Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 111: Yule Waltz~

The whole room seemed to fall silent upon seeing the Mohan girl, stood awkwardly at the door with two maids at her side. She looked stunningly different, and somewhat healthier than she'd looked in months. Words seemed to escape Jiu at the sight of her. It truly was such a dramatic gown, that seemed to stand out like a sore thumb in the crowd of many other elaborate outfits. It reached the floor, like a ball gown, and was a stunning silverish-white colour. It was adorned with bits of sequins that shone under the light of the chandelier; much like how freshly fallen snow gleams in the morning light. It was pleated and frilled at parts, with bows placed where the pleats met. Leora's hair had been forcefully designed too. Christmas roses poked out from certain curls of her hair; and the hair itself had been tied into a small bun, with curls of hair dancing around her cheeks. The maids had also seemed to have made her face pale with makeup, to detract from the true sickly pale colour underneath, of a dying young lady; and added a faint blush to her cheeks, to bring the colour back to her face. What startled him the most was what she wore on her face. A masquerade mask, carved in tears, elegant and mournful. The ballroom guests stared at her in shock at such a beautiful dress, such a shocking mask, and such a sick lady looking so fresh and vibrant, and turned to Henry as if wondering if the whole tuberculosis thing had been a lie. Leora hesitantly stepped into the ballroom, and once she did, people got back to talking, and the musicians back to playing.

Jiu pushed through the crowd to make his way over to the girl, and they met at the centre, under the shimmering chandelier. Leora gently went to take off the masquerade mask, to reveal her gentle eyes. She smiled weakly at him," You look very dashing."
"I hardly dressed up for this," Jiu chuckled," You, on the other hand..."
"What do you think?"
"I like it," Jiu nodded," A lot. It's very Christmas-y."
Leora giggled, and curtseyed at this. The musicians started to play a waltz sort of song; romantic and slow. Leora glanced at Jiu, hopefully.
"You know, we never did dance properly in a hall yet," She hummed.
"Ah, that's right," Jiu pretended to feign ignorance," We haven't have we? Then...what is it you may be suggesting?"
Leora pouted," It's not nice to tease a lady if you know what she wants."
Jiu chuckled, before holding his hand out to her.
"Then; if I may?"
Leora gave him her hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze of sorts. Jiu smiled, and gently pulled her into a sway that the rest of the dancers seemed to be doing.

Leora blushed, looking at his chest as they danced softly; realising that everyone was looking at them. Jiu chuckled.
"Don't mind them," He whispered, for only her to hear," It's not often they see a prince and a princess."
Leora blushed, glancing at up him, puffing her cheeks slightly," Jiu-!"
"No need to look so flustered," He laughed," Don't let them take this moment from us."
Leora smiled weakly and nodded. As they spun and dipped and whatnot, Jiu couldn't help but do a much more dramatic style that nobody else did. When the music got loud at the end of each part, he let her fall slightly, but held her so she could not. The crowd watched in shock, it was not frequent that someone would be so bold as to do something like that in an upper-class, sophisticated ball. Leora laughed, enjoying herself just as much as Jiu, starting to not care much for the attention they'd gained; either. Jiu grinned too, as they continued, ignoring the mix of amazed gazes, and disapproving ones. And as the music slowly grew to a close, Jiu pulled her back so she was in his arms. Leora smiled, a little out of breath, but had fun nonetheless.
"Let's fetch you a drink, alright?"
Leora nodded with a smile.

Both her and Jiu rushed off to the sidelines of the hall to the table Edward had finished setting up, and Jiu got her a spiced cranberry juice. Leora sipped it, gratefully, and smiled.
"What was the meaning of that?" A voice asked, going over to them.
Jiu frowned. At first, he'd assumed it would be Henry, but this was a voice he couldn't quite place. It was Lord Bernard, one of Henry's friends, who owned many workhouses in the area.
"The meaning of what?" Leora inquired, seemingly used to this sort of introduction from one of Henry's work 'friends'.
"That!" Lord Bernard huffed," Are you trying to make your brother look ridiculous? Showing off like that, the both of you."
"They've all been moves many people have done in ballrooms before," Jiu stated, collectedly; after all, that was the truth, they weren't uncommon moves, just simply not as used in such venues.
"Yes, but it makes you two look like a couple!"
Leora raised an eyebrow. Lord Bernard frustratedly snatched her wrist, his nails digging into her flesh as he shook her slightly.
"You can not be seen with the likes of him! Understand!?"
"Let me go!" Leora cried," What's your problem!? What's the matter with you!? I'm not even a part of your family!"
Jiu immediately shoved the man away, but Lord Bernard regained his step, and went to punch back.

"Enough!" Henry snapped, rushing over," The lot of you! You look like idiots! Are you trying to embarrass me?"
The three of them fell silent. Leora glared at her brother, before rushing out of the hall; likely sick and tired of it. Jiu went to follow her.
"No!" Henry raised his voice," Enough! Jiu, stay. Leora will come back, eventually. Just leave her be."
Jiu opened his mouth to argue, but decided against it, and nodded weakly. He glared at Lord Bernard before walking away to cool off at the patio.