Professor Layton and the Living Dead
Chapter 7: A memento from the past
Raymond knocked on Descole's door. Without waiting for an answer, the butler entered his master's bedchambers, closing the door behind him.
"Good morning, Sir.", Raymond said pulling open the curtains to let in the sunlight. Descole just groaned and covered his face with his pillow.
"Morning, Raymond...why are you waking me this early?", he replied after a minute or two, sitting up in bed.
"It is time for breakfast. Get dressed and meet Layton and the others in the dining hall.", Raymond explained as he picked out the clothes for his master. Descole groaned again, swinging his legs over the side of the mattress, picking up his mask from his nightstand and putting it on his face, before standing up.
"Breakfast looks so good.", Flora stated and immediately wanted to start eating.
"Now Flora, our host hasn't joined us yet. A lady waits for their host to open the meal.", Layton said, and Flora pulled her hand back and looked defeated.
"Let her have breakfast, Layton. After all, Miss Reinhold is still growing.", Descole said as he walked into the dining room and sat down at the head of the table. Layton nodded to Flora who looked at him for permission. With the nod, Flora started eating breakfast as if she was starving. Scarlett was looking at the plate she had, also full of food, not touching it at all, while the others were eating. Descole looked over to her.
"Aren't you going to eat, dear?", he asked, making her jump a bit.
"I wanted to apologize for what I did yesterday.", Scarlett apologized, surprising Descole, who just waved it off as her not being the first one to try and remove his mask. Scarlett smiled and started eating. The group ate their breakfast, talking and making plans. After she was done, Scarlett excused herself and went to her room. Soon after, the other three soon finished their breakfast too. Layton, Flora and Descole cleared off the table before going their seperate ways.
Layton decided to check out the library to find some information of Scarlett, and Flora was helping him. Descole, not really knowing what to do, decided to talk to Scarlett, trying to see how much she remembers. Raymond has informed him which room has been assigned to who so Descole knew where to go.
When Descole came to the door and knocked, he received no answer. He decided to enter the room. He could hear the water in the bath adjacent to the room running, so Descole decided to look around the room. It was quite cosy and quaint, with a lot of natural light. The sunlight falling into the room reflected off of something on the nightstand which caught Descole's eyes. He walked over, his eyes widened in shock.
The clutter of fencing swords clashing together was heard in the gymnasium of the university. Two students were in a friendly fencing match for nothing in particular. Suddenly, the clutter stopped.
"I win again, Dimitri.", one of the fencers said, holding his sword to the chest of his opponent. The over one took off his mask and smiled.
"Well, you got me. So, your choice what we will be eating today, Desmond.", Dimitri said. Desmond took off his mask too with a smile, lowering the fencing sword and standing up straight. The two men walked to the changing room, talking and laughing.
"Hey, how is the proposal planning going?", Dimitri asked while they were changing from their fencing gear to their normal attire.
"I still need to ask if I can bring Scarlett to the Christmas Party at my family's estate. My mother isn't quite fond of her.", Desmond said, putting on his glasses. Dimitri adjusted his collar and tie.
"I assume you have the perfect ring too.", Dimitri stated. Desmond, adjusting his collar too, pulled out a small box from one of pockets of his fencing bag.
"Better, my friend. During one of my earlier excavations, I found a rare gemstone. I took it to a jeweller and asked them to make a pendant out of it for a necklace. This necklace will be my engagement gift to her.", Desmond explained and the two walked out of the gymnasium.
"Wait, haven't you two only been going out for a year?", Dimitri was confused, earning a small chuckle from his friend.
"That's of no matter. I know that I want to be with Scarlett for the rest of my life.", Desmond said, his voice tinged with a sigh of happiness.
"Hey, you still need to choose what we will eat today, my friend.", Dimitri said, causing them both to chuckle.
Desole held the necklace in his hand, he seemed to have picked it up subconsciously, as he recalled the conversation between him and his friend Dimitri Allen.
"Oh, I haven't heard you come in. Can I help you, Descole?", the voice of a woman brought him back to reality. Whipping around, he was face to face with Scarlett.
"Where have you gotten this?", Descole asked, gripping the necklace tight. Scarlett looked a bit confused.
"I have had this necklace as long as I can remember.", Scarlett replied. Descole was visible upset about that.
"Don't lie to me!", Descole hissed. "I ask you again: Where have you gotten this necklace?"
"I wasn't lying. I have had it for as long as I can remember.", Scarlett repeated her previous answer. Descole was getting angry. Before Scarlett could defend herself he stomped out of the room, the necklace still in hand. Walking to his room, he could already hear Sycamore in his head.
"Are you still doubting that she is our Scarlett?", the voice of his logical side echoed in his mind again. Descole closed the door to his room, glaring at his reflection in the mirror again, throwing his mask at the mirror.
"Shut up! It's impossible! Targent must be playing tricks on me!", Descole looked at the necklace in his hand, placing his free hand over his eye, doing his best to keep himself from crying.
"The gemstone was unique. Targent couldn't have copied it.", Sycamore said, his voice having a slightly condescending tone. Descole breath heavily, trying his best to keep calm.
"Do I really have to come with you? Your mother has made it very clear that she doesn't like me.", Scarlett said, holding her chest. Desmond took her hand and squeezed it.
"You are my girlfriend, and she has to accept you eventually. But always remember: Ambrosia.", Desmond said with a soft voice. Scarlett smiled.
"Ambrosia.", Scarlett replied with a gentle squeeze of his hand. The two entered the massive mansion, and again, Scarlett felt really out of place. Desmond grew up in this environment, but she didn't, so it was always a feeling of uneasiness when she visited his parents.
As the night went on, Desmond was looking for Scarlett. He found her with a few other women, but she didn't seem to be very happy.
"Scarlett, I have something for you.", Desmond took her hand and the two walked behind the Christmas Tree, out of sight from most people. Desmond wasn't really a petty person, but he made sure his parents, especially his mother, saw his proposal.
"What is it Desmond?", Scarlett asked, being a bit surprised that he brought her here. Desmond took a deep breath, turned to her and got on one knee, pulling out the necklace.
"Scarlett Alister, I know we haven't been a couple for long, but I knew from the moment we met, that I wanted to be with you. I wanted to ask, will you marry me?", he asked, his heart beating in his throat. It felt like an eternity until he could hear a tearful "Yes!"
Scarlett hugged him, which he returned. After the parted from the hug, he put the necklace on and they shared a kiss.
"There is only one way she would be able to have the necklace, is that she is our Scarlett, Descole.", Sycamore said. Descole punched the mirror, but didn't shatter it.
"No! She is not OUR Scarlett! She can't be!", Descole said. He was surprised to hear himself sobbing. Descole hadn't cried in years, he thought he had no more tears left in him, not after he the day of the tragedy. Descole jumped a bit when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Looking up, it was his faithful butler and friend Raymond. A simple nod from Raymond was enough to make him break down crying again. Raymond helped him go to bed, get some rest, as he had done many times before for his master. Having a butler like Raymond, Descole was truly lucky to have him.