Professor Layton and the Living Dead
Chapter 8: Father's approval
While Descole decided to talk to Scarlett, Layton and Flora decided to look around the castle, hoping to find anything that could help them connect Scarlett and Descole. It wasn't an easy feed, given that Descole still vehemently refuses to acknowledge that Scarlett was the woman he once loved. Or maybe, he still does and he just feels guilty? Layton asked Raymond for a good start and was pointed to the library with the words: "Some things are better left untouched"
Opening the doors to the library, Flora was excited. The room was covered wall to wall with massive bookshelves filled with books of all kinds.
"Have you ever seen so many books Professor?", Flora exclaimed in excitement, earning a chuckle from Layton. Who seemed just as impressed as Flora.
"Yes, it is quite the impressive collection. Let's look for something that could help us solve this mystery.", Layton adjusted his hat and of the two went. While Layton looked through the bookshelves one by one, Flora looked if she could find something interesting, and she did. Picking it up, she noticed it was a box of Mementos, the lid covered in probably years worth of dust.
"Professor, I found something!", Flora exclaimed, walking with the box to the nearby table. Layton soon joined her, looking at the box.
"It must have been here a while.", Layton stated, noticing the layer of dust one lid.
"What may be in the box?", Flora wondered opening the box. Inside where documents, news articles, letters and photos, most of which were burned.
Layton and Flora looked through all the mementos. The only photo, that wasn't burned was of a couple in wedding attire. The woman had beautiful red hair and the man had a pair of glasses. He looked familiar to Layton. It was Desmond Sycamore.
"They look so happy together, Professor.", Flora exclaimed.
"Yes. Professor Sycamore looks very happy, happier than I have ever seen him before.", Layton nodded. The woman in the photo had such a beautiful wedding dress, it almost made Layton sentimental. He never had the chance to see his own girlfriend in such a dress, so it somehow made him happy and jealous that his brother had that opportunity. He would never admit that he felt jealous though.
"Her dress looks quite expensive. They must've spend a fortune on their wedding. Oh I wish I could've seen it.", Flora swooned. Layton agreed, he would've liked to see the wedding himself, taking Claire to such an event.
"Well, Professor Sycamore has been a renowned archaeologist, an authority on the Azran. It was quite logical that he was a wealthy man.", Layton explained. Flora had picked up a letter and frowned. She didn't seem to like what was written in the letter.
"What is it, Flora?", Layton was worried seeing Flora frowning.
"In this letter, Professor Sycamore's wife is called Olivia, but that can't be right.", Flora gave Layton the letter and sure enough, it was a letter from Sycamore's mother to him talking about a maid and his fiancee, however the name of the fiancee wasn't listed as 'Scarlett Alister' but as one 'Olivia Winchester'.
"You look confused, Professor.", Flora and Layton looked over to the voice. Raymond, the butler, stood there, walking over to the pair.
"Who is Olivia Winchester?", Flora asked, causing Raymond to chuckle and shake his head.
"Well, she was a woman the master's mother wanted him to marry.", Raymond explained. "Misses Sycamore, the professor's mother, wasn't a friend of the idea of her son marrying a woman of lower standing."
Flora looked sad. Why would a parent not want their child to be happy with the person they love.
"From what I have heard from the professor himself is that his mother also wasn't born into the status she eventually gained. Misses Natasha Sycamore was born as the daughter of florists.", Layton said, seemingly trying to piece everything together.
"Then she is a hypocrite.", Flora pouted. Layton placed a hand on her shoulder, turning back to Raymond, who had picked up a picture of the Sycamore Family with Scarlett standing to the side a bit, holding the hand of Desmond, but looking uncomfortable.
"Miss Alister was a real sweetheart. She tried to fit in with the master's family.", Raymond stated, putting down the photo.
"Is there anything more you can tell us, Raymond?", Layton wondered. Raymond smiled and started to talk about the time he first met Scarlett.
Scarlett was walking through the massive mansion she and Desmond were staying at for the week. So far she had been treated as more of a maid then a guest, and Desmond has been out of the house more than he was in. That day was no exception. Scarlett felt so out of place in such a huge house.
"You seem lost, young lady. May I inquire what or who you are looking for?", Raymond asked as he found her walking around the mansion. Scarlett jumped up a bit when she heard his voice and blushed in embarrassment.
"I was looking for Desmond. He promised to teach me table manners for this evenings dinner.", Scarlett said, rubbing her arm. Raymond smiled softly and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"The young master is out with his parents at the Winchester's mansion. I'm sorry that they left you behind.", Raymond reassured her. Scarlett sighed, of course she was left behind, Desmond's parents didn't like her.
"I guess, I should just leave Desmond. I'm not sure how he feels about me.", Scarlett looked defeated. Raymond felt bad for her. She was a sweet woman, Desmond felt a lot happier in her presence, more so then he had ever felt with the woman that his mother wanted him to marry.
"Oh dear. Let's get some tea and talk.", Raymond took her hand and the two walked to the kitchen. Scarlett sat down at the table as Raymond prepared some tea for the two of them.
"I am sorry that the young maser is influenced by his parents. But I implore you to rethink your decision to leave him.", Raymond put a cup of tea in front of her before sitting down next to her and placing a hand on hers.
"Why? He obviously cares more about their opinion than mine.", Scarlett stated with a huff.
"I have known Desmond for a long time, and he has never been happier than when he is with you, Miss Scarlett. Whenever he came home from university, he talked only about you. So don't think he doesn't care about you. Desmond grew up in a way that makes it hard for him to say no to his parents", Raymond reassured Scarlett. She looked up at him with a smile. A moment later her expression got determined.
"Teach me table manners!", she requested and Raymond obliged. The two set up the table and went through everything that she would need to know for a fancy dinner. Learning everything from the order of dishes served to how to excuse herself from the table.
Later in the evening, the whole family and even the Winchester's have been there. It was talked about Desmond's and Olivia's engagement, even though Desmond is saying over and over that he isn't interested in marrying Olivia. Scarlett was sitting at the table, just listening to what has been said.
"Stop it, mother. I am not going to marry Olivia.", Desmond stated.
"Would you rather marry that maid you brought?", his mother asked with disgust. Scarlett was taken aback when Desmond hesitated answering.
"Will you excuse me a moment? I need some fresh air.", Scarlett said, standing from the table as she tried hiding her tears. Desmond followed her.
"Scarlett, are you alright?", Desmond asked. Scarlett turned to him, tears streaming down her face.
"Is their opinion really more important than me?",Scarlet almost yelled at him, causing him to take a step back. The two stood outside in silence for a moment, everyone just watching them through the huge windows.
"Scarlett, no. That's not...", before he could finish, Scarlett interrupted him again.
"You have not once told your parents that I am more than a friend! You have not once defended me whenever they call me a maid! Are you ashamed of me?", Scarlett sounded hurt. Desmond walked over to her, placed his hands on her cheeks and said: "I'm sorry. I should've been more honest with my parents, and with you."
Wiping away her tears, the two embraced and went back inside, where Desmond finally set his parents straight, especially his mother.
"Simon, say something! This is unacceptable!", Desmond~s mother was outraged, as were Olivia and her parents. Scarlett squeezed Desmond's hand a bit.
"Natasha, please don't make a scene.", Simon, Desmond's father, held up a hand to make his guests and wish calm down. He instructed everyone to leave, except for Desmond, Scarlett and Raymond, as the latter was a good friend and mediator if need be. Simon examined his son and Scarlett carefully.
"She makes you happy?", Simon asked Desmond with the ever so cold expression. Desmond looked at Scarlett for a moment.
"More than anything in this world.", he replied, squeezing her hand slightly. Simon then looked at Scarlett and asked her the same question, which she answered with a nod.
"I will tolerate this union, however, do not think that I am happy with your decision to choose a working class woman over one of your own standing, Desmond. I will however not discourage you to pursue her further.", with that said, Simon left them, Raymond being the only one still in the room with the couple.
"How sweet. His father actually approved of them being together.", Flora said. Raymond chuckled and shook his head.
"Not quite. He didn't encourage nor discourage their relationship.", the old man corrected the young lady.
"That is why the only letters that have been saved are from one Simon Sycamore.", Layton said as he picked up a letter. It was one congratulating Desmond on his title as Professor. Another letter that Layton picked up talked about a little girl called Penelope Sycamore. Was she a sibling to Professor Sycamore?
"Whoo is Penelope? Is she a sibling?", Layton asked, but got no answer. Raymond excused himself to make dinner, but encouraged them to keep looking.