Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Chapter 27: Their Secret Garden~

Jiu came to Leora's room one morning after finding a surprise for her a little further than the manor. He knocked on the door, praying that Percy Hughes would not be in there with her teaching some messed up lesson on Victorian etiquette. He was relieved to see Leora open the door, looking confused. Jiu's eyes widened at her state. She looked absolutely exhausted and his gaze traced down to her palms where red marks had been left. His stomach knotted, but he pushed it aside for her sake.
"Jiu?" Leora frowned, glancing around nervously for Percy," Why are you here?"
"I need to show you something, Leora," Jiu stated, softly; taking in her nervous glance," I need to see you again."
"You see me every day at meals, Jiu."
"That's not you and you know it."
Leora stared at him with wide glassy, eyes. Jiu glanced away, his fists clenching in frustration.
"He's breaking you, Leora. Breaking you into the type of woman society expects. But that's not you. And I hope it never will be. I miss you, Leora. Please...let me see you? The real you, not Percy Hughes soulless puppet."
Leora looked at Jiu, properly looked at him, for perhaps the first time. With a shaky breath, she nodded; smiling weakly, yet it was genuine.
"I miss you too."

Once she'd dressed, Jiu led her out of the house and into the manor gardens. He took her past the pond and until the windy path ended into trees. Stood there, was a metal and weathered gate that no servant in the manor seemed to touch. Leora looked at it with wide eyes, she'd never known it had existed. Jiu gently pushed it open, it creaked horrendously and took them down a small forest path that was muddy from the moisture.
"Take my hand," Jiu held his hand out to her," The mud is thick for those shoes, Leora.
Leora blushed and gently took his hand, it felt just the same as that fateful night when they met. Jiu gave it a small squeeze. He led them down the path, as the two struggled against the thick muddy tide. Leora frowned, glancing around, confused.
"Odd... shouldn't we have hit the river by now?"
"You'll see," Jiu smiled, softly.
At the end of the path was the flicker of light and a sight that left Leora speechless. A large field, filled with thousands of brightly coloured and bobbing wildflower heads. The sun seemed to shine so gorgeously on the garden Leora had not realised belonged to the manor, and saw that the river met into a large pond that had a lake feel to it. She slipped out of Jiu's hand and ran to the bank of the pond; her eyes filling with unshed tears of joy as she glanced around.
"Jiu! It's like a dream!" Leora gasped.

Jiu smiled softly, making his way over to her. "I thought you'd like it," He murmured.
"It's so beautiful...I could cry with happiness..." Leora muttered, wiping the corners of her eyes.
"It's our own special place," Jiu nodded, softly," No servant in the manor knows of its existence. And I checked, there's a wall around its perimeter, nobody can access it."
"I didn't know the manor had this place, nobody ever...told me..." Leora whispered," I love it."
"It reminded me of you," Jiu's hand found his way to her back, without ever exactly intending to; causing both to blush a little.
"I think...this must have been made by my parents..." Leora muttered, her gaze misty," It must have closed off when they died. I can't believe anyone would keep this from me. It's so beautiful. It deserves to be loved."
Jiu smiled," But nature looked after it, all this time, didn't it? It made it gorgeous for you. Maybe it's better this way."
Leora clutched her dress, stunned by the gorgeous sight.
"It truly is..."
Jiu held out his hand, gently," Leora, come."
Leora nodded, softly, taking his hand and letting him lead her once more.

As they walked, Jiu jumped over a small stream, helping Leora over it. They made their way to a small gazebo perched at the edge of the water down the slope; Leora gasped.
"This can be our special place where we do art, don't you think?" Jiu smiled, turning to look at her.
He paused, stunned. Tears streamed down her face, her mouth slightly open and her eyes wide.
"Leora?"
The girl swung her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Jiu's eyes widened, but his arms made their way around her, burying his face in her hair a little. Smelled just like the sun.
"Thank you..." Leora mumbled," This...all of this, it's... perfect."
Jiu smiled, nuzzling her hair a little," I'm glad. Let's go sit down, okay?"
Leora nodded, weakly. Jiu led her down the small path to the gazebo, which he'd cleaned up that morning for her as a present. He sat her down on the seat, taking in her reaction. Leora glanced around at the sights, looking so at peace, more than she'd ever been before.
"They can't get you here, you know..." Jiu murmured.

Leora looked up at him shocked.
"Percy Hughes...Lord Bramston...Dorian Gray...even Henry Mohan; I won't let them."
Leora was lost for words.
"This is our place, Leora," Jiu stated, his voice firm," I won't let anyone take that from us, I swear it."
Leora smiled," You worry about me more than you should, you know?"
"How can I not!?" Jiu raised his voice slightly, not intending to," I see how they talk to you, Leora. All of them. You don't do anything wrong, you just stand up for yourself. But people are scared of losing power and they...treat you like that. And I...sit there and have to just do nothing, because if I step in it could make it worse for you. I want to help you! I promised I'd fight for your smile, but...! Sometimes, I... don't know how to and that...hurts..."
Leora stared at him in shock. Jiu stared at the floor, trembling. He couldn't believe those words had come out of him. He hadn't intended them to. The general felt vulnerable exposing himself like that and couldn't bear to look at her face, scared how she'd react. Leora got up and gently cupped his face, tilting his gaze to look at her. She met his with a soft smile.
"You've fought for me more than anyone else, Jiu. You don't need to. I want to fight for you too, you know?"

Jiu saw her palms cupping his cheeks and felt his stomach knot again at the marks of canes. He grabbed them, and held up the marks for her to see.
"Can't you see, Leora!?" He whimpered, his voice breaking," It's not just a want to fight for you anymore, it's a need, god damnit!"
Leora stared at the marks on her flesh and let out a sigh.
"I'm just like every other woman in this society, Kong Hun Jiu," Leora stated," Hiding pain is what we do best. But if you know then clearly, I need this...to learn."
Jiu felt sick hearing those words.
"Leora, no," He shook his head," I can't watch it anymore. If you can't accept it for your own safety, then do it for mine. Seeing you get treated like that, it haunts me..."
Leora smiled, weakly.
"You would hate city life."
Jiu felt hot tears drip down his cheeks and Leora startled back a little at the sight. He flushed, furiously, scrubbing them away. Leora moved his hands away and softly wiped them herself till they were mere stains upon his flesh. Jiu let out a shaky breath, struggling to meet her gaze, no matter how reassuring it was.
"Come with me," Leora murmured this time.
Jiu nodded, weakly.