Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Professor Layton franchise.

Chapter 23 Turnabouts

Two days had passed where both the professor and Emmy took their time to recover emotionally and physically from their respective ailments. The princess had yet to visit Emmy, finding it difficult to see her under these circumstances. She would have to introduce herself to Emmy again, somewhere pained that she had lied to her before all this. If she had told Emmy about the full extent of her abilities, she might have changed her mind about going to the cave. She might have also separated herself from the group though...possibly getting hurt in the process. She would never know what the right answer was, but for now it was just too difficult to face her just like that.

The professor was strolling through the garden for some fresh air. He had almost completely recovered from his fever and had thought things through. He was going to sit down with the princess and Luke soon to reveal his thoughts. Although it would be hard for him to say, he had figured this was for the best.

''Professor!'' Luke called out from the other side of the garden.

The boy ran up to him with a big smile, relieved to see the older gent walk about in better health. The professor turned around from his spot against the railing and tipped his hat toward the boy.

''Good morning Luke. Glad to see you in such high spirits.''

''Yes well, I had a lovely conversation with Nane just now.'' Luke smiled.

''Is everything going well between you two?''

''Yeah…'' the boy sighed. ''Although we both know it won't last, since we will be leaving some day and all.''

''Hm.''

Faster than you might think.

''Professor.'' Luke said while leaning his elbows on the railing.

''Hm?''

''Why didn't you tell me about your suspicion of Emmy before?''

The professor was taken aback by the question. Usually the boy wouldn't particularly question his methods, but he supposed this problem was a tad more personal than others.

''I didn't tell you because I was afraid of the truth myself.''

''You mean...you didn't want to believe it?''

''Yes.''- the professor glanced down at the people roaming about in town. -''At the party, I asked Emmy to become my assistant again.''

''You did? Huh…''

''I've come to realise that I wanted her back by my side during our adventures. I thought...she would want the same, but she has made it clear she desired no such thing. It makes sense now why she never properly declined me.''

It seems like the professor still doesn't realise his true feelings.

Luke sighed, unsure if he should point out the obvious. A warm breeze made its way past the two men, chimes dancing against one another somewhere close.

''Layton Ustaaz, Luke, care to join us?'' a familiar voice called out from under them.

They both looked down and spotted Asim, Adofo and the princess relax by a stream of water that ran outside of the palace into town.

''The water is very pleasant!'' Adofo yelled with a wave.

He was standing knees deep into the water, with his robe knotted to the side. The princess was lounging on a large rock besides Asim. The professor and Luke looked at each other with a smile.

''Shall we?'' Luke asked.

''Let's.'' the professor answered.

They quickly made their way outside the palace, where they spotted Asim besides some oddly shaped bushes.

''Follow me.'' he whispered with a wink.

Luke and the professor followed him through the secret entrance.

''This is a hidden place where we sometimes come to relax when palace life is a bit much. At first it was just me and Adofo, but the princess is very clever. She found out after a few times and says we're not allowed in this spot without her now.''

The professor could tell from the grin on his face that Asim never really minded that at all. They continued through a few bushes and wild apple trees, until the space cleared out. Adofo had gotten out of the water, although suddenly completely soaked. The princess had fallen back on the rock with howling laughter, indicating the guard had probably fallen over.

The professor and Asim joined the princess on the rock, while Luke dipped his feet in the cooling water. Adofo sprawled out in a particularly sunny spot on the rock in an attempt to dry himself.

''How are you feeling Ustaaz?'' Asim asked.

''Better. The medicine worked its wonders and the proper amount of sunlight and exercise have sped up my recovery.'' he answered.

''That's good to hear.-'' the princess smiled at him. ''-Have you seen Emmy since...the first time?''

''No I haven't actually. It's...a lot to see her in her current state.''

''Yes, I understand how you feel.'' she sighed. ''I have not yet seen her at all. I know I should test my ability on her but it's...hard.''

''Don't force yourself to do anything you don't want to do.'' the professor said kindly.

He looked over to Luke, who seemed to be having a swell time in the water.

''I actually wanted to talk to you about what I have concluded after all this.''

''Oh?'' the princess and Asim looked at him surprised.

Luke had turned around as well, eager to hear what his mentor had to say.

''I have concluded...that Luke and I will be returning to London.''

''WHAT!'' Luke yelled. ''We're just gonna leave Emmy? Are you kidding me?''

''This is...unexpected Ustaaz.'' the princess said solemnly.

''Luke, everyone, please. You have to understand that this is what Emmy wanted. She wanted to forget about us...about everything. Who are we to say what is right and wrong about her decision? We have done what we came here to do. We found out what was causing the curse of Nemhat and we resolved it. There is no other reason to stay.''

Luke marched out of the water and onto the stone.

''If you think I'm just gonna leave her and accept that she doesn't remember us, you are wrong. I'm sorry professor, but even if you are not willing to help, I will do this myself.''

He looked mad.

''Luke, think of your exams. They are extremely close and as your teacher, I have to say that your education is important.''

''My education is more important to you than Emmy?'' he snarled.

The professor looked down to the ground. He knew what he was saying was preposterous, but...it couldn't be helped.

''Forget it. I'm out.'' Luke sighed irritated and started walking towards the bushes through which they entered.

The professor had never seen Luke react this way. He had disagreed with his personal opinion several times throughout the years, but never had he opposed it as strongly as he had now. Adofo got up from his spot to try and stop Luke, when the professor put a hand on his shoulder.

''It's alright. I'll talk to him when he has cooled down.''

The princess had watched the ordeal unfold before her in silence. She had told herself that she would want to get Emmy's memories back as well, but the professor made a valid point. Emmy's wish was to forget...who was she to oppose that. They all decided it was best to retreat to the palace for now, hoping Luke would come around soon. The princess decided something. She could no longer avoid what she had been putting off.

She stopped in front of her door and waited anxiously for a response to come for her request to enter.

''Come in!'' a cheery voice called out from within.

She opened the door and met a pair of friendly, blue eyes. Emmy had taken a seat on the opposite side of the room against the window and waved for the princess to come closer.

''Finally a guest! You have no idea how boring it is inside this room all by myself.'' Emmy laughed. ''The doctors keep insisting I should stay put until they're done with their examinations, but I really hope they're gonna be done soon.''

She was chatty. The guilt and fear that had built up inside the princess melted away. She could still hear her friend inside of her. She could still see Emmy. She walked up close and took a seat next to her on the window seat.

''Hello Emmy, it is good to see you. How are you feeling?'' she asked.

''Oh! You know my name.'' Emmy smiled awkwardly. ''Sorry, I don't remember yours.''

''That's alright!'' the princess beamed up at her. ''My name is Farah Maat Rashida.''

''Wow, that's a beautiful name!''

''Thank you, but seriously, how are you feeling?''

''I'm...feeling good! No problems physically...it's just…''

''Yes?''

''Well, I don't seem to remember anything. The doctors and that mister Layton implied that it has something to do with this ring. But...I don't know. It's strange isn't it?'' she smiled.

She stroked the ring around its edge with a sigh.

''I wish I could just take it off.''

''Do you wish to remember?'' Farah asked.

Emmy looked back up to her with a twinkle in her eyes.

''I...think I do. Do you know a way?''

''No, I don't. And I don't think anyone does for now.''

''Oh…''

''But! There is someone who could help you find out.''

''Really? Who is that?''

''Professor Layton. He is a very smart man you see. He has helped us resolve another dispute before. He is famous around the world for his detective abilities.''

She hoped this would spark something inside her. An urge to truly retrieve her memories.

''He seemed...sad when he talked to me. Do you think he would want to help me?''

The princess placed her hand onto Emmy's without a thought. The memory of the professor visiting Emmy with tears in his eyes shot through her with a pained feeling.

''If you would talk to him. I'm sure he would.'' Farah smiled.

She kept holding onto Emmy's hand, desperately searching for something. Anything that would indicate she hadn't truly lost everything. But...she found nothing. She found a few scattered memories of the past couple of days with some lonely and confused feelings, but that was all.

''Would you like to talk to him about it?''

''Yes, that would be nice. I think...I would like to try and get them back. I don't know why I exactly tried to get rid of them in the first place, which makes me somewhat hesitant...but this can't be right...right?''

''I don't know.-'' the princess sighed. ''-It is hard to say what we should do.''

''Do you know?''

''Hm?''

''Why I wanted to get rid of my memories?''

The princess thought about it for a moment.

''I don't think it is my place to tell you. I'm sorry.''

Emmy shook her head and smiled kindly.

''No, it's okay. I will find out, I'm sure. So...what is our relationship?''

''We...well, it's a little complicated but I would say we're friends.''

''Friends...awesome.'' Emmy giggled.

''I should probably tell you about my powers though.''

''Wait what.''

The princess continued to explain about her powers. She also told Emmy about her great-grandfather, her place in the palace, the way they met, the celebration and much more. She didn't tell her about the curse, her scheme or her feelings towards the professor. She figured it would be best to leave it aside for now. She also didn't mention anything about the cave. She wanted the professor and Luke to be included in that part of their story.

Emmy had listened intently. She loved hearing about things that had happened before she had lost her memories. It felt like she was actually there in the way the princess told her. She truly hoped she would one day actually remember it herself.

Decisions are made, but can they be reversed? We will see.