Chapter 38: Chapter 30.2: Manners
:::Side stories that occur before Chapter 31 which gives a time skip:::
"Your manners are deplorable," Cassandra commented, watching Orion eat at their table with disdain.
Orion burped, looking down at himself, confused. "What?"
Caitlyn giggled, glancing sideways at Orion. Cassandra's eyes narrowed at her before she smirked, "This is a good opportunity, Caitlyn, to educate a guest."
"What? Me? He's not doing anything that wrong!" Caitlyn exclaimed incredulously. Her eyes went wide, darting between her mother and Orion, her gaze scanning him and furrowing her brows.
Disapproval flashed across Cassandra's face as she wiped her lips with a napkin. "Really? Perhaps you need a refresher on table etiquette."
"Ugh-"
A disgruntled noise emitted from Caitlyn and she received another hard stare from Cassandra before she turned abruptly to Orion. Rather than telling him, she reached for his hands, quickly swapping the fork and knife. Now his left hand held the fork, and his right held the knife.
"Blasphemy!" Orion exclaimed, staring with disgusted shock at his hands as if they had become mutated abominations.
Before he could protest further, Orion's elbows were pushed off the table, followed by his shoulders being pushed back, forcibly straightening his posture.
Orion glared at Caitlyn, his eyes narrowing in defiance and she avoided his gaze, clearly displeased with the task. Cassandra, however, looked very displeased, clinking her teacup on the saucer before speaking with a raised voice.
"Caitlyn! That is not how a lady behaves!"
Caitlyn shot a defiant glare at her mother, her hand and voice rising in protest and frustration. "Does it matter? It's not like he will attend our family's occasions!"
Orion tilted his head at her tone. It didn't carry the sharpness of an insult, but more of a disgruntled complaint.
Cassandra returned Caitlyn's glare, her expression unyielding, and her voice firm. "He is a training partner, Caitlyn. That is all. But if that were to change- If I were to permit him to become more involved with our family- his manners are currently no better than those of a pig."
Wincing at the remark, Orion felt it cut deeper than expected. His anger started to bubble after that, laying down his knife and fork.
"I didn't know Kiramman manners included openly insulting guests," Orion said slowly through gritted teeth, his voice tight with restraint. He tried not to express his anger too openly. This was still the Kiramman house and what he had was a luxurious privilege.
Cassandra pursed her lips as her gaze shifted and bore into Orion, "Respect is earned, not given freely." Standing up, the chair scrapped angrily behind her as she continued with disdain. "A guest is expected to meet certain standards of the house that provides for them. If you find that insulting, then perhaps you should consider why."
"We've known him for over three months! Why are you being so harsh?!" Caitlyn stood abruptly in equal defiance and protest, her voice raised dangerously high.
"Precisely that, Caitlyn," Cassandra responded, her tone steady and composed. "Three months. In all that time, he hasn't once observed the table and adjusted himself appropriately."
"I didn't think those manners were required for a casual meal," Orion interjected dryly, sarcasm laced in his words. "Guests come from many different places, after all. Are you going to scorn-"
"Three months, Orion." Cassandra cut off his sarcastic remark with a cool and dry tone. "The longer this continues, the less you are considered a 'guest.' And it is being corrected now." She added at the end, her eyes flicking to Caitlyn, noting she was about to protest.
"Don't." A single word carrying heavy weight, and sharp enough to shut Caitlyn's mouth.
"I've tolerated much, Caitlyn. Even now." Cassandra said, her voice cold and stern as her gaze pierced Caitlyn who shifted uncomfortably, hands unconsciously folding behind her as her posture straightened.
A tense silence settled over the room. Caitlyn's eyes were nervously darting around, and Orion noticed her hands fiddling nervously behind her. 'Her nervous tick,' Orion noted internally.
Cassandra, however, maintained her no-more-nonsense stare with tightly pursed lips, her gaze flickering between them.
"Perhaps," Tobias Kiramman, Caitlyn's father, interjected, his voice calm and measured. He had been there silently enjoying his food but now his gaze meets Cassandra's. "We have failed too. We've allowed this to continue for too long- under our knowing watch."
Cassandra's gaze flicked to Tobias briefly before dropping downward with clear hesitation and deep thought. Reluctantly, she sighed and returned her focus to Orion.
"You're right," Cassandra admitted reluctantly, though the words were directed at Tobias. Her voice was firm as she continued, "Starting today, and every time you visit in the future, you will be taught basic etiquette. Should you fail to meet these standards- or feel insulted- you are free not to return."
'What the actual fuck?' Orion thought, utterly bewildered. He struggled to keep his reaction in check with a neutral, understanding nod but couldn't stop a few involuntary twitches.
"It appears Caitlyn wants to have a word," Cassandra said curtly, her sharp gaze observing Caitlyn's growing discontent and upset. "If you would leave us for a moment."
Orion nodded, not wanting to stay in the room anymore himself. As he stood, his eyes flicked down and caught sight of Caitlyn's clenched fists.
'It's an emotional rollercoaster with her hands' Orion noted internally, slightly amused but still eager to leave. As he reached the door, the argument had already begun.
"Why do you-" Click. The door shut, cutting Caitlyn's words into muffled, aggressive murmurs.
Sighing, Orion walked back toward his room, muttering under his breath. "Family drama... Don't miss it in the slightest."
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