Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 130: He Doesn't Want Me?~

I sat in my bedroom staring at my reflection, as I tried to come to terms with what had happened the night before. That day was one of the hardest of all the days. Was it odd that the death of some woman I had just met felt more disturbing than the death of my own cousin and parents? I had Rosie burn that morning's newspaper when I saw the headline, and called Julian over, as I knew he was a reliable alias that could assist me in a situation like this. We talked it over, out of earshot from Rosie, over some tea and cake and I remember his contemplative nature that day. He was not even remotely disturbed by my actions the previous night, and even likened me to a 'contemporary medicinal hero', which was rather flattering. In fact, the part he was most upset by, was that I had not kept the body, and had rather left it there without using it to experiment on certain organs, or evolve biology. He felt that my deed, when placed in capable hands, had the possibility to revolutionise medicine as we know it. And that, who should care if some lowly creature like her paid the price if it would benefit the world for the greater good. When he put it like that, I couldn't help but feel quite noble, and the dark desire to continue seemed to blossom beautifully in my heart.

After much discussion on the matter, Julian decided to assist me. After all, he had the knowledge. And he was a doctor who made his rounds around London; he knew many. He had equipment. He had statistics. He was my walking tool for success, and he seemed quite pleased by the fact, and wanted ever so desperately to bear the mantle of scientific hero with me. Being the generous man I was, I let him. Once that had been set, he left and I tried to go about my day as normal, reading to take my mind of things. And then you arrived, Jiu. Telling my sister was ill. I went to the pharmacy, only to find that you had taken off, without a care. After stewing furiously in my study, Rosie came to me with an urgent message from Edward to have me back to the manor, as Leora had come down with tuberculosis. I must admit, I had never expected my sister to become ill with it, though I must say, it worked rather well in my favour. I was ultimately quite pleased to leave my house by the Thames to go back to Mohan Manor, and took Julian with me, so we could come up with a plan whilst seemingly safe. That day was rather easy, to find a reason to trap Leora in one room like waiting cattle, and to blame your ignorance for letting her outside as the cause of her tuberculosis. I was rather proud of how well everyone bought it, and did not even bother to question why Julian and I would hurry to London so frequently. They expected business; if only they knew the true story.

"Then there was that day Leora had grown mentally ill, and tried desperately to claw out of her room. Julian and I had so perfectly implemented the rule of hiding her from the members of the house too, don't you think? And then, when I left...I overheard you both talking..."

"Perhaps it's because he never did get to marry me..." Leora mumbled in the room, as I stood pressed against the wall outside the doorway, listening, intently," Now I think about it, he must have arrived when Henry established his wedding."
"So, jealousy," You murmured," He's angry he never got to. He's likely furious we're together."
"Likely, if he was still sour about it all. Well, whatever it is. He's after me, that's for sure. And he won't leave this manor till he gets his way."
I suddenly felt a sick sense of relief. Duncan was not after me? All this time, I had greatly been misled by his cruelty, when he'd just wanted Leora. If I offered her to him...he would leave...and I would get my manor back. I couldn't help but smirk. I turned suddenly to leave, and the old floorboards had let out a dreadful creak. You immediately shot up, and went for the door, cracking it open slightly to peer outside. Luckily, I escaped before you ever spotted me, hidden in the room next door.
"Was someone listening?"
"Not someone, something."
"You think it was-?"
"Duncan. I'm almost certain. He's tormenting us and making us paranoid."

My power and control had returned at long last. And so, feeling satisfied with that, knowing my plan would play out perfectly; I returned to London to deal with my insatiable hunger to better the modern world.

"That was you that was listening to us?" Jiu glared at him," Not Duncan?"
Henry glanced at him, coldly, pressing the gun tighter to his temple," Of course it was me. And I'm so very glad I did overhear. Without it, I would have never wanted the manor back."