*A/N. - Heyy there guys ^^ I know I don't usually do authors notes, but I think I ought to issue a small warning about this chapter. Not quite sure if it's a spoiler, but never the less, I've mentioned a person from the third game, Professor Layton and The Lost Future, in this chapter. I've only mentioned the person, I haven't gone into great deal about it. So there you go. Thank you all for the lovely reviews, I really really appreciate it. Here's chapter twelve ^^

Chapter Twelve: Confessions

As the Professor and I stood in the observatory, the full ashen moon overlooking us, I felt sick. Sick with fear, antisipation, and slight excitement. Part of me knew what the Professor was about to tell me, yet the other dismissed it, ridiculing me, telling me not to be so stupid. He wasn't hastey in revealing his confession, in fact whenever he opened his mouth to speak, his words seemed stuck in his throat, refusing to come out. I knew I had to prompt him, otherwise he'd never tell me.

"Professor, what it is?" I asked, sternly yet calmly, "What do you want to tell me?"

The Professor exhaled deeply, letting his dark eyes fall to the floor. He then lifted his head to face me, then took hold of both my hands.

"Victoria..." he began, his voice velvety, "These past few days have been incredible. Starting off as a mere acquaintance, finding you in the street and learning of your existance, and then moving on to work with you, your skills astounded me. The more in depth this investigation has become, the better I've gotten to know you, and the more fond I've become of you."

He lifted one of his hands and placed it upon the side of my face, gently stroking my cheek with his thumb.

"You're an amazing young woman, Victoria. Well educated, modest, good hearted, and also very attractive. You have all the qualities of a good woman, and I've known that from the very start."

I smiled shyly, fully aware of the blush compelling on my face. I didn't care, this moment was too perfect to let a blush get me down.

"But.." the Professor continued, now having melancholy in his voice, "The memories of her keep haunting me. Whenever I think of you, she's always there, reminding me that even after all these years, my heart belongs to her."

The sides of my mouth dropped.

Her...I know who he means...

My hands found their way around the Professor's neck, and our eyes soon found each others.

"Professor," I said, "I know about Claire."

His eyes grew wide.

"You..you know about Claire? But how-"

"It doesn't matter how I found out. All I know is that when she died, she left a hole inside you. A deep hole that just gets bigger the more you remember her, the more you upset yourself about her. It won't do you any good by letting the hole get bigger, the pain just gets worse. I know I could never fill that hole completely, but I know I could help fix it, help the pain go away."

My hands slipped from his neck, then I held his arms.

"I love you, Professor, but I need to know if you love me."

The Professor blinked, then he smiled. His hands held onto my face again, pulling it gently towards his.

"Of course I love you Victoria," he replied, "You mean the absolute world to me."

He then kissed me upon the lips, gently yet sensually. My mind began to race, thoughts of realisation and shock combining into one, filling my body to the brim with happiness. He pulled away, and my mind became neutral once more.

"It's true then," I said, quite dazed, "It's not just my mind being adventurous."

"Of course not," he chuckled, "I meant every single word."

I smiled widely.

"Even the part about me being attractive? I personally don't agree with that."

"Like I said Victoria, I meant every word. Like your last name suggests. The words bella donna are actually Italian for 'beautiful woman'. I've always found that a bit of a coincidence."

A small giggle escaped my throat, then I kissed the Professor on the lips.

"Thank you, Prof-"

I was about to speak, then the Professor placed a finger on my lips.

"My dear, Victoria. It's not Professor anymore, it's Hershel."

He then pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Thank you, Hershel," I whispered.

As I held onto my lover, I remembered what the voice in my DS told me, before I entered into this world.

One last thing, it had said, the answer to the puzzle you've just done. Keep it in mind. You'll understand why as your adventure progresses.

I smiled, then bit my lip. I now understood.

Love...