Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 82: Love~

When the darkness faded, Jiu realised he was no longer in the memory, simply watching; moreso like the last time Duncan had let him view a memory. Now, Jiu was simply watching as Leora lay in the nursery, in the same place under the window; drawing on a sheet of paper, the light pouring in through the glass. She hummed to herself a little, a lullaby she vaguely remembered her mother singing once when she was young. The door to the nursery opened and Edward walked in, smiling softly.
"Ah, I thought you'd be in here," Edward hummed, gently sitting down beside her; setting what he'd brought in down.
Leora giggled softly, nodding; she held up the piece of paper she'd been working on.
"Look, Edward!"
The butler raised an eyebrow looking at the three figures the toddler had attempted to draw. First his finger lingered on the centre one.
"I'd recognise that face anywhere," Edward chuckled," That's you..."
His finger then traced over onto the figure on the left.
"Ah, and that's quite a handsome, mysterious man; who, might I add, looks charming."
Leora shot him a dirty glare.
Edward laughed," Yes, that most certainly is me."
His finger then traced over to the figure on the right, he furrowed his eyebrows, thinking carefully.
"And who's this one?"

Leora glanced back at the paper. She shrugged her shoulders and held it tightly to her chest.
"Jiu."
"Jiu?" Edward hummed aloud, thinking," Hm, have I met him before?"
"No, he's from the future," Leora giggled.
"The future, you say?" Edward let out a chuckle," Well, what does he do in the future? Here, let me clean up your foot whilst you tell me all about Jiu."
Leora stuck up both her feet, letting the butler set them on his lap. She'd gotten them injured when she'd stepped on those glass shards, so Edward unravelled the dirty bandages to clean and replace them.
"I don't know what he does in the future," Leora spoke, trying to remember their encounter," But he did tell me that we're really close in the future!"
"Ah, so a best friend?" Edward murmured, gently applying the disinfectant to it.
Leora kicked his hand from the pain, he swiftly caught her ankle, holding her in place.
"Oh shush you, it'll be over soon."
Leora ignored him and tried to remember Jiu some more," And he promised me and daddy that he'll help me, when I need to stand up for myself."
Edward hummed," Well, he sounds like a rather good friend, don't you think?"

Leora nodded, glancing out of the window whilst Edward carefully wrapped up her injuries in a fresh bandage.
"Mummy said that if someone truly cares, they'll dance with me..." Leora muttered," Do you think Jiu would?"
Edward finished up and sighed, thinking.
"That's hard to say, dear. Mummy was talking about a very strong type of care. A type of care like your mummy and daddy has."
Leora's eyes shone, glancing at Edward," A strong care?"
Edward smiled softly, nodding.
"Love, Leora."
Leora's eyes widened, and she clasped her dress in awe at the thought. Edward picked her up and set her down in her bed, whilst Leora stared at the ceiling, her mind reeling. Just as Edward tucked her in, the girl looked up at him, her eyes shining.
"I want to love Jiu, will he love me?"
Edward let out a rich laugh, patting the blanket gently," I'm not so sure dear, I think that's a good question for the future."
"But I want to know now, Edward," Leora whined, childishly.
"Tell you what," Edward stroked back her hair," If you truly love Jiu, you'll wait. I don't think the time is just right for you two, do you? If you wait that long and you still love him, and he still loves you, that is when you know it's love. Until then, remain patient, alright?"

Leora pouted, but nodded, reluctantly. Edward smiled, gently getting her fox plushie and tucking it under her arm. He kissed her on the forehead, before going to the window and shutting the curtains to block out the light. Leora watched Edward.
"Edward?" Leora hummed.
Edward let out a playful sigh, fully closing the curtains," Honestly, what will it take to get you to go to sleep? Yes, miss Leora, what can I help you with now?"
"Do you think Jiu loves me, is he thinking about me now?"
Edward smiled softly at her innocent adoration for Jiu, and shrugged.
"Only Jiu knows that dear, only time will tell, I'm afraid," Edward made his way to the door," Just be patient Leora, you won't regret it, I promise you that."
Leora's gaze softened, she nodded.
"Alright. Goodnight, Edward."
"Goodnight, Leora."
"I care about you," Leora hummed, innocently.
Edward laughed, softly," I care about you too, dear."
And with that, the butler left the room. Leora lay on her back, her mind reeling with unanswered hopes and dreams; staring up at the ceiling. A flicker of determination had lit within her that would charge her for all the years she spent without him.

The toddler hoped he loved her too, just as she did to him. She pictured herself in her mother's place and Jiu in her father's. It was a happy sight, that filled her with a thrill for the future.
"Love..." Leora mumbled sleepily.
She let out a happy hum, her eyes growing heavy. Filled with hopeful thoughts for the future, she snuggled into her covers and nuzzled her plushie. Her eyes drifted closed, her breathing steadying as she fell asleep. But even as she slept, the little girl couldn't conceal the small smile on her mouth, that refused to leave her side, until he was there once more.