Lost Through Time (On Hold)

VII

Lucien Karstairs. Alone in his study, he couldn't help but think about Dragos. He spent the day before searching for a book with his family name, something similar to what Adelaide found but no luck. He checked for secret cupboards but again no luck. Why would his father, a man that told him practically anything and everything, keep this from him? Maybe he didn't know that one day he'd meet a Dragos, let alone fall for one and graffiti their family tree to express it.
He began to go and start finding the Dragos book again, it's dust unchanged, if possible even more started to form. The more he stared the more in tranced he was like Adelaide. Unable to bring himself to open the book in fear of finding something that might turn him off from that family name, he focused on what that name meant to him. Adelaide. Tomorrow was a big day, Lucien couldn't help but feel quite nervous. He had a suit picked out of course, one that refused to ever fail him in his ventures, a black dress with a dark blue shirt. He didn't really need this suit to win over Adelaide, she seemed to love him unconditionally. He didn't need to impress her mother, Ioana, a kind and gentle soul, who gave him the invite he found himself holding. But Roman. He was the only person he needed full approval of, and a simple suit wasn't going to cut it. He was a businessman and Lucien was all too familiar with that life from an early age.

Having not spoken to each other in days, being that the date of the dinner was most unfortunately pushed back due to one of Roman's unknown reasons, Adelaide and Lucien managed to send letters back and forth. But they weren't sent to each other's houses, that risk was too high. It all started when Adelaide found herself returning to the marketplace, but only to shop for fruits or look at jewelry. It was the first time she actually utilized the place for. Her mind raced about the suitors dinner, until an envelope found its way waving into her face. A letter with her name on it. "Ma'am!" The old vendor called out, "A letter arrived for you." Adelaide couldn't fathom why a stranger would randomly hand her a letter without giving out a name but she took it anyway. Thanking the man, she bought an apple from him and began to eat it on a bench nearby.
Handling the letter it felt heavier than paper. Adelaide began to unravel a note that read:

Dear Adelaide,

Tomorrow, hopefully, I'll be lucky enough to see you once more. It's felt more than just mere days since we last spoke, and I wanted to write to you to keep in check. I wanted to express my gratitude, I've been lucky to have met you and look forward to the dinner. You may have noticed that the letter seemed heavier, I knew you would so you might as well see what it is if you haven't already.

Adelaide reached in, felt something metal. A chain? She pulled it out slowly to reveal the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. A bronze chain met together with a ruby jewel that supported tiny charms around it. She continued the letter:

This necklace, has been in my family for generations, worn by a female of the Karstairs family. I wanted you to have it. A gift to wear tomorrow, to complete whatever you wear.
I look forward to seeing you soon, if ever the need to write back, leave it with a vendor here and I'll be here to receive it.

With humble regards, Lucien Karstairs

* * *

She never did write him back, things were just too busy and the dread had finally started to settle into her. Looking at herself in the mirror a vision of night Adelaide thumbed the necklace. She'd never felt this strongly for someone before, someone she's just met even. A week had gone by since the incident with her scarf. A scarf that now hung over her bedpost. Adelaide sighed as a knock came on her door.

"Adel? My dear are you ready?" Ioana pushed open the door. Her eyes falling over her daughter. "You look exquisite"

"Thank you mother. I am as ready as I'll ever be." She turned to her mother taking her hand.