Albert had finally fallen asleep well past three in the morning. So, when he woke up it was close to noon, and William had already gone to work at the university. Sighing he cleaned himself up and went downstairs to notice lunch was prepared for him. "Ah?" He looked around and noticed Louis in the library cleaning and figured the young blond had cooked it. Though why was he still here? Albert frowned remembering William suggested Liza had brainwashed this man into genuinely thinking he is Louis. So, throwing him out of the mansion may be hard if not impossible.
He sat down and looked at the food debating what to do. As he finished eating, he heard a bang from the library and ran to see what happened. Louis was on the ground surrounded by books, and a tipped over ladder. "I'm okay, my foot must have slipped is all." He muttered softly getting to his feet. Albert gently helped him up. "Brother William already left for work, Moran and Fred are out today. I figured I'd get some work around the house done." Louis explained.
"You should be more careful. You could break a bone falling like that." Albert said softly, looking at him. "Indeed. I think the ladder needs some repairs to be honest. My foot slipped because it is a bit wobbly." He said, as he began picking the books up.
Albert knelt down and helped him clean up the mess. As he did so he looked at Louis' face. The young blond didn't seem to notice he was being stared at, his eyes fixated on the books. His hand pulled his hair away from his face for a moment so he could see better. Albert noticed something as Louis did that. "That scar, is it new?" On Louis' right jawline was a slight almost invisible scar. "Ah? " Louis looked confused.
Albert gently held Louis' by his chin to get a better look. "Looks to be a surgical scar. Seen something similar once before." A look of realization set on Albert's face. Cosmetic surgery to remove and or make scars less visible. A fellow soldier in the war had it done when his face was mangled badly. Louis looked at Albert wondering what he was talking about.
"What all did they do to you Louis...?" Albert questioned softly. He now understood. This was truly Louis. But whatever Liza and those doctors had done, changed him in more ways than one. Albert decided. If he ever got a chance to talk to Liza again. He would ask her allot of questions. Mainly, why. Why did she put Louis through so much.
A few days passed since the Earl was dead. Moran noticed how friendly William and Albert were being to Louis and began to worry. Maybe the two were in denial. Too lost in grief to accept Louis was gone. And would prefer a fake brother over no brother. But, he did not think such ideas were healthy. and sent for Jack who was in town. Jack knew the three brothers even longer than Moran. So, he could help. If the two were in denial, he could help set them straight.
Once he arrived Jack went to the parlor room with Moran to talk without the brothers being present. The older man sat sipping whiskey while Moran sat across from him. "When I first received a letter claiming Louis was killed. I was quite upset. But then I got a letter claiming he is alive. I must say, I am a tad confused." He said softly. Shortly after Louis' apparent murder William had sent a letter to Jack explaining the situation.
"Albert and William had doubts about this Louis, but now both seem to accept him as their brother. Me personally, am still unsure." Moran explained. "Why do you doubt him?" Jack asked. Having not seen Louis since the incident he did not know how much Louis had changed. "Well, the most obvious, his appearance changed. But also, his personality. See, he usually yells at me allot about cleaning and doing work around the place. But now, he won't even raise his voice if I forget to wipe my shoes off and get dirt on the carpet. He keeps to himself even more than he used to. He just seems, like a different person." Moran said sighing.
He had his doubts true, but was more worried why Albert and William seemed to have none. "Considering what happened to Louis. If this is actually him. The change in personality makes sense." Jack set his cup down. Moran frowned, understanding what Jack meant. If it truly was Louis somehow. Trauma can change a man. "Maybe I should talk with him, alone. I will be able to, test him. If it is Louis I will know." Jack smiled. "Just, let's keep this between me and you. If what you said about Albert and William is true, They won't want me examining Louis." He added with a smirk. Moran nodded, "He is probably in the kitchen right now preparing dinner." Moran told Jack, as he got to his feet and left for work.
Jack knew Albert was out visiting Mycroft about a job for MI6, and William was at the college working. So, now was the best time to speak with Louis alone. As Moran said, Louis was in the kitchen busy cooking. "Ah, Louis. Mind if I lend a helping hand?" Jack smiled. Louis looked surprised at first, then nodded with a smile. "If you don't mind." He said softly, handing Jack a knife to help with cutting the vegetables. As he did so Jack noticed scarring on Louis' wrists. Similar to rope burns. 'Odd, perhaps from when they were keeping him hostage...' Jack wondered.
"I am glad you are doing well, I must say. When I got that letter a while back, I was quite distraught." Jack said as he helped Louis. Louis paused, then merely nodded. "I assume brother William had told you?" He asked quietly. "How have you been since then?" Jack asked, looking Louis in the eyes. "I am doing well. My wounds recovered well." - "I don't mean physically." Jack interrupted. "I remember almost nothing of what happened. I am okay and prefer to just forget it all." Louis answered.
"Just be careful. Hiding wounds, physical and mental. Can be dangerous." Jack sighed. "I know that. It seems even you forget. I am not the weak child I used to be. Brother William and brother Albert also seem to forget that often. I have stronger resolve than you may think. And will not let anything deter me. Nor do I plan on leaving brother's side anytime soon." Louis placed the vegetables into the pan. Jack smiled. 'That's the Louis we know and love.' There was no doubt, it was Louis. And despite the hell he went through, he was still going to stay strong.