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

Chapter 24 Emotional Discord

Another day passed with Luke ignoring the professor. He had tried to instigate multiple conversations with the boy, but Luke was stubborn. At night, his apprentice would turn around and pretend to be asleep to avoid the gentleman, hoping he would change his mind about the affair. The professor hadn't though. He had actually become more determined about it in the process without Luke knowing.

Right now, he was at a point where he wanted to return to London without Luke. The boy would be able to fend for himself, but the damage that it might do to their friendship would be severe. The fractures in his heart had increased at the prospect of losing two people dear to him in this adventure. He had no idea what to do…

At the moment, he and the princess were enjoying their breakfast in the garden.

''So, I talked to Emmy.''

''Oh, how did it go?'' he asked, placing his fork back down on his plate.

''It went well I think. We talked a lot and it became clear that we will become friends again.''

A genuine smile flashed across her face. She had been very happy with the developments.

''It won't be long until she is allowed outside.'' she continued.

''That's...great.''

He wasn't sure if he wanted to see her again. Not after what had happened.

''Ustaaz I…''

The princess was interrupted when Luke joined them at the table.

''Ah, good morning Luke.''

''Good morning princess. You look lovely today.'' he said with a polite smile.

''Well, thank you.''

The professor didn't say anything. He had tried saying good morning to Luke before, but was completely ignored. He didn't even look at him.

''Excuse me…'' a soft feminine voice rang out behind them.

They all turned around and gasped in surprise as Emmy stood not too far away with a sheepish smile.

''Is it okay for me to join you?'' she asked.

Luke got up from his chair and walked over to Emmy. Somewhere, the professor wanted to stop him even though he had no clue what the boy was planning.

''Emmy, I can't believe it!'' he exclaimed and wrapped his arms around her.

Emmy didn't know how to respond to the young boy hugging her and laughed awkwardly.

''Er...hello I guess.''

Luke moved back at arm's length and stared at her for a moment.

''Your eyes are gonna need some getting used to.'' he mumbled.

''Wait, what's wrong with my eyes?'' Emmy asked.

''Luke, Emmy, why don't you both sit down and enjoy some breakfast.'' the princess interjected.

She could sense the professor's discomfort, but knew they would have to interact for her plan to succeed. The two agreed and quickly joined them at the table. Emmy greeted the professor pleasantly, which he tried his very best to return. In her eyes, he was probably just an old colleague she used to be close with. All the other feelings they shared were long gone…

''So, what was that about my eyes?'' Emmy asked after she had taken the first bite from her pastry.

''Your eyes used to be brown. After the ring wiped your memories they suddenly turned blue.'' Luke explained.

''Oh...that's really weird. Is it something that normally happens in this world or…''

''No.'' Luke chuckled. ''The mythical things in this world can only be found if you truly look out for them. Which you did. I'm Luke by the way. Luke Triton. You probably don't remember me but we used to be very close.''

The professor kind of admired his straightforwardness.

''Nice to meet you again Luke.'' Emmy smiled. ''I'd love to hear more about our past together.''

''Does...that mean you want to remember?'' Luke asked, seeing an opportunity.

The professor tightened the grip on his fork, knowing perfectly well what the boy was trying to do.

''Yeah I think I do. I know I must have put this ring on my finger on purpose...but I can't phantom why. I actually heard from a little birdy somewhere,-'' she winked at the princess. ''-that there was this famous professor around who might be able to help me with my problem.''

She shyly glanced over at the other side of the table where the professor was seated.

''I'm sure he would love to help you out.'' Luke grinned.

''Enough…''

The princess, Emmy and Luke looked at the gentleman at the end of the table.

''What was that?'' Luke asked with his hand behind his ear.

''I said enough. Luke you know very well my thoughts on the matter. I will not take part in this.'' He abruptly got up from his seat, startling the rest of the table.

The princess knew she would have to act fast and tried to grab his arm before he could leave. In her reach however, she stumbled over the leg of the table, causing her to fall forward. The professor thankfully had some pretty sharp reflexes, catching her before she could get hurt. During the scuffle, Emmy and Luke had gotten up from their seats.

''Are you okay?!'' Emmy asked.

The professor moved up and checked to make sure the princess was alright, but found her to not be okay at all. She was trembling on the ground with thick streams of tears flowing down her face. During her grab, the princess had accidentally been able to touch his bare chest in between the buttons of his shirt. The place where she had touched was directly above his heart, causing an enormous wave of emotions and memories to flood through her.

In front of her eyes flashed his memories of Emmy. The first moment they met, their adventures together, the first time he could feel his heart flutter because of her, the betrayal and their goodbye. All of those memories, all of those restricted feelings that he wouldn't allow himself to feel. She hiccuped through her sobs, trying to let the wave ripple through her.

Suddenly she saw another woman. A young girl with light brown wavy hair and the sweetest smile. She could see her fading away from his life, leaving him all alone. A familiar pain. The pain of losing someone who you truly loved. She witnessed him meeting her again many years later, a miracle on its own. She could feel the release in him when they had said goodbye to each other. The acceptance of her death and the strength to move on.

She could see Emmy again. Their first meet-up here in Nemhat. Those old feelings that he had buried away resurfaced. He was able to properly say farewell to his other love, able to move on. He could finally accept what had been there. Could finally start to develop it.

The pain returned. The pain of losing yet another friend. Another love. The feelings that he had started to accept replaced with heartbreak. An intense lonely sensation that caused everything around him to crumble. She gasped for air. How was he able to breathe with all of this inside of his heart? How was he able to withstand it?

She could feel someone wrap their arms around her. She recognized the warmth and the scent. It was him. She felt her body relax and her own feelings return. She slowly opened her eyes, still unsure if this was not just another memory. In front of her were several concerned faces staring back. She could see Emmy, the professor and Luke. She wiped away the remaining tears from her eyes and looked up. She had been wrapped in Asim's arms, who had been close by when it started. He stroked her hair and smiled down at her.

''Is it over?'' he asked softly.

She nodded and smiled back. She thanked the gods he was there.

''What...happened?'' the professor asked carefully. ''Did you get hurt?''

''In a way...yes.'' the princess answered while she got up from the ground with Asim's support. ''I saw your memories Ustaaz...some of them, I think.''

''You touched my heart didn't you?'' he asked while placing his hand on his chest.

''I did...I'm sorry.''

The professor could feel the worried stares from his companions. The princess had sobbed, screamed, making it fairly obvious that he wasn't okay. They had all witnessed what was truly inside of him. He wanted to run away. To steal Emmy's ring and forget all of this had ever happened. He somehow finally understood how she felt…

Luke had no idea what to do next. After seeing the princess react to the professor's emotions and memories the way she did, he felt regretful for acting cold towards his mentor. The older man had gone through so much, probably scarring his heart for good. He should have been there for him when he lost another person he loved.

Why am I still such a child?

He turned to Emmy, who had a distant look in her eyes, probably searching for something deep inside of her. The professor suddenly turned around and walked inside. No one asked where he was going. They figured he needed a moment for himself.

''He is not okay Luke,'' the princess sighed. ''I think you should talk to him.''

''I know. I will.''

''Emmy, I think you should talk to him as well. He would really be of much help in your situation.''

''I will try.'' Emmy sighed.

A shout from Mahir interrupted the conversation.

''Layton Ustaaz has grabbed his things and is running out of the palace. I think he is leaving!'' he yelled.

Luke looked to the princess and Emmy in panic.

He is running away.

''What do we do?'' he asked, hoping one of them had a solution.

''I'm going after him.'' Emmy said determined. ''Is there anything that I could say that would convince him to stay?''

Luke thought about it, somewhere deep inside thinking a confession of her love for him would be nice, although not appropriate at the moment.

''The professor is a gentleman above all. He has some very strict rules about that as well, like always helping a lady in need and never leaving a puzzle unsolved. It might help. Probably that first one more than the later.''

''Alright, thanks Luke.''

And with that, she dashed off.

The professor sighed as he opened the door to a taxi he had been able to stop. He knew this was the most cowardly thing he could do, but he just couldn't handle it anymore. He needed to get away.

''Mister Layton, wait!''

He had almost gotten into the taxi, when he stopped and turned around. Behind him stood a panting Emmy, who made his heart skip a beat.

''I'm sorry, Miss Altava. I'm sure you truly wish to discover what happened, but I can't help you...it's...''

''I would like to hire you!''

He blinked a couple of times in surprise.

What is she saying?

''You're a famous detective/ puzzle solver/ archeologist right? I'd like to hire you to solve this puzzle.'' she said firmly.

''Puzzle?''

''I also heard you are a gentleman and a gentleman would never abandon...''

''...A lady in need.'' he finished.

He closed the taxi door and sighed.

Luke must have told her to say that.

''You might not like it, you know. Getting those memories back you so desperately tried to forget.''

''I'm aware, mister Layton, but I am willing to take that chance. If...you are willing to do this with me. Together.''

His heart skipped another beat at her words.

Together.

''Professor.''

''Excuse me?''

''You always called me professor. It's strange to hear you say mister.''

She looked at him with a bewildered stare, which quickly turned to laughter. He got his stuff out of the taxi and walked up next to her. She smiled up to him with those glowing sapphire eyes, almost pulling him into a trance.

This is probably a bad idea...but...we will see.

We will see indeed. The professor was finally convinced to stay and by Emmy no less! Let's see where this goes ;)