Lost Through Time (On Hold)

XIII

The midday sun cast a haunting glow over the black Sea, it's shimmered as the waves crashed to the shore. The night before was eventless, Elena clung to Alexander like a wasp to honey recounting stories of her childhood with Adelaide. While Lucien took the time to explore the manor house. Adelaide was yet again lost in a book, sitting in a quiet corner of the library.

Eleana and Adelaide shared a couch near the fireplace of the living room, while across from them, sat Lucien and Alexander, making their distance between each other perfectly clear. The girls shared stories back and forth until Elena asked her friend, "So how did you and Lucien meet?"

Adelaide glanced to Lucien, eyes shining of love between them. "A pure coincidental meeting at a marketplace. I lost my scarf and it trailed to him as he caught it for me."

"I asked if it was hers and followed up with saying if I had been that scarf, I'd never leave her." Lucien added. Almost for moment the pair seemed to be reliving that fateful day.

Elena clapped her hands together squealing and shrieking. "Oh you two are so cute! What next?"

As Ioana and Roman went upstairs, the time was clear to air out the truth. Even if Alexander was in the room. "Well, we spent time together, he showed me his home. Oh Elena it's gorgeous! His Library is twice the size of mine here."

Lucien chuckling, "Yeah and I lost you so many times in there."

"But when my father told me of the suitors dinner, that's when I met Alexander."

"So you had to choose?! Lucky girl, I know who'd I choose." Elena's eyes darted to Alexander, a predator to her prey.

"Small, light and prepubescent?" Lucien pointed to Alexander. Saying the opposite of their earlier encounter.

"Luc!" Adelaide glared back. "Don't be rude."

"My apologies, Addy, Lady Elena."

"Oh and you two have nicknames? Stop!" Elena had to hold herself still. "And so polite, what a catch Adel!" The pair chuckled together.

Moments later a house maid brought out a platter of tea and Tortul de Ciocolata. Lucien looked at it skeptically glancing at Adelaide who was digging in happily.

"It's a chocolate layer cake Lucien, and you're looking at it like its about to lay eggs."

As the thought of chocolate cake raced in his mind, he responded with an "Ooo." and began to dig in, along with Alexander who shared looks back and forth with Elena.

After eating, Adelaide took Lucien to explore the house together, sharing some small laughs with ease. Leaving Elena to interrogate her meal, "And what's your story?" she giggled, plopping herself beside him.

"Well, originally I came from France. Travelled a lot with family business. And like Adelaide said, we met at the suitors dinner that her father invited me to."

"France, huh? Wow, so you can really roll those 'r's' huh?" Elena's eyes narrowed.

Alexander began shifting in his spot, almost blushing at the thoughts in his one track mind. "Why, um, yes. Otherwise we wouldn't be pronouncing our language right." he softly chuckled.

"I'd love it if you taught me some French. Say later tonight over dinner."

"So Elena is quite the character huh?" Lucien broke the silence as he accompanied Adelaide out of the living room.

"She's a little feisty, especially towards those of the opposite gender." Adelaide raised her eyebrow to him, "Are you sure you made the right choice, Luc?"

Lucien's laughter roared through the halls. "I've never been so sure in my life. But DuMort...look out." He let out a dramatic sigh peering down a hallway that seemed to never end.

Adelaide rolled her eyes, giving way to a small chuckle having to know those two individuals separately. But together? God forbid. She shook her head and kept her proper posture, lifting her bosom to the air, and wrapping her arm around Lucien's. "Thank you for coming again." She took a deep breath, "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Lucien placed his hand just above Adelaide's elbow, the touch of her velvet skin gliding under his rough and calloused one, "You'll never have to."

The pair walked the halls for what seemed like hours, every corridor blending into the next. White sconces with intricate silver and purple swirls lined the walls. Adelaide noticed Lucien staring "My house colors, most noble families have them. Elena's are Scarlet and sunset orange, my mother's before she married were navy blue and jade. It helps people tell us apart at gatherings or important state meetings."

"How coordinated." Lucien's response was of wonder and adventure since stepping food on Constanta. Such a world with different customs and traditions, it made London seem so dull as the closest things to a tradition he ever formed was going through his books that his mother gave him and read them to help remember her. So with traditions as upbeat as Adelaide's, it was intriguing to think what new traditions he could form with his dear Adelaide in the days to come. "What would be my colours do you think, Addy?"

"Something light but demanding to the eye. Red and black, to show the fire within."

Time passed as evening fell across Constanta, it's far sunlight giving the city a scarlet colour. The young kids gathered back together, Adelaide and Elena shared a couch once again, leaving Alexander and Lucien to suffer each other my company. The girls giggled like schoolgirls locker in deep stories, "So Adelaide, I've gotta ask you something."

Adelaide's curiosity grew with a quirked eyebrow, "And whatever is the question?"

"Can I borrow Alexander?"

A small chuckle from Lucien peeped its way, looking over to Alexander, whose face had lost its color, "So much for confidence big boy." he whispered.

"Screw. Off." replied Alexander though gritted teeth.

Adelaide couldn't help but laugh as the men's interactions. How could such men act as such with her separately, but together be such children. And for a split moment, an idea flickered into her mind. "Why yes Elena, borrow him by all means. You're like my sister!" She took Elena's hand and whisked her to her side and smiled at the boys, devilishly. "I'm going to get Elena ready for tonight and spend some quality time. I think you boys should do the same."

Lucien and Alexander exchanged looks that left little to explain, returning their looks back at the chuckling girls.

"Alone?" Alexander questioned.

"Well I'd be there." Lucien remarked. Sparking more laughter from the girls. "Come on, DuMort. Humor the girls and lets go. I'll even help find you a nice Romanian suit."

Alexander felt sceptical, until his gaze met Adelaide's which was returning a death glare, "Alright." he sighed.

"Yay! Then it's settled." Elena's eyes darted themselves to Alexander, "Don't try too hard to find him the best suit."

"Why's that?" Lucien and Alexander asked simultaneously.

"Cause something tells me it won't spend much time on you after the purchase." Elena blew a kiss to Alexander and skipped upstairs with Adelaide laughing at her friend's comment. Leaving, yet again, the two men alone.

"That girl is something else." Lucien chuckled.

"Both of them are." Alexander got up from the couch and went to grab his coat. "You coming or not, Karstairs."

Lucien got up to meet him at the door, staring him down while grabbing his own coat, "Ready when you are, DuMort."