Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 55: Absurd~

Jiu sat in one of the smaller parlours in the manor, reading a novel from the library Leora showed him. It was a typical prince and princess fairytale, but European, he'd never had access to them when a child so he decided to occupy his time with this. Before he could even finish the first chapter, however, Henry stormed in; holding a half drank bottle of wine.
"Thought I'd find you here," Henry grumbled, sitting on the sofa opposite him; fiddling with the bottle cork angrily," God, that woman never shuts up, does she?"
Jiu sighed, closing his book, his lips pursing into a thin line. Would he never be able to read in peace?
"I thought you're to marry her?" Jiu raised an eyebrow.
"I know!" Henry snapped, successfully freeing the cork," You feel bad for me, I bet."
Jiu wasn't entirely sure who he felt bad for; Henry for having to deal with Lady Brandon, or Lady Brandon for having to deal with Henry. Actually, when he thought of it that way, they truly were a match made in heaven. Henry went to grab a glass to pour wine into, but he paused, shrugged, and drank straight from the bottle. Jiu winced. It was slightly disturbing to see someone who always acted so charming and presentable to become like a ravaged beast; drinking the blood straight from the prey. Jiu shivered.

As Henry gulped down the red, sickly liquid; memories of how Leora had acted in the cemetery filled his mind. How she'd acted distant when hunting. How she seemed off, in general. Jiu knew she was in trouble. And he knew exactly who with. It was just, would Henry believe him? No, most likely not. Henry was a man of science, and laughed at anyone who thought ghosts were real; despite the fact, he was sat with one in his parlour at the very moment. Then again, if Jiu said nothing, that could cause more problems for Leora. At least, even if he didn't believe it yet, Henry would be aware and notice little things that, on an average day, may slip past him.
"Drink?" Henry held out the bottle, cutting Jiu off his thought.
Jiu grimaced at the saliva coating the bottle entrance," No...no thank you."
"Suit yourself," Henry shrugged, drinking more.
Was this his second bottle? Perhaps if he was intoxicated enough, he'd believe him.
Jiu cleared his throat," Do you get drunk, Henry?"
"No," Henry muttered, rubbing his mouth," Not ever really. I used to, when I was Leora's age. But I drink too much now, I'm quite numb to the effects. Perhaps it takes a little edge off my emotions, but it doesn't make me a blubbering idiot like it does to most."

Damn. Here Jiu was, hoping perhaps the pleasurable poison would render Henry mouldable, yet he sounded just as sober and cynical as ever. Though, he supposed a slightly less rude Henry was better than nothing.
Jiu leaned forward slightly," I have something important I want to discuss with you Henry."
Henry raised an eyebrow, mid-sip," Go on."
"I want you to have an open mind about this; it may sound insane, but I fear it may be true."
Henry nodded.
"It's a truly horrible thing, so, do prepare yourself for-"
"Oh get on with it!" Henry snapped, waving his hand.
Jiu took a deep breath.
"Alright. I'm worried about Leora, Henry. Something is dreadfully wrong. Her, and I, both... we've been seeing the ghost of Duncan Mohan. He wants revenge, Henry, and I have half a mind to believe he wants revenge on Leora."
Henry stared at Jiu, speechless. He glanced at the bottle in his hand, as if checking Jiu had not drank any when he was not looking, and that's why he was saying those absurd claims. When he saw, that Jiu was more sober than him; he burst out into laughter.
"You read too many ghost stories, Jiu!"
"I'm deadly serious, Henry," Jiu frowned.

Henry stopped, realising that he was, in fact, extremely serious. Henry glanced back at the bottle in his hand, before setting it onto the table with a loud thud.
"That's absurd. Ghosts are not real," Henry grumbled," Duncan is dead, that is all there is to it. He died long ago, in a tragic accident. I have half a mind to be furious with you, Jiu. Bringing up the death of my cousin when it is my wedding."
"You have surely seen how distant Leora has been!?" Jiu stood up, frustrated and Henry's dismissive and cold tone.
"I have seen," Henry muttered," Those 'distant' attitudes are her becoming a Victorian woman. In fact, I hope she gets more distant. I knew Lord Bramston was a perfect pick for her."
Jiu felt sick at his words.
"Then explain why both me and Leora have seen Duncan's ghost!?" Jiu yelled," Explain. I implore you, Henry!"
Henry suddenly stood up, with a rush of cold rage that made Jiu stunned for a moment. He looked like a madman, with such angry eyes like he had.
"YOU ARE BOTH AS MAD AS EACH OTHER!" Henry roared, furiously," Perhaps I shall send you both to London Asylum for your sheer absurd claims! You are both as unwell as each other, and if you wish to stay in this manor, it would do you good to keep your insanity to yourself!"
Jiu's eyes widened. He could tell Henry wasn't joking. Henry would hand both he, and his own sister, to an asylum without a second thought. The general shrunk back onto his seat in an instant.

Henry stared at him a moment longer, his chest heaving, before, he too, sat down. He ran his hands over his face, trying to calm himself down.
"Forgive me, my bride spoiled my mood," He muttered," And talk of poor Duncan upsets me greatly at times. I did not mean to come off so vulgarly."
Jiu glanced away, still stunned," It's fine..."
Henry let out a long sigh, when he removed his hands from his face; his face returned to that schooled, cool and charismatic man.
"Leora and Duncan had a complicated past..." Henry muttered, catching Jiu's attention," If ghosts were real, I could understand why Duncan would hate her. But, they aren't. They're as fictitious as...as...vampires."
"Why would he be upset with her?" Jiu frowned, confused," Didn't he love her?"
"He did," Henry stated, drumming his fingers on the armchair," But, Leora is a horrible girl to love..."
Jiu blinked in shock, for some reason, Henry's statement felt very pointed and personal. Did Henry know Jiu loved her? Henry hummed softly, picking up his wine bottle and drinking. Jiu stared at his lap, his eyes wide. Leora...is a horrible girl to love?