Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 110: The Yule Party~

The day of the Yule party many guests arrived, dressed lavishly in expensive outfits that seemed to compliment the snow lit manor. Jiu recognised quite a few guests: Dorian, Basil, Lady Gwendolyn, Lord Bernard, Jacques Baudelaire and Marjorie Cook. Naturally; Julian and the Mohan grandparents made their annual appearance (much to Jiu's dismay). However there were lots of other guests he'd never met before. Considering Henry had said it would be a smaller party this year because of the family's state, he started to wonder if he and Henry had absurdly different ideas on what 'smaller" actually was.
Henry tapped the side of his glass to gather everyone's attention as they spoke eagerly to each other. As they quietened, Henry cleared his throat.
"I'd like to thank you all for making it to our Annual Yule Party," Henry put on a dashing sort of smile," As you are all aware, times have been tough of recent, but I am certain having you all here shall particularly lighten the atmosphere casting over this glorious manor. And so, without further ado, have a wonderful, festive time."
The party began, music scratching to life as the true spirit started to kick in. Jiu glanced around but couldn't spot Leora anywhere; had she not appeared yet? Jiu made his way over to Edward, who was busy setting dishes on the table for guests to try at their leisure.

"Edward, you wouldn't have happened to know where Leora is, would you?" Jiu frowned.
Edward hummed," The maids are helping her dress as we speak. She'll be down in a moment. Sugar plum?"
Jiu smiled weakly and took the confectionery off the butler, popping it into his mouth and making an effort to enjoy the sickly sweet taste.
"Oh for-..." Edward groaned," Soren!"
The tutor had already found the communal bowl of trifle and was possessively holding it; stuffing his face. Edward stormed over to him, his face flushed in frustration. Jiu couldn't help but laugh at Soren's passionate dedication to trifle. As the guests started dancing to merry, festive music; Jiu found himself wandering the ballroom, bored. A hand grabbed his arm, making him jump a little.
"I thought we'd find you sooner or later!" Dorian beamed, spinning him around to face him.
Basil was sipping egg nog enthusiastically," Have you tried the egg nog yet, Jiu? It's bloody brilliant."
"No, I don't drink," Jiu chuckled.
Dorian tilted his head," Oh? Such a shame."
Lady Gwendolyn fanned herself," You don't drink? Not a drop? It's pleasure condensed into liquid form Jiu!"
"The after effect is rather vile in my opinion. Your dress is rather lovely, Lady Gwendolyn."

Lady Gwendolyn flushed and giggled at the compliment from the general, swatting her hand playfully as she spun a little to show off her designer dress.
"Oh? This old thing? It's nothing really, just cost me a few hundred shillings. Oh, look at you making the silly old woman blush!"
Basil deadpanned," You're only thirty two-"
Lady Gwendolyn huffed and snapped her fan shut, using it to smack Basil across the head, before huffing and puffing to herself in humiliation.
"Where's Leora?" Dorian hummed, looking around curiously.
"Dressing, apparently," Jiu shrugged.
"Ooh, you're in for a treat!" Dorian grinned," Henry's present to his sister every year for the Yule party is to get her the most gorgeous, exquisite gowns. It's the one thing he spoils her with. Showing off his sister, making her as charming as him, is one of Henry's favourite past times. This year must really be something if it's taking her this long to dress!"
Jiu blushed, glancing at the doorway with anticipation. He was curious about just how lavish these gowns actually were. He made his way to the next group to talk; though he wasn't sure if he'd regret it later or not. Henry, Julian Frost, Lord Bernard and the grandparents.
"Ah, Jiu, how nice of you to join us," Henry smiled, tilting his head, inquisitively," Do you need something?"

"No, just walking around," Jiu forced a strained smile," I hear you buy Leora a new gown each year?"
Henry hummed," Ah, yes; that I do. When she was younger, I must say they were barely as impressive, but with age they've gotten much more glamorous. I must say, I think I out-did myself this year; it was such a bothersome find, but it's fit for a winter princess."
Mistress Mohan scowled slightly," She doesn't deserve such things; you spoil her too much, Henry."
"Such a dashing gentleman you've grown up to be, Henry," Master Mohan raised his glass slightly, his tone as dulcet as ever.
Henry smiled," Now, now; it's the very least I could do for my sister. With that dreadful case of tuberculosis and everything, I couldn't bear to deny her such a gift."
Jiu felt himself instinctively frown at the sheer lies coming out of his mouth to make himself sound so humble.
"Which reminds me," Lord Bernard frowned, turning to look at the doctor, who was bored, tapping his finger against his glass," Doctor Frost; how is the treatment going for her electroconvulsive therapy?"
Julian glanced up, looking equally as dulled by the question," Perfectly well. She's much stronger with it than she had been. Why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if perhaps after all of this has passed, you would be willing to bring such equipment to the Workhouses I own?"

Julian wrinkled his nose in displeasure," Workhouses? I...er... don't particularly bring my affairs to those parts, Lord Bernard. I'm a private doctor, not some infirmary maiden."
"I understand that," Lord Bernard frowned, insistently," But times are changing, and those maids can only do so much nowadays. You don't have to personally come to the Workhouses, just send someone who can work them, and they can teach the maids."
Julian still seemed skeptical of the idea, and had developed a particularly nasty case of a scowl on his face.
"I'll...look into it."
Jiu assumed that was another way of saying: I'd rather drop dead than do that.
"Ah!" Henry broke through the awkward tension," Here she is!"
Jiu gasped, spinning around to look at the doorway; spotting a rather flustered Leora, teetering at the doorway of the hall, dressed in an elaborately, exquisite gown.