Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Chapter 11: Henry's Invitation~

At five past six, Edward had called Kong Hun to the dining room, which Kong Hun was not at all opposed to as there wasn't much else to do in the manor. He wasn't entirely sure why at five past six each time exactly. Wouldn't it have made more sense to be at six? Either way, he didn't complain and went straight to the dining room to eat. He was surprised to see Leora was already there, and she met his expression with an equally surprised one, perhaps not yet used to the idea that Kong Hun was in the same household as her. Henry was sat there too, running a hand through his hair as he sipped on what looked like sherry; not even bothering to cast his gaze up.
"Am I late?" Kong Hun asked, sitting down on Leora's right side, politely.
"No," Leora shook her head," Just on time, Henry and I just both came early to discuss matters."
"'Matters'?" Kong Hun arched an eyebrow.
Leora opened her mouth to tell him, but Henry shot her a pointed look and jabbed his fork in her direction," Leora, what did I tell you? These are family matters. Zip it."
"Yes, yes," Leora rolled her eyes.
Edward served Kong Hun a drink of whatever Leora was drinking that was non-alcoholic, as the three of them sat in silence. Kong Hun thanked the butler, taking the drink and contemplatively sipping it. Tasted medicinal, and he set it back on the table and pushed it a little further away from himself.

"Was Kong Hun a good model?" Henry asked, throwing back his head to gulp down the more of his sherry.
"He was," Leora stated, matter-of-factly," I only managed to get to the base layer of paint, though. I'm worried I'll go too excessively in detail and ruin it."
Henry shrugged his shoulders, already seemingly bored of the topic," Ask Basil about it."
"Basil refuses to answer any of my questions, and when he does it's bad advice."
"Then do the opposite of what he says."
Leora raised her eyebrows, clearly she'd never thought of that before. Kong Hun had to stifle a laugh. She looked like some kind of oblivious and derpy kitten.
"Are your grandparents alright?" Kong Hun glanced up at Henry.
"Pardon?"
"Your grandparents? You said they called you?"
Henry stared at him for a moment, recollecting, before making a noise in realisation.
"Ah, yes," Henry nodded," They're quite alright; it was just something silly. They wanted their pillows propped."
Kong Hun furrowed his eyebrows, looking at Henry skeptically.
"Pillows? Why summon you? Why not a servant?"

Henry noticed Kong Hun's suspicion and raised an eyebrow, looking him down. But he, hesitantly, answered.
"The old bat mistakenly rang the wrong bell," Henry crossed his arms over," She remembers the old days where servants would be in the drawing room cleaning at this time. For someone as old as her, it is an easy mistake."
Kong Hun stared at Henry a moment longer, before nodding. He didn't buy it. Edward returned a moment later, placing down a dish in front of each of them. It was a piece of haddock, generously drowned in salt and vinegar; large cuts of chips to its side with corn. The hall was silent as they ate, and Kong Hun could see Leora growing silently agitated by it all, either by the lack of noise or the only noise of their jaws relaxing and contracting.
"I heard that Lady Brandon wants to marry you here, brother," Leora spoke up.
Henry scowled, clearly that was information he didn't want his sister to have," Who told you that?"
"Nobody, I snooped whilst you two were having tea," Leora stated, shoving a piece of fish into her mouth," I was offended that you wouldn't invite me, so I thought you both must be talking about me like gossiping school girls. I fear that I was partially correct."

Kong Hun glanced at Leora with a small smile," You're as silent as a ghost."
Leora blushed at this, before pouting and shoving another fish portion into her mouth. Henry let out a long, self-pitying sigh.
"Fine, if you must know, we are marrying here," He waved his hand, almost whimsically," And I-"
"Oh really, brother?" Leora gasped, her eyes shining, unable to contain her excitement," Here!? I can't remember the last time we had a party! That must have been-"
"Leora, let me finish or forever hold your peace!"
Leora quietened down, sitting back in her chair; yet she was practically buzzing with excitement, like some eager chained up puppy waiting for play. Henry took a deep breath, washing away his frustration with a gulp of sherry, before meeting her with a plain gaze that would have been furious had it not been for the numbing affect of alcohol soothing his nerves.
"As I was saying; I want you to be on your best behaviour," Henry glared at her," None of this silly business. And definitely no getting involved. You are a guest and you will act just like it and mind your own business; understand?"
Leora nodded, bitterly, silently shoving more pieces of food into her mouth, like a child.

"When is the wedding?" Kong Hun asked," Do you wish for me to join?"
Henry glanced over at him, studying him carefully.
"I suppose I could say you're an acquaintance I invited," Henry murmured," Friends of your kind are starting to be more in fashion now..."
Kong Hun raised an eyebrow at what Henry seemed to be suggesting, but the lord instantly shrugged it off by clearing his throat.
"Yes, I think it's only fair to expect you to join us. Do you have any objections?"
"No," Kong Hun shook his head, plainly, staring at the gleam of the fork under the light," Considering you are acting Head of the house, it would be impolite for me to decline such a momentous occasion."
Henry scoffed," I can assure you, my marital affairs are anything but 'momentous'. In fact, I'm almost ashamed of them. Besides, I'm not the Head of the house, nor the acting Head. The master is my grandfather."
Leora scowled at her brother's comment, but didn't say a word anymore. Kong Hun couldn't help but smile slightly at the way she took the phrase 'bite her tongue' literally, and sulked like a toddler at a sweet shop. She was in all things unlike her brother, and that, in itself, was truly a wonderful thing.