Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Chapter 29: Punch to his Pride~

Percy's face contorted with barely contained fury as he took in Leora's disheveled appearance. The girl and Jiu stood in the hallway, soaking wet, dirty and torn after having just been caught by Percy Hughes upon returning inside.
Percy stepped closer, his voice a low growl," Leora, explain yourself."
His eyes raked over her bedraggled figure, pausing on the state of her dress. He wrinkled his nose in disgust at the state of it. Leora met his gaze, firmly.
"What...not ladylike enough for you?"
Percy's expression turned positively icy.
"Not ladylike enough for me? You're lucky I don't turn you over my knee right here and now," He roughly snatched her by the chin, forcing her to look up at him.
Jiu couldn't watch him treat her so roughly like that and stepped forward, angrily.
"It's my fault, Percy. I took her out to play. Don't punish her for that," Jiu stated, coldly.
Percy's hand dropped from Leora's chin, his face unreadable as he turns to Jiu. After a tense moment, he bows stiffly, his voice tight.
"Very well. I shall overlook this transgression... this once..."
Leora scoffed under her breath.

Percy's gaze snapped back to Leora, his eyes narrowing," And you, young lady, will show your appreciation for Jiu's intervention by attending an extra lesson with me tonight, immediately following dinner."
"Dance again?" Leora muttered, still shaky from the night before.
"Yes, Leora, dance again. And perhaps some extra instruction on proper ladylike behavior would not go amiss."
Leora scowled at him. Percy's jaw clenched, a muscle twitching in his cheek.
"That scowl, Miss Leora, is most unbecoming. I suggest you practice a more... suitable expression for the wedding," His voice practically dripped with sarcasm.
"I have half a mind to-!" Leora hissed, raising her hand to hit him.
Jiu's heart lurched. If she struck him, it would only end up severely worse for her own case. Instinctively, Jiu grabbed Leora's wrist to prevent her. Percy's eyes flashed with anger as he watched Leora struggle against Jiu's hold.
He steps forward, his voice low and dangerous," That's enough, Miss Leora. You will learn to control your temper, and you will do it now."
Leora struck Percy's face, impulsively. Jiu gasped, swiftly tugging Leora away from Percy and holding the thrashing girl. She'd just made it so much worse for herself.

Percy's expression darkened as he slowly raised his hand to his reddening cheek. The room fell silent, the tension palpable. Then, he stepped closer to Leora, his voice barely a whisper.
"You've just sealed your fate, little girl."
Percy's face was unreadable as he turned to Jiu.
"I believe it would be best if you left now. I must... attend to Miss Leora's education."
Jiu clenched down on his teeth. No more punishments. He refused to see her hurt again.
"I don't think that's a good idea," Jiu stated, holding Leora protectively," If you have anything to say to Miss Leora, you can do it in front of me."
Percy's jaw clenched. His eyes, when he turned to Jiu, were like chips of ice.
His voice became dangerously low," Very well. Leora, you will spend the rest of the day in your room in silence. You will reflect on the disrespect you have shown me, and you will apologize profusely tonight at our lesson."
Jiu relinquished Leora, trusting that Percy would not physically harm her.
Leora panted, glaring at Percy, furiously," In your damn dreams!"
Percy's expression hardened. He took a step closer to Leora, his voice barely a whisper.
"I beg your pardon?"
His gaze was unwavering, a silent challenge.

"Leora, don't!" Jiu groaned, scared Percy would harm her.
Leora glared at him," You heard me."
Percy leaned in closer, his voice menacing," You will apologize. Now."
His gaze was unblinking, his expression severe. The room was filled with a thick, heavy silence. Leora paused, coldly.
"I'm...sorry..."
Percy's eyes narrowed; he straightened up, his voice still cold," That was hardly sincere, Miss Leora. We'll revisit this later, in private."
Leora scowled. Percy's expression darkens. He stepped closer, his voice a low warning.
"And that expression, Miss Leora, will earn you extra lessons tonight."
"I'm not going to my room, I'm going to help the servants!" Leora hissed.
Percy's eyes flashed dangerously at Leora's defiance. He reached out with lightning speed, grabbing her arm in a vice-like grip.
"I don't believe I stuttered, Miss Leora. Your room. Now," His voice was a low, menacing growl.
"Fuck off!" Leora yelled, being entirely un-womanly and ran off.
Percy's expression darkened. He strode after her. Jiu couldn't let that happen and swiftly intercepted the furious tutor.
"Leave her alone, Mister Hughes! She's a child! Leave her alone!" Jiu shouted, worried he was going to discipline Leora physically again.
"This is none of your concern, Jiu," Percy scoffed, attempting to push past Jiu to catch up to Leora.

Jiu refused to budge.
"I won't let you hurt her."
Percy stared at Jiu for a moment, before his shock faded into a knowing smirk.
"So that's it, is it? You've grown fond of the little brat, have you?" His tone was still cold, but there was a hint of something else beneath the surface; perhaps pride in his discovery.
Jiu's eyes widened, a heavy flush covering his features," H-Huh-?"
Percy smirked coldly," Oh, don't play coy, Jiu. It's quite obvious. The way you jump to her defense, the fear in your eyes..."
He took a step closer, his voice lowering.
"Tell me, does Leora know about your little infatuation?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Jiu hissed, violently blushing.
He had to refuse his feelings. It wasn't like he could be with Leora anyway. She was a Victorian woman brought into noble life and he, was a foreign man. Not to mention he was dead and she was not. Percy's smirk widened.
"Oh, please. Don't insult me with denials," He studied Jiu closely, his expression inscrutable," Let me guess, you think there's no point in declaring your feelings because of her status and yours?"
Jiu's eyes widened.

Percy's gaze locked onto Jiu's, his voice dripping with sarcasm," Of course, you do. Because it's much easier to hide behind your insecurities and let Leora remain oblivious to your affections."
He paused, his eyes narrowing.
"But I have news for you, Jiu. You're right. You and her can never be together."
Jiu seemed furious by this, shoving Percy onto the wall," You're changing the subject! I'm telling you to stop hurting, Leora! Can't you see how your lessons are slowly killing her!? She's Victorian nobility, so what!? What good is all this etiquette and dance if it's just going to make her miserable!?"
Percy's expression remained stoic, his arms crossing over his chest," Ah, but that's where you're wrong, Jiu. My lessons aren't meant to make her miserable. They're meant to prepare her for a life she was born into."
"And what kind of life is this?" Jiu glared at him," Beating her into misery?"
Percy's expression darkened. His voice dropped to a low, dangerous tone.
"A life of privilege, power, and influence. Something you, as an outsider, could never understand."
Jiu's temper and patience snapped. Unable to contain it any longer, Jiu punched Percy in the face, hard. Percy's head snapped to the side from the punch, a trickle of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth. He slowly turned back to face Jiu, his eyes icy and filled with barely contained rage.

"I'll have you know I'm a general in China, which is a status higher than yours!" Jiu yelled, furious beyond words," Leora is not a toy for you noble men to hurt!"
Percy wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, his gaze never leaving Jiu's.
"A general? How quaint. But here, in this country, that titles mean nothing."
Jiu glared at Percy, releasing him. He wasn't worth arguing with.
"If I find another scar on that girl, you're dead. Understand?"
Percy straightened his jacket, his expression unreadable.
He inclined his head slightly, a mocking gesture," Crystal clear, General."
Jiu stormed off on his heel, leaving the tutor to his own devices. He was furious, beyond consoling. As he stormed back to his room, he glanced at his fist. It was stained with a bit of Percy's blood and throbbing from the punch. He seethed.