Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Chapter 17: Two Knocks~

After sitting in silence with Henry for twelve minutes, yet to Kong Hun it felt like eternity, he excused himself and uttered something about going to bed early. Henry didn't dare argue, it was clear he wanted Kong Hun out of the room as quickly as possible. The ghost went back to his quarters, not daring to hunt out Leora's room and bother her; she didn't seem the sort to appreciate being bothered when angry. He immediately shut his door, and collapsed down onto the bed, his mind reeling from the heated evening. He felt awful for the girl. She stood up to Dorian for Kong Hun's sake only to be made a villain and kicked out of the gathering. How would her brother treat her after this? How would everyone treat her after this? He was worried the entire escalation of events had left the girl to be the next gossip of the nobility, looked down on by all. Then again, did that really matter? It wasn't like the girl cared for society, she was blocked off from it. His thoughts were cut short by a knock on his door. Probably Leora. Kong Hun stood up and made his way to the door, ready to consult her possibly tear stained face. Yet when he opened it, there was no one there.
"Odd..." Kong Hun muttered, furrowing his eyebrows.
He cast his gaze down either side of the hall, looking for Leora or a servant. There was nothing, and the corridors made him anxious, the way they faded to black like the start of a void.
"Leora?" Kong Hun called out, softly.
He waited a moment longer, but there was no trace of anyone.

Cautiously, the ghost shut the door behind him, glancing around the room to see if anyone had snuck in. When he found that it was empty he sat down on the bed, his back pressed against the headrest, keeping his gaze on the door. He could have sworn he'd heard a knock. It had been too distinct not to be. The ceiling wouldn't have made that noise and any falling object would have sounded a like more echoey; not to mention the noise had sounded extremely close. There was another sharp knock at the door, and Kong Hun stared at it with wide eyes.
"Who...?" He whispered to himself.
Braving himself, he steadied up onto his feet, and approached the door; his mind spinning in confusion. He opened the door, bracing himself to be face to face with some horrific creature. His shoulders slumped in relief as he was met with the familiar face of Edward the butler.
"A-Ah..." Kong Hun sighed, relieved," Edward, it's just you...is it lights out already?"
Edward glanced away with a frown," No, that's not why I'm here. May I come in, sir?"
Kong Hun was a little taken aback by this, but nodded, stepping aside for the butler to enter; shutting the door behind him. Edward refused to sit, yet gestured for Kong Hun to sit on the bed and listen, like some sort of child. The ghost didn't argue and sat down, watching as the butler seemed visibly upset.

"I apologize for what you saw tonight, sir, it is...not the most pleasant of events," Edward shook his head.
Kong Hun smiled, softly," Don't worry about that Edward. It's not your fault."
Edward bit on his lip, clearly debating whether he should tell Kong Hun something. He decided he would and let out a deep sigh.
"I hope this has not altered your opinion on Miss Leora?"
Kong Hun was a little surprised by this question; he shook his head, plainly.
"No. No, not at all."
"Good," Edward nodded, his eyebrows furrowed," As much as I am not allowed to...form opinions about my masters...I need you to know..."
Kong Hun nodded, trying to reassure Edward he was safe to be open with him.
"Master Henry takes pleasure in mocking Miss Leora, he's done it ever since she turned thirteen," Edward frowned," He loves to do it in front of his friends too and to get them to join in. It's awfully dreadful for poor Leor-. I mean, Miss Leora. But I just wanted you to know, whatever Henry says, it may not always be the truth about her."
Kong Hun smiled, gently. Yet deep down he wished Henry would curl up and die miserably.
"Thank you for telling me this, Edward," Kong Hun nodded," Your secret is safe with me."

Edward nodded with a soft smile, going towards the door in an elegant manner.
"Ah, and it is lights out," Edward chuckled, richly, his hand lingering on the cold metal of the door handle," Goodnight, sir."
Kong Hun smiled, nodding," Goodnight, Edward. You won't come to my door again this night and knock two times in a row, I hope?"
Edward smiled, to joke back, but paused and his eyebrows furrowed in concern.
"'Knock two times in a row', sir?"
Kong Hun tilted his head, for some reason the sight of the butler looking a little frazzled was an unsettling look," You knocked twice, did you not? When I opened it the first time, you weren't there."
Edward pursed his lips, his eyebrows knitting.
"I only knocked once, sir, and you responded practically immediately."
Kong Hun felt his breath hitch.
"Ah...so that... wasn't you?"
The butler shook his head, before flashing Kong Hun with a reassuring smile," It was probably just the Master and Mistress upstairs. They move around sometimes, and the floorboards make odd noises. It's an old house, you see."
Kong Hun tried to hide his worry with a wry smile.
"I see. It must have been. Well, goodnight, Edward."
"Good night, Sir."

Kong Hun watched as the butler left the room, shutting the door behind him. The general stared at his lap, a shiver running through him. If the first knock was not from Edward, who had done it...? After a moment of uncomfortable silence and a strangely icy feeling filling the room, Kong Hun settled into his bed and pulled the covers up high that night. It had not taken him long to ignore the odd occurrence and the remorseful expressions of Leora that played in his mind, yet he was not at peace. That night, he tossed and turned in the bed; at the mercy of the old house and his vivid dreams.