A/N: I know you are probably like wow that was a fast update. Well seeing the response of the last chapter I kept going. Lucky for yall that my job was a bit easy this week. Though I am sure some of you just tuned in for last chapter for some obvious reasons. Either way appreciate the support, again I do not own Bridgerton or Pokemon. Just a pokeshipper using a setting to tell a pokeshipper story. Have fun getting some random trainers making a cameo appearance from the original series.

Oceans Apart

-Ash POV-

Next morning after Misty made me cum inside of her I was feeling hurt like I never had before. Though it had been the best sex I have ever had with anybody, I felt completely betrayed as I did not want to ever cum inside of her. Earlier in the day I knew she was practicing her singing and decided to do some target shooting on the grounds at clay targets right outside the room she was practicing in. Just as I thought I had won because the singing stopped, I heard the door to the grounds open and she sang louder. I noticed Jeffries looking at me like I was being a child to keep shooting at target after target. I am certain Rose must have thought the same of Misty or at least I hoped so. Pikachu merely sat inside the room Misty was practicing in gesturing at me to come and talk to her. Ignoring his plea he just grabbed on both his ears and kept them closed as our 'justified' anger towards the other festered till it came to a stop on my last shot.

Dinner had only become an exercise in subtle anger. We both now sat on opposite ends of the big table of my late father's. I was pretty sure when I cut into the bird or pig, I was eating was scratching the plate with my knife given how much force I was applying to each cut. We nary spoke a word to each other.

"Will you ask Miss Nolan, if my personal effects have yet been removed from the duke's bedchamber and placed in the duchess's rooms?" Misty asked one of the servants behind her, like I couldn't hear her.

I calmly but loudly said to a servant behind me, "Would you please inform her grace that I will allow no such thing?" Misty looked up at me and I felt her eyes searing with anger at me. The servant looked between us before sounding quite scared asked, "Should I really deliver the message your grace?"

At that Misty responded, "You cannot believe I shall welcome you back into my bed after your lies and deception?"

Flicking my tongue against my teeth I said, "Rest assured marital relations are the least of my concern after your recent efforts." Taking a sip of the wine in front of me.

"Then for what other purpose could you possibly wish to detain me?" She inquired calmly but somehow that seemed more frightening then when she was yelling.

"Because you are my wife." I said slamming my chalice on the table.

Misty mimicked my slamming on the table responding, "It is customary for a wife to reside in her own bedchamber once the honeymoon is over…" I looked up at her trying not to react that she clearly was over me as she continued, "A time that has well and truly passed, would you not agree?"

"I will be kept informed as to the success of your conjugal endeavors."

At that she sounded like she had tears in her eyes saying, "I would never dream of concealing the truth of such important matters." At that a servant came rushing in with one of the latest gossip columns bringing it to Misty. I noticed her looking at it more intently than I had seen her look at them before. Genuinely concerned I asked, "Is something wrong?"

Not even acknowledging me or my question she looked at the servant saying, "We must pack straightaway." Getting up she started heading towards the door when I asked, "What has happened?"

Finally looking at me she said, "My cousin Joe seems to have been embroiled in scandal. I must return to see my family immediately. They will need me."

"I will accompany you." I said somewhat weakly but ready to do so.

"This is a family matter." She stated like that was the end of the debate.

"Separate bedrooms may be tolerated. Separate households will not be suffered." I said making it clear she could not stop me from accompanying her. "I will not let you of out of my sight until we know whether you are with child."

Misty scrunched her face then looking at the servants behind her said, "Please prepare his grace's largest carriage. For I will need my space." With that she stormed out of the room. I merely sighed wishing I could find some way to reconcile with her that didn't require me admitting I was wrong. By early in the morning we had packed up and set out for the Plateau. Late in the evening we had made it from Pallet to the Plateau, Misty was sleeping her head leaning against the window of the carriage as we pulled up to her family's house. I kept trying to figure what to say to her to try and fix this situation. I also felt for Joe I briefly glanced over the column. Finding out your fiancé/betrothed was pregnant would-be gut wrenching. The identity of the father for said baby was in question. All I hoped was that Joe, if he is the father owned up to it, if he wasn't that he listened to his families counsel.

-Misty POV-

Ash woke me up as the carriage came to a stop. Groggily I looked out the window it was very late. "We have arrived." I stated looking over at Ash, who didn't say anything merely nodded. I got out of the carriage when Ash began to follow, I turned around and said, "There is no need to act the jailer. I shall not discover I am with child within the next hour, shall I?" Before he could even retort I closed the door in his face. Not even looking back even though I felt guilty for hurting him even though I felt both hurt and betrayed to my core over him taking advantage of my ignorant views on sex.

As I drew near the drawing room, I heard Joe saying quite loudly, "Giselle must be in agonies over these lies. Why can I not visit her?"

Gary started, "Joe, listen to me. That the Plateau devours every bit of the columns is the only thing keeping this family from shame, because of them, no one believes you are the father of her child. But if you were to go near her, they'll presume you responsible for her ruin, and this entire extended family will pay the price for your notoriety. Is this what you desire?"

"Of course not, but –" Joe started as I entered the room. I saw a bit of bewilderment on all their faces, my sisters and Tracey, Lord Stone, and Gary's.

"Evening everyone." I said hoping to at least give them some hope.

Daisy, Violet, and Lily ran up and embraced me. Hugging them back Tracey started inquiring, "What are you doing here? Should you not be frolicking in newlywed bliss?"

Avoiding the question I said, "I came as swiftly as our carriage could allow when I heard the news."

Gary looked at me a bit unsure of my answer saying, "In the middle of your honeymoon?"

"Ash must surely be cursing the Waterflower name for this." Lord Stone interjected. "Where is he anyhow?"

Not wanting to draw attention to his absence I said, "He went to setup the house."

"We have all things in order cousin. We do not require your assistance." Gary said though his tone implied he was appreciative of my support.

Daisy piped up saying, "That is simply not true, and you know it. Misty may be the answer to all of our problems. Once the Plateau see that we still have the favor of the duke and duchess, then the whispers may very well cease, and we shall go about our daily lives as if nothing happened, as if nothing is awry."

"No one will be the wiser." I said rather flatly, though that is mostly what I needed. "Pretending that nothing is amiss is the perfect way to lure the ignorant into submission. Is it not Daisy?"

Daisy was looking at me but I felt she was analyzing how I said that. Like she did not know how to place what I said or if I was talking about myself. Trying to distract her I said, "Now what grand event will the Plateau be descending upon this week?"

"The queen is hosting a luncheon." Daisy said.

"I am certain the duke and I can secure an invitation. If we are lucky, our return to the Plateau will give everyone so much to talk about, they simply have no breath left to discuss other matters."

Joe then suddenly decided he was tired of being talked about like he wasn't there said, "I'm so glad this has all been settled on my behalf." Storming out of the room I went after him finding him in the side room I last spoke to Prince Rudy in. He didn't look mad that I had followed him so I closed the door hoping to understand what exactly happened between him and Giselle.

"You really wanted to marry her?" I asked no judgment on my voice.

"I did." Joe said quickly but not really looking at me.

"Well then, perhaps we should count you lucky to not have married a stranger." I wasn't really talking about him, or Giselle… I was talking about Ash.

"She was not a stranger." Joe defended technically he wasn't wrong I had known Giselle growing up.

"She was, cousin." I said wanting him to listen to reason, "The columns knew her better than you."

"The columns know everyone's secrets." Joe said like it was a smart defense.

"You're lucky to have learned Giselle's now, instead of after your wedding day." Joe at that looked at me like he couldn't place where my tone in voice was coming from.

Softening his face he said, "I know you must think me a fool…but my heart pays no heed to mere logic. When I think of her, I only want to be near her, to be with her…despite all reason otherwise."

Inside I was battling how to phrase my words before I said, "I know that madness well…" Joe shifted like he saw something I am not sure what he saw as I continued, "But you cannot visit her."

"The maiden of Porta Vista waited for her love to return from war." Joe said like it was a beautiful thing she did.

"The maiden died waiting for her love to return and he never did." Joe looked at me like he understood me, and I finished, "So the story goes."

"Did something happen, cousin, back at Pallet?"

Thankfully I was already turned away from Joe I think he would have seen the tears well up in my eyes. I inhaled slowly then looking at him I said, "If you really must speak with Giselle, perhaps I can arrange a rendezvous. Chaperoned, obviously."

"I would appreciate that. You will see my passions are not in vain." I only hoped he was right and that she was more honorable than the columns insisted.

-Ash POV-

After quickly setting up the house. I made it over to Brock's training facility and we had been boxing for nary a couple hours. Many hits and blows against one another as we danced around the ring looking for openings. "Always a fast learner, Ash." Brock said as I landed a punch pretty solidly against his face. "But I should probably conserve my energies, instead of spending them on your troubles."

"Are you about to cede to me?" I asked indignantly. "Surely that will not help your energies?" Brock then proceeded to attack with combo after combo.

"I have not seen you this incensed, since you were handed the keys to your dukedom." Brock stated.

"I will not speak of my dukedom."

Laughing Brock said, "Fair enough. I presume you won't speak of what happened on your honeymoon, either."

"Nothing happened on my honeymoon." I attempted punching near his chest trying to draw him out.

"I cannot imagine your wife feeling particularly excited about that." Brock said like as if he had spoken to Misty.

"I suggest you do not try to imagine anything to do with my wife's feelings…" Attempting another combo on Brock who merely avoided me. "Or actions for that matter." Grunting that I was now resting on the ropes of the ring.

Brock merely walked over to me laying on top of the ropes saying, "It follows no reason no sense, does it?"

"What?" I asked out of breath.

"Marriage and there is not a bloody thing you can do about it." Brock stated like as if it was an obvious answer that I was avoiding like using an electric Pokémon against a ground type Pokémon.

Not looking at him I just said, "I took a vow."

"Ah see what I mean? Fast learner indeed." With that he put his shirt back on and left me in the ring.

Coming back home I was tired but relieved to not see any sign that Misty was still awake. I was still a bit mad that she did not want me to help her figure out Joe's predicament. As I walked up the stairs, I felt her eyes on me as I strode towards my door. Looking back at where her room should be I saw the door ajar and her stunning eyes peaking through the crack. Deciding to try and talk to her I said, "You are still awake?" She didn't respond and it looked like she was about to close the door when I said, "I have already seen you." Misty decided to open the door revealing herself.

She looked up at me saying, "The queen is holing a luncheon this week. We will need to attend with my family to signal our support." I merely nodded thinking that must be all she had in mind and began to walk towards my room again when she said, "Where have you been all night?"

Not looking at her I stopped and responded, "I did not think you concerned about my whereabouts."

"Is this truly what our marriage will be for the future?" Misty asked moving out of her doorway towards me I turned noticing she still looked stunning even in just a nightdress. "You out all night, doing Arceus knows what with Arceus knows whom?"

Surprised I lowly said, "With whom? You wound me. Not three weeks since we were wed." Turning I began to walk towards Misty, "Yet already you imagine me disloyal."

"Is it such a wild imagining?" She shot back I stopped, "We both know your reputation, your grace." At that I kept walking towards her as she continued, "It is clear that you find there is nothing left in our marriage."

"Nothing left?" I said still fuming but keeping calm for she could not have been more wrong on how I felt about our marriage. Though I myself felt there was currently no trust.

"It is what I said." Misty said rather flatly.

"Is it what you believe?" I asked hoping she wouldn't wound me further. Looking into her eyes she looked like she either wanted to cry or jump me. Leaning towards her our lips met like they were desperately missing one another. I missed how sweet her lips tasted and how good it felt to have her holding onto my face as I pushed her near the wall. She moaned as our lips kept doing battle to taste the other, she pushed my vest off gripping onto me tighter. Hearing Misty moan out my name was rapidly undoing my resolve to not have marital relations with her. Deciding to try and resist, I began to work my fingers under her dress inside of her, she cried out and moaned. I wanted to desperate sate my addiction to her and picked her up towards the stairs that would have led to the top level of the house. Gently laying her onto her back on the stairs. She looked at me confused as I kissed her before pushing her dress up and immediately shoving my face between her legs. I moaned against her loving how sweet she tasted. Swirling my tongue around her and flicking my tongue against her was driving her crazy. Her hands found my hair and were gripping it like she would not let me stop if I wanted to. Misty began to almost buck her hips against my mouth as I lightly grazed my teeth against her leading to a loud cry. I tasted her spilling into my mouth her sweet cum. Heart pounding I investigated her pleasure filled viridian eyes, her infectious smile I hadn't seen in a few days. Placing her hand on the side of my face she asked with all genuine sincerity, "Shall we go into the bedroom, and finish what we started?"

Looking into her eyes and wishing I could trust her not to make me cum inside her again I said, "No." Standing up from the stairs and taking a few steps away from her I leaned against the wall. Regretting already my decision because I wanted to be with her as husband-and-wife ought to be. I could not give in no matter how tempting Misty made me want to break that vow.

I heard her feet patter against the floor as she came up to me and said, "What is to become of us Ash?" Her voice full of disbelief maybe sadness. I knew on the ride over to Brock's and the ride back I had been pondering that very question and responded quickly with my answer. "If you are with child, then I shall stay and do my duty to support you both."

"And if I am not?"

"Then we shall remain married in name only." This answer caused a gasp to escape Misty's mouth I continued, "You will be provided for, of course, in a matter befitting a duchess. But I will never darken your doorstep again." Shaking her head as it looked like tears were forming in her eyes not missing a step in my words, "Our lives will be entirely separate. This…." I gestured towards the steps before finishing, "Cannot happen. This will not happen do you understand me?"

"That we no longer trust each other?" Her stern angry tone was back, "Yes your grace, I understand that quite well." She said before marching off back towards her room and slammed the door. I almost put my hand out to stop her so that I could take it all back, but just looking up to the ceiling I turned around and went to my room also slamming the door shut.

-Misty POV-

Despite what happened last night I informed Ash the next morning that Joe was going to be coming over to our place for a chaperoned visit with Giselle. He didn't' say anything when I told him, he merely said, "Do as you must to help your family." As I was preparing the tea and found one of my favorite books to have so that I did not interfere with what they had to say to the other. Joe came over very early and kept staring out the window, I felt for him and wished on some level Ash would just have a similar talk with me. I felt a bit insulted that he didn't want to come to bed with me, I was ready to forgive him and do anything to try and get the trust we had together at the start of our honeymoon back. Just as I was about to touch Joe's shoulder for support the door opened, in walked an anonymously dressed Giselle. Pikachu and Rose were escorting her in when I said, "Miss Giselle, thank you for joining us." She curtsied though I frankly did not feel she needed to for this moment but respected it, nonetheless.

"I did not realize I had a choice." She stated frankly but not rude.

"My cousin wished for an audience." I said plainly, slightly gesturing at him behind me. "And I wish to avoid any further scandal attached to my family's name."

Neither of them spoke or said a word to the other so looking between them I said, "I will remain here as a chaperone." Grabbing my book Pikachu rushed over to me while Rose left the room, Pikachu sat in my lap as I sat on one of the couches beginning to read. Hoping to remain uninvolved in their conversation as much as possible.

Joe walked over speaking first, "Giselle…you must tell me that the columns are mistaken. What they wrote cannot be true."

Flatly Giselle responded, "But it is."

Joe looked confused and usure what to say before he asked, "You are with child? I do not understand, we were to be wed. You… You said you loved me."

Tears had begun to form in Giselle's eyes as she said, "Joe, I hold you in the greatest esteem."

"Esteem?" Joe exclaimed, "You are a cruel woman indeed to stand here and talk of friendly affection, as if you haven't committed a grace sin against me."

"Speak not of sin," Giselle stated not to be taken to task, "Joe. I did not come here to be shamed by you, nor anyone else." She said looking over at me, while I tried to pretend, I wasn't intently listening to them. "I did not know better. You may think me a villain, but I did what I thought I must. No one ever truly helped me or guided me in a different direction." Giselle now spoke a tear falling from her face. At that I looked upon her from my book with empathy, maybe even a little bit of sympathy. "I had no choice. I needed to wed. And you were the only man who offered me even a glimpse of happiness."

Joe also looked like he had tears in his eyes, "So I should feel flattered, then?" She looked at him like she knew what was coming next, "Consider myself lucky that you chose me, lied to me, tried to trick me into a fraud of a marriage?" At that I couldn't help feeling like Joe, my current state with Ash felt way too similar.

Joe clearly wasn't sure what to do but looking down like he was gathering himself he stepped forward toward Giselle and said, "I shall take my leave of you for the last time, Giselle." As he strode past her to the door I stood Pikachu staying near my feet when Joe stopped as he put his hand on the door knob. Slowly he turned back towards Giselle, whom had her back still turned to him before he said, "You wish to know the cruelest part of your deception?" At that she turned at him like she was horrified what he could say to her. "If you had simply come to me and told me of your situation…I'd have married you without a second thought. That is how in love I believed myself to be." A tear escaped Joe's eye before he finished, "But I see now that wall all a lie." Now he turned and left the door not slamming behind him but he was gone.

I breathed in feeling for both of these wounded individuals. The situation was truly heartbreaking and felt too close to my own current woes. Walking towards Giselle who seemed worried I was going to take her to task took a step back saying, "I believe I would like to return home now. After all we don't want another scandal attached to your family name."

Rose came in as Giselle left, though we had our differences growing up, I did feel sorry for her. In some ways I felt more for her than I did for Joe. Rose merely informed me it was time to go to Her Majesty's luncheon.

Violins were playing quite loudly making a quite a show of the music. All of us the extended family were there together. Joe was between Tracey and Steven as Daisy tried to sound like this was a good outing with Ash and I near each other but none of the affection we showed each other while courting. If one could call it that was there. At Daisy's proclamation of good Joe dryly said, "Perhaps we should court scandal more often then." Random courtiers and acquaintances came up and complimented how well I looked even though we had barely been gone about a week or so.

"Must you all act like sheep flocking to the trough?" Queen Lorelei said as the crowd parted and let her walk up to Ash and I. We both bowed as she came up to us and said, "I have a $100 wagered on there being a Pallet heir within the year. Are you yet with child?" I was flustered a bit by the question and horrified to be honest with her majesty.

To my surprise Ash said, "We have certainly been devoting our energies to the endeavor," At that I almost wished I could deck his blockhead of black hair, looking at him with almost disdain on my face, "Your majesty. We should hope to see our queen soon satisfied."

Queen Lorelei merely smiled at Ash and I and said almost threateningly, "See to it you do." Both Ash and I smiled and bowed as she continued walking along the luncheon, I said not looking at him while faking a smile, "Your duplicity comes so naturally."

"I seem to have learned from the best." Ash retorted. At his comment I noticed Daisy looking at us a bit funny like she saw something that didn't belong. Tracey was busy talking with another fellow artist.

Delia made a walk over to us. Noticing her I wished she was out in the country, but I was not so lucky. Both Ash and I sheepishly bowed as she came up to us when she said, "So you have returned. Excellent timing," Looking at me with a proud smile like she knew it was my idea and not her sons to come back, "with all the tittle-tattle concerning your cousin."

I shook it off like we had not planned it smiling back at her, "Oh, a mere coincidence, Dowager Duchess, I am sure."

She nodded at me, "Mm. Please call me Delia, Misty. Regardless your plan is working, I have heard nary a peep about Joe's unfortunate entanglement with Giselle." Just as she was about to walk away she said, "Oh I almost forgot. I am hosting a party I would very much like for you to attend."

Ash decided to speak finally saying, "We love a good party." I really wish it was appropriate to right hook him right here but politely I smiled to his mother saying, "I am not sure when we will be accepting invitations."

Delia just looked at me and said, "It is an invitation for one. Only you, Misty." Looking at her a bit confused she continued saying, "A special soiree with the married ladies of the Plateau. Of which you are the newest member." When she finished speaking, we saw them Giselle's host family coming to the luncheon attempting to try and seem like there was not air of scandal among them. When her majesty's footmen came to ask them to leave, I noticed Leaf and her mother not far from our group.

Leaf smirked and said, "That should teach them."

Not standing for that kind of talk I said, "Teach them what, Leaf?" Her mother and her looked a bit taken a back at my words when I continued, "Judging not, lest we too be judged?" After they looked properly cowed, I strode away on my own. Finding a statue of Articuno one of Queen Lorelie's favorite Pokémon in the garden. I felt Daisy had followed me and stated. "Something troubles you."

Fighting back tears I didn't look at her when she said, "I know you are a grown woman now, but I am still your oldest sister, and you can come to me when you need advice. Marriage has its joys but it also brings with it some trials."

Looking at her after I made sure no tears filled my eyes I said, "In that you are correct. My marriage is far from perfect."

Daisy coming closer said, "Well then, share your thoughts. Perhaps I can offer my wisdom."

"Or perhaps you will send me off with more vague metaphors and trite remarks."

Daisy seemed to have tears in her own eyes when she started, "Misty…I am…merely trying to be of help."

"Do you know what might have truly helped matters? If your sisterly advice had in any way actually prepared me to wed."

At that she only looked more confused, "Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean you sent me out into the world no better than a fool." My voice quite harsh in tone. "You taught me how to play pretend, but nothing of realities of married life, of marital relations. If you had informed me about the things that were truly important, if I had known the truth, then perhaps I –" Glancing over feeling someone's presence near us I stopped. It was Delia who looked like she wished she hadn't followed or tried to see. I decided to stride away from Daisy and my mother-in-law, I ignored Daisy when she called out. I knew I had probably laid too much on her, but I was lost and had no life raft to help me through this predicament with Ash. My life raft to have any change of reconciliation with him laid on me being with our child, and if I wasn't I knew there was no chance or hope left.

I decided right then to take up my mother-in-law on her invitation. I was nervous over the questions they may ask of me, but I hoped it would be fun not having any men around. Ash and I acknowledged each other but little else when we crossed paths back at our house on the Plateau. Coming in looking as proper I was surprised by how dark it was before I was let into the room with boisterous chatter and laugher. Delia walked up to me and said, "Misty, welcome to my den of iniquity." Smiling she pulled me over to a table I was much more excited than nervous now.

"I believe you know Lady Trowbridge, your grace, but have you met Lucy Granville? And this is Kitty Langham."

"The general's wife, yes." Delia was smoking a cigar I had seen men traditionally smoke when they won some big regional Pokémon tournament. Each of them gestured and welcomed me when Delia said, "Well do not just stare, deal the duchess in."

Sitting at the table Lady Trowbridge said, "We shall teach you the rules. First, a woman takes her wedding vows, then we gamblers take her virtue."

"If her husband has left any to be taken." Lucy finished as the rest of the table laughed even Delia to a degree. Each one of us poured a bit of whiskey into our glasses and I rather found I enjoyed it. Each of us wagering on hands. I certainly did not expect my mother-in-law to be so much fun to be around. Lady Trowbridge as joking about how much she was losing and how her newest husband might have her head. I seemed to win a fair amount of the hands being dealt that some of the women insisted I call them by their first name as opposed to proper names, since I won so much of their money. Some of the wives seemed almost giddy with the idea of their husbands and them living separate lives free form the other. Delia did notice my slight discomfort and merely said I was too newly wed to feel that way quite yet. Though I felt like she almost was saying that for cover as she seemed to see beneath eh façade I was putting up. Seeing how much fun Delia was having hosting this party I just exclaimed, "Seeing how you entertain yourself, Delia, I think you the victor."

Delia beaming at me said, "Misty I rather think you are right."

-Ash POV-

I decided since Brock was too busy to be working out with, I went to the club. Gary of course chose to come as well. "It's funny meeting you here Ashy boy." Gary said.

"I am utterly comical." I said flatly sipping my whiskey.

"You've been avoiding me." Gary said flatly like it was obvious.

"Now you are being the jester."

"If you're not avoiding my company, you won't mind if I join you for a drink?" Just as Gary sat down the door opened and some women of the street came in their finest clothing. Gary looked like he was frozen in place staring at each one, looking like he was looking for someone in particular to walk in. Gesturing at the servant he said, "I shall need a large glass."

Gary was busy talking about the beer he was served and how good it was. "Don't get me wrong. I love a good brandy. But sometimes nothing'll do but a beer."

"Would you just get to the point?" I said rather annoyed at his long-winded discussion of beer.

"I am afraid I don't know what you are talking about?"

"Yes, you do." I said flatly.

"You're correct. I do. Just like I know that you've obviously made a considerable error with my cousin." Gary said somewhat smugly.

"How may I ask, could you infer that I was the one to make the error?" Taking another sip of my whiskey.

"Well, I know my cousin quite well. And while she is an unusually capable woman, she is not capable of fucking up this severely." At that I somewhat slammed my glass down on the table we were sharing.

"Do you lot ever get tired of pretending to be so perfect?" I said with a bit of disgust. Gary chuckled as I continued, "Is it not exhausting?"

"We may not be perfect, but at least we keep our promises."

"You know nothing of my commitments. I'm trying to be a man of my word." I said more anger coming forward. "I am trying to keep –" I almost admitted to Gary what the problem was before correcting course. "I wouldn't expect you to understand."

"What do you mean?" He said like he had been insulted.

"I mean you leave a litany of broken promises behind you everywhere you go. Your duty to protect Misty from Melvin Berbrooke? What about your own reckless affairs, seeing that opera singer you believe no one knows about?"

Smugly Gary replied, "You judge me, yet you cannot understand the responsibility of heading a family because you've never had to."

Trying to out smug him I said, "But Misty is my family now, and there is no changing that." I gestured at him with my glass and finger, "Though it is most unfortunate that I shall never quite reach the lofty ideal you have demonstrated."

"What is most unfortunate is the fact that your father was so absent, he never gave you a proper example of how to lead a household." At those words I was angry but also felt like Gary put a knife in my back. He looked away like he almost regretted saying what he said.

"Well, you certainly make it look difficult." I said not taking it lying down.

"I beg your pardon?"

"With your constant struggles. You cannot manage it can you?" I inquired seeing fear cross his usually arrogant face.

"Ash –"

"Your responsibility. You, fulfilling the promise that every firstborn son makes to his father before he dies. Do you think he is looking down on you now, ashamed?" Gary shook his head knowing damn well who I was referencing, "Mortified at what you have done? I wonder what the late Lord Samuel Oak would say?" At that Gary lunged across the table at me punching me I blocked one then punched him. Brawling he kept trying to punch my kidneys when I picked him up and body slammed Gary and I onto a table of glasses. The table broke and at that point several other men came in and pulled us apart. Gary had to be escorted out because he seemed to be unwilling to stop trying to attack me. While other kept like a wall in front of me. I felt the cuts began to sting from either glass or Gary's punch.

In my bedroom I had left the door open, I was attending to my wounds I didn't want any of the servants to help. Rose tried to see if I would allow her to help, I told her essentially to buzz off. Sometime later I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. I was using a mirror to see if I could clean the cut just above my eyebrow and get any last shards of glass out. Hearing the footsteps draw nearer I looked up seeing concern on Misty's face as her head appeared in the doorway. Deciding to preempt her asking I said, "It appears I became a little too rough training with Brock."

"Shall I call for Jeffries?" She asked concern felt on her voice.

"No." I merely stated.

Misty began to walk towards me, "Let me," I was a bit surprised she would be interested in helping me. "You cannot imagine the nasty cuts I have tended to over the years." I chuckled slightly with her as she sat down on my bed to get a closer look at me. Handing her the towel she wet it standing back up so that she could look down. As she applied pressure, I hissed a bit in pain she let up with her face saying sorry. Her other hand held against my cheek. I closed my eyes enjoying feeling her hands upon me again, as her hand with the towel slowly cleaned the cut. Dabbing around the cut making sure there wasn't more blood staining my skin she meticulously picked a piece of glass out. Then sitting in my lap, I was lost in her eyes and almost on instinct we began to kiss. It was not a deep kiss but felt too good and I wished it lasted longer when she pulled away resting her head against mine.

"Why will you not unfold yourself to me?" Misty asked softly no regret on her voice for the kiss.

"Misty…" I whispered trying to find my words.

"A child would be a blessing." She said gently like she was trying to reach me. Not wanting to listen to her I attempted to stand up. Though I wasn't mad at her I wasn't happy either. She didn't say anything as she held the towel for a second before, she demanded, "Tell me why you are so adamant."

Deciding I would answer her, "Because I swore a long time ago that I would never sire a child."

Her eyes softened with confusion, "I do not understand."

Hesitating I started, "My father….cared more about the continuation of the Pallet line…" I thought about stopping there but the pain came out, "Than anything else." She looked at me with either pity or sympathy as I continued, "More than my mother. More than me. And so, I made a vow that his efforts would be in vain…that the line would die with me."

Misty's mouth was slightly agape at me laying all my cards on the table for her. She then spoke indignantly, "So this is all, because of a vow?" Looking down before looking up at me she said, "You made a vow to me too. Or…has our wedding day slipped your mind?"

"I told you –"

"You told me that you could not have children. You did not tell me it was some—some token of revenge against a man who no longer walks this earth."

"I swore to him on his deathbed." I said to her hoping it would make it clear.

"And you betrayed me in our marriage bed." Pinching the bridge of her nose she looked away starting to walk towards the door before looking back at me, "Let me be certain I understand. You will neither have children, nor the happiness we could have together, because you promised your father you would not?"

At that I teared up at how stupid it sounded. Not wanting to give in I started, "I…"

"Say it." Looking at her I looked away from her intense stare, "Say it." She said again.

"It cannot be undone."

Misty said sympathetically, "Then I thank you for your elucidation, your grace. If your hatred for your father outweighs any affection that you might bear towards me…then you are right. It cannot be undone." I looked down feeling like I was very in the wrong, "My courses are due within the next few days. You will know then which vow you have broken, and how we are to spend the rest of our lives, miserable together…or perfectly happy apart." At that she left my room and I wanted to chase after her but was at a loss about what would have been the right course of action.

The next day Misty barely glanced at me with anything but disgust as she went about her day.

-Misty POV-

I wanted to desperately try to talk to Ash a couple days later. When he passed by me without any emotion or even acknowledgement it hurt. I was questioning whether I was too harsh that night cleaning his cut. When I woke up, I still didn't see anything on my bed sheet the next day. He came in clearly looking to see if anything was on my bed before he said nothing and left. When we got ready, I began to hold my stomach hoping there was a baby inside of it. Ash came in seeing me holding my stomach in a dress. "You ready to go?" He asked, I nodded and proceeded to head out the door to the carriage.

-Ash POV-

Arriving at the early part of the orchestra performance at the theater. Our box was right next to Daisy and Tracey's box. I could feel at times Daisy eyeing me as I went about socializing at the theater. Many of the couples of the Plateau and Her Majesty were there to take in the performance. I looked over at Misty and reached for her hand. Grasping it she did not pull away as we kept listening to the orchestra perform. Then she gripped my hand tightly as a gasp escaped her lips. Looking over at her she was looking down at our hands then looked up me with a panic in her eyes. Then abruptly left her seat I was unsure what to do if I should follow her and see what was wrong. Then I heard Daisy's voice as she entered in the back room behind our boxes. Trying to focus on the orchestra hoping I wouldn't hear what I anticipated it was, Misty was sobbing and crying, and I knew in that moment. Her courses had come, she was not pregnant and hearing her cries broke me. All I felt was one lone tear escape my eye as I tried to pretend nothing was wrong, staring at the orchestra as they played their melodramatic song.