Chapter XV

I rested my head on Ademar's shoulder. I did not even notice that the rain had stopped.
"You said it will rain all day."
"The rain has stopped but that does not mean it will not start raining again."
"Maybe."
"Are you going to visit Adele now?"
"Yes, I will as soon as I get changed."
"Wait here a moment!"
Ademar went away and returned with a jewelry box.
I was sure he went in the library to bring me the blueprints of the castle like I asked but I was wrong.
"This is for you!"
I did not know what to say. At first I did not want to take the box.
"Is there a bracelet inside?"
"Open it and see!"
I opened the box and indeed there was a bracelet inside. A vintage white gold diamond bracelet that looked very expensive.
"I cannot accept this!"
"Yes, you can. I had it for centuries. It is yours now."
"It is beautiful!"
"I am glad you like it!"
"Help me put it on."
I changed my clothes in my room grabbed the keys from the vanity and left the castle.
I was curious too see where Adele lived. A house by the lake seemed very idyllic.
I walked a stone path surrounded by French hydrangea on both sides. At the end of the path I opened a wood gate and walked up to the the manor.
An imposing 17th-century manor house built from red brick like the rest of the houses in the village.
I looked for a doorbell but could not see any so I knocked at the door.
A woman wearing a long flower dress with grey hair tucked in a messy bun opened the door.
Somehow she was not surprised to see me. I read it on her face. I think she was expecting me.
"Hello my dear, please come in!"
"Hello, I am Melanie..."
"I know who you are my dear."
"Have we met before?"
"When I last saw you, you were just a baby."
"Who are you?"
"I am Adele Dubois, your grandmother!"
My grandmother? What was this old lady talking about? My grandmother died a long time ago!
"There must be some mistake. I own the De Roseyer chateau now."
"No, there is no mistake. You are my grand daughter. Elyse Reynaud was my daughter and your mother."
"What are you talking about? Elyse Reynaud was my aunt. My mother was..."
"No, whatever they told you it was a lie. Elyse was your mother not Caroline."
"That is why she left me the castle?"
"Yes, you were her only child. Caroline was not your mother."
"Why did she gave me away? Who was Caroline and who is my father?"
"I know it is hard for you right now to understand. But Elyse had to give you away to protect you."
"From what?"
"From that horrible woman Charlotte Darlington."
"Never heard of her."
"Caroline was your mother's best friend. She agreed to take you far away from here and she did."
"What about my father?"
"I am sorry to tell you but he is no longer among the living. He died a long time ago."
"They are all dead."
"I am still around."
"I still have a grandmother."
Adele hugged me.
"My beautiful granddaughter!"
I gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"You should also know that you are a descendant from the Alarie family. You probably heard of Blanche Alarie."
"Blanche yes, I saw the painting in the living room. I kind of look like her. We have the same face shape, hair colour, body type. Our eyes colour is different."
"Blanche had a sister which got married. You are her direct descendant. We both are and so was your mother."
"I am sorry for what happened to Blanche."
"Me too but that was in the past. We should concentrate on the future."
I remembered about the money that Elyse left me.
"My daughter left you some money in a bank account."
"Yes, I know. I am rich."
"That is your inheritance."
"I do not need all that money. She left me too much money and that castle."
"Chateau de Roseyer is a special place. Blanche loved it there. You should never sell it. Keep it in the family."
"I am not going to sell it. I like it there too."
"How is Ademar treating you?"
I was not surprised that Adele knew about Ademar. He sent me to see her in the first place it was obvious they knew each other.
"Fine. He gave me this bracelet today."
"Be careful with him. Do not make the same mistakes as Blanche."
I did not know what mistakes she was talking about. I decided not to tell her about the diary just yet.
"What can you tell me about Charlotte Darligton?"
"She is a dangerous woman. Stay away from her!"
I did not dare to ask her more about this woman because she clearly hated to talk about her. Ademar must know more.
"Would you like to have lunch with me on the back veranda?"
"Yes of course!"
Adele showed me the veranda in the back of the manor and I sat at the outdoor table overlooking the lake.
I could not take me eyes off of the beautiful scenic lake. The water shimmer made it look like a magical place, a lake from a fairytale. Near the lake I saw a swing.
Adele brought lunch on a silver tray.
"I hope you like salade Niçoise as an entree, the main course is ratatouille and as dessert apple crumble with creme fraîche. On the plateau de fromage I put brie and camembert cheese both are made from cow's milk."
"It looks delicious but I do not think I can eat it all."
"I do not mind, eat as much as you want."
I stayed there with her one hour then I decided it was time for me to go.
"Promise me you will come and visit me when ever you have time."
"Yes, of course I will come and visit you grandmother."
Her eyes brighten after I called her grandmother and she hugged me again.