Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Professor Layton franchise.
Chapter 32 Dancing Apprehension
The night of the party arrived. After a busy day and a half of planning, setting up, picking out the perfect dishware and other things, everyone had gotten ready. The king announced that everyone in town was allowed to come to the special celebration. What the celebration was about had yet to be announced, but the good townsfolk of Nemhat used it as a perfect excuse to gossip. Rumours of the princess announcing her engagement, possibly getting pregnant or having an illegitimate child were among the favorites.
Luke, Emmy and the professor watched as the streams of people walked through the gates. The plan was set up and the only thing they had to do was wait. The Kamenwati family had accepted the invitation. All of the guests' names were announced at the doorstep, so it would be only a matter of time before they would hear it pass by.
''Maybe they are...trying to find a parking spot?'' Luke chuckled half heartedly.
''Hm.'' the professor hummed, his gaze focussed on the crowd.
''Don't forget to have a little fun as well.''
The princess approached them with a smile.
''It is a party after all.''
She was wearing a lovely silver gown that fell loosely around her body. A thin, see-through white shawl wrapped around her hair and dripped alongside her shoulder.
''Our mission is important,'' the professor said in a serious tone.
Emmy and Luke's faces fell a little, the sudden pressure resting heavily on their shoulders.
''But I'm sure we will succeed. There is no harm in having a little fun along the way.''
Their faces lit back up again, surprised but very happy with the professor's positive attitude.
''Is it alright if I go find Nane for a sec? I wanted to eh...ask her something.'' Luke asked with a blush.
''No problem my boy.'' the professor nodded to his apprentice.
''Thanks professor!''
''I will be joining my father in the greeting of the guests. It might take a while for someone of the Kamenwati family to arrive. I will let you know or send someone over if that is the case.'' the princess said.
That left the professor alone with Emmy. He tried to focus on the task at hand, but found difficulty in averting his gaze from the beauty beside him. Compared to the first celebration, they were all dressed in a more chic attire which you would expect from a gala in London. Emmy was wearing a long, dark red dress that fitted her curves splendidly. The strapless top that connected to her long sleeves was accented with small, fake roses.
It took everything inside of him to not sigh like a love struck puppy. He had come to realise after his conversation with Luke, that he had indeed been falling for his former assistant. He had mistaken it for a deep friendship and general respect. But it was obvious that it went beyond that. You wouldn't stay awake at night thinking about someone you're just friends with. You wouldn't think about them all the time. You wouldn't feel your heart skip as much as it did when they came close. It might have been the reason why he had become so positive these past few days. The thought of bringing back her memories, truly talking with her about everything and finally confessing gave him strength he didn't know he had. A chance to be with her. A chance to be happy. He had to get them back. For their future.
''So, why don't we take a stroll through the garden?''
Her oceanic eyes stared up at him. He couldn't resist a smile.
''Yes, that sounds like a nice idea.''
She wrapped her arm around his and together they walked further inside. The music had started playing in the background, creating a nice atmosphere in the warm night. Chatter from the growing crowds, clinking from the champagne glasses and other party sounds drowned out the further they walked into the garden. Small lights appeared through the air.
''Fireflies.'' the professor mumbled, thinking back to their time in the cave.
The small creatures were magnificent to look at, but struck him with a melancholy feeling. They would forever represent his failure to stop her. His failure to get Luke to safety. His total breakdown at the end.
''They're beautiful.'' Emmy whispered.
He looked to her and found she had outstretched her hand underneath one of the creatures. The soft light reflected on her face and in her eyes. The ability to see beauty in small things. He envied it. It would be a good enough reason to forget all the painful experiences in the past. To not be hurt by the world. But to have that innocent look once again. He yet again sympathised with her choice, even though it had turned out to be the wrong one.
Emmy turned her gaze to the professor. She was surprised to find him staring at her with a solemn expression. Like he had lost. She was sure she was the reason. She searched his eyes, looking for a way to help him through this. Somewhere hidden, she could see a certain twinkle of fondness. A feeling which warmed her core. She didn't know why, but this english gentleman did something to her. Something that must have been important to her at one point in time. She wondered how they met. If he called her a lady back then as well. She wanted to ask, but was afraid to hear the answer. She felt scared to sadden him. She wanted him to be happy.
''Would you…'' she started.
He snapped out of his trance and waited for her to continue.
''Like to dance?''
''Dance?''
''Yeah.'' she could feel her cheeks warm. ''I don't know if you can but...I'd like to. Just for a bit.''
Her heart fluttered when he softly touched the top of her hand.
''One dance...should be alright.'' He mumbled.
She smiled up at him, wondering why her heart was tickering the way it did. She moved in closer and watched as he placed her other hand onto his shoulder. His own hand placed gently on her hip, a splash of colour on his cheeks. The music was soft and distant. They should have had trouble dancing to it, but they didn't. They didn't need music. He started slow by leading her through the open space in small circles. Emmy peered into his dark eyes, trying hard to spot something she couldn't see. He lifted her arm over her head so she would twirl around. She laughed, tugging fondly at his heart. She swirled back and continued their slow waltz. She enjoyed this. She enjoyed this a lot.
A turn. A twist. He expertly led her through the grass and over the tiles. Two smiles. Two hearts beating fast and out of sync. Even if one was so sure, the other was not. He wanted to tell her she was the world. She wanted to ask him why. Somehow, it felt so right to be in his arms. To sway and twirl and laugh together. But questions distracted her. All the questions...
The music had started dying down in the background, leaving the current scene into silence. Emmy had wrapped her arms around his neck. She didn't want to separate. She didn't want to stop. Even if she didn't understand why. He thought something similar, when he stared into her big, blue eyes. They continued to sway gently to nothing, neither of them wanting to let this moment end.
Emmy could feel her heart scream something at her that she couldn't hear. She wished she could. She wished she could hear and understand what it was that was holding her back. The ring around her finger painfully throbbed, but she ignored it. This moment was too good. Too amazing to stop and wonder what the ache was about. She placed her head against his chest and listened to the steady rhythm of his heart. His eyes closed and his cheek rested against her hair. She closed her own and sighed contentedly.
If only this moment could last forever.
He thought back to the dance they enjoyed together so many nights back. How far away that seemed right now…
That first night, when she invited him over to look at the stars, something that had already been smoldering for years fired back up again. Her smiles enchanted him. Her enthusiasm for life energised him. How he had not realised sooner was something that eluded him. The way she laughed, the way she looked at him, the way she blushed when they were close like this. It was all Emmy. The woman he had fallen for…
A false hope. If they didn't succeed in their mission, he could still be there for her. Maybe they could start anew, if she were to develop feelings for him in return. They could be together. They could be happy. But...it wouldn't be the same. Yes she still had that same lovely smile and that same rozy aura around her. But, it wasn't Emmy. The blue irises that stared at him through a half-lidded gaze was proof of that. What he shared with his Emmy,
My Emmy.
Was not the same as what he shared with this Emmy. How badly he just wanted to press her close and speak his heart. To claim her lips and accept their lives together as they are. But he couldn't. Not yet.
''Emmy…'' He whispered.
He stroked her cheek softly with the back of his hand, the desire to lean in surging through his veins. They had stopped swaying and stared into each other's eyes.
''Yes?''
''I'm...sorry about this.''
He moved back and exited their embrace.
''I...am going to see if there is any news.''
''Oh...sure.''
He could tell she was disappointed. He was too.
He returned to the side of the palace where the party was going smoothly. Most guests had arrived and people seemed to be enjoying themselves.
''Layton Ustaaz!''
The professor looked to his side and found Adofo calling out to him. He walked over to the man in question for him to tell him what he expected.
''A man has arrived claiming to be the eldest son of the Kamenwati. He knows why we have beckoned him and wishes to speak to everyone involved. The king and almost everyone else has gathered in the king's room. I am sent to retrieve you and miss Altava.''
''Then we should hurry.'' Emmy's voice rang out from behind him.
He turned and felt guilt strike his heart. She didn't look him in the eyes.
Did I make a mistake?
They were guided to the king's room by Adofo in a hurry. The guards at the front of the two large, golden doors quickly opened them when they saw the group approach. Inside, Luke, the princess, the king, Asim and a stranger with dark skin and white hair, who looked to be somewhere in his early twenties, waited for them to join.
''Is this everyone?'' the stranger asked.
''Yes. Now please let us..'' the king answered.
The dark-skinned stranger put his hand up to stop the king from talking. Both Asim and Adofo scowled at the stranger, not agreeing with his disrespect.
''Welcome. My name is Iah Kamenwati. When I received the invitation to this celebration, I immediately understood why you called upon us. Your family,-'' his strangely prominent orange coloured eyes glanced at the king and the princess. ''-Has tried to erase mine from history. Do not think I will cooperate just like that.''
''Please mister Kamenwati, we mean no disrespect,'' the princess started.
He eyed the young girl with disinterest.
''If we could just explain ourselves.''
''I would like an apology first. You have no idea what we have gone through since your great-grandfather decided we no longer had value.'' he growled.
''Watch your mouth!'' Asim shouted while taking a protective stance in front of the princess.
''Asim.'' the king said sternly.
The guard bowed his head down and moved back.
''Very well. If that eases your mind.'' he continued.
The king got up from his chair and made his way over to the wanderer. He bowed down deeply, to which the guards looked away.
''I am deeply sorry for all the suffering my family has caused yours. I hope you will find sincerity in my words and forgiveness in your heart, so we may continue our lives in peace.''
''Hmph.'' the young man huffed. ''Good. I appreciate the sentiment. We may now discuss the true nature of my visit.''
He glanced back over to Emmy, and pointed at her finger.
''The relics of Thoth.''
A new player enters the game.