Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 44: Linen and Trust~

"Shh, quietly," Jiu muttered, fiddling with the front entrance lock to open it.
"You think they'd have noticed we were out this late?" Leora frowned, whispering too.
"Hopefully not."
"One can only pray."
The door finally opened, and Leora gently crept inside, gesturing for Jiu to follow closely begin. The foyer was dark and eerie, as it was clearly lights out. Suddenly, there was the sound of approaching footsteps; someone had been waiting for them. The figure, dressed in dark clothes that merged with the foyer, stormed over his expression furious. Soren Cole. He quickly and quietly made his way across the room, the two staring at him with wide eyes; paralysed in fear.
"Leora! Jiu!" He hissed, his voice low and stern.
He waited for them to shuffle over to him, guiltily, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Where have you two been?"
"T-The village..." Jiu muttered, glancing away.
Soren's expression darkened, his eyes flashing dangerously," 'The village'. And may I ask what time you two decided to leave, and what time you thought was appropriate to return?"
Leora opened her mouth to speak, as she did there was the heavy sound of footsteps. It was Henry, he was still awake, and he was headed right for them. Leora grabbed Jiu by the arm and immediately went for the first hiding spot she could find. The linen cupboard. Soren blinked in shock, staring at them with a look of betrayal, before he took a deep breath and turned to face Henry as he entered the room, feigning nonchalance.
"Henry," he greeted, trying to act casual.

Jiu blushed, Leora was pressed against him in the linen closet; covering her ears with her hands. She didn't want to hear? Jiu held her close, straining to catch the voices. He prayed that Soren would not report on them to Henry, yet he wasn't entirely sure what Soren would do.
Henry blinked, confused," Soren, what are you doing up at this time? It's lights out, did Edward not tell you? Did something happen?"
Soren smiled thinly," Edward asked me to check on some matters in the east wing. You know how particular he is about inventory."
Jiu blinked in shock. Inventories were usually done in the day. Soren was...covering for them? He hoped Henry would accept this explanation.
Henry blinked slowly," Why would Edward make you do his work? Well, I suppose you two seem close."
"Ah, well, Edward has been acting strangely lately. I suppose it's only natural that he would seek me out. Yes, well, I'm just glad to be of service."
Henry didn't press the matter.
"You know, I haven't seen my troublesome sister all day; it's quite peaceful," Henry seemed quite happy by this fact, grinning slightly; Jiu's grip on Leora tightened.

"Really? That's... interesting. Perhaps she finally listened to our advice about being less... reckless?" Soren smiled slightly, though his smile was more of a grimace, he knew full well that wasn't the case.
"Hah!" Henry laughed," One can only wish. Soren, I like you, let me tell you something; I trust you to keep such information confidential. You know how I am the oldest heir? Yet for some reason, I have decided to give the manor to my younger sister when I marry, even though I could profit greatly living here, why do you think that is?"
"It's quite an usual decision. Is it because you want her to be safe?"
Henry snorted," You amuse me, Soren. No. You've seen this house, haven't you? Why, it's like living in a coffin. Too much death happens here. I don't want to live somewhere that'll just depress me."
Jiu grimaced. So that was it? It wasn't love or anything kind like that. It was selfishness, pure and utter selfishness.
His expression became more serious," Ah, I see..."
Soren's mind raced with possibilities. If Henry was willing to pass on ownership due to his superstitions, even though he claimed to not have any, perhaps he could be manipulated further to make future plans for Leora's benefit.
"You know, Henry, I've noticed something strange about this manor too..."

"You have?" Henry tilted his head.
Soren lowered his voice, conspiratorially," It's just... little things, really. Cold spots where there shouldn't be any, sounds at night. I've seen things I can't explain."
Henry pursed his lips," It's an old house."
"True," he agreed," but have you ever considered that perhaps the reason this house feels so... heavy, is because of something more than just age? Have you ever thought that maybe the spirits of the deceased still linger here?"
Henry stared at Soren for a moment, it was a cold sort of stare; Jiu couldn't entirely tell what emotion was behind it. Henry suddenly laughed.
"You sound like everyone else in our society! No, I do not. People die, Soren; that's all there is to it."
"Henry, humor me for a moment. If spirits do linger, what do you think keeps them here? Unfinished business? Anger?" Soren persisted.
Henry stared at Soren," I think...Leora."
Jiu felt his breath hitch, he glanced down at the girl in his arms, who was unawarely refusing to listen.
Soren's eyes narrowed, zeroing in on Henry's face," Leora? Your sister? You think their reason for persisting is...Leora?"
Henry smirked," She has her past. But, I think the whole 'ghost' notion is ridiculous. I must be going, I'm meeting Dorian Gray at Whitechapel, we're doing a charity case with Lady Gwendolyn. Goodday, Soren. I'll see you in the morning."
"Oh, quite right. Do give my regards to Dorian," Soren gave Henry a reluctant nod, not wanting to seem over eager.
And, with a final wave, Henry left the house; Soren sighed. Jiu pushed on the door, both he and Leora stumbling out of the linen closet; the girl removing her hands from her ears.

"God, it's stuffy in there," Leora groaned.
"Okay, explain, now," Soren stated, curtly," What time you two decided to leave, and what time you thought was appropriate to return?"
"5Am till 8pm, but we originally meant to be back before lunch time," Leora answered, before realising how long they'd stayed out," Oh..."
Soren nodded, furious," Precisely. You were supposed to be back hours ago! What in the name of all that is holy were you doing out there for so long? Henry will have your heads for this."
His eyes fixed on Leora, a mix of disappointment and concern evident in his gaze.
"Please don't tell him, Soren!" Leora pleaded, desperately.
Soren sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair," And why shouldn't I, hmm?"
"Because he's horrible a horrible brother who wants me to be miserable!" Leora stated, sulkily.
"I understand that, Leora. I truly do. But running off like this... it's dangerous and reckless." He glanced at Jiu "And you. You should know better than to encourage this behavior, Jiu. You're supposed to be her friend, not an accomplice in her rebellion against Henry's rules."

Jiu winced," You seriously think Henry's rules are fair?"
"No, they're not fair. Not even close. But Henry's pride isn't something we can reason with," Soren looked between the two of them," Listen, you can't just run off anymore. Especially with... everything else happening."
"Everything else?" Leora frowned, cluelessly.
"Dear god, girl; the wedding! Never mind," He muttered, exasperated," The point is, things are about to get complicated, and the last thing I need is to worry about the two of you disappearing again."
Jiu nodded, guiltily," Alright."
Leora looked disheartened about being caged again,"Okay..."
She glanced up at Soren, nervously.
"Was Edward okay, when I left?"
"He was worried sick, of course. But he's fine now. I managed to calm him down and explain the situation."
Soren hesitated, then added.
"He asked me to give you something."
The tutor reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately carved wooden box. "This was given to me to deliver to you personally," He held out the box to Leora, his eyes serious," I'm not sure what's inside, but Edward insisted I bring it to you."
Leora blinked in shock, and gently took the box from Soren. It was a warm shade of wood, with carved leaves and acorns and other autumnal patterns. She went to open it, but found it shut tight.
"Odd..." She groaned, tugging on it stronger.
"Let me try," Jiu hummed.
Leora nodded passing it to him. However, as he used full force, he too found that it was stuck.

"Hm, seems to be sealed by some sort of resin?" Jiu muttered, inspecting the cracks before handing it back to Leora.
Leora took the box back with a shrug," Well, whatever it is, I don't understand Edward's logic to giving me some impossible box. But, it's the thought that counts. I'll ask him in the morning."
Jiu nodded, yet he couldn't help but keep looking at the odd box in his grip. Something about a box with no purpose didn't sit well with him.