Maya Fey and Katharina Rudolf
The Ritz Hotel Lobby, London
July 20, 2026
“Bitte vergib mir, mein Freund,” Katharina apologized as she rushed over and took Maya’s hands in her own. “I was the presenter at the psychologist convention this evening, and there were so many questions for me afterward from the attendees – I simply could not get away!”
“I am so sorry if you all thought Mama and I were not coming!” Anneliese exclaimed, giving the psychic a quick hug. “I tried to call both Pearl and Flora to let them know we were on our way, but I kept getting their voicemail.”
“The girls probably turned their devices on silent, since they don’t allow the use of cell phones inside the restaurant.”
The Kurain head swallowed back her disappointment at the narrowly missed opportunity for her planned reunion and forced herself to smile.
“I’m just glad you’re finally here! You both look downright stunning.”
“I should hope Mama’s stunning! After all, she is in one of my dresses, which I specially picked out for her!” The teen boasted flagrantly. “She would have worn one of her dull business suits – which was all she’d packed for this trip – had I let her get away with it! Can you believe that?”
“We are the same dress size, so I suppose I am fortunate to be able to fit into my teenage daughter’s clothing for occasions like this – however, as you can see, she’s taller, and unlike me, has less…to expose im Brustbereich.”
The psychologist’s fair cheeks nearly matched her coral dress as she blushingly gestured to her bosom area.
“Which is why this low neckline would be daringly fashionable on her, but I think makes me seem like an overexposed, aging Schlampe trying vainly to recapture her lost youth.”
The Master personally thought the good doc was being way too hard on herself. Katharina was positively stunning in her short-sleeved dress with a moiré-inspired texture, which was a far cry from the more modest floral outfit and sunhat she had been wearing earlier that morning. The geometric cutouts and metal accents at the provocative keyhole neckline showed off her flawless, smooth skin and effortless poise, in spite of the fidgeting ministrations of the woman wearing it.
“Mein Gott, Mama, you know nothing about fashion! Why must you be such an old maid?” The German girl complained sulkily to her mother, who was presently tugging down at the thigh-high hemline, in self-conscious attempts to make it appear longer. “What you’re wearing is right off the designer rack – and makes you a candidate for the Leckere Mama Hall of Fame! Who knows? You may actually catch the eye of a handsome man tonight since you’re not dressed like a nun for once!”
The village leader felt a wave of empathy as the blonde Frau’s blush deepened. The doc had tried to warn Maya, prior to her alleged bright idea to abscond with the little firecracker, that her daughter was “a real handful!”
A handful, she said! Great Javanese gumdrops! Talk about the understatement of the century! Surely, the psychologist’s mini-me would have to be a matchless hellion of epic proportions if I, Maya Fey, who has survived multiple kidnappings/near-death experiences, was seriously contemplating hara-kiri after spending only one day with the blonde bulldozer – never mind enduring 18 years, as Kat has!
Moreover, based on snippets of über personal trivia Anneliese had shamelessly let slip, the spirit medium had ascertained the majority of the surely exasperating nearly two decades had been as a single mother.
An all-work and no-play, steadfast workaholic of a single mother! How very Von Karma of her! Now I definitely see the family resemblance, even if Kat wasn’t Franziska’s near doppelganger! I’ve got to give her mad respect for handling such a demanding career – and equally demanding daughter! – with such admirable graciousness and panache! And somehow, without having (yet!) committed infanticide!
“Well, in my defense, a decade of being a nun would be a difficult habit to break, would it not?” The elder Von Karma smiled indulgently at her crotch goblin. “Now, meine Tochter, you have the rest of your life to embarrass die Hölle out of me. What say you take tonight off? I shall even settle for the next five minutes!”
Barely smothering back a snort of derision at how Anneliese had been stunned into stupefied silence by her mother’s cheeky rebuttal, the amused diviner flashed a winsome smile at her guests, this time with genuine wholeheartedness. Frankly, Maya could take or leave her new friend’s demon offspring, but Katharina Rudolf herself was downright impossible not to like!
“Well, my avant-garde fashionistas, shall we dine now?” She trilled. “There’s a table full of hungry diners who’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival!”
Professor Layton and Friends
The Ritz Restaurant, London
July 20, 2026
As soon as they walked back into the lobby, Anneliese needed to use the restroom. However, she shooed the two women to go on ahead, instructing Katharina to “surprise her” and order on her behalf so the gang wasn’t unnecessarily kept waiting any longer.
The others had been chatting up a storm in Maya’s absence, with Layton attempting to explain the rules of polo to an utterly ill-informed Phoenix, while the teens eagerly discussed the next day’s sightseeing plans.
“So, the game’s similar to that new-age stuff then?” The pianist scratched the back of his neck. “All about your chakras?”
“Your chukka, Mr. Wright, not chakra,” the Professor explained patiently, with a miraculously straight face. “A polo match is either 4 or 6 or 8 chukkas, depending on the match, players, and horses available. In a match, you have either 2 or 3 players in a team and 1 or 2 umpires. A chukka is 7 minutes, and the interval between chukkas is 3 minutes.”
“Gotcha.” The hobo appeared a tad embarrassed for only about a split second at being such an ignoramus, then shrugged and flashed a disarming grin. “I’m sure I can figure it out! Worst case scenario, I’ll just do what I do best and bluff my way through it!”
“I may have to meet up with you two a bit later tomorrow morning,” Layton’s daughter was saying to Luke and Pearl. “There are a few matters I need to get sorted at Uni.”
“By any chance, are you enrolling where the Professor teaches this fall?” The acolyte asked her. “What was the name – Gressenheller University, right?”
For some reason, the lass paused before replying and glanced at Luke for a split-second, as though uncertain of how to answer the simple question, but then nodded hesitantly.
“Yes… that’s the name of the school where Daddy’s a Professor, whenever he’s not caught up with Crown Archeologist duties.”
“It’s so great how you’re following family tradition like this, Flora!” Pearl clapped her hands enthusiastically. “How fortunate to be a student where your famous father works!”
“I wouldn’t say my visit is exactly pertaining to student matters, per se…”
Her words trailed off as she caught the lad’s unmistakable warning look. The pretzel-haired girl remained oblivious to this exchange and merrily continued prattling on.
“I’m almost jealous the three of you will all get to be together, since that’s where Luke goes to school, too!” She chirped happily, heedless of how increasingly flustered her companions seemed to be getting. “It will be great to have a friend already there; maybe he’ll even be in some of your classes!”
“Oh, that’s highly unlikely, really, love.” Now it was the chap’s turn to be disconcerted all of a sudden. “Flora and I didn’t even study the same subjects – as you know, she took art history and I’m taking linguistics!”
“I’m only in my first year, and Luke’s an upperclassman as well,” the brunette added quickly, catching on that the less she said, the better! “And it’s such a stonking campus, I doubt I’d see him around much at all.”
“Is that so?” Pearl eyed her quizzically. “Surely Luke could at least show you around campus, or hang out with you whenever he’s not in a class since he’s there so often. I mean not just as a student, but he’s also an assistant teacher at Gressenheller, too!”
Since she was facing the other girl and had her back to her beau, the younger Fey entirely missed how her beau’s eyes were nearly bulging out of his skull as he made a discreet hand-cutting motion over his throat at his mate before she could respond.
Flora nodded, obviously grasping the full comprehension of whatever her old mate was trying to convey, and with a coy smile on her lips, effortlessly shifted the topic back onto other suggested venues where they could go touring the next day.
“Any road, did Luke ever get a chance to take you to Hyde Park when you last visited, Pearl?”
Maya caught the bewildered expression in her kin’s doe orbs at the strange exchange between the British lad and lass, and even while standing a few feet away from the table, could hear the simultaneous, tell-tale rattling of a psyche lock slamming into place over both Flora and Luke’s chests.
I wonder what in the world that was all about. The bemused psychic wondered. What secret are those two sly foxes keeping from my little girl?
She mentally shrugged and decided to focus on one thing at a time as she slid back into her spot beside Phoenix and gestured to Katharina to take the empty chair across from her.
“Let’s order some nosh guys! Look who I just bumped into!”
The German woman discreetly slipped into her seat and shyly murmured apologies for her tardiness.
“No worries, Dr. Rudolf,” Luke said easily. “Better late than never, right?”
“So glad you could make it.” Pearl beamed sunnily. “We wouldn’t have dreamed of starting without you!”
“Hi, Dr. Rudolf!” Chirped Flora from her place at the end of the table. “Nice to see you again for more than a fleeting moment this time! Aside from this morning, it’s been yonks since I saw you last! However, since I was just a primary schoolgirl the last time we met, I’m not sure if you remember me?”
“Guten Abend, Luke, Pearl. It is so nice to see you again.” The psychologist smiled warmly at the teens and then turned to her daughter’s friend. “And Flora, of course, I remember you! That fetching gown really shows off what a lovely young lady you have become.”
She turned her head to acknowledge the rest of the table until her sights finally rested on the slack-jawed Phoenix, who’d been rendered speechless since her arrival.
“Franziska?!” He croaked when he finally found his voice. “No – wait – your hair’s the wrong color, plus, you’re not wearing a whip! But how? Who – Maya, this is the new friend you were talking about earlier?!”
His girlfriend was too busy snickering maniacally at his dramatic outburst to answer properly, so Katharina took pity on the flabbergasted man and extended her hand, which he shook dumbly.
“Hallo.” The blonde could barely contain the laughter in her tone as she addressed the pole-axed card shark. “While I seem to be suffering from a case of mistaken identity recently, no, I am not Franziska, but her Schwester, Katharina Rudolf. We may have not been introduced yet, but I recognize you from Maya’s famous serenade video. You must be Phoenix Wright.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He blinked, overcome with awe by the doctor’s remarkable resemblance to his best friend’s tempestuous ex. “Wow! What are the odds of my other half running into you, and here in England of all places? Small world, huh?”
“That does seem to be the case, although considering what a delight Maya and her company have turned out to be, I would dare say it was the best case of serendipity I ever could have encountered,” Katharina returned pleasantly, then swiveled her field of vision until it came upon the completely mute top-hatted man sitting beside the poker champ.
The friendly sparkle in her gray eyes faded somewhat as she saw Layton was actively burying his phizog in his menu, as though he hadn’t at all noticed her arrival and was determined to avoid eye contact yet again.
“Dr. Rudolf.” The normally cordial gentleman greeted stiffly, his face hidden by the lowered brim of his top hat, as he refused to raise his head to even peek at their newest guest. “Welcome.”
“Good evening, Professor,” she responded uneasily. “It is quite nice to see you again, too. I notice you are busy trying to make your order, so I shall not keep you from your food any longer than I already have. I suppose we should all follow suit?”
Everyone began perusing their leather-bound food listings, and Katharina glimpsed down at the small lettering for only a brief second, before rummaging into her purse and pulling out a pair of wire-rimmed spectacles. As she slipped them on and resumed the study of the menu, she spotted the Feys’ surprised expressions and let out a silvery laugh.
“These are a definite telltale sign of my true age, are they not? However, they are necessary for places as dimly lit as this,” she explained with visible merriment. “I could be vain and attempt to squint at the fine print, but why should I risk ordering something I cannot stomach for the sole purpose of vanity? At least I can see clearly now!”
Layton peered up from his menu to briefly take a view of the newly spectacled psychologist – and nearly dropped it into the nearby candle-lit flame, catching it just in the nick of time – an act that didn’t go unnoticed by the watchful Master.
“If you truly don’t want to be mistaken for Miss Franziska, you should wear your hair down like that more often,” Pearl told Katharina admiringly. “It’s a crime to wear it up when you’ve got the kind of locks that belongs in a salon shampoo commercial!”
“She’s right, Kat. You’re definitely even more of a head-turner than I initially thought,” Maya praised, without even a hint of envy. “You Von Karma’s sure are a genetically blessed bunch!”
At least on the female side – since Manfred Von Karma bore a scarily uncanny resemblance to Nosferatu!
She then cast a sideways glance at the Professor and noted he’d stopped feigning an unswerving interest in his menu and was now openly staring at her new friend with an unreadable expression.
“Danke for the lovely compliments, both of you,” Katharina replied bashfully, fully unaware that the British man’s unblinking orbs remained fixated upon her. “This is music to meine ears, as unfortunately, I grew up during the era where the widespread belief was that men do not make passes at ladies who wear glasses.”
She was making a move to take the spectacles off and slip them back into her evening bag when the silent Layton’s next words halted her, mid-action.
“Is the lingering stigma of unappreciative gentlemen what’s making you feel the need to remove your spectacles, Dr. Rudolf?” He averted his eyes so they weren’t quite directed at the blonde, even though he was addressing her. “Or do you honestly not require their use anymore?”
“Thus far in my life, they are only a sporadic necessary evil, Professor.” She dropped the glasses back into their case and put them back into her clutch. “I only require them for reading.”
“I see.” He cleared his throat and resumed his rapt fascination with his menu. “Very well. I wished to ensure it wasn’t at all a case of the former, because, in all actuality, they are not unflattering in the least.”
Katharina modestly dropped her gaze, unsure of how to respond to this, while the Feys exchanged a meaningful look, both thinking the same thing.
OK, seriously … What the heck is the deal with Professor Layton?!
“That’s right, Professor, let’s just keep those glasses on her, shall we?” The necromancer couldn’t resist the opportunity to tease her friend for his mystifying behavior. “Because then she’ll no longer be the most beautiful woman you’ve ever seen!”
The elder Von Karma sibling’s face turned visibly pink by all the unaccustomed commentary on her appearance, although the Americans weren’t merely being kind with their flattery. Up close, and captured within the flicker of the candlelight on the table, she resembled something straight out of a Romanticism-era painting. There were actually discernible shimmers of aureate in her long lashes. Coupled with the softly-lit chandelier radiating above her head, it made her moonbeam tresses appear to be backlit by a halo so that Katharina Rudolf truly exuded what could only be described as an unparalleled, angelic beauty.
The cousins watched with amusement as the Professor’s cheeks flushed ever so slightly at Maya’s irrefutably veracious comment. In response, the normally articulate, jovial gent, who’d been laughing and chatting away up until then, proceeded to mumble something largely unintelligible while taking a large gulp of tea and buried his face in his menu again.
Their server came by just then to take their orders. The modest therapist seemed relieved to have the attention drawn away from her at last, and was the first to make her selection.
“I would like the Spiced Bresse Duck with apricots and raisins, please.”
“Please allow 45 minutes for preparation,” the waiter informed her politely. “Also, madam, I feel compelled to advise you that the duck also serves a minimum of two people.”
“Perfect, thank you. Then it shall be something we can both enjoy.”
“We – meaning your traveling companion, and yourself?” The Professor inquired suddenly, peering around the restaurant as if searching for someone. “I noticed you came in unescorted, Dr. Rudolf – although I gather by your large order you didn’t arrive here alone?”
“Kat is ordering for herself and said companion whom you missed this morning, as she’d run off to go shopping with Flora, Professor.” Maya’s probing eyes were now intently scrutinizing his face as she spoke. “Anneliese needed to use the ladies’ room, but she should be here any minute.”
“Anneliese?” He asked blankly, obviously not expecting to hear a female name. “Apologies for any presumptuousness on my behalf, Dr. Rudolf. When your travel companion was mentioned earlier, I naturally assumed it to be your husband.”
“You were quite mistaken, Professor.” Katharina shook her head. “As Maya said, I am here with Anneliese, and most definitely not here in London with any husband…”
“Was this some sort of joke?!” Franziska’s niece chose that exact moment to make her grand entrance. “ “Luftschloss! The only thing she’s married to is her work! In fact, the last man to pull out a dining chair for her was a waiter – and it was probably tonight!”
Maya, Luke, and Pearl all jolted in their seats as they witnessed one of Layton’s previous psyche locks from earlier vanish into thin air at this particular detail, even though Katharina seemed quite mortified to have her celibate details revealed in such a brazen manner.
Ignoring her mother’s reproachful glare, Anneliese blithely took a seat beside her and greeted everybody with a dazzling smile.
“Grüße an alle! Sorry to have kept you all waiting!” Her twinkling hazel orbs landed on the spiky-haired man across from her, and she waggled her fingers at him in greeting. “Hallo! I’d recognize the man from that viral video any day! You’re the famous Herr Nick, otherwise known as Phoenix Wright, Maya’s boyfriend, who these Fey girls keep going on about!”
“In the flesh! Hi there.” Phoenix waved back at the girl. She beamed at him, then turned to the Englishman.
“By process of elimination, you must be Flora’s father, Professor Layton.”
“I am, indeed.” He tipped his hat, his gentlemanly mode easily resumed for the younger Rudolf. “How do you do?”
“Very well, danke. I’m Anneliese Rudolf, Flora’s childhood friend from summer camp.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. Any friend of my daughter is a friend of mine.” Layton was back in full Mr. Congeniality mode. “I gather you’re Dr. Rudolf’s … sister?”
“Sister?” Anneliese burst into a fit of giggles and clapped a hand to her mouth. “Tee hee! Das ist lustig! Flora, you never mentioned how funny your Papa was; I like him already! Nein, Professor, I’m her daughter.”
“Daughter?!” Layton swung a flummoxed gaze back and forth between the two Germans, which made Katharina begin fidgeting with the tablecloth, while Anneliese couldn’t stop twittering.
“Yes, her daughter! I’m the same age as Flora. Mama is a lot older than she appears, but she wasn’t much older than I am when she had me, so I can understand why you look so gobsmacked!”
The blonde teen leaned over and pressed her face against her mother’s reddened cheek, which was flaming with visible embarrassment.
“Since you thought Mama was much younger up until now, I’m both sorry to have shattered the illusion – yet thankful to share those same genes, so I can be deceptive with my appearance when I’m older, too!”
“Anneliese, zeige etwas Respekt!” Her mother commanded feebly. “Bitte!”
“Relax, Mama! I was only jesting!” The undaunted teen argued huffily. “Warum spielst du die beleidigte Leberwurst? You should be flattered Flora’s Papa obviously thought you were too young to have a child my age! Learn to accept a compliment already!”
The mortified Katharina dropped her eyes to the tablecloth she was still relentlessly twisting, at a complete loss of how to react to such outrageous statements. She didn’t dare raise her head to view the other diners’ reactions.
Phoenix, also accustomed to having daughters who were infamous for embarrassing the living daylights out of their parents, was eying the doctor sympathetically. Meanwhile, the Professor’s visage remained indecipherable, and he noncommittally began conversing with Flora, as though nothing out of the norm had happened.
The three magatama holders, however, were not at all shocked this time around when Anneliese’s second tell-tale revelation about her mother had the effect of making another psyche lock of Layton’s disappear, even though two stubbornly remained intact.
The secondary lock appeared when the Professor mentioned an unsolved puzzle to Nick! Maya recalled, ruthlessly determined to crack the curious mystery behind the gentleman’s behavior. But what in Mystic Ami’s name could be behind that other one?!
“Nick!” She hissed in her boyfriend’s ear, wondering if he’d noted Layton’s secretive deadbolts as well. “Did you see what I just saw?”
“Yeah, that Anneliese sure inherited Franziska’s blunt style of speaking her mind!” Phoenix chuckled back. “Is that a German trait, or just a Von Karma one? Either way, how did it skip the saintly elder sister?”
“Sweet simmering sauceboats!” She drew back and stared incredulously at her gormless lover. “Even though that is the truth, it’s not at all what I’m referring to, Old Man!”
“It isn’t?” Phoenix asked perplexedly, taking a sip of wine. “Then I have no idea what you’re talking about, Maya. Sorry.”
“Holy frijoles, old man! What is wrong with you?” She whispered agitatedly, gesturing to the ever-present mystical gemstone around her neck. “Argh! Where the heck is your magatama?!”
“Edgeworth had it delivered back to our hotel room, along with the other clothes I wore to court after we went suit shopping.” He seemed baffled by her mounting aggravation. “That way, I didn’t need to lug any bags here with me, as we came straight to the restaurant right from Alexander McQueen.”
“Gadzooks!” Maya puffed out her cheeks in frustration. “Why must you suck so hard, Nick?!“
“What are you getting all up in arms about? That gemstone is pretty bulky, you know!” The utterly daft Phoenix retorted defensively. “This is a slim-cut suit which doesn’t allow for much compartment space for valuable items! Do you have any idea how fitted these pockets are?! I didn’t want to risk losing it – you’d have killed me!”
By this point, Maya was ready to murder him for his relentless obtuseness, regardless!
“Grrr! Just forget it, already!” She treated him to her most baleful glower, then shoved one of the few remaining hors d’oeuvres in her mouth to keep from biting her useless as nipples on a breastplate swain’s head off!
It’d sure be helpful if using the Magatama allowed you to be able to get a basic idea of the emotions behind the secret being kept! This way we’d be able bad secrets from the good ones! If we could pinpoint excitement and anticipation, along with other positive emotions, like nervousness, it’d indicate what kind of secret it was – the harmless, nothing to be worried variety, such as if someone was planning a fun surprise, and just waiting for the right moment to spring it!
As she munched with increasing aggravation, the gears in her brain whirled full throttle.
However, being able to determine feelings like fear, anxiety, and avoidance would indicate a possible Dark Secret that the individual planned to keep to the grave. Then, a blend of both good and bad emotions like uncertainty, anticipation, anxiety, and courage would indicate a secret that the individual wants or has always planned to share, but is having a difficult time determining when to say and how to disclose it. It’d be so great if I had the power of identifying the intent behind the secret. I trust the Professor implicitly, but right about now, it’d sure be great if I knew what he was hiding from us and why!
Maya didn’t have much time to further ponder the mystery though, because out of the blue, the Professor stood up from his chair and dropped his napkin onto the table – exactly as Miles had done not too long ago.
A sick feeling of déjà vu crept over her.
Well dip me in shit and roll me in cracker crumbs! Don’t tell me we’re about to lose another dinner guest and have my entire reunion mission burn to the ashes?!
?
Eldwitch Woods, Labyrinthia
July 20, 2026
Holy Shit balls Batman! The young woman’s trembling hands flew to her cheeks as she took in the gruesome sight amongst the brightly colored mushrooms and twisted tree trunks and branches. What have I done?!
At first, she hadn’t noticed where the body had fallen. But as she lowered her head and held up her flashlight to allow her a better view of the darkened woods, she staggered back at the sight of the red liquid dripping onto the grass.
As the colors swirled before her, blurring her vision and making her feel lightheaded, sheer dread mixed with morbid curiosity spun within her traumatized brain. Her own glistening orbs followed the line of red liquid, almost as if they had a mind of their own, though the source of the flow remained unclear.
Every limb in her body screamed for her to run, but she found herself unable to move, frozen in place as tremors of panic and terror coursed through her body.
There, at her feet, lay the body of a young male lying prostrate on the ground, resting on a pool of mild cerise substance, which stunned the living daylights out of the horrified adolescent staring down at him.
As she crouched down, she noticed that the man’s mangled lip and broken nose were caked in dried, congealed blood. There was also a wound on his temple that was still seeping blood. The sanguine fluid had drizzled down his face like rain on a windowpane, the trail of then disappearing into the forest floor, the escaping claret drops becoming invisible to the human eye.
The girl pressed her palms against the mangled flesh near the head gash. She’d read that you were supposed to stop bleeding by putting pressure on wounds. But, oh, there was so much cruor – dark crimson, with a discreet, metallic scent. It cascaded across the boy’s skin, right through her fingertips.
“MROW!”
A sudden hissing sound startled the traveler, causing the girl to feel on edge. She leaped back to her feet and spun around in terror.
“RRROWW!”
The guttural mew broke the silence of the dark woods, its echoes ringing loudly through the night. The sound made the girl stop dead in her tracks, her heart thumping erratically in her chest.
“RRROWW!”
Another cry resounded once more, this time more shrill. In the reticence of the midnight world, the abrupt yowl pierced the air better than a gunshot.
Professor Layton and Friends
The Ritz Restaurant, London
July 20, 2026
“I’m a bit knackered from my long day at the Old Bailey, and have an even longer drive back to my humble abode out in the country.” The Professor conspicuously avoided eye contact with any of the surprised faces at the table. “As I have an early day tomorrow, and it’s getting rather late, I reckon it would probably be best if I called it a night…”
No! The Kurain head thought frenziedly. First Miles – now Layton?! I can’t have the Professor make this night a complete bust! If Katharina gets snubbed by that man one more time, I’ll never see her again, which means I’ll never find Franziska! It’ll mean I suffered nearly getting an ulcer –amongst other atrocities! – at the hands of the Antagonizing Anneliese’s hands, all for naught!
“Professor, I must object to this decision!” She protested desperately. “Surely you can’t cut short Flora’s time with Anneliese after they’ve only reunited today after so long!”
“Yes Daddy, she’s right!” Flora’s lower lip protruded in a ready pout. “Anneliese just got here! I don’t want to go home yet!”
“You can see her tomorrow, my dear.” Her father affixed a steely eye on his daughter and folded his arms over his chest, indicating his unwavering stance on the matter. “As you know, I need to come back to London early morning for my excursion, so you girls can spend the whole day together at the earliest hour.”
Flora slumped in her chair, unsure of what else to argue at this point.
“There’s another reason you can’t leave yet!” The Master cried, reaching over and putting a hand on Layton’s arm. “A really good one!”
“Oh?” The gentleman seemed bewildered by her determination but eyed her curiously. “And what would that be, Maya?”
“Well, because…”
At this point, the spirit medium sincerely wished her boyfriend’s trademarked skill had rubbed off on her over the years, making her better at the art of bluffing, for truly, she could not think of one single valid reason that would keep Layton from leaving! She was about to start helplessly wringing her hands like a Victorian heroine, when sudden inspiration struck, as Anneliese and Katharina’s introductions to the ex-lawyer resurfaced in her memory.
“We may have not been introduced yet, but I recognize you from Maya’s famous serenade video. You must be Phoenix Wright.”
“Hallo! I’d recognize the man from that viral video any day!”
Swinging her newly determined gaze at her daughter, Maya frantically attempted to telepathically convey her idea to her kinswoman, jutting her chin first towards Luke, then to the String Quintet playing in the background, and then finally, back at the Professor.
Pearl’s eyes lit up with understanding, and she nodded eagerly, then swiftly leaned over, frenetically whispering into her boyfriend’s ear. The cousins expelled relieved sighs as, without another moment of hesitation, the lad stealthily slid out of his seat and hurriedly approached the group of musicians, animatedly gesturing to their table as he spoke to them. A second later, he turned towards the Feys with an encircled thumb and forefinger, signifying the universal “A-OK” green light.
“Maya?” The Professor was regarding the necromancer strangely. “I do believe you were about to convey an irrefutable reason why I couldn’t take my leave just yet?”
“Yes! Yes, I was!” She snapped her fingers as though the idea had suddenly come to her – which technically, it had! “It’s because you and Flora weren’t at my um, non-wedding… and therefore missed out on my singing debut, which became a worldwide internet sensation! Therefore, we can’t have you miss out on my encore performance!”
“Encore performance?” He echoed, his brow furrowing with confusion. “Pray tell, when would this occur?”
“There’s no better time than the present!” She announced, dramatically throwing her napkin down on the table. “I’m about to do a live performance right here, right now! Luke has just gotten me clearance!”
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the cellist announced as the musicians finished up their set. “We have a wonderful surprise in store for you all here tonight at The Ritz. Please join me in getting a warm welcome to internet singing sensation, Master of the Kurain Channeling Technique, Miss Maya Fey!”
“There’s my cue, Professor.” The would-be chanteuse winked at the astonished Englishman. “You wouldn’t want to miss out on a second chance, would you?”
As she was about to go join the rest of the string players, Phoenix grabbed her by the hand and tugged her down so he could hastily whisper to her.
“Maya! This is completely outrageous, even for you!” He hissed. “What in blazes are you up to? Do you mind letting me in on what the heck is going on here?”
“Nick, I don’t have time to explain, but this is my last chance at salvaging my grand plan to make things right for all of us!” She replied hastily, leaning down to kiss him on the cheek while whispering her final instructions in his ear. “You just have to trust me on this one. All I ask is to make sure you get everybody at this table on the dance floor … And ask Anneliese to dance while you’re at it! Everything else should fall into place.”
“Wait – what?! Anneliese?!” Phoenix called after her, but Maya was too busy making her way to the front of the room, and smilingly faced the expectant diners.
Now that she was up there, what was she supposed to sing?
A quick gander at her friends allowed her to note that Luke had returned to sit beside his girlfriend, who was presently whispering something into Flora’s ear. Anneliese was already bouncing in her seat, clearly eager in anticipation of her performance.
The Professor, who’d been eyeing the would-be singer queerly up until this point, had turned his head to stare at Katharina, but as soon as she lifted her gaze, he instantly looked away.
The unassuming German psychologist remained the unmindful recipient of the Brit’s piercing stare, and sat rigidly in her seat, with her head tilted downward so that her face was hidden by her glossy strands of hair, which were presently shimmering under a thick beam of the moon, flowing in from the side window.
Moonlight on moonbeam hair….
There was an impish glint in Maya’s eye as a creative brainwave struck her once more. She now knew exactly which song she was going to sing.
After all, she may as well stick with what she knew, and what she was globally renowned to be good at!
“I hope you folks like LeAnn Rimes,” she grinned at the musicians and then gave them her request.
“A fine choice, madam,” the cellist nodded approvingly. “Truly a timeless classic.”
As the melody commenced, so did the butterflies fluttering within her stomach.
Taking a deep breath, she let her gaze fall one last time on Phoenix, who was leaning forward in his seat, never once having taken his eyes off of her. The spiky-haired man shook his head resignedly at the crazy woman he adored, smiled tenderly, then mouthed “I love you” and gave her a thumbs-up sign.
It was just the confidence boost she needed to let the lyrics pour freely, like a fountain.
Under a lovers’ sky
Gonna be with you
And no one’s gonna be around
If you think that you won’t fall
Well just wait until
Til the sun goes down
The sweet crooning of her melodious voice had several couples already cavorting on the small dance floor before she even completed the first verse.
“I believe this is the cue to show my girlfriend, the songbird, our support,” Phoenix told Anneliese with a smile as he walked over to her seat and stretched out his hand to her. “Shall we dance?”
“Natürlich, Herr Wright.” The blonde smilingly took the extended palm and rose to her feet. As they headed to the dance floor, she glanced back over her shoulder to see if Luke and Pearl would be following them and appeared a bit astounded when she saw the couple was already up there, entwined in each other’s arms, and lost in their own little world.
“Don’t look so surprised that they beat us here,” he chuckled as he took one of the girl’s hands in his own and lightly placed his free one at her waist. “Pearls often rivals me as Maya’s biggest supporter in all aspects of life, no matter how outrageous her shenanigans are!”
As they got gawkily shuffled together, trying to establish the other’s rhythm to properly harmonize their movements, the former attorney made a relieved sound when they finally established sufficient synchronization of steps for a basic waltz.
“I’m afraid I’ve never been much of a dancer,” he admitted self-effacingly. “But I’ll do my best not to step on your toes if you promise not to whip me the way your Aunt Franziska does if I do!”
“I promise nothing of the sort, Herr Wright!” Anneliese shot back with a smirking snicker. “Ergo, may I strongly suggest that you follow my lead?”
Underneath the starlight – starlight
There’s a magical feeling – so right
It’ll steal your heart tonight
Back at the table, the Professor rose from his chair and approached his daughter’s seat.
“It appears Maya has left us little choice but to adopt a when-in-Rome mindset,” he told Flora with a smile. “Would you care to dance, my dear?”
“Normally, I would love to, Daddy,” she replied sweetly. “But it would be quite unfair to the other dancers if I were to knock them aside on that tiny little dance floor with this impractical stonker of the gown, don’t you think?”
“Perhaps we could keep our distance on the outskirts, out of the way from the others?” He proposed chivalrously. “It is my duty as a gentleman to demonstrate my enjoyment of the show to my dear old friend who is performing.”
“I was a trifle too embarrassed to say this upfront, but I seem to have twisted my ankle when I propelled out of the taxi earlier, so I’m afraid I’ll have no choice but to sit this one out.” The English girl was the personification of wide-eyed innocence as she angled her head at Katharina. “Why don’t you go ask Dr. Rudolf to dance, instead? After all, a gentleman pays attention to his manners in every setting, right?”
“Dr. Rudolf?” Layton reeled back slightly, as though his daughter had suggested something outlandish, like drinking Columbian coffee! “I – I don’t know…”
Seeing his hesitation, Flora clucked her tongue and waved her finger at him in mock disapproval.
“You must support Maya on both our behalves, Daddy! Besides, nobody has asked my dear mate’s Mummy to dance, and that just won’t do! Aren’t you the one who claims: One must always put a lady’s needs first – that’s what a gentleman does?”
Layton nodded stiffly, knowing when he was bested – and with his own teachings, to boot! His expression was unreadable as he approached the chary Frau, who was trying not to let on she’d heard that entire debasing exchange about how the man had been all but forced to dance with her when it was evident that he would rather shave his head and wear polyester!
“Dr. Rudolf,” the Brit spoke formally as he bowed ever so slightly before her. “Would you give me the honor of this dance?”
Katharina evaded her gaze, too much of a genteel lady to refuse the coerced offer for the sake of social protocol, so she nodded mutely in response. However, she didn’t wait for him to offer his hand to her, and instead got up from her seat and simply walked ahead to the dance floor, giving him no choice but to follow.
Layton’s expression was somber once they got to the floor as he took her hands in his.
“If we do this, I feel like I should warn you, madam – it’s been years since I’ve danced.”
Her expression was guarded as she raised impassive eyes to meet his shuttered ones.
“It appears we have something in common, Professor. Let us hope then that this shall be like riding a bicycle for us both.”
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark
You’ll surrender your heart
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
No, you can’t fight it
It’s gonna get to your heart
Katharina kept one delicate hand in his and moved her other hand to his shoulder. He curved his free hand over her hip. The position brought them closer together, their bodies not quite touching, but close enough that he smelled her lavender scent with every breath he took.
There’s no escape from love
Once a gentle breeze
Weaves its spell upon your heart
No matter what you think
It won’t be too long
Til you’re in my arms
Underneath the starlight – starlight
We’ll be lost in the rhythm – so right
Feel it steal your heart tonight
Following the rhythm of Maya’s impeccably performed cover song, rather than simply shuffle in the regular manner of modern-day, slow dance fashion, he expertly maneuvered them into an elegant fox trot, finding none of the typical awkwardness most new dance partners usually had to muddle through before they established a corresponding rhythm.
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark
You’ll surrender your heart
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
No, you can’t fight it
No matter what you do
The night is gonna get to you
Katharina seemed to be reading his mind as she gracefully complemented his movements, step for step, her formal ballroom dance background allowing her footwork to be both expertly and flawlessly executed to match his own.
“It appears muscles have memory; hence our worries were unfounded in both our cases, Professor.” She met his dark eyes steadily. “I see no fault in your steps any more than I hope you find any in mine.”
“I give you my word as a gentleman, Dr. Rudolf,” he replied, at last, trying to focus more on the sweet resonance of Maya’s vocals and nothing else. “Never before have I had a more capable dance partner.”
“I am pleased to know I have retained my hard-learned skills. Otherwise, it would mean I endured all those grueling years of dancing lessons with my sadistic instructor for naught!”
“My parents insisted I take ballroom lessons as a lad,” Layton reminisced fondly, a slightly nostalgic catch in his tone as he spoke. “My father told me the ability to lead a lady seamlessly across the dance floor was the unspoken duty of every gentleman – and gentleman in training. I reckon he would be proud that I have not forgotten all I’ve been taught, either.”
Don’t try then
You’re never gonna win
Underneath the starlight – starlight
There’s a magical feeling – so right
It will steal your heart tonight
“Are you the type who always remembers everything?” She asked quietly. “Or are you the sort who prefers to simply forget?”
“It depends, really,” he answered thoughtfully. “Are we speaking about people, places, or things?”
“I do not even know what I meant anymore.” Katharina emitted a rueful laugh. “I have not been in the company of people my own age for so long that I regret to say I am terribly unskilled at light-hearted conversation. I am afraid it is due to my chosen career since the nature of my work is to always try to probe beneath the surface of everything that is relayed to me. Please forget I even asked.”
The request was impossible to comply with, however. He was an archeologist, after all. His entire life’s work was about digging deep beneath the surface and being open to whatever discovery was unveiled, good or bad.
It seems that people often spend more time dwelling on negative thoughts and experiences rather than positive ones. This tendency may be a result of their occupation or simply a common human tendency. These negative thoughts often focus on the past, which gives people an identity, or on judgments, guilt, and anxiety about the future, which they hope will bring fulfillment.
He gave his head a mental shake to stop his mind from wandering, focused on keeping himself in the present, and ensured he kept his eyes on hers the whole time.
Consequently, most people are not fully present in the present moment because they are either dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. This tendency to focus on the past or future rather than the present can make people feel like slaves to time; as if they are unable to fully experience the present because they are always looking toward the next moment.
Layton glided Katharina across the dance floor as if they were dancing on a cloud.
Time itself may not be valuable, as it is just an illusion. What is truly valuable is the present moment, as it is the only time we have to experience life and all of the opportunities it presents. When we focus too much on the past and future, we miss out on the present and the valuable opportunities it brings. These opportunities can be thought of as sunsets – if we wait too long, we miss them.
Somehow, he knew exactly where and how to guide her. Every moment, every angle seemed to be planned. Nothing felt forced; his footsteps felt so light, it felt as though he was floating. He found himself helplessly lost in a sea of thought and reminiscences.
I appear to exist in two places at once; my present location … and wherever you are.
He almost felt like he was in a dream.
Many things in life start off feeling like a dream, and sometimes they even become a reality. However, eventually, they all become just a memory.
?
Eldwitch Woods, Labyrinthia
July 20, 2026
Logic told her not to be so fearful, that it was nothing more than a mere cat making the sounds, and tried to convince herself that the sounds were merely being made by Eve. The friendly pet belonged to Espella Cantabella, whom she’d met earlier that evening at the bakery.
The girl fervently prayed the familiar, amiable feline had simply decided to follow her into the woods, and that was who was now mewling in the distance. That it wasn’t something else lurking within the duskiness of those neighboring trees. Something worse.
There was a rustling noise, and there it crept from the foliage of the bushes as if made of the darkness itself.
A lone cat– not Eve! – appeared, breaking the deafening silence that engulfed her. Five pounds of fur on agile limbs purposefully strode towards her, the creature’s amber eyes glowing lamp-like from its diminutive head.
“N –Nice kitty,” the girl stammered, instinctively backing away, as the animal continued to creep forward. “I don’t have any fish to give you, but how would you like some sticky buns from Miss Eclaire’s bakery?”
A stream of moonlight shone down just then, lighting the patch of grass where she stood, illuminating the dark environment. Her petrified orbs widened as she realized the cat was not alone. She could now make out dozens of iridescent amber eyes all around her, even though their attached furry bodies weren’t fully visible from the shades in which they remained hidden.
The absolute horror completely paralyzed her, and the more she thought to flee, or simply moving a bit, the more she felt discouraged and even more terrified and unable to move.
All the while, the cacophony of meows continued while she shrank back fearfully under the scrutiny of those gleaming, unblinkingly eyes all around her. Staring at her. Judging her.
A sharp voice boomed in the distance just then.
“Halt! Who goes there?”
Professor Layton and Katharina Rudolf
The Ritz Restaurant, London
July 20, 2026
Together, they danced to the melody, their feet in perfect sync with the beating of her heart. As the song progressed, Katharina allowed herself to feel more relaxed in his hold and allowed a small smile to form on her lips.
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark
You’ll surrender your heart
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
No, you can’t fight it
With his unmatched sophisticated and fluid movements, Layton truly was a magnificent dance partner, his entire body in harmonious tune with the music. Nonetheless, there was a sort of gravity to him as well, as though he was someone who shouldn’t be underestimated. Those reserved orbs of his, deep and compelling, reflected countless untold mysteries within their dark depths.
Katharina wasn’t quite certain how to react to all this – to him. How absurd was the possibility that she was falling under the spell of a man she hardly knew, just because of the way he danced?
What I am sure about is that I am most fortunate to have a partner like him – he makes me feel like a grand lady – as though I am Ginger Rogers to his Fred Astaire. In my eyes, and because of this dance, I can see how there is so much more to this man than initially meets the eye.
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark
You’ll surrender your heart
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
No, you can’t fight it
The duo had been swaying near a large Palladian window, and as Katharina tilted her head to the side to peer up at him, the motion resulted in her ethereal visage being captured under the streaming moonlight, giving her a captivating, almost otherworldly glow. He couldn’t pry his eyes away from this time – try as he might.
The connection between them became stronger with each passing moment as they moved together in perfect harmony, both physically and emotionally. His heart rate increased as they moved in sync with the music, becoming one with the song and with each other. Their dance was flawless, with every breath and step perfectly coordinated.
If by the end of this dance, my breath is taken away, I would know the exact reason why.
You can try to resist
Try to hide from my kiss
But you know
Don’t you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
Deep in the dark
You’ll surrender your heart
But you know
But you know that you can’t fight the moonlight
No, you can’t fight it
It’s gonna get to your heart
The light on their feet twosome carried on in their harmonious fashion right until the end, when Maya wrapped up the tune, and then proudly bowed to the standing ovation she garnered. The much-deserved applause gave the Professor and the doctor no choice but to separate. However, for a brief moment, the blonde felt forlorn to be away from his seemingly familiar warmth.
In the next instant though, Layton made it painfully clear that Katharina was the only one who hadn’t been eager for the music to end, as once the acclamation was over, her dance partner moved so far away from her, it was as though he feared she was an infectious disease.
“Thank you for the dance, Dr. Rudolf,” he intoned woodenly, tipping down the brim of his hat so she couldn’t see his visage anymore. “I must be off now. Since my daughter is so keen to stay, and dinner has yet to be served, please let her know she has the option to remain in town – and bunk with Pearl and Maya until the morrow. Alternately, she can room for the night or yourself and Anneliese, should you allow.”
Katharina was so taken aback by his unprecedented icy demeanor that she couldn’t muster a response, for the life of her.
“Flora has my charge card for anything she may require. Naturally, I shall settle the tab for any additional expenses that should befall you, ladies, thus, along with my tab here at the restaurant, on my way out, as well,” he stated crisply. “Please let the lass know I will collect her late tomorrow evening, after both our respective outings. Good night.”
With that, the Professor turned on his heel and strode out of The Ritz, leaving the thunderstruck psychologist, and the beyond devastated Maya – who’d witnessed the whole scene from the stage – in his wake.
Curse you, Hershel Layton!
Thanks to that damned blockhead with the inexplicable stick up his arse, all of her well-intended plans now lay crumpled in shambles around her!
All of my hard work and efforts, which were aimed at helping my loved ones, have now been destroyed and reduced to ruins.
The Master dismally stared after the departed Layton, a man whom she’d adored and reckoned she knew quite well. Yet today, he’d been replaced by an aloof, ill-mannered stranger – one who’d acted in the worst possible way, and to someone who’d done nothing to deserve such shabby treatment!
It’s all over now. Her heart sank. Katharina will never want anything to do with me anymore – and after this, who could blame her?!
The diviner barely fought back the urge to burst into tears.
Where, when, why, and how did everything go so incredibly, terribly, wrong?!
?
Eldwitch Woods, Labyrinthia
July 20, 2026
There was a rustling of leaves as the forcefully toned speaker emerged from the bushes towards the clearing, allowing the girl to make out the silhouette of a taller, slender woman’s form.
“Who dareth meander about the Forest of Lost Way at this ungodly hour, disturbing mine haven and that of my precious lovelies?”
“F –Forest of Lost Way?” The young lady stammered. “I thought this was Eldwitch Woods –
in Labyrinthia!”
The woman drew nearer, holding a flaming lantern in one hand over her head, so the girl could make out what appeared to be cat ears atop the mysterious stranger’s head.
“Ignorant vagabond!” There was a blast of Arctic in the woman’s cadence. “This wood is part of the former Shades Village, which lies on the surrounding outskirts of Labyrinthia! But ye hath trespassed upon my property, wherein lies Faelēs Fairgrounds, a sacred Cat Sanctuary!”
The imposing figure inched towards the tremulous teen so she was now close enough to see her intruder’s face. Her feline-like eyes narrowed suspiciously as she took in the younger girl’s petrified orbs, wilder than a deer caught in a trap, and then noticed the unmoving form lying a few feet away.
“What’s this afoot?! The rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril! Herein lies the body of the man who hath been slain?!” She roared, pointing accusingly with a claw-like gauntlet. “You dare commit murder – on these sacred grounds?! Ye shall suffer to the utmost penalty of the law, vile wench!”
“No! Please!” The girl cried pleadingly. “I – I didn’t mean to kill him! It – it was an accident!”
“I am sick when I do look on thee!” The woman’s scorn was evident. “Thy sin’s not accidental, but a trade! “
“You have to believe me! I – It’s not what it looks like!”
“Ye shall burn for this deplorable act of murder most foul, ye fiend! I swear on it upon my name as a Constable of the Dark Law! Thou art unfit for any place but hell!”
A third intonation bleeped just then, and the lit-up, oversized pendant around the girl’s neck began to glow dark blue, showing a frowning emoji as a panicked robot voice bleeped into the night.
“We’re doomed!”
Miles Edgeworth
The Savoy Hotel, London
July 21, 2026, 5:55 AM
Knock-Knock!
Miles glanced up from his early edition of The London Times, which he’d been enjoying with his second cup of tea, with a smirk. A quick glimpse at his watch indicated it was a full five minutes earlier than the typically tardy hobo’s scheduled time of arrival.
Will wonders never cease?
Since Sebastian had served his scones, preserves, and tea already, and wasn’t due back to clean up for another half hour, that insistent door rapper could be none other than his uncharacteristically prompt courtroom rival.
Ergo, the well-rested and breakfasted prosecutor shouldn’t have been even mildly surprised to hear the loud rapping at his door the next morning.
But what was unanticipated was Phoenix there as scheduled – something which was unheard of for his perpetually faff-about mate!
The man is barely punctual at best – and certainly not the sort to ever be early! Miles thought wryly as he strolled across the large suite towards the door, which was still being heavily thudded upon. Mayhap he was as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed about today’s planned activities as I was?
“At ease, Wright!” The prosecutor admonished as he swung the door open. “As much as I commend you for being here on time and not fannying about for once, there’s nary need to wear out your knuckles…”
His banter was cut short as he came to face not with the friendly navy eyes of his closest mate, but the feral ecru ones of a certain Wolf Man.
The no-longer astonished lawyer’s shock quickly abated. Remembering his newfound resentment over the other man’s treachery, he stared lethal daggers at his unexpected visitor, who appeared none too pleased to see him either, to say the least!
Before Miles could make a cutting remark, Lang reacted first. Without a word, the Interpol Agent shoved past the bristling attorney and strode, uninvited, into the suite.
“Nice of you to let me know you were across the pond, pretty boy,” Shi-Long Lang snapped at him without preamble while whipping off his X-shaped shades and staring his subordinate down. “Every pack has its own rules – and the lucky thing is I take pride in keeping tabs on all the cubs in my pack – even the strayed ones. Or did you forget that I have access to all your passport information?”
“Rest assured, Agent Lang, informing you of my whereabouts was on my to-do list.” Miles retorted curtly. “Although apparently, not as high up as you may have liked.”
Lang mimicked the barrister’s defensive tone with his own, his eyes narrowing dangerously.
“I’m here strictly on the call of duty – which you were supposedly on as well, last time I checked! In all probability, when you didn’t report that you were back in Europe, it wasn’t because you conveniently forgot you were still my subordinate – as much as you simply didn’t care?”
Well, I suppose this is what it’s like to be the Baron of Bluffing, for I am Phoenix Wright, and I am indeed cornered…!
Miles crossed his arms over his chest and somehow managed to maintain his outward cool.
“I never meant for you to feel affronted … boss. It probably just slipped my mind.”
Just as much as it slipped yours to tell me the truth about Franziska’s whereabouts, you lying, two-faced bastard!
“Lang Zi says: On truth’s path, the word ‘probability’ does not exist.” Lang gnashed his teeth as he ground out the words. “Lang Zi also says: ‘A cub who disrespects others soon feels the disciplinary bite of an elder’.”
“Agent Lang.” Undeterred, the cravat-wearer tapped his forefinger impatiently against his bicep. “Cut to the chase, if you will. I’ll wager you didn’t come all the way here, from wherever you were stationed, to engage me in your philosophy teachings.”
“No, I came with an important bulletin.” A flash of bared fang. “One which I think you may find personally relevant, Miles Edgeworth.”
“Indeed? Well, do go on then,” the chess enthusiast drawled insolently, arching a derisive brow. “To what do I owe the honor of you gracing me with your unexpected presence, Agent Lang?”
“The news is about… your woman.”
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