Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Chapter 15: Helping Edward~

Leora sat in the kitchen on a stool by the counter as one of the bulkier maids hefted the bucket of water onto the counter.
"Leora, you didn't have to do that for us, you know," Edward sighed, softly.
Leora smiled at Edward," Why not? I'm indebted to all of you. You do so much for me."
Edward frowned, ruffling her hair softly," Yes, but that's our job, Leora. Not yours."
Leora giggled, watching Edward go to help a maid take something off from the top of the shelf.
"Oh I don't see why not!" Leora grinned," It's not like it upsets me. I like getting my hands dirty, Edward. There's something rewarding about it, don't you think?"
Edward hummed in response, his attention diverted for a moment as he pushed himself up to grab cinnamon.
One of the maids let out a long sigh in longing, kneading bread dough," I dunno, mistress. I shan't deny I would much rather be you. Such a big room and so much free time. Tis the life."
"I would much rather be you," Leora scowled, bitterly, thinking of her life," I hate mine. It's so fake. Oh, and I'm surrounded by the worst people! And I'm always bored and stuck in this wretched manor."
"Trust me miss, your life is much better than ours."

Leora frowned, glancing away. She hated how people assumed that.
Edward walked back over, gently pinching Leora's cheek in a fond manner," Now, now, no pouting. It's not a good look for you."
Leora giggled, softly; causing Edward to smile. He rolled his sleeves up to help cook.
"Leora how are you liking your model?" Edward spoke, kneading the dough much more efficiently and with zero effort, unlike the maid.
Leora thought about it.
"He's nice," Leora decided to not tell Edward about him being a ghost general she summoned, as much as she thought of Edward as a father figure, she didn't want to frighten him," Perhaps nice is an understatement? He's sweet. He tells me the most interesting things, and he bought me a gift."
"I meant how is he as a model, Leora," Edward chuckled.
Leora blushed," A-Ah, right... he's, erm, fun to paint I suppose."
Leora watched Edward knead the dough, before her gaze fell on the maid cutting up slices of strawberries to create the dessert for that night's dessert. A suet pudding of jam roly-poly. Leora hopped down from the stool, taking a knife from the counter.
"Let me help, please? I can't sit around and do nothing every day."

The maid glanced at Edward, uncertain.
Edward sighed, fondly," Let her. There is no stopping that girl when she puts her mind to it. Just be careful, Leora. Understand?"
"Yes, yes!"
Leora hummed a soft tune to herself, cutting the strawberries up as best as she could. She wasn't the neatest at slicing, but she had learnt from Edward when she turned ten and now she couldn't help but try to help out whenever and wherever she could. She'd looked up to Edward ever since her parents had gone, and she wanted to be just like him, and there had been many times she'd called him father. Edward never minded either, in fact, he had grown close to the girl and had practically acted like her father his entire time working at the manor. He'd wanted to be a father originally, but being a butler had prevented him finding a wife and starting a family of his own. So, having Leora was nice for him. He'd often been the one in charge of teaching her, getting her clothes, cooking, whatever Leora wanted. So, he was the closest thing she ever truly had to a parent. Two maids walked into the kitchen, talking to each other, whispering. Leora couldn't help but listen to their conversation as she sliced the strawberries.

"Did you see the new guest they had?"
"From China, wasn't he?"
"I don't think I've ever seen someone like that before, have you, Hetty?"
"No, but he's kind of handsome, though. Don't you think?"
"Definitely. I hear that marrying foreign men is really fashionable now. And they're always rich."
"Ooh! Maybe I should look my best in front of him. Maybe then he'll ask me to marry him!"
Leora's heart lurched, her eyes wide as she was side tracked. The knife slipped a little and she accidentally sliced a little bit of her flesh on her finger, luckily nothing deep. She hissed loudly, dropping the knife onto the counter and bringing her finger to her mouth to suck away the blood dripping down. Edward glanced around, concerned.
"Leora!" He frowned, immediately rushing over to her side, prying her finger out of her mouth to inspect it gently," Dear me, what did I tell you about being careful? No matter, it's just a small cut. Come, let's wash it."
He guided Leora over to the sink, turning on the tap and putting her finger under the running water.
"Cold!" Leora's breath hitched.
"You should have thought about that before you were careless and let the blade slip," Edward sighed, exasperatedly," Honestly, Leora, you need to be more careful. Every time I find you, you've got some new cut or bruise, it's ridiculous; especially for a lady."

Leora glared away, bitterly," I hate being a lady..."
"Now, now, less of that please," Edward chuckled," You know that's not true."
Leora pouted as Edward gently washed her cut clean, his gaze focused to not cause her any discomfort. Leora smiled softly, before giggling.
"What's so funny?" Edward raised an eyebrow.
"It's just, I find moments being cut and scolded by you nicer than sharing a meal with my brother."
Edward frowned in sympathy, knowing how miserable Leora was with her own family. Leora's giggle became sadder and a little more distant.
"Edward, do you think in another world, we would have been father and daughter biologically...?" Leora mumbled, softly.
Edward's expression softened.
"I do," He nodded," I bet I would have still been a butler."
Leora laughed, softly," One hell of a butler!"
Edward laughed along with her.
"And what would you be?"
"I dunno..." Leora mumbled, dreamily," I guess more free, to just leave when I wanted. Go on adventures... that would be nice."
"Ah, you little demon."
Leora grinned.

"And, would Kong Hun be there?" Edward asked.
Leora paused, staring at the water running over her cut.
"Sorry?"
"Would Kong Hun be there, in that world?" Edward smiled at her.
Leora froze. She couldn't explain it, but she hoped that Kong Hun would be there. That he could share her adventures, and they could be friends. That they were both free to live out a life they wanted, whatever way they wanted.
Leora nodded," Yeah...he is..."
Edward smiled, happily, glancing down at Leora's hands. He'd practically raised the girl and even though she didn't know what she was feeling, he knew. And no matter who Kong Hun truly was. He felt happy for her happiness and he swore to keep it that way.