Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 61: The Wedding of Henry and Lady Brandon~

The actual wedding dragged, and the service was an odd one. Apparently, the Mohan family was originally Christian, but it was quite clear that Leora and Henry did not believe in that kind of thing. However, it was no surprise Master and Mistress Mohan did, and to the ghost, made much sense of why they would. Jiu had been shoved in the middle sort of rows of the wedding, after all, he wasn't exactly family to Henry or Lady Brandon. Much more guests had arrived, so much that the manor no longer seemed to even feel like the manor at all. He didn't focus much on the service itself, but often found his gaze lingering towards the front row on the Mohan side. Mistress Mohan, who'd recovered well despite her age, sat in a wheelchair beside her husband; praying and crying in joy. Master Mohan seemed to stare at his shoes, almost bored and exhausted about the whole occurrence. Leora sat beside them, and she was what Jiu couldn't help but focus on. She was sat next to Lord Bramston, with his hand lingering on her back, occasionally tracing patterns on her blue petticoat. What Jiu couldn't get over was the look of grief covering her delicate features. She looked distraught. Not at the wedding, but at the man sat next to her. Henry hurriedly said his vows, seeming almost frustrated by them, whilst Lady Brandon; now Lady Mohan, took her time with it, clearly enjoying the attention. They had been married. What was done, had been done. And, the fateful night, which Jiu never anticipated would be the blossoming of his own flower, started.

Leora sat glumly in the ballroom as the celebrations for the wedding started, and everyone spun and danced around like ballerinas in music boxes. She had been looking forward to the dance, quite a lot; after all, what kind of girl didn't look forward to being whisked into an elegantly romantic dance? But, when she glanced at the lord beside her; he was guzzling down glasses upon glasses of champagne, a blush covering his features, prominently.
"You promised me a dance, Lord Bramston," Leora grumbled, glumly.
Lord Bramston guzzled down his twelfth glass that night, belching a little," Ngh...did I? Oh well...you must be glad...you must hate dances, considering your attitude..."
Leora stared miserably at her lap. It was quite the contrary. She hated attention, but there was something about slow dancing that felt so magical to her ever since she was young...it had been her dream to at her own wedding one day. Clearly, Lord Bramston would not be able to even attempt to dance with her, without passing out like some sort of sailor. She let out a miserable huff, scanning the crowd, envying them. Of course; Henry and the new Lady Mohan were slow dancing, and looked magical and fairytale-ish all at once. Even Jiu, was dancing with that maid Hettie. That maid, wearing her beautiful purple dress! She wondered if Jiu looked at the dress, when dancing with Hettie, and thought of herself wearing it instead?

The girl furiously rubbed her face, feeling quite hideous that she'd even considered a thought like that. With a glum frown, she glanced back up at Jiu dancing elegantly with the maid girl. He danced charmingly. And, regrettably, Hettie seemed to suit her dress. Leora furrowed her eyebrows in worry. Had she set those too up and they actually started to seem like a good match? This wedding was truly a miserable occasion for her. Soren was helping Edward serve things for the guests nearby, wanting to help his lover in any way possible.
Edward sighed, holding a platter," Look, Soren."
Soren hummed in confusion, casting his gaze back at where Leora was miserably sat in the corner; like a toddler in timeout.
"Looks like Lord Bramston has gotten too drunk; poor girl. She was quite looking forward to that dance," Edward frowned," It was the only thing she truly was looking forward to today."
Soren furrowed his eyebrows," That seems harsh. What was all that effort of teaching her dance for if she can't execute it? Are people cruel? Don't they know to ask a pretty lady to dance when she's lonesome?"
"Nobody would dare dance with Leora, Soren," Edward smiled, sympathetically," Lord Bramston practically owns her."
Soren set down his platter on the table in a determined glare; a fierce protective feeling for the girl coursing through him as he saw her look dejected.
"Edward, I'll be back, give me a few moments..."

Leora sighed miserably, watching as it faded to the next song. She felt someone tap her shoulder, leaning their arm on the back of her chair; their face hovering close. Leora blinked in shock, glancing up to see Soren, looking down at her.
"Would you like to dance?" Soren offered.
Leora glanced away, feeling slightly ashamed at the pity," I'm no good at it."
With a sigh, Soren decisively took her hand and took her over to where all the other dancers were. He gently swayed with her; ensuring it wasn't a romantic dance, more one you'd catch a father and daughter doing at a wedding. Leora blinked in shock, staring up at him with wide eyes.
Soren smiled, kindly," I can't let your hard work and dreams go to waste now, can I?"
Leora bit down a sniffle, nodding; hiding her face in his shoulder as he gently swayed with her.
"You...dance similar to how my father used to dance with me, when I was little..." Leora mumbled.
"Does that upset you?"
"No, not at all," Leora smiled," I'm glad I see you in that role...you and Edward both."
Soren let out a soft chuckle, resting his chin on her head as he continued to gently sway with her.

Hettie beamed, up at Jiu, gently pulling away," You're a rather good dancer, Jiu. But, I must go. I have a reservation planned this evening with my family."
"Of course," Jiu smiled softly, nodding," The pleasure was all mine. Do be sure to return that dress to Leora, will you?"
Hettie nodded, and rushed off. Jiu sighed, glancing around the room; hoping maybe, just maybe, he'd get another dance with Leora, like he had before, many nights ago. He paused in his tracks seeing Soren and Leora swaying softly. She looked so happy. He didn't have the heart to break that up, especially with someone who cared about her dearly, like Soren. He decided to just go to the patio and get some air. The ghost turned away, hoping to get out of the ballroom quickly; it was much too stuffy for his liking. During the process, he accidentally bumped quite harshly into a man Dorian and Basil was talking too. The man let out a startled cry as Jiu connected quite harshly with his knee in his crotch.
"Jiu, you just hit Gustave Eiffel!" Dorian yelped.
"Sorry, I gotta go!" Jiu shrugged, rushing out of the patio door.
Basil sighed," Honestly, how desperate do you have to be-?"