Chapter IX

A rooster's crow woke me up early in the morning. I looked at the clock and it was just 5 a.m. It was too early for me to get up. Ademar was gone. I turned around and saw a red rose on my other pillow. The pillow he had slept on. I yawned, I was still tired so I put my head back on the pillow and closed my eyes. Minutes later I feel asleep again. I woke up five hours later. I overslept but I was feeling much better. My headache was gone and I was not feeling under the weather.
I got up and took off the emerald green gown I wore last night and had slept in. I changed into a chifon over the knees pleated burgundy skirt which I paired with a pale pink shirt.
After I got dressed I went downstairs in the kitchen and made me some coffee in which I added milk. I drank the coffee and ate two croissants. This was my breakfast.
I remembered that today at 14:00 I was meeting Nadine. I had enough time left until then so I returned to my room to read from Blanche's diary. To my surprise I found Ademar in my room. He was waiting for me.
"Good morning Melanie!"
"Good morning!"
"How are you feeling?"
"I am fine. I do not have a hangover."
"I am glad."
I saw him giving me a once-over.
"Are you going somewhere?"
"Yes, I am going with Nadine to buy some things. I want to start painting again."
I did not tell him that I asked her to show me where Elyse is burried. I do not know why but I did not want him to know.
"Good. Have fun then! I will not take more of your time."
"About last night I..."
"We will talk when you get back!"
Ademar left and closed the door behind him. I remained there for a while then decided not to read from the diary and instead I returned to Blanche's tomb.
I sat on my knees next to her grave.
"I never knew you but I am very sorry you died so young. I know you did not kill yourself. I found your diary! I know I should not read it but I am sure it has clues that will help me determine what happened to you!"
I got up and sat on the bench in front of the pond. I looked around. I could fully appreciate the beauty of this place during the day. I have never seen so many beautiful flowers in one place. The garden had roses, irises, lilies, daisies, gardenias, peonies, dahlias, marigolds and tulips all in various colours. I could not look away.
I remained in the garden until I heard Nadine calling my name. I looked at the clock, it was noon. She came two hours early.
"Hello, Nadine!"
"Hello, Melanie! I am sorry I arrived a little early but I was thinking that maybe you would like to have lunch in the village. I know I place where they serve traditional French cuisine."
"It is alright. You do not need to apologise. Yes, I would like to try some traditional French cuisine. Speaking of French cuisine I still have some quiche lorraine left from yesterday. Could you please taste some and tell me what you think?"
"Yes, of course."
I invited Nadine inside and gave her some quiche to taste.
"Hmm, it is good but I think you should add more salt."
"I will next time I make it. I think we should go."
"Where do you want to go first?"
"I will let you decide. You will be my guide today."
I took my purse and felt hat and we left.
Collonges-la-Rouge is entirely built with red sandstone. That is why it is called rouge. Rouge means red in French. The architecture is very unique. Once in the village you feel like you stepped back in time into a French fairytale. I saw a few climbing vines adorning the walls of some houses. Everywhere you looked there were adorable places where one could take pictures. I liked to walk along the little lanes. I discovered some very interesting boutiques where the locals sold handmade jewelry, bags, home decorations or shoes. Nadine took me to a souvenir shop where I bought a mug to replace the one I broke. I also bought an easel, oil paints, brushes and canvas to start painting again.
We were getting hungry so we decided to eat at a local restaurant. A waiter brought us a menu.
"What would you like to eat Melanie?"
"I do not know. Everything looks delicious. What do you recommend?"
"I will have the soupe à l'oignon, then ratatouille and as dessert chocolate souffle.
Soupe à l'oignon is a French onion soup.
"I will have the same."
"What would you like to drink?"
"Just mineral water is enough."
I did not want to drink anything that contained alcohol not after what happened last night.
"I will have an orange juice."

"Now that we ate where do you want to go next?"
"I would like to go to the graveyard."
"Oh yes, you told me you want to see where Elyse is burried."
"Yes, I did. It is a strange request but I want to pay my respects."
Along the road I saw a flower shop and bought forget me nots.
We entered the graveyard through the large metal gates and Nadine showed me where to find Elyse's grave. I was curious to see how old she was when she died. I got my answer from her headstone. She was 62 years old. I placed the forget me nots on her grave. This way she will know I will never forget her, she will be forever present in my thoughts.
"Do you know why she died Nadine? I know she was sick."
"She had cancer. The doctors did everything to save her. She fought with the disease for 5 years."
"I still cannot believe she left me the castle."
"How does it feel to live in a castle all by yourself?"
I would not know since I do not live alone. I have Ademar. I cannot tell anyone about him. I promised I would not.
"Fine. I got used to it. It is not so bad."