Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 112: Grandmother Knows Best~

Leora had run back to her tuberculosis room, trying to calm herself down. Henry's friends, Henry himself, always got away with things. And then there were her companions and herself. They were always the fault. Leora huffed frustratedly, tugging a flower out of her hair and grabbing a bottle from a drawer that was filled with water. She stuffed it in the bottle and gulped it down; her chest heaving in frustration. As she felt it go down her throat, her anger seemed to wear away slightly, leaving her glancing around her room in exhaustion. She had to get back to the party; it was only polite of her to. And then, she heard a noise, of someone clearing their throat. Leora spun around, eyes wide, to see Mistress Mohan staring at her.
"Grandmother?" Leora muttered, her eyebrows furrowed," What...? Come to lecture the naughty child too?"
Mistress Mohan scowled, glancing away," If that's what you shall call it, then yes. I think a talk is much better than me screaming at you though."
Leora's guard dropped a little, sending no hostility from the woman like normal. It was slightly disturbing, but she gestured for her to enter. Mistress Mohan took a step in, but didn't make any further moves, and simply frowned.
"Lord Bernard was right."
Leora guard fell back into place," I thought you'd say that."

"You can't tell me you actually like him?" Mistress Mohan scoffed, nearly laughing from how ludicrous she found it.
Leora gripped her dress tighter," So what?! And...he likes me too."
"Likes you?" Mistress Mohan repeated, staring at the girl, incredilous, assuming she was playing," Please, Leora, that's demented! And this is why you never should have left Lord Bramston. Dear, this whole romance that you've invented just proves your too naive to choose your own suitor."
Leora frowned, furrowing her eyebrows," W-What do you mean-?"
Mistress Mohan looked surprised, as if the answer was obvious. She then laughed cruelly.
"Why would he like you? Be serious for once! Look at you! You think he's impressed?"
She gestured at the dress and her entirety. Leora glanced away, and self consciously started to twirl her hair between her fingers.
"Don't be a fool," Mistress Mohan hummed," Stay with Lord Bramston. I know best."
Leora tugged angrily at her hair at this, before furiously glaring at the elderly woman.
"NO!"
Mistress Mohan's eyes widened in shock.
"No?" She furrowed her eyebrows.
The old woman looked Leora up and down, before smirking, venomously.
"Oh? I see how it is."

Leora furrowed her eyebrows, confused as to where she was taking this.
Mistress Mohan shrugged, walking over to the girl, mockingly," Leora knows best; Leora's so mature now, such a clever, grown-up lady! If Leora knows best, and she's so certain, she should go ahead and give him...THIS!"
From under her dress, the woman snatched out a large book that Leora immediately recognised. The old woman yanked open the page, revealing the part labelled 'Kong Hun Jiu' with Leora's blood stain on it. She knew it was a pact that kept Jiu bound to her now.
Leora gasped in horror, tears filling her eyes," How did you-?"
"This is why he's here, Leora! Don't let him deceive you, finish the deed and you shall see!" Mistress Mohan yelled, thrusting the book at Leora's stomach.
Leora caught it, with trembling hands. She glared up at her grandmother, a stubborn determination trying to force its way past her true fear.
"I will!" Leora cried.
"Oh, trust me, my dear!" Mistress Mohan snapped her fingers," That's how fast he'll leave you! I won't tell you twice. Oh, but if Leora knows best, and thinks he's such a prince, I'm sure she can put it to the test by finish her deed!"
Leora stared at the woman in horror as she went to the door.

"If he leaves you after and you never see him again, don't come crying to me!" Mistress Mohan laughed, wickedly," Because believe me, Leora; I know best!"
And with that, she left the room, slamming the door behind her. Leora stared in horror at the shut door, before she glanced at the book in her arms. She knew Jiu loved her; she knew that well, but something about her grandmother's words stung her deeply, and made her crumble with doubt. What if she was right? The idea rang in her head like some horrible, vile curse. Leora sunk to her knees as hot tears fell from her fearful eyes; clutching the book even tighter to her chest. She felt ashamed even considering that her grandmother may be right, but the burning worries didn't seem to stop in her mind, as she desperately tried to prove them wrong. But the uncertainty dug deep, and gnawed its way to her weakened heart.