Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 102: Mistletoe~

When December the first arrived, so to did the cold weather. The frost had started to gnaw at the window panes of the manor, and people rarely went from room to room; much too cold, wanting to retain what little heat they had. In such an old, large building; it was tricky to keep the heat in, so they improvised with tricks like hot water and hot water bottles. Jiu walked into the foyer, when he saw Edward and surprisingly, Leora, outside of her room; decorating.
"Jiu!" Leora beamed, on a stool putting holy on the knight armour by the doorway," Look at what we're doing. The silly knights look so festive, don't you think?"
Jiu chuckled, walking over," They do; it makes them look much friendlier, I must say. I never really liked these old things. Creepy."
Edward was on a step ladder, decorating a large Christmas tree for the entrance; colour co-ordinating it and everything.
"I'm surprised you're out of your room, Leora," Jiu hummed," I would have thought Henry would have whined."
"He did," Edward sighed, putting the tinsel up," But I bribed him with some treacle tarts. I'm proud to say it worked rather well. Here, Leora, come help me with the ornaments. You said you wanted to, didn't you?"
Jiu watched as the girl's face lit up and she eagerly made her way over to the butler, as fast as she could in the state she was in. Jiu was relieved to see Leora seemed to be making a recovery of sorts in the past couple of weeks. Whether from the electroconvulsive therapy or something else entirely, it was doing wonders for her; she looked so much healthier than she had simply a month ago.

Leora hummed, putting a snowflake ornament on a branch. Edward stepped back, looking at it with a fond smile.
"You always insisted on putting that ornament up every year," He hummed," Do you remember when we got it?"
"The year you arrived; you got it at that little Christmas market, no?"
"Yes, the one on the frozen over Thames. Ah, brings back memories."
Leora glanced at Jiu, excitedly," Jiu, you should put an ornament up too; it's fun. That way it holds a sentiment."
The general blinked in shock, before awkwardly shuffling over. He had never done this before; putting up an ornament for a tree. He'd decorated a shrine, but never exactly something like this. Leora foraged through the ornament box before taking out two twin decorations. One of a drummer boy, the other of a drummer girl.
"Matching," Leora giggled, giving him the drummer boy.
Jiu smiled, gently hanging the drummer boy up on a spare branch, and Leora put hers on the one next to it.
"There," Leora smiled," And now, it has its meaning."
Jiu smiled, softly; nodding," Yeah. Forever and ever."
She turned to him with a bright grin," Let's go outside for a bit, okay? I love stepping out on a frosty morning, it brings back memories."

Jiu glanced at Edward to make sure that it was alright. The butler shrugged.
"As long as you bundle up and stay close to the house, I don't have a problem with it."
Leora beamed, excitedly taking Jiu's hand and hurrying him over to the little linen closet; where her coat, boots and scarf were hanging. Jiu helped her into it, before putting on a spare coat and scarf he found as well; taking her hand, and going out of the front door.
Leora sighed loudly in relief when he shut the door behind her," The frost feels so fresh today, just as I'd hoped! Look at that, the drive, it's covered in small flecks of it. It looks like a mirror."
"It does a little bit," Jiu chuckled, squeezing her hand," Here, let's sit on the front steps."
Leora nodded in agreement. They sat down on the steps, Leora leaning against the wall to steady herself, and Jiu beside her as they simply looked out at the crisp winter morning before them. Jiu took her hands, and frowned.
"So cold already..." He muttered.
He blew hot air into his own hands, rubbing them quickly; before cupping Leora's and trying to press his warmth into them. Leora tilted her head and giggled, letting him continue.
"They'll just get cold again, you know?" Leora hummed.
"Your circulation is dreadful, dear," Jiu sighed, playfully.
Leora puffed her cheeks," I'd say it's adequate."

Leora pulled her hands away, and searched her coat pocket for something. She pulled out a strand of mistletoe and held it above their heads, grinning mischievously.
"Do you know what this does?" She hummed.
Jiu chuckled," Let's see... hopefully not curse my whole bloodline. Ah, now I remember! Hettie told me all about this..."
He leaned in and kissed Leora's lips, gently. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, noticing how her lips had seemed to have lost all warmth they had the first time they'd kissed. It was a sad thought. Leora returned it, before pulling away with a giggle.
"Do you know what would happen if we didn't kiss under the mistletoe?"
"Afraid not," Jiu hummed, pushing his concern away with a fond smile; leaning his head on his hand," Enlighten me?"
Leora smiled," Bad luck, we wouldn't have any marital luck next year. At least, that's what the legends say."
"Well then," Jiu leaned back," I'm relieved to say we both followed that custom to the dot."
Leora giggled with a nod, snuggling closer to him. Jiu froze, thinking about something, as he traced patterns of her arm. He'd heard from a servant that apparently Julian Frost had done scandalous things to her the first time she'd had electroconvulsive therapy, and that Leora had gotten incredibly distressed by it. If the rumours were true, he couldn't help but feel slightly wounded she hadn't told him. Hadn't he told her to tell him things like that?

He wanted to protect her, she knew that already. His grip instinctively tightened and he glanced down at the girl staring out into the distance.
"Leora?" Jiu muttered, his voice low.
"Hmm?"
"Why didn't you tell me...what Julian did to you that day?"
Leora froze her eyes widening in horror, as she turned to face his serious expression. Jiu did not turn away. Leora gulped.