Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Chapter 21: Meeting Lord Bramston~

Kong Hun made his way to the drawing room that afternoon ready to meet Leora's so-called suitor. He felt unexplainably colder and pained, like his chest was suffering from soreness. He pushed it down as nothing, making his way down those steps, miserably. He'd been forced to wear a Victorian suit to seem 'normal' to Lord Bramston, and how he hated that notion. He gritted his teeth, pushing the door open to the drawing room; steadying himself for the meeting. The first person he spotted was Henry; pulling one of his charming façades, laughing quite merrily with another man. The man, which was Lord Bramston, sat on the sofa; grinning at Henry delightfully. He, much like Henry, had a way of looking charming that repulsed Kong Hun to his very core. His hair was a rich chestnut hue and slicked back; with leafy eyes with a mischievous glimmer. He wore a brown suit that was trimmed and proper, fitting him perfectly. He looked about the age of 35 and above. Kong Hun loathed him. Leora sat beside him, wearing a Victorian dress for women that Kong Hun could never imagine her in. She sat with her hands on her lap, staring distantly at the floor; her face holding the remnants of tears. His heart ached seeing her. That was not her, that was what Henry wished his sister to be: proper and miserable. Upon Kong Hun's entry, she did not even cast her gaze up, as if she was stuck there. She was ashamed.

"Ah, this is Kong Hun, Leora's model!" Henry grinned, gesturing to the general," Kong Hun, this is Lord Bramston."
Kong Hun hadn't realised he was fixed to the doorway, staring gravely at the pain inflicted on Leora's face until Lord Bramston stood up, holding his hand out towards him.
"A pleasure to meet you," Lord Bramston chuckled.
Kong Hun raised an eyebrow at the outstretched hand. How he wished to tear it off. He took it, reluctantly, giving it a weak shake.
"The pleasure is all mine..."
Lord Bramston sat back down," I trust you are treating my Leora well?"
Leora's face twisted with grief at Lord Bramston's words. Only Kong Hun noticed this as he went to sit in an armchair nearby.
"Of course..." Kong Hun muttered, glancing away, distantly.
Lord Bramston turned back to Henry," So, how is the wedding planning treating you, Henry?"
"Oh, that bore fest?" Henry laughed, grandly," As you'd expect. Dull. The woman won't give me a break, she's excited."
"Well, marriage is an exciting thing for women, is it not?" Lord Bramston chuckled fondly, nudging Leora slightly.
Leora looked on the verge of tears, rubbing her arm where Lord Bramston had nudged her. Kong Hun gripped the arm of the armchair instinctively.

"I would like to have such a grand wedding for your dearest Leora," Lord Bramston grinned, looking at Henry," It's the best day of women's lives, you know?"
"Clearly," Henry muttered, sipping his champagne.
Leora finally spoke up, rigidly," That's subjective, Lord Bramston..."
Lord Bramston laughed, loudly," That's what I find so entertaining about you, Leora. You speak up even in a room of men. How bold! You leave such an impression."
Leora let out an upset sigh, glancing away. Lord Bramston seemed to finally notice this and took full revenge of the situation.
"Besides, there are other..." His hand lingered down towards the behind of her dress; giving it a tight squeeze, which caused Leora to let out a tiny whimper and wince,"...perks."
Kong Hun stood up, without intending to, glaring down at Lord Bramston in fury. The Lord seemed quite taken aback by this.
"Kong Hun, whatever is the matter with you?" Henry frowned.
"I..." Kong Hun tried to calm himself down, but it was hard, seeing Leora's scared expression,"...am just a firm believer in leaving a woman be before marriage..."
Lord Bramston studied him, before grinning madly," What's the fun in that?"
Leora was right, he was absolutely repulsive. It took Kong Hun his whole will to not punch him right then and there.

"It leaves a better impression," Leora muttered distantly," Must you be so greedy, Lord Bramston?"
Lord Bramston let out a long, bored sigh; reclining back in his seat.
"I already have so much money I don't know what to do with it, yet a woman...I don't have much of that. It's not my fault, Leora. You make yourself too exciting to wait. I feel like a child before Christmas."
Kong Hun sat down, repulsed, struggling to watch the sight. Lord Bramston traced Leora's body with his finger, grinning wickedly in pleasure as the poor girl shuddered and whimpered with each touch too close for comfort. And there was Henry, finding the whole situation amusing. His own younger sister. Leora suddenly stood, looking weak and on the verge of tears.
"I..." Leora couldn't bear to look at anyone in that room,"...need to go..."
They watched as she practically staggered out of the room, pale. As she left, Kong Hun only just noticed tears slipping down her face.
"What's her problem?" Lord Bramston frowned.
Henry shrugged," Tired, I bet."
Kong Hun stood suddenly, his gaze never leaving the door Leora had exited.
"I need to go too..."
Henry opened his mouth to ask, but Kong Hun left too quickly for him to say anything.
"If I didn't know any better," Lord Bramston chuckled, thinking nothing of it," I'd say that both Leora and your guest hate me."
Henry chuckled, weakly, before scowling darkly.