"Because I do not trust you, that is why." Emmy sighed when she heard the Professor's voice from outside. He had followed Descole, because he did not want to leave Emmy alone with him. Emmy and Luke could hear the men's voices, but could not understand what they were saying as they went around the hut.

The boy came up to the professor's assistant and stood closely behind her, when the voices returned after a minute. Luke grabbed the young woman's sleeve again when the two men and two horses came around the corner. The horses stopped in front of the cottage, but only one of them was saddled, Emmy noticed. The scientist just stormed into the hut, past the girl and the boy, who was hiding behind her and grabbed his jacket from the armchair. Still angry, he walked over to the table, where the papers were and tied them together into a package. Then he carried it over to Emmy and, gently, handed it to her.

"Please, take care of them for me while I'm out." He asked her. The girl took them, but grabbed his sleeve when he turned to the door.

"Wait, you don't have to go just for us. It's okay; we won't starve." She pleaded. He sighed and hesitated for a moment, but then turned around to face her again. Taking her free hand, which let go of his sleeve, he looked into her eyes and let his expression soften.

"Oh, I am not." He said, leaving her confused, until he stepped close to her, briefly touching her nose with his. "I'm going for you and you alone." He whispered and then went outside. Emmy, blushing lightly, exhaled loudly and then followed, Luke still clinging to her. When she stepped outside, Descole had already mounted his horse, which was impatiently walking on the spot and shaking its head.

"Can I ask you one more favour, my dear? Would you please feed her while I'm gone?" The scientist asked Emmy and nodded his head over to the other horse, while turning his own around to prevent it from running away. The young woman nodded and was about to open her mouth again to say something, but Descole kicked his heels and with a loud whiny from his horse, galloped away into the forest.

After a moment of silence, when the galloping could not be heard anymore, Emmy turned to the cottage again and went into the kitchen. The professor, who had watched the scene from outside, followed her inside. Luke, who still did not let go of the woman's sleeve, stood behind her now.

"Emmy..." Layton started, while the girl had opened a cupboard and taken out an apple. She stopped her actions and looked to the ground. The professor inhaled deeply. "I-"

"He said he wouldn't try to convince me, so please be fair and don't try either. I just... need to think..." she burst out and then fell silent. Slowly, the young woman went past him, leaving the two and carrying the package of papers and the apple outside.

"Don't throw your life away!" The professor called after her. Emmy stood still. After a moment, she went on, head low and followed by the remaining horse.

Don't throw your life away... The words still rang in the girl's head as she fed the mare in the middle of the field. She sighed heavily and laid down in the grass, surrounded by flowers and grasshoppers. She crossed her arms behind her head and stared at the clouds. Soon, all the bee's buzzing and the sound of the grazing mare faded, as she began to lose herself in her thoughts.

Don't throw your life away... Throw my life away... Hm. What would they say, back at London? He's right, I wouldn't stay in contact with anyone. And if they'd know...

What do I do now? I can't just leave the professor and Luke. I'm still his assistant. It's my job, which I can't reject. But then again, I cannot just leave him. He has looked out for me and has been so caring. I won't ever be able to leave all of this behind. I know that we will meet again, but if it will be like last time, I can't cope with it.

Why do we have to be on different sides? Why do they have to be enemies? And why did I have to fall for him...? Emmy sighed and closed her eyes.

Not that I wouldn't like it. He's wonderful and smart and handsome and thrilling... But this can't be. And still, when I'm with him, it feels just so right. What am I gonna do now? Leave him and hope that we will somehow, magically meet again, in private and hopefully not on the battlefield? Risking the chance to never see him again or even having to fight him? Didn't work last time... Or leaving behind my whole life for a crush, living in the shadows, hiding and fleeing from the world? What if I won't ever see him again? What if he won't forgive me for my choice? And what if the professor won't forgive me?

She sighed heavily and laid there for a long while. Slowly opening her eyes, Emmy looked up again. Her eyes widened when a large nose of a horse started nibbling her bow tie. The girl lightly chuckled and patted the animal's head. Then another snout sniffed her face and then went on grazing next to her head. She smiled and closed her eyes again. Wait, two? Instantly, she sat up, eyes wide and looking around. Two horses.

"He returned? How long have I been here?" She thought out loud and noticed the shadows of the trees being longer than the last time she had looked at them.


When Emmy opened the door, she saw Descole untying his cape and throwing it over the armchair. He was unbuttoning his jacket, when suddenly he heard quick steps behind him. Of course, he immediately reacted and twirled around, only to be hugged tightly by a certain young woman. Her sudden movement threw him off balance and so he landed on the couch with her on top.

"Easy, love, what's wrong?" He asked worried and put his arms around her. They sat there in silence for a moment. Emmy felt her excited heartbeat slow down. After a while, she lifted her head up and looked at him. He returned her gaze and waited for her to say something. But she did not. She just watched his eyes before she let her gaze sink down and then finally spoke.

"I have to go. I'm sorry..." she whispered. Another moment of silence passed. Emmy felt her eyes water and was fighting her tears but was suddenly pulled out of her thoughts when the scientist took her waist and placed her on the sofa, next to him. She sighed in disbelief and sadness when he stood up and walked over to the counter next to the fridge. The girl's shoulders fell, and her head sank. She heard her trembling breath and felt herself shivering.

Just when she could feel the first tear roll down her cheek, a hand took hers. Looking up, she recognized Descole through her watery eyes. He was crouching in front of her, his jacket still open and his feather boa and cape removed. He held her hand in his and looked deep into her eyes.

"Don't be sorry, my dear. It is not your fault. I don't blame you, so do not blame yourself." He softly spoke in his deep voice. The girl blinked twice to clear her sight, causing two teardrops to roll down her cheeks. They were gently wiped away by his thumb. "Come on now, you haven't eaten anything." He noted and lightly pulled on her hand. Still trembling, she followed his movements and kneeled down in front of the small table. Her eyes widened and her mouth stood slightly open when she saw the tray

On the plate, there was a heart shaped fried egg, surrounded by bacon and next to it, a small salad with tomatoes, which formed an 'E'. Her expression softened and she started to relax. She couldn't help but smile at the sight and then smiled at him.

"Thank you." She quietly said.

After Emmy had finished her meal, she brought the tray back into the kitchen. Descole had sat down on the side of the sofa, leaning against one armrest and reading a book. The young woman returned to the living room area and hesitatingly sat down next to his one foot, which he had placed on the sofa, at the backrest.

He looked away from his book and stretched one hand out to her.