The Gentleman of Greenstoke

IX.

"I am very much obliged to you," Roderich Edelstein spoke loudly, while shaking Arthur's hand. Almost a week had gone by, and the Austrian aristocrat had accepted the invitation to visit the Englishman's manor. Mr Edelstein had a very elegant stature, although Sakura thought he was a little arrogant. 'It does not matter,' she thought, 'members of royalty tend to look arrogant.'

Minutes afterwards, she was to be introduced to the new visitor and despite her former reflecting, he was extremely gentle to her. His arrogance had ceased when they greeted each other. Upon hearing a displeasing snort in the room – form no other than Mr Gilbert Beilschmidt – Sakura felt the Austrian's air changing. He grew tenser and created his usual mask of coldness.

"Gilbert . . . ," Roderich muttered. He had been mentally preparing himself for facing his cousin, but seeing him in the corner of the room, was unnerving him. The white-haired man demonstrated his arrogance with his strange seating position. It was not how a gentleman was supposed to sit in a chair. While one leg was placed over the chair arm, his other hand steadied his titled head. This display of arrogance and power was an exaggerating attempt to unsettle Roderich.

The Austrian's eyes wandered to Ludwig, who sat next to his brother, his head in his hands. The poor man was completely embarrassed.

"Indeed, cousin," Gilbert snorted, before walking to his Austrian family member.

"Gilbert, you are a guest, behave!" Roderich hissed, glancing to Sakura; he was afraid to vex her by his tone. He had arrived minutes ago and his cousin was already provoking him. Sakura on the other hand looked at Ludwig who stared at her with a desperate look. With a light shake, he signalled her that this kind of greeting between Gilbert and Roderich was normal. It was still obvious how it affected Ludwig.

"I apologise for this odd occurrence, Miss Honda," Arthur reassured her. He had witnessed her face; her questioning eyes – and her glancing towards the German on the seat. "The two have not the most lovable acquaintanceship one would wish for."

"Oh," she responded quietly, turning around to face his conversation partner. "That is very inconvenient indeed. I hope their relationship will improve."

Although it was not a funny topic, the man in front of her smiled. It was not only the comical imagination of Gilbert and Roderich who would have a delightful conversation but having the opportunity to stand close to Sakura was pleasing him. It had been almost a month since she and her uncle had been in his house and he was still having troubles to accept the latest discoveries of his emotions considering the petite Japanese. At the beginning he was conflicted with himself, but after seeing her and the youngest Mr Beilschmidt's friendly attachment, Arthur had come to the conclusion that he would not approve if these two would engage too much in their leisure time. Alfred had been bold enough to confront the British man last time in his office. Being called jealous had hit a nerve and Arthur had avoided this conversation with his cousin as much as possible. He knew that Alfred could read him, but he was not aware that his temper and odd behaviour was obvious to everyone; except for Sakura who did not read his emotions in connection with her.

The couple observed the two loud men until the upper-servant knocked on the door. The meal was to be served and the party walked to the dining room; where Gilbert's and Roderich's interesting conversation continued. Yao had already glanced at the German-speaking men and did not comprehend why they were discussing in such a loud manner. The Chinese had always found that western people were strange.

"Oh, Mr Edelstein I am not aware if Mr Beilschmidt has already told you, but my cook has prepared an exquisite lunch," Arthur informed Roderich who sat across from him.