Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 101: Trifling Matter~

"You know, it's coming close to Christmas," Edward hummed, drying a plate clean with a cloth.
Jiu glanced over; humming.
"Oh yeah, Christmas. A couple of the maids told me about that back during the wedding. What about it?"
"Well," Edward set the plate down with a smile," The house will probably be busy again. The family host an annual yule party each year; it'll be nice to feel like we're back in a time when none of these dreadful things were happening."
Soren smiled at the butler, sympathetically, putting the dry plates in the cupboard," Yes, but considering the current events I think it's safe to assume the Mohan's might take it down a notch this year. With all that's happening, I daresay Henry is probably not that eager to have people meddling in his affairs and secrets. With Leora ill and everything, he's become rather reclusive."
"Reculsive?" Jiu frowned," Isn't this the guy who frequently goes to London?"
"Yes, well, I've heard he and Julian go there and barely see anyone," Soren sighed, shrugging his shoulders," Not even his friends; mind you. Henry's a bit of a social butterfly, so, it's odd, to say the very least."
Jiu pursed his lips, going back to scrubbing the plates clean. That was interesting. So what was he and Julian doing in London so much? Most likely work, but still; it seemed odd for Henry to not be out galavanting with his fellow rich friends. That was probably why he rarely saw any of the other guests from the wedding, because Henry was hiding away from them now. If that was true, he probably would despise the yule party; being forced to be with them once more.

"Ashame," Edward sighed, longingly; smiling to himself at the memory," The yule party was always mine and Leora's favourite time of the year. She used to help me put up all the decorations, help me bake, and get me to do all these endearing little activities for her. I was guaranteed each year to carry her back up to bed at the end of the party, though... she'd exhaust herself pretty quickly."
Jiu couldn't help but smile despite himself trying to picture the young Leora he'd met in the past following Edward around excitedly, like a little puppy, before being slung over a shoulder and carried out of the ballroom. It was a funny and wholesome thing to imagine.
"I hear from Cook you're a connoisseur with Christmas trifle," Soren smirked, waggling his eyebrows, playfully," Will you give me the honour of trying it this year?"
Edward puffed her cheeks," I'll have you know I also make extremely exquisite stuffing! But yes, I'll allow you the pleasure of tasting both."
Soren beamed happily at this.
"Who is usually at the party?" Jiu asked, drying his suddy hands off with his trousers.
"Well, Leora's grandparents usually come down from the fourth floor..." Edward murmured, thinking.
Jiu scowled. Great.
"Then there's Henry's usual guests," Edward listed off his fingers," Though, I bet he'll keep numbers to a low, like Soren said. He'll get angry if they ask him about Lady Brandon's death, Archie's death and Leora's illness. He's got a nasty temper that one, always has."

"Temper as red as roses, like the curse," Soren laughed.
Edward frowned," Don't tell me you believe that hogwash from the town as well?"
"It's the word on the street, what can I say? It's a very convincing case."
"I've worked here since Leora was yeigh high, and believe me, I've seen no trace of the civil war left in this house."
"I'm teasing, I'm teasing."
Edward rolled his eyes, throwing the old rag at Soren; who caught it with a chuckle.
"People are idiots who make up nonsense just to taunt others," Edward muttered under his breath, sitting down at a stool," True, I don't love the family, but I do have some sense of pride for them as the butler. I hate it when those townsfolk ridicule the manor like that with no clue what goes on in here."
Soren hummed, sitting beside him, propping his face up on his hand," Can you blame them entirely? All they see is a pompous, well-off family living in luxury. They're probably quite excited when the chance comes to say the family is falling to pieces."
Edward glanced away," It's cruel to the ones that are suffering..."
Jiu knew who Edward was talking about. Leora. The general could understand both sides of the argument. On the one hand, there was Leora, who did no wrong to the townsfolk; yet was still treated cruelly, despite being in a bad position.

And then, there were the rest of the Mohan's excluding her. They lived lives of luxury, they separated themselves from the real world so they wouldn't feel the need to give to the needy. Selfish, just as Leora had said. Jiu sighed, glancing out of the window, his eyebrows furrowed. Nothing was simple in life, unfortunately. The three of them glanced over, hearing odd footsteps come down the steps. It was Leora. She smiled weakly at them. Jiu immediately rushed over, swiftly supporting her with a concerned look.
"You should be resting," Jiu muttered.
Leora chuckled," My ill room is just opposite the servants kitchen; I was bored. I'm tired of resting in there; I'll rest at a stool here."
Jiu rolled his eyes playfully and helped her over to a stool, setting her down.
"Leora, how was electroconvulsive therapy?" Soren leaned forward, curious," I hear it's supposed to be great."
"It was alright," Leora shrugged, weakly," I would call it amazing, but it was much better than I'd anticipated."
Edward, who was now chopping carrots; raised an eyebrow at Soren," I think it's brutish torture, personally."
"You just keep disagreeing with me today, don't you?" Soren sighed, playfully.
"Anyway, what were you three talking about before I so rudely interrupted?" Leora tilted her head.

"The Yule party," Jiu smiled.
"Ah, I'd completely forgotten about that, actually," Leora chuckled," December the fifteenth; no?"
Edward smiled," You remember. Hopefully you'll have improved by then, dear."
"I hope so too..." Leora hummed, weakly.
Soren smirked," Well enough to eat Edward's delicious trifle."
"You're obsessed!" Jiu laughed.
"Can you blame me?" Soren hummed," Sponge, cream, custard, fruit... what's not to love?"
"Obsessed, soon to be obese," Edward teased; playing with the words.
Soren puffed his cheeks," I'll have you know I'm a naturally skinny man."
"That can change very quickly depending on how much trifle you eat."
"Jiu, you're supposed to support me!"
"He's right you know."
"Edward!"
"What? It's true. I love you, but you have a problem."
Leora couldn't pay attention to what they were talking about. She stared blankly at the table, zoning out through their playful banter as she ran her finger across a fork. Her face twisted in pain as she glanced away, recalling the horrid sensation on her thigh.