The puzzle team, Layton's office. Sometime during the prequel trilogy.
"Oh, and the third hint is also trivia." Emmy settled down on the couch next to Luke.
The "number-one apprentice," presently number-one stumped apprentice, looked up from the puzzle in alarm. "But…!"
"Your choice whether you believe me, kiddo." Emmy put on her best "I know something you don't know" grin.
Luke scowled and continued to pore over the puzzle. Emmy waited. After several minutes, he reluctantly passed her a third hint coin.
"Okay…" Her smile widened.
Luke broke the seal on the card she gave him and unfolded it. "….….….….….…. EMMY!"
"I did tell you!"
Luke scooped up the puzzle and hint cards and marched over to Professor Layton, who was working at his desk. "Professor, look at these! Just look at them!"
The professor glanced at the puzzle, then read through the so-called "hints." He glanced her way, raising an eyebrow. Emmy hid a giggle behind her hand.
"Interesting. Luke, you might try…" He whispered something in the boy's ear.
Luke went back to the puzzle with renewed determination. What had the professor told him? The man himself pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and began scribbling furiously.
"Professor, what are you doing…?"
"A lady never breaks a gentleman's concentration, Emmy." Layton continued scribbling.
"Uh, right." She shifted her weight on the couch. Somehow, this didn't bode well…
"Ah. There you are, Emmy." Professor Layton handed her the sheet, which contained a puzzle… the likes of which she had never seen before in her life. Making a face, she dug in her pocket and handed him three hint coins in exchange for three cards.
1. The answer may not be obvious at first…
"…"
2. It will be much more fun to figure this puzzle out for yourself…
"You're joking," she muttered. Bugger it. She put the cards aside and began to study the puzzle. Ten minutes later, she sighed and cracked open the last hint.
3. Sorry, there are no further hints. An interesting fact about the history of this puzzle is that…
"PROFESSOR!" Emmy complained.
Luke looked up, taking in Emmy's dismay and Layton's small smile. "Oh!" He leaped up, throwing his arms around the professor. "Thank you, Professor! Thank you thank you thank you!" Emmy balled up a hint card and chucked it at him. "Hey!" Luke yelled.
Professor Layton chuckled. "Perhaps it's time we break for some tea."