Professor Layton and the Mysterious Jewelry

Hello. Please note this is my first work of Fiction. I do not own Professor Layton. Plz let me know what you would like me to write or include in future stories. I hope this comes out well to you reviewers. Enjoy!

Chapter 1:

An Invitation from a friend

GressenHeller University: Prof. Layton's Office. 11:30 am

Professor Layton was happily resting that day at GressenHeller University.

It had been a long morning; The Professor had spent the night before preparing a long lecture on Greek Artifacts, Luke and Flora had helped him prepare for it-although he refused it, they insisted it, and secretly he was all the happier.

Layton felt somewhat proud to be home. Luke, Flora and himself had been away for several weeks in America on a mystery with Luke's Father, Clark-who was the Professor's closest friend, Clark's wife, Brenda, and Layton's other friends, Emmy Altava and Clive Dove, and needless to say, it was a wonder they all were still alive.

The Door to his office slowly opened and Flora entered from watering the garden outside the School. Flora was the Professor's adopted daughter, she had lived with him after he and Luke rescued her from St. Mystere, she loved puzzles just like the Professor and Luke, she was left behind on several adventures, but Luke had felt rather guilty and had taken care to make sure she was with them. She had tried not to be a disturbance to them (Though she never was) and had actually proven herself quite useful at solving puzzles

Flora noticed the Professor was napping, as she had seen a DO NOT DISTURB sign on his door, "I'll just get some tea going, I'm sure that's what he'd want" she thought to himself she slowly crept to the kitchen and began to prepare Tea and buttered biscuits.

Flora was busily preparing Belle Classic Tea: Layton's favorite, he liked nothing better; the distinct bittersweet taste was enough to satisfy his taste buds almost instantly, and the smell of Buttered Biscuits were a perfect addition to his afternoon Tea time, Although Flora did like the Professor's choice of Tea, she preferred Oasis Berry over anything else.

No sooner had the Tea finished brewing when a voice said "Well, I didn't expect my afternoon tea to wake me up," Flora turned and saw the Professor standing behind her, smiling and taking in the smell of Belle Classic Tea and Buttered Biscuits.

"Well, Flora, you certainly guessed what I like, and I didn't even need to give you a puzzle"

"Well, I'm your daughter; I ought to know a thing or two about you"

"Yes" he said. The Biscuits were soon done and Flora carried the tray to the coffee table.

Just then, Luke scurried through the door carrying the afternoon mail, which startled Layton and Flora nearly dropped the Teapot she was handling.

"Luke," said Professor Layton, pleased but somewhat disturbed that Luke had nearly interrupted his tea time "you are just in time for afternoon tea."

"And good thing too," Said Luke, He took a letter from his brown satchel and placed it on the tray, "Dad asked me to give you this, He said it was rather urgent!"

"Urgent indeed," Said the Professor, Studying the envelope. The letter was addressed to The Professor's office from Clark Triton, Luke's father, who had returned with his family to England for a desk job in the British Government. "Flora, would you please read the letter?"

Flora smiled, "of course!" she said. She sat on the sofa and read slowly

'Dear Herschel Layton'

'It has been a while since we have spoken to one another, I hope this letter reached you safely, it seems I was right to return to England, I obtained a job in the British Government, and dare I say it is quite nice.

I have a very important proposition for you: a few days ago I was told that a very important singer is visiting the area, she is a well know vocalist and has become quite a talented voice throughout The United Kingdom. Sir James 'A' Ratham, an English businessman, has invited this young lady to perform at a reception to commemorate the birthday of his young daughter.

He has heard of your reputation around London as an avid puzzle-master and detective, he would like the opportunity to meet you in person, and has requested that I ask you to be my guest to the reception.

But of course I know that you will not be traveling alone, but apart from yourself, I cannot think of anyone else who would enjoy a gala evening like tonight. So together with this letter I have included three invitations for Luke, Flora and yourself. The reception will consist of a dinner and speech followed by a couple's dance and then the recital, he has arranged for a limo to arrive at your apartment at 7:00 to take you to Ratham Hall at 8:00 pm.

I thank you for being able to attend; I will be waiting for you there.

Yours Sincerely

Clark Triton

The Professor took a minute to let the words sink in; he felt rather honored! It wasn't every day that he was invited to such an important event, especially when Luke & Flora were invited too, the Letter was in print, so he knew Clark used a typewriter.

Flora set down the letter and stared eagerly at Luke. She had never attended a dance in her life-much less a formal dance-and she had huge feelings for Luke, especially after when they kissed after a previous mystery that Luke barely survived, her mind was spinning with questions: what she would wear? Would Luke love to dance with her? Flora knew that a True Gentleman never refuses the request of a lady.

But she felt sorry for The Professor; he had no date to the dance. He had lost Claire, the love of his life, so long ago. She had been killed in a lab explosion, just when he had proposed to her, he knew she had loved him dearly and wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, she had bought him his trademark top hat, he never fell in love or courted anyone else, and he still mourned her loss to this day.

Flora knew how he felt; she had lost her mother, Lady Violet, years ago, to influenza, a year afterwards, her father, Baron Augustus Reinhold, become bedridden and soon died. Layton and Luke rescued her from St. Mystere when they had solved the Golden apple mystery, and took her to live with them; she loved living a new life in London.

She still remembered that day…

"Papa, are you ok?"

"Baron Reinhold looked at his daughter who stood at his bedside "I'm afraid not, my dear girl," he said gloomily "I been bedridden for several days, it would seem I have failed you as a father."

Flora couldn't believe what she heard "No, Papa!" She cried. "You've never failed me as a father! I love you, and I won't let you go! I can't and I won't!"

Baron Reinhold breathed heavily but slowly, as if an elephant was sitting on his stomach, Flora didn't like what that meant, she had seen it before, and she didn't want to see it again.

"Papa, please, don't go…please don't…."

Matthew appeared behind her, his face as grim as a storm cloud, "Miss Flora, let's leave Master Reinhold alone for a moment."

Flora wanted to resist, but she know better, Matthew walked her out of the room as Bruno walked in past him, Flora sat outside the door and waited several moments for Bruno to come back-finally he did, but his face was completely grim

"He's gone" he said sadly to Matthew

"Dear me" said Matthew.

Flora dashed into his room, and saw that her father's body was at rest; he didn't speak or move again…

Flora snapped back into reality and she noticed that Luke had rested a warm hand on her shoulder, he looked deeply concerned; as if he was trying to understand her thoughts; it seemed he knew what her flashback was.

"Flora?" he whispered

Flora looked over beside herself to him "Oh, I'm sorry, Luke. I just had a flashback…"

"About your Father?" Luke said

"Yes…" she replied

Luke knew that Flora was down in the dumps, which sent his brain spinning like a spider web, searching for a way to cheer her up…

Then a light bulb flashed in his head! He knew exactly what to do: he gently took Flora's hand and smiled,

"Flora, Will you be my date to the Dance at Ratham Hall tonight?"

Those were the words Flora had wanted to hear and never heard before at all. Almost instantly she stared into his eyes and answered calmly but with excitement "Yes! Yes, Luke! I'd love that!" Then she paused "You…you'd really want me to dance with you?"

"Flora, you know I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it, and I really mean it this time."

Flora threw her arms around him, completely lost in her own world, not caring a bit.

Luke grinned with satisfaction and planted a kiss on her cheek, Flora pulled back and blushed slightly, but she didn't care, all that mattered was she was going to a dance for the first time in her life, and she was going with the boy she loved most.

Meanwhile, Layton was still pondering the letter

"I suppose if it is important to Clark that I attend; I shall do so at once," he turned to Flora and Luke, who had heard him pondering. "Will you two have the honor of accompanying me tonight?"

Luke didn't hesitate "Of course! After all, I'm your apprentice and an apprentice always stands by his mentor"

"And his Daughter" Flora chimed in.

Layton couldn't argue with that, he knew how persistent they were, especially in times like this.

"Very well, then," Said Layton "Luke, there's some money in that envelope," he pointed to an envelope on the mail pile, You and Flora go to the Clothing store on Baker Street and get something suitable to wear tonight"

Luke and Flora stared at their clothes; Luke knew that he would need something nicer to pass himself off as a Gentleman. Flora's dress was pretty, but Layton knew better.

"Ok, Professor," Said Luke "We'll take the next bus there" but as he went for the envelope, he stopped "Wait a minute! Where's that envelope?"

Layton shook his head "Oh dear, I've forgotten to sort my mail. Luke, my letter is different than the others in a pile, please find it"

"Sounds like a puzzle!" said Luke "I'll do it"

Puzzle 1: Odd Letter out (10 Picarats)

The Money envelope for Luke is hidden in the professor's mail pile, however because the mail pile got cluttered, Luke can't find it. The only clue Luke has is the letter is that the envelope is different from the others.

Can you find it?

Luke rummaged the Mail pile and found a dark green envelope; he rummaged some more and noticed that the rest of the envelopes, except for three light green ones, were white. "This has to be it" he said, opening it, and sure enough, a wad of cash fell into his hand, "It's different from the others!"

"Well Done, Luke!" The Professor Cheered "You did well, my boy"

"Let's get going!" Said Flora with excitement "the bus won't wait all day" and both of them dashed out the door.

They reached the bus stop just as the red double Decker bus pulled up; they showed their passes rode the bus until they saw the dress shop on Baker Street; they got off at the next stop and walked to the shop.

Flora's breath was taken away as she looked around the little store. Racks of Formal Dresses and other shoppers filled the atmosphere and Men's suits: Business Suits, Tuxedos, and Neckties filled the other end of the store. Flora and Luke walked nearly the entire length of the dress corner

"I've never seen so many dresses in one place!" Flora gushed "They're so pretty!"

Luke Smiled "Is there one that you'd like to get?"

Flora scanned the rack next to her and saw a Red Satin Dress with long red sleeves; it was Flora's favorite color-Then again, Red was everyone's favorite color.

"Oh, I rather like this one" she said "it's my size, and I'm sure The Professor would love it too"

"Oh, I have no doubt about that," Luke Agreed. "You know, that reminds me of a puzzle I heard about, want to hear it?

"Do you even need to ask?"

Puzzle 2: Mixed Suits (40 Picarats)

Three men in a Dressing room are about to try on their suits. Then the lights go out and they can't see each other at all. A few minutes later the lights come on, and they find themselves wearing each other's suits.

Here are their Statements:

A: I didn't get this suit, I hate blue!

B: This Black suit does not suit me at all!

C: Hey! Who gave me this suit? I didn't pick this!

The security camera shows no one entered the room when the lights were out. Which means one of the three men switched the suits. Who is the prankster?

(Note: cover the answer below until you figure it out)

Flora pondered it for a minute….then said "it has to be B! His statement differs from the others!"

"Great Work," Luke Cheered "you get better every day." he grabbed a Marine blue suit from the suit rack "I never wear anything that isn't blue" he declared.

As they walked to the counter, Flora stopped, "Wait!" she cried.

"What?" Said Luke

"Shouldn't we determined what our total cost is for our clothes?

"Great idea, Flora," Replied Luke, "And I've got just the puzzle for the job, give it a go!"

"Oh…ok then"

Puzzle 3: Total Costs: 50 picarats

You go shopping and you pick out a dress that's 90 dollars and a Suit that costs 10 dollars more than the dress.

However both items are on sale for fifty percent off for one day only.

So with the fifty percent off sale; what is the total of both items all together?

(As always: cover the answer till you solve it)

"Oh, Luke, you've really stumped me on this one" Flora commented

"Flora," Luke answered "A true Lady leaves no puzzle unsolved"

"You're right!" Flora suddenly remembered.

It took several minutes and then Flora answered "I got it! 50 percent means half price, half of 90 dollars is 45 dollars, and half of 100 dollars is 50 dollars, therefore, our total is 95 dollars!"

Luke beamed from ear to ear, "Great work, Flora! It's great to see you improve!"

Luke paid for their clothes and left for GressenHeller on the next Double Decker bus.