AN: This had been an idea swirling my head since I got back into Pokemon with my son rewatching the original series. I am merely adapting plot points from Bridgerton the netlfix series not the book or books the show is based on, and puting it into an alternative Pokemon universe. I do not own any rights to either properties and enjoy both in their own way. In this AU Ash and Misty never met, Gary Oak is a cousin to the Waterflower sisters, there is male bias in this society as it is set in more Bridgerton like world at times. Ash and Gary are older than Misty, but Misty is still the youngest of the Waterflower sisters, she is merely coming of age to be able to marry at the time this story starts. Some backstory will come out with future chapters I am hoping to keep it down to a 10 chapter story but there is only so much I can do. If there are any Bridgerton fans coming to this no I am not having every single plot point from the show playout because this is merely and adpation for my PokeShipping mind IE I WILL NOT BE ADAPTING ANYMORE THAN THE 1st season of the show. I do not condone bashing other ships and is not meant to provide you with ammo. Hope you enjoy.

Diamond of the First Water

-Daisy POV-

Today was the day for all the newest eligible girls and young ladies to present themselves before the Queen Lorelei, the Indigo Plateau was buzzing with activity as ambitious mothers and nervous daughters were getting the final details in place. None were quite so busy as the estate where the Waterflower sisters were staying as they helped their youngest sister, Misty. Daisy checked the clock again to make sure she was reading it right, then looked at her husband the Earl Tracey Sketchit, "Do you know where my cousin is?"

Tracey just scratched the back of his head and said, "No idea honestly Daisy." Immediately he regretted those words for she could tell he was lying. Instead of going off on Tracey she decided to accept his answer and put on a happy face despite her concerns of Misty running late to her own presentation. Somehow that scared Tracey more than if she did show off that trademark anger the Waterflower sisters displayed from time to time. Most famous or infamous for this anger depending on your certain point of view was Misty.

Coming down the steps of their temporary residence was Lily Waterflower and her husband Lord Stone, followed by Violet Waterflower, her husband was back home in the country outside Cerulean tending to their estate. Although the men were obliged to wear whatever they pleased, the women when attending this event were all required to wear either white or some slightly off-white dress. The color stitching accents could be other colors but it led to most of the ladies looking rather similar to one another. As both sisters made eye contact with their oldest sister they realized Misty still wasn't down yet and Violet immediately turned around and rushed back to see if she could see if Misty had run off or done something else incredibly stupid.

Daisy didn't mean to stress her sister's out with that look but she knew this was hopefully the last season any of them had to deal with searching for a husband. They were orphaned at a young age when their parents died, since sadly they were all girls the family estate didn't pass to them but onto their cousins the Oaks. It had been a rather unusual upbringing as Lord Samuel Oak was a kind man when they all came to live with him at his estate in Viridian. Misty was only five then but it hadn't been easy. Misty had always wished to do many things her cousin Gary was able to do just by being a man in this society. Samuel had been sure to make sure each of the Waterflower's dowries were funded for when they did come of age to marry. Though he was unusual for allowing each of the sisters to choose their men and not based in financial/property or other transactions, course the men were quite easy as each of the sisters when they came of age were often considered the "Diamond of the First Water" making them highly sought after. Sadly, not long after Lily married Lord Stone, Samuel took ill and died from a Beedrill stinging him. Gary took over as head of the family at that point, and though he was managing the financial side very well for them, Daisy often felt like he was missing the human side to things. It made her nervous for Misty because Samuel had been a mentor but not overbearing when she came of age and in fact encouraged her to trust her instincts as he put it. Her thoughts about Gary were interrupted when she saw Misty coming down the steps slowly but surely behind Violet, looking rather stunning. Daisy slightly teared up wishing her mother was here to see how beautiful her youngest sister had grown. Her dress had subtle gold accents stitched onto the mainly white dress. As the sisters loaded into the carriage pulled by Galarian Rapidash. Daisy approached Tracey who was mounting his own Rapidash to ride alongside Lord Stone, "Tell my cousin if he is to be respected as Lord Oak he must act as Lord Oak."

"I will be sure to tell him that my love, you just worry about getting Misty through her presentation."

-Misty POV-

Pulling into the palace square on the Plateau, Misty was looking about seeing what she hoped would be an uneventful day for her. She didn't mean to take so long getting ready, but it had been fraught with anticipation and though she felt she was now as beautiful if not more beautiful than her sisters the early teasing days of boys in Viridian still hung with her. Stepping out of the carriage she was ready to walk into the prep room with Daisy who had done the same for Violet and Lily when she noticed, "Gary glad for you to make it."

"Of course, cousin I would not miss this day so important for you and our family." He replied.

"No, you would just be late for it." Came the biting remark from Daisy as they each looped their arms with hers as they entered the palace.

Daisy helped adjust the large feather the queen required as part of being presented, while her Lily, Violet, and Gary went to the throne room waiting patiently for her to be presented. Misty heard the gasp from the crowd as she knew she was next in line, apparently one of the girls had on a dress so tight she passed out as she bowed before the Queen. Luckily the young lady was fine, and it did leave an impression on the Queen, though not a positive one she could infer from the whispers in the crowd. The page announced her, and her sister's introduction and the doors opened slowly, as she walked down the room acting as gracefully as she could muster. She came before the queen and bowed trying not to smile as she thought she heard the Queen take a step down from the throne she then felt the Queen's glove covered hand raise her face and say loudly, "Flawless, my dear." Then she gave a gentle kiss to her forehead.

Misty slowly backed away from the throne as she begun to hear whispers she turned her head slightly to Daisy whispering, "Did that truly just happen?"

Quietly Daisy responded, "Keep smiling Misty, they are watching you now more than ever." Misty felt all the eyes of the court were upon her. She was delighted to have exceeded even her own expectations for her presentation to her idol Queen Lorelei.

-Ash POV-

Away from the palace on the plateau a man with a Pikachu on his shoulder rode into a local residents courtyard aboard a shiny Rapidash. Dressed in dark purple and black he was nigh unrecognizable as the now new Duke of Pallet, or his full title Duke Ash Ketchum of Pallet. It had been a couple of months since he had last seen his mother Delia now the Dowager Duchess of Pallet. In his youth before college he had aspirations of becoming a Pokemon Master. Travelling the world with Pikachu and his fellow Pokemon, the then went to college at the Plateau learning all he could making more friends. Seeing his mother awaiting his arrival he took a quick swig from his flask of whiskey. Hopped down off Rapidash and Pikachu immediately leaped off his shoulder into his mother's welcoming arms.

"Well its great to see you Pikachu, at least he is able to get some enthusiasm to see me." Delia Ketchum said with a hint of motherly sarcasm or guilt take your pick.

"I am so happy to see you mom." Ash said smiling as he embraced his mother.

"Words I don't hear often enough." Replied Delia, "Now I have been able to keep your return to society under wraps but once you appear at the ball I am hosting for the Queen tomorrow, I will be able to keep that secret no longer. Especially once the other mamas find out there is an eligible duke in their midst."

"About that ball, I regret to inform you mom that I will be settling my late father's affairs then being on my way hopefully within the week or two so I will be unable to attend your ball." Ash said hoping the little bit of finality in his tone would persuade her as he looked down.

"Your regrets are denied mister even if you are a duke." Said in a way that only a mother could compel their child to do as they wanted.

"Well I suppose I could make an appearance –"

"Excellent, you may leave that flask you carry at your private residence, most undignified at your age young man." Delia said as she walked with Pikachu still in her arms as she and the servants prepared for the ball. Ash smiled to himself knowing somethings would never change about his mother and he quite appreciated that. Despite his antics and dragging of his feet. Hopefully he could get in with his appearance and leave as soon as possible before he was dragged into some other affair.

-Misty POV-

Arriving at the Dowager Duchess' Ball, Misty was excited after being called what was the phrase Diamond of the First Water by a free gossip paper that was delivered to their doorstep this afternoon. Even her sister Lily was highly complimentary of her presentation to the Queen, saying how impressed she was at how poised she looked. Entering the main dancing area with Gary at her left and Daisy at her right with Tracey and her sisters trailing behind she felt the eyes of several potential suitors.

"They are all staring Daisy." Gary said in as sly as way as he could in a crowded ballroom.

"Let them come to you." Whispered Daisy in her ear. Misty only casually looked around seeing many a eye finding hers.

Approaching her was a man she had met a time or two when she was younger Lord Georgio Ambrose, he shyly greeted every one of her family members, Gary lastly.

"I believe you have already been introduced to my sister Lord Ambrose," Daisy said to Georgio.

"Yes I believe it was at my cousin's levee where you had your first win with your Rapidash." Misty added to join the conversation.

"Yes his first and only win I believe." Gary stated flatly.

"Well then I hope his lordship finds himself a better Rapidash." Misty said hoping it would soften the blow of Gary's words.

"By the way Georgio I haven't seen you at our club recently…Is that because you left a balance on our sport books last I checked?" Gary accusingly said. With that Georgio gave a curt bow and acknowledged everyone before walking away.

"Georgio is a cheat, any upstanding man would make sure his debts are paid." Gary said leaning in to quietly say to her.

"I didn't know- "

"How could you cousin that is why I am here to help guide you." Gary stated with a tone above his usual arrogance. As they took a turn about the room occasionally her meeting eyes with one man to the next Gary would state some reason why he wasn't worth her time. Ranging from dubios parentage, the 2nd son, a hunter for her dowry, and he is poet. Though Misty didn't see that being a downside as he could write beautifully she had heard. As Tracey and Lord Stone came up to them Gary muttered, "If your in-laws are the only upstanding men here we are in deep trouble."

"You keep saying "we" what do you mean – "

"Misty I don't know if you heard from Lily yet but I am supposed to take her on a tour of the Alola Islands." Lord Stone said hoping to distract Misty from the stick that she could tell was up Gary's butt.

"Really that sounds amazing I know she will love it." Misty said excited for somebody at least that night.

"Wait we need to move- " Tracey tried to say as he caught sight of the hostess for the evening.

"Too late I have already seen you." Delia said as she approached the party of cousins and in-laws. All the boys bowed lightly saying "Lady Delia" with bashful looks on their face. Misty noticed her eyeing her and asked, "Miss Waterflower why haven't I seen you on the dance floor this evening?"

"All in good time Lady Delia." Gary answered for her much to her annoyance though she didn't show it…yet. With a slight smirk Lady Delia curtsied and as she passed by Misty, Lady Delia muttered enough that only she could hear, "You poor thing."

Though the night was young, Misty was already feeling she would have to make her own decisions to do anything this night and made an excuse that would finally let Gary off her arm as she went to grab some refreshment. Taking a sip of her lemonade her peace was interrupted by someone saying, "Small glasses."

A rounder faced man she recognized as Baron Melvin Berbrooke gesturing a glass of his own lemonade at her. "Lord Berbrooke," she said while curtseying politely.

"Tiny little things are they not?" Lord Berbrooke asked.

"The glasses? I suppose,"

"Then the matter is settled." He said with a much too creepy smile she hadn't seen on his face before.

"I'm not entirely sure the matter in which we discuss, my lord." Misty stated politely but warming signals to fight or flight were starting to get set off in her head.

"You've always amused me, Miss Waterflower ever since I was in college and you were…" Melvin stated in a jolly tone.

"All but 10?" Misty said in confusion as Melvin chuckled slurped more lemonade in a somehow creepier way. "My cousin summons me bye." Misty said as she hastened a retreat to find Gary or Daisy, hopefully Daisy first in the ballroom. She could hear Melvin calling to her she looked back as she navigated past couples until she bumped right into another man's chest.

-Ash POV-

Ash grunted as he bumped into a young lady he didn't notice while trying to keep his head on a swivel to hide from eligible ladies and their moms all desperately trying to entangle him into marrying one of them.

"Pardon me." The redhead with dazzling viridian eyes gasped meeting my gaze.

"Forgive me." I stated politely but hoping she didn't take my politeness as interest.

"Tell me your name." she stated after looking back into the crowd. I looked at her not sure what to think at that exact moment. "Your name sir?" she stated almost as if she desperately wanted to know.

"Am I honestly to believe you do not already know my name?" I asked back not buying her attempt at trying to woo me. She frowned quickly before looking back into the crowd again, before all of sudden she laughed out loud. "If you were wanting an introduction madam I do believe accosting me to be the least civilized of ways."

"Accosting you?!" she stated in disbelief.

"Truly they will try anything." I said not really looking at her but trying to identify her mother who must be onlooking somewhere nearby.

"Sir, that is not….This is not….What is your name?" she said with a look of fire coming behind those eyes that dazzled. Despite my better judgment.

"Ketchum!?" a familiar voice I hadn't heard in some time shouted from across the room coming closer to me and the redhead.

"Gary!" I stated back boisterously as we embraced in a good handshake and embrace.

"So good to see you, I heard of your father…sorry you are no longer Ketchum-" Gary started

"I will always be – "

"Pallet! The Duke of Pallet now known for evermore." Gary finished.

"The Duke of Pallet, is it?" the redhead said in a much more calm tone but of confusion and realization it seemed as well. Her eyes seemed to be trying to peer deep inside of me with no luck.

"Right Pallet, this is my cousin." Gary said realizing he should introduce us.

"Cousin?" I respond looking upon her with new eyes.

"Misty Waterflower, Pallet and I know each other from our days here on the Plateau, days I hope we shall soon not forget." I smirk remembering some of those good ol days.

"Yes. As I am well aware of the company you keep, cousin. I am certain your days with His Grace were most civilized, indeed." Misty stated at me with a quick eyebrow raise at the term "civilized" like she knew what that meant. Before I had a moment to dwell on why that look intrigued me more than I would like to admit Gary continued "Pallet we shall need to get together properly. I expect to see you at our club then."

"Indeed I shall, Evening Oak, Miss Waterflower," I replied and I actually meant it at least Gary would be some worthwhile company. As they walked away I couldn't help myself looking back at Misty, to a bit of my surprise she looked back and our eyes met for the briefest of moments the fire behind her eyes gone but I couldn't figure out what it was her eyes were saying.

-Misty POV-

As Gary and I were walking towards the other side of the ballroom I noticed Daisy walking up with Tracey not far behind.

"Misty, Lord Weatherby is asking to dance with you." She stated as I grabbed her hand to lead me to him. Gary stated it was time for us to head home. Daisy offered to chaperone me with Tracey, but Gary somehow persuaded me that it would be better to head home and leave the crowd wanting. Having not been looked at always the way my sisters were I politely decided tonight on the first night of the season was not the time to pick a fight with Gary. Daisy and Tracey followed us as I went to sleep anticipating the next day and what it would bring.

I do not know why but I also couldn't help picturing the Duke of Pallet and his dark brown eyes as they met when I left with Gary upon meeting him. Knowing Gary they both probably hung around with opera singers like the one Gary is heading off to when he drops Daisy, Tracey, and I back at our lodgings. Gary likes to think no one knows but he isn't very subtle about it and he forgets the servants talk. As Daisy would say it, not in a shy way.

Getting up is exciting my maid Rose is quite excited for me herself. We prepare hoping there will be a long line of suitors wanting to call on me and hopefully ask to propose before too long. Waiting in the parlor room with my sister's and in-laws proves painstakingly slow at least until Gary bursts through the door. Talking of excitement like any of this is for him. One of our footmen came in saying a caller has come for me.

He was slightly older than Gary, with dark almost black hair and mustache in a nice black suit. Conversation started off well, even getting into finding out more about his family when Gary decided to stand awkwardly in front of us leading to him asking if there was something wrong towards Gary. For reasons that I still can't comprehend he said the lord was in his seat next to me. Which lead to him deciding to give up his seat and proceeded to leave out the door while a couple other callers waited patiently to have an introduction with me. I gave Daisy a look across the room she merely gave me a sympathetic look, then I believe I saw her staring daggers at the back of Gary's head.

This situation replayed itself throughout the week, leading to another gossip pamphlet to state Queen Lorelei was wrong to have called me a diamond of the season. Saying I needed further inspection to be determined to be a diamond. Eventually the callers were none for two straight days of waiting in the drawing room with my sisters and Psyduck. My only positive takeaway was that Psyduck didn't get any headaches from bad poetry from a caller and didn't use confusion on him to make him stop. To be fair he was comparing me to a Cyndaquil, instead of a Milotic or even possibly the most beautiful water Pokemon in my opinion a Tentacreul. Violet and Daisy would sit with me and have conversations about how we could possibly persuade Gary to let up and not be domineering the room when I had callers. None of it seemed to pierce his thick pointy head. We were just finishing up talking about how he had already rsvped us to several other balls the rest of the season till June.

"A caller for Miss Waterflower, Countess Sketchit." The footmen stated.

"Oh great Gary isn't here." Daisy stated brightly.

"A Baron Melvin Berbrooke." I immediately felt my stomach drop and gripped Violet's hand hoping she wouldn't leave my side on our lounger.

"Lord Berbrooke how lovely of you to join us, Violet didn't you have an engagement with our seamstress for more dresses?" Daisy inquired.

"I believe I would like to stay," Violet stated squeezing my hand back.

"It would be better if you checked on the progress of our dresses." Daisy said in a way almost like a mother. Though she shot me a look of sympathy wishing it was anyone else but Lord Berbrooke. I do not know how but the conversation was even creepier than the last conversation we had at the Dowager Duchess' ball. Each day he would call on me and each day I was obliged to politely not kick his butt, though one day I pressed the button on Psyduck's pokeball, only to have Daisy snatch it before I had the chance. She whispered in my ear, "If you scare him away no others will come."

While taking a ride on my Galarian Rapidash to clear my head with Gary riding his own Rapidash. I felt I could no longer wait for my sisters to convince him to change. "Cousin, you have scared every other suitor away from me."

"I am doing that to protect you, and there will be other suitors." Gary responded like I was being too impatient.

"The gossip columns are saying how I only have Lord Berbrooke calling on me how is that supposed to bring more suitors?" I said in a harsh tone though I wanted to be harsher.

"The Queen has stated you are the diamond of the season, her word is more important than what the columns say." Gary said in a tone that was almost like he was trying to comfort and empathize rather than talk down to which was a change.

"The columns cousin, are merely reporting the truth. If I cannot find a husband this season after being named the diamond I am through."

"You are a Waterflower, Misty." Gary said again like he was trying to console me that everything would be ok.

"Maybe it would have been better if I was not." I said as I raced off back to the stables feeling defeated for the first time in a while.

-Ash POV-

Waking up to the curtains being drawn by one of my footmen was a rude awakening. He informed me that the columns were writing about me again and asked if I would like to hear what they reported. I said no and proceeded to pull on my undershirt and some comfortable pants while I went down to breakfast with mom.

"Dear, while I know you have no intention of marrying, I can't help wondering if maybe you should-" Delia started.

"What so I can make more babies and satisfy the gossip?!" Seeing my mom's face made me soften the harsh interruption tone I took, "Forgive me mom, I just don't want to and I have been clear as to why to you." It was much calmer and she looked at me as she and Pikachu kept reading the gossip of the day.

"I know honey, but for future reference if you are to be out as late as you were last night either stay at her place or crash with Brock. Stumbling into my house wobbly legged just scares everyone around here." She said in that motherly tone of knowing everything while sipping her tea.

"Any advice on how to get the other mother's to not throw their daughters at me?" I ask in all seriousness.

"You are not going to like it." She said with little too much pep in her voice.

"How bad could it be clearly seeing women of the night doesn't stop them?"

"You could court any of the young women available, usually leads to a period of them not chasing you. The permanent solution is marrying one of them." She signaled at her ring finger with a smile.

"You're right mom I don't like it."

Later that evening I finally made it down to the Gentlemen's Club with Gary, both of us had a decent pour of the finest whisky the Plateau had to offer.

"You know Gary if the streets weren't overfilled with ambitious mothers and daughters this time of year on the Plateau would almost be quite pleasant."

"You know every last one of those mother's want the same thing as you I think."

"To choke on their daughter's hair ribbons." I state back sarcastically.

"For you to claim a wife Pallet, are you truly not going to take you place in society you have a dukedom?" Gary asked.

"I have a title, which as far as I am concerned will end with me." With a finality in my tone mainly because he knew that already even back when we were at college.

"Pallet-"

"Will you stop calling me that, it was my father's name never mine. And in any case what of you?" I asked with a smirk on my face leaning forward in my chair.

"What of me?" Gary asked coolly seated back against his own chair.

"You are the firstborn Oak, of a firstborn Oak, of a firstborn Oak, 9 plus times over. Where is your wife?"

Gary merely signaled for more whiskey as he took a puff on his cigar.

"Oh! Is your plan to fuck her forever, your mistress?" I say upon realizing the truth I continue, "You will need to sire an heir Gary."

"I am in possession of something that you are not. Married cousins whom could very well start popping our heirs anytime now." He said while toasting me with his whiskey glass before downing a decent amount of the amber liquid.

-Daisy POV-

Days later we were getting ready to attend the opera. Violet and I were chaperoning Misty while Tracey did his best to keep Gary occupied, though I knew it wouldn't be as tall a task. Knowing that Gary was sleeping with the lead singer for this performance and had been for quite some time. Misty quickly turned to me upon seeing Lord Berbrooke and asked, "Sisters to our box?"

As we were about to head up the Dowager Duchess Delia called from the corner of the room, "Countess Sketchit, do join us." Seeing that her majesty the Queen was right next to her I lightly pulled my sisters in their direction for to ignore a call from the Queen would have been a great insult. Nervously we three curtsied, "Good evening your majesty, you remember my sister Misty." Misty came forward and curtsied again.

"Yes she made quite the impression, however fleeting it may have been." The queen said with a slight snicker on her voice to her courtier. She looked at us three again before proceeding to her own box. Just as I was to turn my sisters around and guide them to our box, Delia spoke up "I would like to welcome you three to my box this evening. I insist." She said in a way only a mother could say there was no argument.

Misty and Violet sat in the closer seats while the Dowager Duchess asked me to sit back with her. As the music and singing was playing I never felt more relieved not to have Gary breathing down our necks. She whispered to me, "The Queen's husband is said to not be able to live out the month."

"Surely another rumor provided by those viscous columns." I stated with a tone of disgust.

"The columns write about my family too, yet I suppose the duke can withstand such scrutiny, because he is after all a man." Delia said with an emphasis indicating biases toward men.

"His grace was fortunate to have you there for him as a child." I said offering empathy.

"He is not what they write about."

"Nor is Misty."

"It would seem the two of them have that much in common, then." She said looking upon Misty she continued, "Matches have certainly been made with far less."

Shocked I turned to her, "What are you suggesting?"

"The columns merely write what they see, perhaps we need to help them to see things a bit more clearly."

I took the moment to absorb what Delia was saying seeing Gary's mistress perform admirably on stage.

"The Duke is quite fond of custard."

"The very dish our cook is renowned for." Our eyes met and we both smirked and chuckled with a smile I had excitement for a new plan to help Misty. While she continued to enjoy the opera, we worked out the details of ensuring the Duke would come to dinner at our residence next evening.

-Misty POV-

Though the opera was a much-needed distraction from the day and to hopefully wipe the creepy feelings I got every time I saw Melvin. I was told by Daisy in the morning that we would be hosting the Duke of Pallet this evening. She didn't say anything else just that she felt having one of Gary's old friends might act as a kindling to other suitors hopefully.

"Daisy I have no intention of leading on the Duke. I couldn't have been less interested in him upon meeting." I said with a tone of nothing would change that.

She just smiled and said she had some business with the kitchens. None the less Rose and the other hand maidens helped me get ready for the day and when it was dinner time I was shown to a spot on the table to the left of the Duke while he sat next to Daisy at one end of the table. Tracey was to the right of Daisy and Violet acted as a barrier to Tracey and Gary who was seated at the head of the table opposite Daisy. Dinner started with appetizers and conversation started mainly about trying to figure out how the gossip columns were so spot on their remarks. Violet and Tracey were debating whether it could be a servant. I was surprised when a Pikachu came up and sat on the Duke's shoulder away from me, he just handed him a bottle of red sauce which the Pokemon took to a corner of the room and proceeded to squirt into a bowl that had been laid out for him. Daisy leaned towards the Duke and said, "You must forgive this rather unruly debate, your grace."

"Nonsense I find it entertaining." The duke said rather honestly with no veneer of sarcasm. Daisy chuckled at his response. "All of you at one table, definitely not the norm when I have dined in with other families."

"You should dine in with us more often your grace, for you would be most welcome, even at our country seat." I kept eating at Daisy's remark, wanting to whisper quite loudly that she was pushing the issue. Violet leaned over to Tracey's ear and whispered something looking towards the Duke. Looking over at him I noticed he was in a bright red suit quite different from the dark one he wore to his mother's ball. For the first time that evening he said to me, "You appear displeased."

"Do I?" I responded meeting his brown eyes.

"We find ourselves seated beside each other, Miss Waterflower. I'd like to think you're happy about that." He said as he took a sip of his wine.

"Perhaps, your grace, it would be better if you refrained from thinking about me at all." No sarcasm present in my tone whatsoever.

"It is simply surprising."

"Yes! However is it possible for a lady to offer anything other than a smile while seated beside a duke?" I spat out, meeting his dark brown eyes. I hoped that my tone displayed my level of contempt towards his arrogance. "Even one of your reputation." I hastily added.

"You are aware of my reputation." He said looking at me like he was searching for an answer, raising his eyebrows.

"I am aware of your friendship with my cousin, if that were not enough, I am also aware of certain things they are writing about you. Presumptuous? Clearly. Arrogant? Most definitely. You are a rake, through and through, tell me I am wrong," I put it as graceful a tone as I could muster while taking a bite of my dinner.

"Who is to refrain from thinking about whom again?" He said his demeanor changed this caused me to giggle slightly.

"I assure you I am anything but interested in you."

"Good,"

"Quite,"

"And I anything but interested in you, the cousin of my oldest friend, yet another subject of recent gossip. Chaste, neat, desperate." The last word coming like a sledgehammer to my as of this moment calm demeanor.

"I shall have you know—"

"To marry, that is." He stated clarifying his remark, "Tell me I am wrong." I noticed out of the corner of my eye Daisy shaking her head slightly possibly at something either Violet or Tracey were about to say. Never taking my eyes away from his about to retort Gary chose this moment to say.

"Pallet, I'm so glad you decided to join us this evening. It was most spontaneous of you." He said in a jolly manner.

"Not at all. With my mother accepting your dear cousin's gracious invitation on my behalf, well however could I have declined?" Gary's head snapped to Daisy who merely smirked as she continued to eat her dinner.

"You must stay for dessert your grace, its custard." Daisy said looking at the Duke.

"Ah! Lovely!" The duke responded with a genuine smile, Daisy of course toasted her wine at Gary who had a look somewhere between furious and shock on his face. Like as if he was realizing something had been going on without his knowledge.

The duke's Pikachu came and hopped back onto his shoulder. This time he was much closer to me and seemed to size me up in an almost intelligent kind of way. I reached up to him to pet it under his chin. He was actually quite adorable.

"I should warn you Pikachu only likes my mother and I—" the duke started before his Pikachu jumped down onto my lap allowing me to further scratch under its chin. I do not know if I heard correctly or not but I could have sworn he said Pikachu in a tone that was shocked and angry at the same time.

-Daisy POV-

After the duke and his Pikachu had left, I went to Gary's study before I even was able to offer a word he said, "You were a perfectly reasonable cousin until your youngest sister came of age."

"Gary –"

"This matchmaking scheme you rather transparently connected with the Dowager Duchess, it will not work."

"I can think of worse matches for Misty than a duke." I said confident my scheme will in fact work. I continued, "I believe the two of you to be friends."

"We are good friends, which is why I know he has absolutely no intention of marrying." Gary stated in his arrogant sure of him self attitude. Barely looking up at me from the receipts in front of him.

"You must understand all men make that assertion at some point in their life. Your grandfather –"

"Do not bring my grandfather into this." In a tone of both hurt finality Gary stated before continuing in a calmer tone, "Even if he were in want of a wife, you would not want the duke anywhere near Misty."

"I am fully subscribed to the belief that reformed rakes make the very best of husbands."

"He will not make her happy. Misty deserves better. I know you think you are solving the problem but you are not. That is all I shall say on the matter."

Though I was a bit perplexed by his stance particularly when he referred to Misty like he truly cared. I decided I would throw down the gauntlet and let him know where I stood.

"The duke will be joining us as our guest at the Vauxhall ball tomorrow evening. Now I admit it was not easy to convince him to come."

"You overstep."

"She is my youngest sister."

"Yet she is my responsibility, as are you."

"RESPONSIBILITY?"

"Do not make this any more difficult than it already is."

"I wish to know something Gary, tonight when you leave this study that you continue to keep, are you to return to your bachelor lodgings across the street, or will you pay your respects to a certain soprano over on the other side of town in lodgings you pay for. Relying on me and your other cousins to do the job that you cannot. You like to speak of responsibility. My dear cousin! Of duty? Pray tell, what should you know of it?"

He didn't say anything though he seemed to have assumed I had no idea about his opera mistress.

"Every day I sit with her in that drawing room. Do you know what I see?"

Still he didn't respond so I continued. "A young woman who is terrified because she knows what kind of life, what kind of future, awaits her should you continue to get in her way." At that he scoffed like I was being over the top dramatic.

"If your grandfather was still here, Misty would already be matched. The man would have made and arrangement with an old friend. The man would have done what was now necessary. So you must ask yourself are you merely a cousin, or are you the man of this house?" With that I left although he clearly looked more shaken that I had ever seen the façade of Gary's face.

-Misty's POV-

Vaux Hall was a beautiful sight not far form the Plateau. It was more of an outdoor ball which made it far less hot from all the dancing going on around us. The duke did accompany our party, but he mostly ventured around alone. Constantly being harassed by other girls and their mothers. So long as I wasn't one of them, I found it quite enjoyable to watch. Our eyes met a couple of times when he was able to shake off the pursuing vultures as he had referred to them on the ride over. I do not know why, but Gary looked more disheveled and had red rimmed eyes, almost like he had been crying.

As we were enjoying fireworks and the music he approached me. "What is it dear cousin?" I asked in a gentle tone.

"Lord Berbrooke's Barony is over 200 year old. His lineage is legitimate, he has had an excellent education. He is a decent shot and has never hurt an animal or a woman. To speak strictly there is nothing wrong with him." Gary stated like it needed to be said.

Horrified I start, "What should any of this –"

"You are to marry him." He stated with finality

"Melvin?!"

"I had to find you a husband, cousin. Now be thankful it is done." I didn't say anything not wanting to hear any of what Gary was saying as he continued, "It should be just as easy to fall in love with Lord Berbrooke as with anyone else."

"I will not hear of this." I stated with as much graceful venom as I could get as tears began to fill my eyes. Then stormed away from Gary hoping to find some solace, I walked far away form the nights events towards the garden. It did not help. Instantly, it felt like the walls were closing in and I started to slowly try to calm down from the fear and anger I was feeling towards Gary. Pacing back and forth a voice cut through the silence outside my breathing.

"Whatever are you doing?"

"Melvin not now." I stated hating that it was the last possible man I could have ever wanted to see at that moment in time. I found myself wishing Samuel Oak was still with us maybe this wouldn't be happening now.

"Melvin? Are we to drop the honorifics already?" He said coming closer he continued, "I suppose as your husband –"

"You will never be my husband. I will never marry you. My cousin he – he made a mistake."

His demeanor changed from the creepy bumbling sort of look to now one with some anger and malice he started, "Do you think yourself better than me?"

-Ash POV-

Finally, I am almost to the dark walk of the garden I pondered to myself free of any attention of the mamas and their daughters. I was about to continue through the garden and maybe find a ride back to my lodgings without anyone noticing when I heard Misty's voice cut through the air, "It'd be best for you to leave."

Hearing a man's voice respond to her with jealousy and arrogance, "You should be thanking me. I'm your last hope. No one wants you, Miss Waterflower." I froze instantly. I didn't want to be anywhere near this sort of sordid drama, but I could not move. I heard "What are you doing?!" from Misty, the man's voice threatened, "You'll find out." My body reacted instantly, rushing towards the sound of their raised voices. I only hoped I could make it there in time as I darted towards their figures in the dark.

"Stop it let go of me!" Misty yelled pushing him away from her before he came back towards her and then she punched him square in the face just as I arrived. The man moaned in agony but was out cold it looked. She looked at me in horror saying, "Your grace, I had no intention –"

"Of knocking the climp flat out?" I said with a little bit of awe at how good she must punch to knock him out with one blow. Seeing she wasn't physically hurt as I looked up and down her to make sure I continued, "Well, I must say, I am impressed."

Still clearly shaken Misty asked, "What are you doing out here?"

"Avoiding certain people."

"People?"

"Mothers, they are people I suppose."

"You are coming from the Dark Walk. It is merely a few steps away." She said as I checked the man's vitals and making sure he was still breathing at least. Looking back up at her I asked "What would you know of the Dark –"

"The Dark Walk is merely a few steps away." She said in almost a whisper to herself before stating, "and I am alone with two men." Horror on her face she made to start leaving when I said, "You are only with one man. The other is –"

"I will be compromised just the same. Do you have any idea of what would happen if someone even suggested that I – I must go." She turned to leave again when the man groaned.

"Marry me, Miss Waterflower." He stated before passing out in the grass again.

I chuckled lightly before stating, "Now, as far as proposals go that may be the least romantic of all." Looking back into her stunning blue eyes though it was harder to tell their true color in the dark.

"I suppose if someone were to find me here, it would be one way out of marrying him." She stated like almost that was a relief of itself.

"You cannot possibly be thinking of marrying him?" I said in disgust especially given his most recent actions. I moved closer to her.

"If I am unable to secure another offer, there may be no alternative. Unlike you I cannot simply declare I do not wish to marry." She said in a tone like as if me being a man was such a bad thing. "I do not have such privilege."

"Yes I was surprised to learn you no longer have a line of suitors around every square on the Plataeu."

"I am in no need of your derision, sir."

"I do not mock you, I am being sincere." I said in a tone to actually let her know I wasn't trying to mess with her, not after seeing her punch like that. I continued, "I know what they write about you, Trust I posses as much contempt for the authors as much as you do. They have all but issued a challenge to the Plateau's most ambitious mamas, encouraging, provoking them to –"

"Claim you as their prize?" Misty stated a smile gracing her features for the briefest of moments. "Do not worry your grace, I believe such a win would be promptly forfeited indeed. I must go this way, you through those trees."

Looking at her in a new light and maybe against my better judgment I decided to offer her a different kind of proposal. "Perhaps there is an answer to our collective gossip issue." She looked back at me like as if I was water in a desert. She gestured for me to continue.

"We could pretend to form an attachment. With you on my arm they will believe I have found my duchess. Every presumptuous mother in town will leave me alone, and every suitor will be looking at you. You must know men are always interest in a woman when they believe another, particularly a duke, to be interested as well."

"You presume the gossip –"

"I presume we will be deemed as what we are. Me unavailable, you desirable."

Misty looked like as if I sprouted another head, "It is an absurd plan." she mused.

"I find it quite brilliant, provided you do not wish to marry me, and I do not wish to marry you, whatever should you have to lose?"

Both of us understanding our ruse we linked arms and proceeded to leave from the dark spot of the garden. As we approached the lights she looked confident but not happy, not sure why I cared about that detail. Many of the guests jaw dropped seeing me with my stone face escorting Misty towards the dance floor. Just as I hoped many of the possible male suitors were following Misty with their eyes, while every single ambitious mama was looking like their favorite broach was stolen. A new dance was about to start as we found a spot on the dance floor. Misty nervously didn't meet my gaze and seemed to be scanning the rest of the guests, feeling I needed to center her I said very calmly, "Stare into my eyes."

She looked up into my eyes, blue meeting brown, I bowed to her she curtsied with a smile I hadn't seen cross her features. "Here closer." I stood closer to her as she stood closer to me barely a whisper I continued, "If this is to work, we must appear madly in love." Taking her hand, we began to follow the beat of the music not stepping on either toes as we began to attempt our ruse. I really hope it doesn't inspire more ambitious mamas to try their own shot at me.

-Daisy POV-

I almost didn't believe what I was seeing as I was talking with Tracey about the art he was working on having seen Misty runoff a while ago. Seeing her and duke arm in arm walking through the crowd to the dance floor I couldn't help but have the biggest grin. As I was scanning the crowd for Delia, I saw Gary's eyes almost bulge from his head as the Duke stood closer to Misty. Smirking Delia and I locked eyes and gave a subtle nod to the other as we saw my sister, her son dance and look so good together. The party seemed to be alive with discussing the sight in front of them, many not believing what they were seeing. I assure you that none of them would have any idea how this came about, not even the gossip columns who will be at a loss for words this coming week. I gave Tracey a kiss on the cheek and said, "Trust me I think this will work better than either of us could have hoped."

A/N: Well I hope you enjoyed please be sure to leave a review. I don't have a schedule it will be as soon as I can do another chapter adapted.