Back at the place she was staying Amelia had gone through her morning ritual. Taking the liberty of sleeping in for once she looked around for her guest but he was nowhere in sight. Brushing her long hair thoroughly she wanted to look good for what she planned today. She was not in a rush to go somewhere but a more personal matter she wished to address.

"Good morning Alfonzo." The aid reading a book waiting for the heir to start ordering him around closed it. Standing up offering his services there was something off on the girl. She had quite a smile on her face.

"Morning miss Amelia. You look happy today."

"I slept wonderful. Where is Ash?"

"I already have supplied Mr. Ketchum his breakfast. He has gone out to work out." Amelia hearing it was glad.

"Good. That means I can prepare my surprise for him."

Alfonzo held back a chuckle. He already told her he got what she needed for today. The amount of time he'd spend tending to the youngsters he could see his watch keep asking more and more about her guest. Relaying their activities in secret due to order of his real boss in Amelia's father he can tell Amelia was fond of him. A little too much for her fathers liking perhaps but he knows its only a matter of time before the heir will try to claim him.

All he can do now is to support her and get the guest out of his training.

Ash stopped his training as Alfonzo requested him to go find Amelia. He found her sitting outside on a large white blanket with a food basket next to her. Around her were plates and multiple bottles containing drinks. Ash seeing the sight wondered what he did to earn it.

"What is this?"

"A small thank you for accompanying me to the dance party. Have as plenty as you like." Amelia holding her hand out showing him his spot Pikachu jumped off Ash's shoulder allowing his trainer to sit. Looking at the choice of items choice was plenty. Not to mention the way it was set up.

"It looks amazing."

"Presentation is important. Eat up."

He did as she ordered. Amelia made plenty of Pokémon food as well for her Ash's so they all were filling their stomachs at a good pace. Compliments flying around on her cooking from all sides Amelia couldn't be happier her hard work was appreciated. They weren't done yet. She reached into the basket next to her and pulled out a small blue bag.

"I made treats. A few cookies for you and Pokepuffs for everyone else. I have been tinkering with my recipe. Hope he loves them."

"They're great!"

Most of the food gone now they had some drinks left they had some time left to talk.

"So how are you?" Ash asked her.

"Wonderful. I believe the term is slept like a baby. My feet are a little sore but once I start practicing I'll work it off. And how are you?"

"Doing good as usual. I've been working with Gengar on a new combination that puts the scare into our opponents." Both their training with the Pokémon going well Ash was curious about Amelia's parents.

"Have your parents contacted you about the mines?" A few days has past since their request to take their place in the Fossil Lab. He didn't hear as much as he would like but he figured it was because Amelia's father doesn't fully trust him yet in these affairs. The heir happy to share the information with him after all he did for her.

"Alfonzo had a note. Mother said they're still investigating and father is doing damage control."

"Damage control? What's that for?"

"I've told you this before. There are people that want to dirty the name of my family so they can get something we have through blackmail. Father tries to keep the stock prices high and they'd sink like a stone if it comes out the mines are poisoned."

"Sounds complicated." He said as it proves just how out of place he seemed to the Valuer family from time to time. Another rich girl in Lillie never had to deal with this but the Aether Foundation was different in that regard.

"Just because I'm rich and have money to burn does not mean I can neglect finances. All of it will be mine one day so I have to know about the inner dealings of it."

"Does it scare you? Inheriting it all." Amelia hesitated for a moment at his question. She doesn't want to think about it too much yet but there were moments she had her doubts.

"I mean…I've been groomed for it as long as I can remember. But I'd be lying if I say it doesn't scare me. It's a big responsibility and everyone in Fluerrh City expects me to continue the lineage as well as those before me. That means being a good benefactor for the city and to keep the business running too."

"Sounds like a lot of pressure for one person. I know your parents support each other. Don't you have anyone like them to help you?"

Ash not knowing the meaning of his words Amelia's face grew red. Twirling her fingers in silence she had no idea how to proceed. How can she possibly tell him about the deal her father is trying to arrange for her future. No way out of it she hated it but it was the right choice.

"I shouldn't really tell you since it's classified."

"Classified?"

Amelia knew she disappointed him. He's been open to her since day one yet she kept secrets. But how can she tell him about the exact arrangement her father is trying set up.

"I…my parents are trying to get me a business…no…no…I can't say! Nearly threw it out! What's wrong with me!?" She shut tight.

"Amelia?"

She looked at him again. He was worried and it was her fault. Amelia tried to get around the issue by making an excuse was incapable too. She had to tell him. Ash deserved to know even if there can be a major punishment heading her way. She needed a vow from him as she steeled herself. Looking around for a clue of her aid he was not around. She moved crawling over the blanket to him and sat on her knees.

"Promise me you'll keep it a secret and don't tell anyone I said this. I can get into so much trouble…"

"Amelia…"

"Please promise Ash. Nobody can know what I want to tell you."

Her tone betraying it's crucial he automatically put a hand on the top of hers. The touch comforting she still had fear of the repercussions.

"I promise. Nobody will know what secret you want to tell me."

His own words and stress slowly ebbed for her. He was just so easy to trust. Clenching the hand Ash had not touched she told him the truth.

"My parents are trying to arrange a business partner for me."

"That doesn't sound so bad."

"And a…marriage."

While he used to be quite dense even he knew what marriage is. His old memories of his father and mother raising him together for a time before his dad left and the union between Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet resulting in their newborn son which Ash himself saw as a big brother and ensured the couple that if they ever needed a baby sitter he'd be on the first plane to Alola.

"What?" Ash still shocked though Amelia looked around for signs of the aid and repeated herself.

"An arranged marriage. Before we met and afterwards they're trying to set me up with another boy to be my partner and…husband."

Ash now was doubting himself. Amelia was special. She deserved the world and more. There was an undeniable pull she had on him that none of his other companions had. He was not looking for her hand in marriage at all, so why did the idea of losing her to another feel like something just stabbed him in the chest?

"Did…did you like someone from that? Enough too…you know?"

"I turned them all down since I didn't feel a connection with anyone of them. And I'm too focused on my Performances to get distracted by matters as marriage and love. Why did I say that? I want him to make a move on me."

Amelia willing to give Ash a shot at dating her she came off wrong. It's too early to be thinking about eternal commitment but a few dates and spending time with her special guest for both their happiness and joy is an agreeable offer in her mind. Ash meanwhile thinking about the commitment Amelia was expected to make. He heard stories about arranged marriages but he thought those were only reserved for royals to pretending keep the blood blue and pure

"Isn't that your choice to make? Can't you protest?"

"I don't want to sound rude or insensitive but we come from different households. It's just how it goes in my family for generations. My father went through the same with my grandparents before he found mom. I can get out of it by finding someone myself like father did with mom so in a way that's my escape road."

Relieved to hear there is a way out for her something stung. He felt a lump form in his throat. Instead of the hidden anger he grew nervous. Still he wanted to be there for his special friend.

"Whoever you choose he sure is lucky."

Amelia was a little thrown back. He tried to hide his jealousy but failed due to the frown on his face. She did not interrupt him.

"I mean…you're pretty, smart, determined, an amazing Performer, a great chef, kind, polite and just all around amazing. Whoever you choose better treat you well and if he doesn't…" His hand still on hers she felt it twitch in anger knowing he meant it and his jealousy was on full display. To her own pleasure he did not have anything to say about her connections. It was all about her and nothing else.

"you have my number so you can call and I'll set him straight."

Amelia leaned forwards now. She hugged him tightly. Even if Ash got to know close contact with Amelia the showing of affection took him off guard. He slowly wrapped his arms around her now hugging in return.

"Thank you. I'm certain I'll make the right choice."

Ash not knowing she had done it already. Gratitude in her voice noticeable they kept up the hug. Eventually breaking it they both did not like it wishing for more contact with the other person. Smiling brightly they both agreed to clean up the picknick they had leaving Alfonzo with a bit more spare time. Amelia humming a song Ash even liked her humming wondering if she's musically talented too. His back turned to her Amelia did not see his cheeks getting warm and his heart rate increasing. A joyous feeling only Amelia seemed to induce to him.

"She's special. Truly special. I wonder if she realizes just how much. I'll hurt the guy who treats her badly."

"You didn't snatch him like you said you would. Got cold feet?"

Viktor called the next morning with his associates to check up on them and to hear how Stacy and Byron did at the dance party. The redhead explained the evening while Byron was still in bed sleeping off the misery he endured during the party. The chess master not amu"She's special. Truly special. I wonder if she realizes just how much."

"What do you mean?"

"Let's just say while I failed to catch his eye I caught something in his."

"Well, spill it." Viktor wanting to know as well since Stacy saw it more as research then genuinely executing her scheme.

"He seems to be a little bit more into her than expected. He's harvesting a good amount of jealousy. You should've seen the look on his face when she danced with Byron and he 'accidently' stepped on her feet. He was ready to maul him if it continued."

The Performer giving an account of events on what happened when she danced with Ash. Viktor taking note of it thought it night be work related.

"So is he her bodyguard like that giant is?"

Unlike her parents the heir did not seem to move around with an imposing guard. There was that old man that stayed with her but from the time he was having a conversation to try and palm her he was only a personal servant. The boy with her might be the one handpicked by Charles Valuer to keep his daughter safe.

"No. He doesn't dress like an employee of theirs would. If you've seen the picture he wears the same outfit now as he did when Byron caught him on that cruise liner." Stacy debunked that idea immediately as his profile did not match. If he was employed he'd be dressed so much better than he is.

"You're saying he's after the Valuer fortune too?"

"No. He's after the Valuer herself." Stacy said getting to the point.

"You mean, he likes her?"

"Yes. I don't know if they are a secret but I doubt Charles would allow her to be with someone as ordinary as him. Next to his PWC ranking there's not much special about him."

"Mmmm…The peasant falling for the princess or vice versa. How cliché." Viktor saying Stacy agreed.

"Seems after I finish my work here I think I'll pay her a 'visit'. They have that vineyard visit coming up yes?"

"According to our mole yes." The redhead having occasional contact with one of the servants in Fluerrh City on occasion knew the inner workings of the family.

"Then I guess it's a great opportunity to 'accidently' run into them there.

"How is your side going?" Stacy asked about his dealings away from her.

"Won't be long before the truth comes out and the stocks come tumbling down." Viktor being responsible for the sabotage of the mines Charles Valuer holds so dear news of it will break out soon about the issues on it and warrant an outside investigation by the police instead of keeping it in house.

"I'll tell Byron when he wakes up." Stacy shut off the call as she and Viktor needed to reorganize the scheme just a little. But it didn't matter what roadblock they came across as they have enough talent and riches to flatten everything in their and making it all theirs.

They're pretty close to just smashing lips and confessing if they haven't reached boiling point already. Yet if those two find happiness pretty quick, Amelia's parents are in for a tougher time and in how exactly it will affect the young heir.

Later.