After leaving Ambrette Town Ash and Amelia were on their way to the castle which monsieur Pierre invited Performers over to have a great time. Alfonzo pulling up to the ancient building dropped off both younger trainers. The castle build in style blue banners with a keyhole hung outside. Amelia told Alfonzo to retreat to a room inside the castle as the older man will look so out of place it might distract the others. And to make sure it was just Ash and her without her personal aid to bother her.

The evening to themselves Ash having changed into an outfit almost identical to the one he wore at the previous dance party he adjusted the collar of his suit. It was itching into his neck and no matter he tore at it the rag didn't stop bothering him. Sirfetch'd out of his Pokeball watched an amused expression seeing Ash struggle. Pikachu not participating he wore a little blue bowtie to blend in. Still working on his collar he heard his date for the night speak up.

"Well? What do you think?"

Amelia stepped out into the dress she borrowed for the evening. A purple strapless ballroom dress the hem hung wide over her legs. A lilac bow strapped around her waist she wore a black choker on her neck. On the top of her head a purple ribbon was tied into her hair and short white gloves covered her hands. Striking a pose in a twirl she showed off her backside as her hair flowed gracefully.

He knew Amelia always was more of a girl that leaned into classical Kalos style but her fully embracing it made her look like a princess. Ash being completely stunned by her look the breath knocked out of him. Her smile reflecting her confidence she knew she looked great but Ash thought she probably didn't really know on what scale. Amelia stepping towards him the dress made her seem to glide over the floor. The beauty coming closer to him his heartrate rose and his mouth became dry. A red face it was hard for him to convey how difficult it was to keep his eyes off her.

Amelia taking his response and lack of words as a good sign. She saw him play with his collar. A small rash started to form in the base of his neck.

"Is the suit bothering you?" He nervously nodded. Amelia reached and fixed his collar so it won't itch anymore. As her hands were so close occasionally brushing his neck he let it happen as he enjoyed her touch. He whispered softly to the beauty in front of him.

"You're incredible."

"Sorry?"

"I mean…you look incredible." She blushed as well.

"Thank you. It looks great on you as well." Even if he said he wasn't a fan of this look he looked quite handsome. Finishing up his collar she held out her arm for him to latch onto.

"You ready?"

"Yeah." As he learned he hooked his arm with her and moved out to the ballroom. Chandeliers being lit there was a long table with food on it for guests to take. Banners like the ones outside the interior matched the castle's outlook. They both scanned the room for the others joining them. Slowly other couples began dripping into the ballroom. Some girls Amelia knew from her Showcases but not one from Ash's personal group of friends which he was relieved by. It be hard to explain to Serena, Shauna and Miette on why he's here on Amelia's request.

"Ash?" There was a tremble in her voice which he picked up on. Amelia held his arm tighter with him feeling the grip. On the either side of the ballroom is a girl with red hair and a dress in Amelia's style but red and a Ninetails by her side.

"It's her." Recognizing the redhead that gave her trouble Ash said her name.

"Stacy?" The one that beat her at her previous Showcase was here as well. With her someone in a black suit with a mullet they communicated with each other. Ash realizing she might be uncomfortable in her presence. Her loss against Stacy started his and her fathers rivalry.

"Don't worry. We're all here to have fun. Not to compete. You'll get her next time." The praise appreciated she didn't cheer up. Stacy and the disguised Byron took notice of them.

"There they are. Told you they'd be here." The redhead smirking at him that she was right.

"Yeah yeah. You do what you have too while I suffer." Byron being here part of the plan but against his will.

"Make sure to step on her toes a couple times." Stacy wanting Byron to cause a scene and make the heir freak out. The attendees gathered as the room filled with people. The lights shut down and from on top of a high staircase stood the host of Showcases and the dance party in his blue and black trademark uniform and Klefki by side.

"Ladies and gentlemen." The heavy accent prevalent as always Monsiuer Pierre continued.

"Thank you for coming to my dance party today. Now begins the long awaited free-time. Please have a wonderful time."

Giving the start sign the couples and their Pokémon moved to the floor. Taking their spots Ash and Amelia unhooked arms as they took the form Amelia taught him.

"And start." The opening dance beginning music started to play. The pair of raven haired trainers moved in sync with Sirfetc'd and Espeon did their own courteous routine. Ash moving in instinct thanks to the girl with him stared into her eyes. The girl in his arms meanwhile looked into his eyes. Thinking again just how lucky she is to have met him. To focused on the dance words escaped them how much they enjoyed it. The music to them ended way too soon. Time seemed to go by so much faster compared to their practice dances.

"Now then, everyone, please form a circle."

"Do we have too?" They obeyed Pierre while reluctantly moving in place.

"We will now proceed with partner rotation dancing. Now then. Let the music start." Snapping his fingers it played again as random people were now dancing away from their dates. This went on for some time till Ash was paired up with Stacy. Ash was pretty nervous now dancing with one of Amelia's main rivals. The redhead continued her act as she secretly studied him during her other dances.

"He's constantly looking at her." One thing that stood out is that the raven haired boy between focusing on dancing took quick peeks at the Valuer heir. Instead of a smile there was a grimace anytime someone seemed to get a little too close to the heir for his liking.

"OUCH!"

Everyone's attention was drawn to the scream. Amelia was the source as her partner stepped on feet. Stacy noticing the angry look kept dancing with Ash as the disguised Byron stepped three more times on her toes each one causing a yell or so. While Ash and Stacy were holding hands in their dance the redhead felt the squeezing of it. There was a hint of anger in it much to her amusement.

"This has become so much more interesting."

The carrousel of partners and Pokémon ended as the music stopped. Ash and Amelia glad they were close to each other again Pierre told everyone about the special event. Ash familiar with it heard the request to hold the cards you got at entry up in the light of the chandelier.

"Out of all the…"

Amelia stood arms crossed pouting at the side line. Her luck feeling at an fulltime low Ash and Stacy were paired together against two others. On Ash's side was Pikachu and Stacy's Boltund. Their opponents were a boy with a Simisear and girl with a Lilligant. Standing across each other the battle started.

"Simisear, Flame Burst!" The fire monkey puffed his chest and cheeks and spat out a burst of fire aimed at the two Electric types.

"Quick Attack!" Pikachu dashed off at high speed to Simisear. Striking it full in the stomach it slid back over the battlefield.

"Lilligant, Sleep Powder!" Pikachu close to the opponents side of the field Lilligant's trainer saw a good opportunity to temporarily neutralize the mouse. Releasing a pollen of powder it hovered just above Pikachu.

"Boltund, perform Electro Ball!" From the tail the redhead covered her battle partner as the hound unleashed a sphere of lightning. True to her Performance style the powder glowed mixed with the electricity giving off a sparkly effect blowing the Sleep Powder away from Pikachu.

"Not to worry. I got your back." Stacy turned to Ash and used her charm to give off a friendly wink. Amelia arms still crossed noticed it and dug her hands deeper into her arms. She was enjoying Ash and Pikachu's performance so far but the redhead was a real spoke in the wheel.

The battle moved on with Ash and Stacy getting a commanding lead. Amelia while frustrated knew if Ash tried he can take on his opponents by himself. All this time he was the one watching her do a Showcase and figure skating training but despite never finding an appeal for Pokémon battles she admired how much he threw himself into it.

"It's amazing seeing him in his element. Can do with her on another planet instead of next to him."

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Boltund, Helping Hand!"

Pikachu charging power in his cheeks, Boltund assisted by giving Pikachu a boost. The Thunderbolt making its way to the Simisear and Lilligant the two Pokémon stood no chance as the bolt clashed on them and they fell down in defeat with swirls in their eyes.

"Finish! Give a warm applause for the winners of tonight's tag battle, Monsieur Ash and Madame Stacy!"

"Of course he'd win even with her slowing him down." Amelia gave an applause too but only aimed towards Ash. Stacy grabbed his hands as Amelia grinded her teeth while still clapping.

"You know? You and I should do this more often. We make a good team."

"Uhm…sure…"

Ash not noticing her fluttering eyelashes and gentle rub over his hands thought nothing of it as she let go and he returned to his date.

"Before you all go I have an announcement to make. As you all know the Snowbelle City Showcase is a rare event due to the few participants we get every year as it is the most demanding one besides the Master Class."

Amelia's attention fully on it. She was registered long ago but was dependent on other to join in as well. Clasping her hands together praying for it to continue and that others didn't get cold feet she didn't notice Ash coming to her and laying a hand on her bare shoulder. Him smiling for emotional support she blushed unaware that Stacy picked up on it as well.

"Hmm. Seems I was right. I can hit two birds with one stone."

"With great joy I can announce it will proceed as enough Performers registered and it will be hosted in snow-white Snowbelle City!" Pierre confirming the date for the Showcase Amelia sighed full of relief. Apart from Stacy and the guy stepping on her toes it was a good evening not regretting coming here one bit.

Pierre ending the night by thanking all the guests for their appearance hoped to see them again next time.

After giving back their attire for the dance party Ash and Amelia were picked up by Alfonzo in the car who would then ride them to the nearest hotel.

"Did you enjoy your evening miss?" The aid asked her. The heir having a bright smile nodded.

"Very much so. I had a wonderful evening."

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. How did I do?" Ash wanting to be graded by his real dancing instructor.

"You didn't cause a scene. I knew you didn't step on my feet no matter what and you danced with strangers you have no experience with. I can't say nothing else but well done." Amelia giving him a wide pass Ash didn't understand something though.

"That was Stacy's date that caused you to yell right? What was that about?" The one stepping on Amelia's feet Ash had to withhold the urge to speak up and cause a scene by defending her.

"Don't know. He was awful yet the others who danced with him did not seem bothered."

"He can use a few lessons from you. You were the best in that room." Ash unknowingly flirting with her Amelia's smile grew wider. She didn't know if Ash felt the same crush she has on him but this gave her confidence to act in the future and to press the issue a little more.

"I'm also glad Pierre confirmed the Snowbelle Showcase. It be a shame if I practiced my Performance that much and didn't get a chance to show it."

"You'll do great. I'm certain of it."

"Thank you. You did spectacular in your battle as well."

"You think so?"

"Yes. The whole reason she won as well is because you're so strong. I had no doubt you'd win no matter who you partnered with." Ash was warmed by her words. The whole family was difficult to impress do Amelia's praise hit different but in quite the right way.

"How did you feel when I was paired up with her?" It must have been weird for Amelia to watch him get along with her.

"I know you teamed up because you had too but never do it again. I was annoyed when you danced with her and that only grew during that battle."

"Annoyed?"

"I mean…she tried to latch on to you. You didn't notice?" Amelia hiding her jealousy found a way to turn it round to something normal.

"I didn't care about her. I was busy watching you." Amelia's smile faltering she was kind of surprised. Grateful and resisting the urge to peck his cheek so Alfonzo wouldn't notice her true affections to her esteemed guest. Realizing what he said to her he then began to stumble over his words.

"I mean…to see if anyone…didn't try something…yeah…I promised your parents and Alfonzo I'd keep you safe…not that you can't fight back…I just want to be sure…"

"I know what you mean."

The visit to the vineyard a few days away Amelia was looking forward to spending more time with Ash, perfect her figure skating act and show the rest of the Kalos region she's going to be the one to dethrone Aria. While also finding confidence in making her move on Ash to see if instead of all the people her father introduced for a arranged marriage he'd be the one let into the Valuer family.

So Ash and Amelia's 'date' is over. Ash found himself quite protective of Amelia while she harvested more jealousy to others with 'her' Ash than she ever did to Serena and Aria. And a bit of tension as well.

Wonder what Stacy found out that is more useful than just snatching him away from the heir?

Later.