made as a condition of peace in the war that occurred several years ago. The border can only be crossed by diplomatic envoys. Permits are only owned by one person from each kingdom.

“There's one way,” replied Haley. “Lewat Forest.”

“Hutan?”

Haley nodded. “Hutan Sebenius. Forest four seasons.”

I remembered the name of the place shortly after hearing it. The forest is terrible and no one has ever been seen again once inside. There are many rumors circulating until the residents close access to the forest so that their children do not play there.

“Are you sure? The forest looks dangerous.”

Haley nodded. “Said, only the northerners could pass through the forest safely.”

I don't get it.

“North guy? If that's true, why don't you try it?”

Blurred. He should have run away if there was a way, right?

“I can't.” Haley lowered her face. “I have no place north.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sorry, Miss. I can't say it.”

I saw Haley smiling bitterly. I decided not to discuss it further. “It doesn't matter if you can't talk about it. By the way, I've given you the order not to call me miss. Talk relax.”

I gave Haley orders from the first day I lived in the barn. Bottom line, don't call me ‘nona’. Haley is nineteen years old. It feels strange to hear her calling me miss (my real age is twenty-eight years old). Haley still refuses and I'll keep pushing her.

“Brooke. Call me Brooke, okay?”

Haley nodded in understanding. “Will I work on.”

“I can forget your age if you call me miss keep.” I laugh. I really didn't expect Haley to be twenty yet. To me he looks the same age as Kim In Ho, my good friend in Korea. Late twenties.

Samchon.

I call Haley that. She was completely the opposite of the person called the baby face. I think this is why I like to see his face. Not because of his good looks just that he looks the same age as me (my real age).

“When will you go north?” ask Haley later.

“Hah?”

I can't hide the change in look on my face.

“You have planned to go there.”

My intentions are too visible, right?

“I guessed it a while ago.”

“You...., you can read someone's mind huh?”

I'm getting goosebumps. Haley seemed to be reading my mind or maybe I was easy to guess. I wonder what my face looks like now. I plan to inform you about the expedition if I have managed to outline my plan and target the people I will take with me later. Haley is one of them.

“I'm just trying to understand your thoughts.”

“I think?”

Haley nodded. “I try to understand what you want...”.

Haley was silent for a moment and took a deep breath. “Understanding you, Brooke.”

I feel Haley is smiling a lot sweeter than before.

“Good. Tell me how the real state of that terrible forest is,” I said excitedly. It struck me that rumors could be based on facts or lies.

*****