Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 95: Merriment~

That night, the manor seemed to be filled with more joy than it had seen in days; simply by the absence of two people. What Edward had missed out earlier, was that he'd practically prepared a whole feast to commemorate the absence of Julian and Henry. Every servant attended it, sat at the long table; sharing laughs, sharing joys. There was something sweet about seeing the manor filled with joy; once such a dark and miserable place, now suddenly filled with hope and laughter. It felt like the correct reason for its existence. It was just a shame it had been wasted all these years on people who despised such joy. Like it had almost fallen into the wrong hands. Edward sat at the piano, playing a melodious tune; his eyes shut as he smiled to himself. Leora sat beside him, humming softly along with a similar expression; looking happier than she had looked in days. Jiu stood close by her, leaning on the wall with his arms crossed; smiling. Soren had taken over Edward's job and was handing out plates of food to the servants, who had all gathered at the table, pretending they were the wealthy lords; laughing hysterically.

"Lord Henry," Soren hummed, setting the plate in front of a grubby maid, who was sat in Henry's seat.
The servants all hysterically laughed at this, deciding a mocking roleplay of the family was in order.
"I'm Master Mohan...squeak! Was thatta gun shot!? Tries on me nerves, it does!" The maid laughed, rubbing her hands together.
The footman slammed his hand on the table," Impurities, all of you! Impure bloods! Hiss! Hiss! I'm Mistress Mohan and I hate happiness!"
The servants hysterically heaved at this, clapping their hands. Edward frowned, finding it a little in bad taste; Soren walked over with a smile and a weak shrug.
"And I'm Lord Henry!" The maid giggled, standing up," I'm soooo grumpy I'll grow wrinkles before I turn thirty!"
They laughed, loudly.
"Guess who I am! Guess! Guess!" A servant grinned, standing up and putting on a high pitched voice," I never leave the comfort of my home, and I always whine about it, and I'm always the problem~!"
A few of the servant's faces fell in realisation, as the servant obliviously laughed.
"Don't you see!? I'm Miss Leor-..."
He trailed off, realising. Everyone in that room, collectively turned to face the girl sat on the piano stool, wincing collectively. Despite always being kind to the servants, Leora was always looped into their mockery, because she was not one of them. She was a Mohan, no matter how kind she tried to be.

"Leora...?" Jiu reached out to touch her shoulder, comfortingly.
Leora smiled weakly at them all, her fingers absently running over the rim of her cup," It's quite fine. It was a good impersonation, afterall...everybody here seemed to get it. I'm not upset. Why should I be? It's just a joke after all."
Despite her words, there was quite an evident undertone of hurt in her voice; practically unmistakable.
Edward glared sternly at the servants," I knew this game was a bad choice; you all have obnoxiously loud, horrible mouths; the lot of you."
"Perhaps we should play a different game," Soren smiled, awkwardly.
Edward shot him a glare," I warned you, but nooo, you assured me it was all light-hearted fun. Now look!"
"Hey, don't blame me for this!" Soren pouted," It's not my fault they all are brainless."
"Oh, so you acknowledged they were and didn't think to-!?"
"I didn't think I had to Edward!"
Jiu ignored the couple's bickering and glanced down at Leora, who sat staring at her lap, distantly. This was supposed to be a happy time for her, away from Henry and Julian. He had to think of something, and quickly. He took a deep breath, before clearing his throat loudly; cutting both Edward and Soren's argument off.

"I'm the Mohan servants!" Jiu loudly announced in a mocking tone," I'm clueless because I was never educated, and so I compensate for my shallow brain by making fun of people who support me!"
The servants blinked in shock, startled.
"Hey, not cool!"
"We're not shallow...I think?"
"The hell was that for?"
Leora's frown curved into a small smile. Suddenly she was chuckling softly, soon that chuckle faded into a laugh. It wasn't full of malice or revenge, it was genuine, and she was just simply amused. After a while, the servants too began to snicker, before giving into a laugh.
Leora grinned, raising her finger," And I'm the stuffy butler, I act like I run an army, rather than a house of servants!"
Edward glared at her," Hey, I stuck up for you!"
Leora playfully stuck her tongue out.
"Yeah, well," Edward chuckled," I'm the tutor who never actually tutors my mistress, and will never admit it aloud, but actually has a huge soft spot for everyone~!"
Soren laughed, flushing a little, embarrassed as the servants 'awwwed'," Yeah? Well, at least I'm not some foreigner who appeared randomly one day and fell in love with the mistress~!"
Jiu's face burned red, Leora's did too; he glared at the tutor," Soren-!"
"Oh please," Soren smirked," Everybody here was already aware."

"Yeah, well at least I'm not the gardener who can't even pluck roses well!"
Archie puffed his cheeks," One time, that was!"
"Yeah, yeah."
"Oi!"
And so, the game of back and forth seemed to continue throughout the night. From a dark corner of the room, a boy seemed to watch silently; his eyebrows furrowed; harshly. Laughter; it was a sound unfamiliar to the dining room he'd grown up in. His gaze fell on Leora, sat at the piano; laughing softly, happy. His expression seemed to waver, ever so slight. Then, he glanced at the general beside her, smiling; leaning against the wall, his hand resting on her shoulder; before finally, he looked at the gardener, Archie Mills. A small smirk flickered on the boy's lips, as he faded back into the shadows. He would allow this moment of happiness for the manor, and its inhabitants. If only they knew the terrors that awaited them. Then again, perhaps being truly unaware was best; the horrors creeping around the corner, would not be so pleasant.