Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Chapter 24: Anguish~

Lord Bramston was sent home, escorted by one of the household maids to ensure he got home safely as he was much too 'unwell' to go by himself. Jiu did not see Leora or Henry for the rest of the entire day, and the manor had fallen oddly silent until dinner time. Leora was sat in a much more loose fitted undergarment of a gown, whilst Henry was in his usual suit. There was a heavy sort of tension in the air that meal; one that left all of their appetites quite small. After about seven minutes of pure silence with the occasional scrape of cutlery, Henry dared to break the ungodly void.
"I've hired a tutor for you, Leora."
Leora did not look up from her plate, but pursed her lips and set her cutlery down. Jiu glanced at her, worried how her temper was fraying.
"A tutor?" Leora uttered, coldly.
Henry nodded," Precisely. The only education you've received is from Edward, and I daresay he is not enough. He is a butler, not a teacher."
"Why now?" Leora glanced up, finally, her gaze piercing," After all this time, Henry. Why now?"
"You are a woman. More importantly, Lord Bramston's."

Leora let out a shaky laugh," So...this is it? You're just going to ship me off to him...I have no say? I'm expected to marry him, even if I despise it, aren't I?"
Henry stared solemnly away, he couldn't meet her gaze. Jiu wasn't even sure if he could, seeing the tremors that ran through her, and the hurt flickering through each crease that blemished her features.
"I'll take that as a yes..." Leora sighed, deeply.
Henry dared to speak yet again, when perhaps his silence would have been preferred by both sets of ears in the room.
"You need to learn etiquette, Leora. I've given you too much slack, that much is clear. Not to mention, you need dancing lessons for my wedding. I can't have you embarrassing me like some swan trying to fly; flapping in the water, causing a catastrophe. I'm only trying to help you."
"So that's what I am to you, brother," Leora furrowed her eyebrows," Some kind of burden? Do I shame you, Henry? Can you not bear your wonderful friends to see your disgrace of a sister, is that it?"
Henry did not speak, but his silence spoke repulsive words; like a devil's incantations. Whispered and vulgar.
"Fine..." Leora smiled, yet it was a vengeful sort of smile," I'll have this tutor. I'll be the woman you want me to be, Henry. Perfect, pristine Leora. I won't embarrass you..."
Leora turned to meet Jiu's gaze, her own cold and distant.
"...both of you..."

Jiu's eyebrows shot up at this. He didn't want to sit there and say nothing; watching as Leora pitifully pushed her plate away and drank.
"I don't think you're an embarrassment, Leora."
Leora turned to face him, weakly; giving him a wry smile that made her look ill.
"For now you don't, anyway..." Leora muttered.
Henry furrowed his eyebrows, glancing away. Jiu couldn't tell if he felt guilty or just angry with Leora, it was a struggle. Leora noticed this, and met her brother's gaze.
"Don't strain yourself, Henry. Be happy with the path you have chosen. For it is your own fault."
Leora stood up, leaving Henry to stew broodingly over his sister's words. Leora turned to Jiu, her gaze fleeting and softer.
"I'm going to the library, if you wish to join."
Jiu stood up with a quick nod, quickly following Leora out of the dining room; Henry did not say a word with their absence. The ghost followed Leora and was surprised to see she did not go to the library, but instead, a linen closet and shoved herself and Jiu inside; closing the door behind them.

"Leora?" Jiu blinked, surprised.
"We need to talk about the mirror and Lord Bramston," Leora stated, sharply, quite serious," You cannot possibly tell me those events were a mere coincidence, can you?"
Jiu sighed," I knew you would be thinking that. Listen, Leora. I don't know what happened in that room, but I can't sense any spiritual energy."
"In this type of house?" Leora scoffed, sharply," Where each hall reeks of death? If you can't sense anything, your senses must be dull."
Jiu huffed a little at the comment, but knew he couldn't deny that. What if his senses had been dulled by his physical form?
"There was no draft in that room, Jiu," Leora stated, matter-of-factly," None whatsoever. None of us moved sharp enough for that vase, which was nowhere near the edge, to fall like that. And that much blood?"
"You are too much like your time," Jiu let out a groan, staring at her seriously," Listen to me Leora, and listen well. Things happen. Unexplainable things. For a ghost to do that, they would have to be pretty damn upset. They'd have to have a reason that was angering them so much they refuse to rest; trust me. Whilst the imbalance is unstable at the moment...I think it's too sudden to jump to conclusions. I mean, a falling vase? That's such a stereotype."

Leora glared at Kong Hun furiously," Everything in this bloody house that died has a reason to be furious! I'm living proof of that, didn't you see? Besides, the mirror followed by that? There comes a point where coincidence doesn't seem to be existent."
Jiu stared at her, trying to find a way to get her to calm down.
"You've had a tough day, Leora," Jiu sighed, gently reaching out to her, as if to comfort her," Tough days scare the mortal mind and distressing emotion take... physical forms. They follow patterns and they aren't just once or twice. You need rest, Leora. Please...just rest?"
Leora tugged away, turning to open the door of the linen closet. She stopped at the threshold and glared at Jiu, coldly.
"Fine, don't believe me. But listen carefully. Soon...you will."
And with that, she left the general in the box room; surrounded by the many linen sheets; ghosting his features.