Professor Layton and the Living Dead
Chapter 12: Bittersweet Memories
Layton was sitting in the salon, as he was asked to meet Descole there. 15 Minutes had passed before the host of the castle joined the professor and soon after, Raymond brought in a tray with some tea and biscuits. The two men sat down like they have done a few times before.
"So, you wanted to talk to me, Descole?", Layton asked. Descole nodded, taking a cup of tea and taking a sip.
"How was your trip to the town?", Descole asked.
"It was quite lovely. It is quite astounding how lively such an old town is. Usually towns like that are very quiet.", Layton stated. Descole just nodded, rubbing some sleep from his eyes. The two men sat in the salon in silence for a while, before Layton decided to ask the question that had been plaguing him since the confrontation with Bronev at the nest.
"Descole, I have a question for you.", Layton set down his cup of tea, clasping his hands together on his lap.
"What is it, Layton?", Descole looked at his brother and taking a sip from his tea.
"How did you know not to trust Bronev?", Layton asked. Descole stopped in his tracks, setting down the teacup and stood up. He took a deep breath and walked to the window, watching over the garden. By now Scarlett and Flora were outside with Raymond and it brought a small smile to Descole's face. Placing his hands behind his back, he looked at Scarlett smelling the flowers outside.
"I know of his tricks to recruit archaeologists. He has tried the same thing to me.", Descole replied before turning back to Layton.
Scarlett was preparing dinner when she heard the door bell ring. She cleaned her hands and walked to the front door, opening it a little bit.
"Hello? What can I do for you?", she asked softly. In front of the door stood a man with light brown hair, a beard and sunglasses. He wore a blue blazer with small pocket handkerchief.
"Hello, you must be Misses Sycamore. My name is Leon Bronev. May I come in, I have a proposal for your husband.", the man said. Scarlett looked nervous, somehow that man, Bronev, gave her the creeps.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you in. Desmond isn't home.", Scarlett tried closing the door, but Bronev put his food in the door, pushing it open and walking inside, followed by a few goons. Scarlett protested but couldn't get them to leave.
Bronev and his goons sat down in the living room, Scarlett had brought them some tea and was now waiting for Desmond to come home. She watched the men intently and nervously. She hoped that Desmond wouldn't be mad at her. After half an hour, Desmond came home.
"Don't be mad, but we have guests. They seem...shady.", Scarlett told Desmond nervously. He just hugged her and went to the living room. His usual friendly expression turned sour when he saw the guests.
"Leon Bronev. Why are you here?", Desmond asked, putting down his bag. Bronev stood up with a smile and gestured for Desmond to sit down, which he declined.
"Well, Professor Sycamore, you are an authority on the Azran people. I want you to join Targent and discover the secrets of the Azran with me.", Bronev stated. Desmond looked over to Scarlett, who seemed a bit scared about this.
"I don't think so, Bronev. I don't need to be under constant surveillance for what I am doing.", Desmond stated, his voice firm. Bronev got irritated but kept his smug demeanour.
"We can provide a safe home for you and your family. It would be a shame if something were to happen to such a beautiful face.", Bronev replied, grinning smugly. Scarlett gasped, causing Desmond to comfort her. He looked back at Bronev with murder in his eyes. Desmond stood in front of Scarlett, shielding her.
"I will not let you hurt my family! No matter how much money you would offer me!", Desmond stated. Scarlett felt very uncomfortable in this situation. She had unconsciously placed her hands on her belly, causing Bronev to grin smugly again.
"Oh well. We will be taking our leave, Professor Sycamore. You will pay for refusing to join Targent!", Bronev shoved Desmond to the side slightly, stomping out of the house. As soon as the door slammed shut, Scarlett started to cry, sinking to her knees.
"Scarlett, honey, what's wrong?", Desmond sank down to her side, holding her close.
"I'm so sorry. I should've done more to keep them out. This is all so much.", she replied, burying her face in her hands. The two sat there for a while as Desmond comforted his wife.
"Scarlett was pregnant at the time with our daughter. That whole ordeal had her all stressed. Luckily it didn't effect Penny when she was born. After that day, I hired Raymond do help Scarlett around the house, well I asked him to join me as my family's butler.", Descole explained walking over to his arm chair and sitting down.
"Did you know that Bronev was our father at the time?", Layton wondered. Descole took a sip from his tea, that he picked up again.
"I am one of the smartest men in the world, Layton. Do you really think I wouldn't recognize the man that gave me life? He isn't our father however. Legally speaking, we are not brothers.", Descole explained, even though Layton knew that much. The room filled with silence again, just the muffled sounds of Flora and Scarlett in the garden were heard.
"Do you think our life would've been different if we would've stayed together?", Layton's question cut the tension like a knife.
"I am actually glad that we didn't grow up together after Rachel and Leon were taken.", Descole replied honestly. "I don't think that I would've met Scarlett if we stayed brothers."
Layton nodded.
"Well, I don't think Claire and I would've seen each other if we stayed brothers.", Layton chuckled a bit. Descole nodded. He knew who Claire was, and he had to chuckle himself. With his own hair being a reddish brown which he had gotten from their biological mother, it seems that finding redheads attractive was a family trait.
"It is kind of funny that we think that people with red hair are attractive. Must be a family trait.", Descole laughed. The brothers fell into silence again, but it wasn't awkward now, it was oddly comforting.