She had tried hard to convince herself that if she went along with Descole's plan, no matter how much it made her want to scream in frustration, that things would be better than last time. Descole would get what he wanted, Madeline would be free and Monte d'Or would be left in peace. But now she just felt sick. Sure, some daft tourists thought this was all an innocent series of magic shows and came regardless of danger, simultaneously increasing profits for business owners, including Henry. But that was all going to make him look guilty and things would just get messier from there.

She sat at the kitchen table with her hands to her face. Too frustrated with herself to even consider getting a drink. No matter how badly she felt she needed one.

As said before, she thought going along would keep things more calm. But with no sign of the Mask of Order that Descole so wanted, things were just slowly ebbing towards a chaos Descole would no doubt release if the mask took any longer to find. And not just in town. Madeline might have said she understood Elaine letting Henry believe she was Madeline, but she wouldn't blame Madeline at all if hypothetically she and Henry had a wedding and Elaine wasn't invited. She could have been over reacting, Elaine could admit to that possibility, but Elaine wasn't going to be hopeful.

Then again if Professor Layton did respond to Angela's letter and come to Monte d'Or, things could get better. He was an intelligent man who always seemed to have some sort of solution and know the answer. Perhaps if she was as subtle as possible, she could give the Professor a clue that could lead him to Madeline and thus end this whole thing.

But… Descole would be… 'upset', to put it lightly. She doubted he would forgive her easily if she did anything major to oppose his plans. Especially since she so before in not telling him about Song of the Sun. Plus with how… With how whatever the hell she felt towards him, it was a real conflict of emotions and morals.

Elaine folded her arms and rested her chin on them. Staring ahead blankly. Perhaps if she tried to think of a way to try and soften the news, it might be better. From there she could try and think of something else.

… It was a bit cowardly she knew, but perhaps writing a letter would be best. Besides chances were she wouldn't get a chance to explain her actions and such in person, so this would possibly have to do. How she would get the letter to Madeline would be a tad bit difficult since Descole usually visited this house now and whenever she did go to the hotel room, Madeline would be unconscious and Descole would still be present. Thinking on it, Descole could have had someone there whenever Descole himself wasn't there that Elaine didn't know of. It could have been Raymond for all she knew.

A letter would have to do for now. After that, she'd worry about delivery.

Elaine yawned a little and stood up to head to bed. She was tired earlier, but now she just felt ready to drop to the floor to fall asleep.

The next two days or so were more or less quiet, though with some light tension. There didn't seem to be any disturbances except dealing with complaints in regards to the Masked Gentleman, but work went on. Everyone trying to act as if it was any other day.

It seemed a bit better though when officers from Scotland Yard arrived. It seemed to ease tensions a little with people in town, knowing that the matter was being looked into and being taken very seriously. Elaine though couldn't help but feel it to be an odd coincidence that Inspector Growsky was one of those officers, and more so when she recognised Detective Inspector Bloom. When people who witnessed the acts of the Masked Gentleman were asked to talk to police and she ended up with Bloom in the City Hall, she wondered if this could be considered a little ironic or just coincidence seeing how she had talked to him before. Though this time it would be as Madeline.

"Well, your story seems to be more or less the same as everyone else's, Ms. Béze." The Inspector said as he finished writing Elaine's statement down.

'What a surprise,' Elaine thought to herself, with a little mocking tone. Personally, if she thought she could get away from it, she probably would not have gone along with this. But that could have just led to some kind of 'awkwardness' later on and then uncomfortable questions.

The talk felt done, but Elaine's curiosity got to her and she asked,

"Detective Inspector, Monsieir. I was wondering something," Elaine spoke. "'As there been any development in the case of my cousin Elaine's second disappearance?" The Inspector looked a little surprised, cut off guard by the surprise question.

"Elaine Hawthorne's?" Inspector Detective Bloom raised a brow, and Elaine began wondering if she should have just said nothing.

"Oui."

"… Nothing spectacularly new or anything at all in general, Ms. Béze."

"No sign of 'er, or that Descole man?" Elaine already had a good idea of the answer, but it never harmed to ask.

"I'm afraid not." Bloom shuck his head. "But while you're here, there's something I'd like to ask you?"

"Oh? And what would that be Monsieur?"

"The mask the Masked Gentleman wears," began Bloom. "Is it the same mask that owned by your employer?"

"Oui." Elaine wasn't lying. Descole had switched the masks with Randall so the redhead now had the fake while Descole had the genuine artefact.

"So you acknowledge the claim from the Ledores that it went missing?"

"I do."

"And where were you the day before this discovery?"

"I was at 'ome. Day off." Bloom stared down at Elaine. Had the Frenchwoman not been so used to being stared at by Descole (at least it felt like that with that damn mask on his face), she would have possibly squirmed and shifted in her seat uncomfortably.

"So if I were to ask Mr. Ledore, he would confirm this?"

"'E would."

"… Good to know." Bloom looked back down to his papers. "You're free to go, Ms. Béze."

"Merci." Elaine didn't hesitate longer then she had to. This inspector was starting to make her uncomfortable. Then again, some people in law probably has to cause that feeling with some people in order to actually solve a crime.

"So Scotland Yard's finally arrived?" Elaine just nodded as she leaned against the hotel room window. Madeline asleep on the bed. Elaine took solace in the fact that while her cousin was still tied up, she looked peaceful. Elaine's original plan was to just go back to Madeline's house, but apparently Descole decided otherwise.

"Oh? Are you giving me the silent treatment?"

"Shut up." It was said half-heatedly but it got the message across. Nothing else was stared and Elaine continued to stare out the window with a dull expression. There wasn't any particular object of her stare, she just stared ahead as the once fully blue sky gained a tinge of orange on the horizon.

A sudden hold around Elaine made her breath hitch and she tried to turn around but was unable to. Realising Descole was just holding her from behind, she stopped her struggle and stared back out the window. It didn't really help her focus that the masked man's hold was warm, and it didn't get any better when she felt his chin rest on her shoulder.

"I didn't realise you could be a softie like this." Elaine commented after a minute or so.

"I'm hardly a 'softie' as you so elegantly put it." Descole lightly growled.

"Whatever you say." Descole gave a frustrated sigh.

"Just get on with it."

"Get on with what?"

"Whatever complaint or rant you have in that head of yours, just let it out now and save me having to force it out."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Is the fact that I 'ave morals and empathy a bad thing?" Elaine sneered. "I apologise that I'm not gleefully ruining peoples live like you."

"You're worrying too much," Descole muttered. "As far as anyone's concerned, I'm the horrible villain and you're the poor damsel held captive. If you're worried about how people will view you, you'll be innocent and pure as snow compared to me."

"You really think I'm only thinking of myself? I'm thinking more about what's on stake for Ledores, Randall and my cousin, 'ell, probably all of Monte d'Or because of you!"

"Just," Descole spoke firmly. "Relax. I'll get the Mask of Order and then we'll leave. Assuming it's before the last Dark Miracle, I'll just leave a letter for Randall. Or perhaps you can do it since you're so caring."

"… Sometimes I wish I could just go back to simply 'ating you with any other emotions muddling it all up." Elaine muttered.

"I must have done something right to cause that to happen though, yes?"

"… You 'ave your moments." Elaine muttered, glancing downwards briefly.

"Moments?"

"When you're not so much of a vain narcissist, who can somehow support 'is 'ead with its enormous ego on 'is shoulders." Elaine was surprised to hear Descole chuckle.

"Amusing, but I wouldn't think it to be your best insult." Elaine huffed.

"Like I care what you think."

"Hmm… What if I said that despite your faults, you have a certain endearing charm and wit?"

"Um…"

"And undeniably pleasant to look at and admire~?"

"Sh-shut up!" Elaine snapped, ignoring her blush that only got worse as Descole chuckled.

"And who could forget how adorable my little puppy is when she's angry and blushing at the same time?"


No need to apologise, Mocking J :) Glad you've liked the chapters so far and I hope you and all readers like this one and future chapters.