Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 38: Henry's Offer~

Jiu glanced up to see Edward walk in later, clearing his throat and straightening his tie; a blush gently lingering over his features.
"Edward, can I help you?" Jiu raised an eyebrow, he'd currently been wandering the halls and looking at each and every portrait of Leora's family.
"Sore- I mean, Mister Cole thought it wise you see Miss Leora," Edward cleared his throat, yet again, as if it were some new, nasty habit he'd developed," She is in the conservatory, preparing herself for dance lessons; I have no doubt. Mister Cole advised that she perhaps needed a friend to pass the time with."
Jiu nodded, a subtle blush on his cheeks as he thought about it for a moment," I'll see her."

Jiu made his way to the conservatory, pushed at the back of the manor. He realised this was his first time going in there, as he'd never exactly come to this part of the manor much; considering it was more the area Henry lingered around. Leora was sat there, not facing the door; staring out through the marbled glass towards the garden with wandering eyes. The plants around her were exotic and bright, and seemed to almost create a frame around the pale girl amongst them, as if creating a scene from some sort of Greek romance. Leora bit her lip a little, fiddling with the hems of her dress; her mind on things Jiu was unsure of, yet seemed to be troubling her. The general stepped forward and sat beside her, accidentally causing her to jump a little, but he paid no mind to that.
"You're worried," Jiu uttered.
Leora's eyebrows raised, a noticeable blush covering her features at the proximity between the two.
"Worried?"
"About dance lessons."
Leora let out a small sigh, it was of relief of him not discovering what she and Soren had discussed, but Jiu took it as nerves," Ah..."
"Is Mister Cole mean to you, Leora?" Jiu met her gaze, sternly, searching her eyes.
"No, quite the contrary," Leora mumbled," He's strict, yes, but a necessary strict. He's nice, I like him."
"I'm relieved," Jiu smiled, gently," I was worried for you, you know. That this may be another Percy Hughes incident."

Leora shook her head," Mister Hughes was in debt with my brother, and people who are in debt with my brother are truly the worst kinds of people. I believe he became my tutor out of obligation, thus his nasty predicament."
"Well, he's gone now, and out of Henry's debt I assume?"
"I hope. I wish no one to be in debt to my brother. He has a... manipulative way, about doing things."
Jiu shuddered slightly. He wondered, for a moment, if he was in debt to Henry? After all, he was staying at the manor when Henry had refused, and he was now attending Henry's wedding. Yes. The more and more he thought about it, he was in debt with Henry Mohan. Tangled in his spider web, as Henry loomed in, hungry for his vulnerable and weakened prey. His looked at Leora, who had glanced back out of the conservatory window, yet again in a nervous sort of manner. She'd been in Henry's debt her whole life, it seemed; he couldn't imagine that. As days went by, he kept finding himself feeling sorrier and sorrier for the girl trapped within the cold, confines of the manor. How miserable it must be for her. With elegant footsteps, the predator stalked into the room; straightening his kerchief and meeting Jiu with charming eyes, that the ghost had only just realised we're the same as Leora's.

"There you are, Jiu," Henry began, a charming smile morphing onto his usually pensive lips," I've been looking everywhere for you."
Great. Jiu thought to himself, as the Lord went over; Leora slowly turned to look at her brother.
"You're as pleased as punch," Leora frowned.
"Of course I am!" Henry chuckled, elegantly," I just so happen to be invited to see a new play in the neighbouring town. Dorian bought us tickets. Basil will also be accompanying us. However, we seem to have a ticket spare and Dorian was quite eager to invite Jiu."
Jiu's eyes widened in shock, so did Leora's. Dorian wanted him to attend a play in the neighbouring town?
Leora's expression soured," And why have I never seen a play in my life, Henry?"
"You did, once, before mother and father passed," Henry shrugged, avoiding his sister's accusatory glare," Besides, you have dance lessons and even if you didn't, Dorian chose him, not you."
Leora scowled miserably and stared at her lap. Jiu felt a surge of empathy for the poor girl, and even greater guilt at the idea of leaving her in the manor.
"What do you say, Jiu?" Henry smiled, patting his shoulder in a sporting sort of manner," I hear it's a once in a lifetime performance."
Jiu glanced at Leora, unsure.
"Just go," Leora spoke, stiffly," I'll be fine. Besides, Dorian's words are final; that much is common knowledge here. Enjoy the play, Jiu. Tell me how it was."

Jiu nodded, getting up from his seat and casting a despondent look yet again; one that resembled that of a dog's when denied play. Henry pulled Jiu along, not giving him the chance to say goodbye to Leora, and smiled widely.
"You'll love the theatre, Jiu," Henry rambled, excitedly," It's such an experience. Simply to die for. Though, you can't go like that; they'll think you're supposed to be on stage. Here, I have a spare suit in my wardrobe that would definitely fit you, you must wear that."
So, Jiu went to the Lord's room to change. It was an extravagant room; filled within satins and linens and silks; as if the heavens themselves had crashed down into the room. Henry was clearly a man with a lot of wealth, who never held back. The room smelt fragrant, and strongly of something sweet, with a damp aftertaste. Henry led the ghost behind a screen; handing him a dark Victorian suit, with practically no hints of colour in it. It was almost depressing. With a miserable scowl, Jiu changed; folding his hanfu neatly and giving it to the maid, Helga, to return to his room. Henry led him down to the main hall and out to the pathway Jiu had seen Soren's carriage arrive on. After a few seconds, their own carriage arrived; scraping to a halt in front of them, making a dreadful noise against the gravel.

"Where to, my lord?" The raspy man sat, pulling the reigns asked.
Henry put his hat on as Edward hurried quickly to open the coach door," Whittering. Eastney Street."
The driver nodded, casting a curious look at Jiu, who suddenly felt self conscious in Henry's suit. He scrambled after the lord, who'd climbed into the carriage and made himself comfortable on the seat. Jiu sat opposite him, beside the window; watching as Edward closed the door. The butler gave him a reassuring smile, before stepping back. Henry tapped the roof of the carriage with his cane, twice; signalling the driver, who snapped the reigns. The horse began to trott, and the carriage started to move. From the window, Jiu looked out with a surge of regret. His gaze followed the door, as Edward made his way back, and there he saw Leora looking quite glum and upset. Guilt pulsed through him, yet he knew it was not his fault and could not be helped. He looked up at the third floor of the house, wondering if perhaps he'd see Leora and Henry's grandparents, yet nobody was there, as expected. And then, his gaze fell upon the window of his own bedroom. A face looked out at him. It was the face of a young male, with brown hair and distant, hazel eyes. His gaze was cold. His skin was awfully pale, as if he'd caught some kind of horrible flu. Jiu blinked, and when he looked back; the young male was gone, the curtains fluttering slightly where he'd clearly ran to hide from Jiu's gaze. Who was that boy?