Elaine mulled over how she could have been tricked by Descole's disguises twice now. It made a damning blow to her pride, that was for certain, but she wanted to reason with herself that there were some good causes.
Joseph was easy enough. While him and Elaine got on well and could be considered work friends that was about it. Elaine wouldn't know every ounce of detail about him and even with talking, there would have been work keeping them too busy for Elaine to notice Descole having taken Joseph's place. As for her brother, Descole only needed Elaine to open her door fully at least. While their family did usually speak French amongst themselves, it wouldn't be too unheard of for them to speak English even in private. It also wouldn't have been too surprising if Descole had actually done some research before coming here as her brother. Maybe found out some things when he was at her parents' house. Then again, he probably was going to reveal himself sooner or later.
Thinking it all out, it all seemed like lame excuses. But they were the most logical Elaine could think of. Besides, she never considered that Descole would impersonate a family member. Only hurt one. She had been too worried about that possibility to consider that Descole would use her trust in her family against herself.
She had yet to face said man. She hadn't turned around since she hung up the phone and he put the knife back in the drawer. It was a pregnant silence until Descole broke it.
"No calling for help? No attempt at screaming for assistance?"
"Chances are you will 'ave done what you've done and already taken me away by the time the police get 'ere." Elaine responded dryly. "And you would probably knock me out the moment I opened my mouth."
"I can't help but feel flattered by how well you know me." Elaine couldn't tell if he was being serious by the hint of humour in his tone, or if that humour was false to hide what his real emotion was. Probably anger. Something vindictive.
"I figured you would trust you would have blind faith in your family," Descole continued. "But I didn't think you would actually let your guard down so much for an elder brother, and willing let go of a potential weapon." He paused. "… Your mother did mention that he had always had a protective nature when it came to you. I suppose seeing someone normally associated with safety does tend to have someone let their guard down. So if anything, posing as your brother was a brilliant choice on my part." Now there was a smug tone in his voice. Elaine turned her head to look over her shoulder to see he had a small, victorious smirk.
"My brother's a better man then you ever will be." Elaine said in a voice that to her was surprisingly calm, though tainted by a little spat. "At least 'e wouldn't 'ide behind a mask when playing mind games."
"And I'm certainly not your brother."
There was another silence. Funny. Elaine had not imagined any reunion between the two of them would be like this. Then again, she hadn't exactly planned on any reunion. Or even thought of how they would even meet up again, if ever. Well, those thoughts were invalid and pointless now. A waste of space within a mind.
"So 'ow did you survive the fall?" Elaine broke the silence this time. She briefly thought over if it would be worth it to maybe make another attempt to get a knife in her hand, as well as considered the odds of her running back into the living room to get the hatchet. But with Descole standing not too far from her, she would have to refrain herself from actually committing the actions. At least for now.
"I fell into the water." Descole responded curtly. "Even if that didn't work, I probably could have grabbed onto the tree branches."
"'Ow did you find my 'ouse?"
"I asked your mother about your therapist, and from there I tracked down the office and broke in and looked through the file cabinet for your's. It was really quite easy."
What more could Elaine ask? There were plenty of questions to ask, but if she asked the wrong one or asked at the wrong time the current peace (Uneasy as it may be) might end. Anything relating to Lucy was probably not a good thing to ask right now.
"Why did you feel the need to be in my office for a week?" Elaine then asked.
"I felt like playing with you." Descole drawled. "I was originally going to only be there the first day, leave the scarf and carry on my way. But certain things came up which meant I had to stay longer."
It was clear that finding out about Lucy was not something Descole planned for Elaine to do. Elaine was not meant to know anything. A safety precaution perhaps? Could knowing Lucy lead to his real identity? With her surname perhaps (Maiden or not depending on the relationship between them both), but other than that it seemed a bit too cautious. But this was the actions of a man who constantly wore a mask. If anything, 'too cautious' may be putting it in a light way.
"So are you finished your questioning? It's getting quite boring now." Descole interrupted Elaine's thoughts.
"That depends. What 'appens now?" Elaine already had an idea, but the slight scowl of annoyance on Descole's face was nice to see.
"What do you think? Obviously I'm taking you back!" Elaine scoffed as she looked away again.
"Really now, monsieur? Well, I apologise then. Because that isn't 'appening!" Elaine turned around sharply, swinging one leg towards his head. But the masked man just sucked and as soon as it passed over his head, he grabbed her ankle.
"I would apologise as well. But quite frankly when there's something I want, I don't like it being flaunted in front of me." After that, Elaine soon found herself on the floor. She gave a small groan before the front of her shirt was grabbed and she was pulled up to meet Descole eye to eye.
"So, are you going to be a good puppy and behave yourself?"
"Are you going to stop being an arrogant secousse?" Elaine countered back spitefully.
"Shame. Here I thought the civility we built between us could still be scalvaged." Elaine scowled as she tried to push away from Descole, and even kicked at his legs. "But I do have some questions of my own, Hawthorne."
"Why should I answer them?"
"First, why did you try to save me?" Descole asked, ignoring the woman's question. Elaine briefly stopped her struggling. Descole give any sign of how he was feeling exactly, though Elaine suspected he was looking at her thoroughly.
"Pardon?"
"Back at Ambrosia when I fell off the Detra-gigant. You tried to grab me and I want to know why." Elaine frowned as she thought back. Why did she do it exactly? Was it from a sense of duty? A sense of right and wrong? To ease her conscience or make sure Descole received justice for what he had done?
"… I'm not entirely sure." Elaine admitted, a little sheepishly. "I… I know you make me angry. But I don't think I could ever 'ave it in me to kill you or let you just die." Descole seemed to consider her answer, though didn't look entirely satisfied.
"… I… am glad you're alive though." Elaine awkwardly admitted, avoiding eye contact with the man in front of her. "Maybe not in my 'ouse but still. I know the whole, 'you-'aving-a-'issy-fit' on Ambrosia was somewhat my fault, so it does ease my conscience knowing you're alright." Elaine didn't really want to say the words, 'I'm sorry' to Descole. Not when he was clearly going to kidnap her again. What she did say would be about as close as she could do for now at least.
"I'm guessing that is as close as I'll get to an apology." Descole mused. "But I suppose I can accept it. For the moment." Descole's free hand reached up and Elaine instantly tried to push and slap it away from that one spot in her shoulder that would knock her out. But he was quicker and his hand was on said spot.
"You really should learn to stop struggling." Descole muttered before Elaine felt a pinch and drifted off to a dreamless sleep. Mentally cursing herself for putting herself in this position.
OMAKE THEATRE: Where Layton Characters are chibi-fied!
Chapter 4 of Elliella
Prince Descole grumbled as he went through the flocks of fangirls, occasionally kicking one or two away as they clung to his cloak. Two hours into the ball and his bastard brothers had already found girls. Randall had spotted some blonde girl named Ang-something and Hershel was currently dancing with a girl named Claire.
"Oh, Dessy~." Descole cringed. The sound of the crazy man who's been stalking him heard loud and clear. He turned around to see what's-his-name (Anton, maybe?) run up to him.
"I'm so happy I found you. I guess my daughters really like your brothers, huh?"
"I suppose." Descole grumbled. So many questions were flooding his mind. How did this creepy have children? Did mpreg actually exist? If so, he shuddered in horror.
"So, that just leaves you and me then, huh~?" Descole instantly backed away.
"Wh-what?"
"You heard me, and since you're not with anyone-."
"You're wrong!" Descole said a little too quickly, backing away a little more. "Sh-she's just gone to the bathroom! Should be back any minute now!" Anton scowled.
"Fine. I'll look for you again in a few minutes. And when she isn't here, we're dancing for all to see, future husband!" Descole felt ill as Anton walked away. Either from the idea of dancing with Anton in front of everyone, being married to him, or the fact that the hole on the back of his dress showed off his perfectly white butt.
Descole looked around frantically for a girl to spend the rest of the night with. Preferably not one that was only going to attempt humping his leg. That's when he spotted her.
A brunette girl in green helping herself to some champagne from one of the waiters. She was gorgeous, had a nice body and when she noticed him, didn't try to hump him.
She was perfect!
"Excuse me!" Descole was quickly at the mystery woman's side. "I know this is a bit sudden, but would you mind accompanying me into the back garden where no one will see us?"
"… What sort of girl do you take me for? A whore?" she questioned. Looking a bit insulted.
"Wha-what? No! I just want to dance with you and I don't want to be bothered by this creepy pervert in a dress!" She frowned and looked thoughtful.
"… Did 'e 'appen to be wearing a dress that showed off 'is rear?"
"Unfortunately, yes."
"Let's go."
The pair quickly made their way through the crowd unnoticed. Had they stayed just outside the door, they would have heard Anton wailing about his, 'Dessy-boy-toy'.
"It looks beautiful out 'ere." Elliella commented as they went out into the gardens.
"Indeed it is." Descole agreed with a nod. "I remember mother used to bring me and my brothers out here before she died. Now we're stuck with a grandchild obsessed father."
"Is it really that bad?" Descole frowned as he recalled a few incidents. Such as the one last week…
"Okay, who did it?!" Randall yelled as he stormed into the Royal Library where Hershel and Descole were. Randall through several packs of condoms onto the table. Descole looked up at Randall with a, 'what the hell?' sort of look while Hershel went beet red.
"… Why did you just throw condoms on the table?"
"Someone punctured holes in all of mine!" Randall yelled. "And it had to have been one of you!"
"Actually, it was me. If it comes to it, I'm willing to accept a bastard grandchild." Bronev said casually as he walked by with a book called, 'How to be a Dick: For Dummies!'
Then the week after that…
Randall and Hershel were in the Royal Livingroom playing on the Royal Playstation Four.
"Hi kids, what are you doing?" Bronev asked as he walked inside.
"We're playing Grand Theft Auto Twelve." Randall explained, no looking away from the screen.
"Really? So tell me, does your character finally get women preggers?"
"Er…"
"You know what game I like?" Bronev asked.
"I don't really ca-."
"The Sims." Bronev interrupted Randall. Hershel was looking a bit uncomfortable and he looked out for any potential exit. "Because I can use it to create Sim versions of you two and Descole, and have you get married, watch you have sex and give me grandchildren." Randall and Hershel now stared up at their father.
"Y… You don't… Really want to watch us do it, do you?" Randall gagged as Hershel put his red face in his hands.
"Nope. Not unless I really have to."
Then the week after that…
Bronev, Randall, Hershel and Descole were eating their Royal Dinner when suddenly Descole started to choke on his food. Hershel was the first to react and gave Descole the Heimlich Maneuvere. Descole coughed up an actually bottle of fertility pills.
"What the hell!" Descole jumped up and backed away, Randall and Hershel doing so as well.
"Just giving you a little help." Bronev told them.
"… I feel sorry for you." Elliella told Descole in a genuine tone.
"Thank you." Descole nodded. "So, shall we dance m'lady?" Descole took Elliella's hands and gave it a kiss. Elliella smiled and nodded.
They waltzed throughout the garden for the rest of the night. The song, 'Why do Birds Suddenly Appear' playing in the background as the two began falling in love.
Because that sort of stuff happens in fairytales. If it makes you feel any better, older versions of fairytales are dark. In Sleeping Beauty for instance, the prince rapes the princess in her sleep and gets her pregnant and she give birth to the babies (Still asleep mind you), and wakes up after one of the babies bites her finger I think. Then, the princess marries her rapist.
… Isn't it great to ruin your childhood? I know I'm loving it!
"I know we haven't known each other too long, but I think I love you." Descole said in a daze. "Please marry me. I don't want to marry a Sue."
"Oh, God y- wait, what time is it?" Ellliella asked suddenly. Descole checked his watch.
"Er, nearly five to midnight."
"Merde! I got to go! Seeya!" Elliella picked up her skirts and began to run.
"HEY! You can't just halfway say yes and run! Get back here!" Descole began running after Elliella. In her panic, Elliella stopped to take off her shoe and threw it at the prince's head, knocking him out before she ran much farther ahead to the fountain where Growsky was drinking out of. Elliella jumped on his back making him yelp in pain as he was pushed sharply against the stone of the fountain, possibly bruising and/or breaking some ribs.
"Andele, Growsky! Andele!"
"Uh, nei-neigh!"
Growsky then ran like hell. The ground burning beneath where his feet touched, a bit like the DeLorean in 'Back to the Future'.