"Oh well. Our mole got caught by that kid. Guess that what's happens when you go up against someone that high in the PWC rankings."

Stacy said over the phone in a group call about developments on their vendetta against the Valuer family. Their spy caught they hoped to postpone the ruse a little longer to drive Charles more mad. Her partners over the phone discussing how to proceed further at getting what they wanted Viktor lamented Karen's loss and the disappearance of the heir and guest.

"He's a bigger nuisance than I thought. Those two are now in the private summer home. Where it is nobody knows so they vanished for now. This is good, gives us one less threat temporarily in that boy." Viktor seeing a bright spot in it.

"But for you it's bad news cause now she gets more time to flesh out that Performance of hers. Not afraid she'll come up with something to beat you in the Showcase?"

"Please, if I can't handle her I don't deserve to be Kalos Queen. No matter how hard she trained the result are always the same. Another defeat coming her way soon." The redhead extremely confident of her own talents has not lost an minute of sleep over it. With how distracted the heir is with the boy and her duty towards the family business it left little time to create and polish an act that is better than hers.

"There are rumors circulating in Fluerrh City about the two. Seems you were right at what you saw at the dance party." Byron being with her at the event had heard the stories now and believed the former idol turned Performer. The redhead just smiled on her side and flicked her hair smugly.

"I always am. You just keep manipulating the market for Valuer shares."

"Don't worry. I'll pry more and more loose from them." The stories about the Poisoned mines coming out some of the shareholders of the Valuer company sold their stock cheaply to get out and cut their losses which Byron then bought cheaply. Still not more than half needed to take full control but a sizeable chunk nonetheless in which they can exert more control in the company

"So what now? We chasing them and once we discover that house we'll have mercenaries attack?" Byron asked his colleagues.

"What about that kid? He's basically her bodyguard if not more. They're joined at the hip."

"He's not a worry to me." Viktor already had a scheme in mind for them.

"I battled with him during the dance party. He's pretty good, don't underestimate him." Stacy warned him having seen his strength first hand. A good battle partner he would've made a valuable ally to them if he wasn't so obsessed with the Valuer heir.

"No, they have the vineyard visit scheduled. They're certain to appear there knowing Charles forces them too. I'll ambush them there and if she told him about her arranged marriage he's easy prey being too distracted to conduct research or train for any sort of Performance while I flirt with her. Get him really ticked off."

Amelia and Ash walked together after the Performer finally nailed her finish down. Having used Ice type moves from their Pokémon on a lake nearby the heir practiced with Ash watching and for emotional support. Spurred on by her 'audience' and a desire to impress him, Amelia tried her hardest. Now walking back to the house they planned to spend the rest of the day on the beach behind.

"You're going to win! I'm sure of it!" Once again Ash vouched his support for her. Sure he got spoiled by watching her train but in his eyes it was worth as he can barely wait to see her efforts combine into her Princess Key. Amelia keeping a brisk pace more subdued in her chances for once. Last couple of times she thought it she lost to Serena, Aria and Stacy.

"Thank you Ash. Now it is all repetition till the Showcase. I am glad I have my Performance with time to spare for once." Her dances usually planned out last minute due to her family commitments she was well ahead of schedule. It finally gave her time to do something else but spend every waking second on her duty and career and she all too well how to spend it today.

"Do you know what the Theme Performance is?" Ash asking her if she got a clue if it was something normal or more based on her surroundings. Ash knows Theme Performances are always a surprise to test a Performers flexibility buy since this is a special Showcase maybe the rules were different

"It's a winter style Showcase. Perhaps ice sculpting? Last year they had a sleigh competition in the first round. They had to make their own sleigh from ice and if you failed to beat the course and time set you didn't progress."

"Whatever it is I know you can do it."

The two shooting praise back and forth it was natural. A small walk back to the house they quickly got changed into their swimwear and headed to the back where the beach is. Amelia in her new purple swimsuit specially bought for this occasion was going to pose in front of Ash but in return she was distracted by him in his swim trunks and vest without a shirt underneath it. As they walked Amelia carried a bag over her shoulder with towels, sun lotion and other items.

"Want me to carry your bag?" It looking heavy Ash immediately offered his service.

"Such a gentlemen."

She flashed him a smile as she handed it to him. The load off her shoulder she resisted the urge to say just how strong he is. They soon arrived at the beach which was clean and a good distance between them and the water. Letting out all their Pokémon to play and relax one was staying in its Pokeball. Amelia did not take out her Alcremie.

"Why not Alcremie?"

"I use her whip cream for my sweets so if you want to grind your teeth on some sand be my guest." Amelia telling its not a good idea to let her out and spoil the tasty treats Ash and his Pokémon have been sampling. Everyone playing with each other in a form of flying around or sunbathing Amelia's Espeon opted for the latter but went to Ash's Pikachu first.

The two trainers looking at the Pokémon they had a little activity that Amelia wanted. Never done it before because the sand would slide in between her perfectly filed nails and ruin her smooth skin wished to expand her horizons. Camping with Ash in a damp cave seemed much worse than putting your hands in the dirt. She'll just have to clean them well.

"Ash? Would you like to build a sandcastle with me? It may not be snow but it can be practice if the Theme Performance is building a snowman."

"Sure!"

Excusing it as practice Ash leaped at her opportunity to help her build a sandcastle. Under surveillance of Espeon the Pokémon didn't understand something. Her guest was much more helpful than Alfonzo and any other worker employed by her parents. Amelia didn't even needed a tone of command and the guest would do so as if he was employed for years and knew all of Amelia's habits.

Espeon moved towards Pikachu to get some explanations. Pikachu as always friendly was a bit careful. When Ash began to practice with Amelia for the dance party he and Espeon didn't gel. Espeon sat against him a bit taller as she talked.

"I want to speak about your trainer."

"Ash?" Pikachu didn't understand as he tilted his head and ears dipped in confusion. Espeon looked at their owners who were laughing and constructing basic walls for their sandcastle. They started planning the pillars and towers as this behavior was not recognizable to the heir. Espeon had her suspicions but wondered how the one inseparable from the boy thought about it.

"You think they are courting each other?" Espeon blurted out a Pikachu's ears perked. Pokémon can feel love but their definition of girlfriend and partner differed from humans. Pikachu thought about it for a minute

"Well. Ash has not done this another girl. He's different…smiling and happy, but different." Pikachu didn't mind seeing Ash happy as it meant he was happy too. Still from his excitement and constant requests to dance with her and doing a lot more to help her with a Performance than even Serena the mouse can tell something was up.

"Charles and Louise are the same in moments of non work. I believe they both want more. What's you opinion on Amelia?"

Espeon protective of her trainer and happiness wished to know Pikachu's thoughts on her. The meeting on the SS Shimmer build on a lie the humans seem to have already forgotten about it never bringing it up but Ash's Pokémon can maybe hold some distrust towards the Performer for her initial ploy.

"She's nicer now. Kind of alright too cause she's a mix of friends we travelled with. Our group of friends is pretty big but we fought and made up soon after that. She is no different in that. Yours on Ash?"

Having told his opinion on Espeon's trainer Pikachu wanted Espeon's opinion on his. The Eeveelution sat on and explained her thoughts.

"He's a bit below the standing of people Charles tries to court her with but since he makes her happy I ignore it. He gives off a really good feeling so I know he'd never hurt her."

Her species using its whiskers and sensitive fur to sense vibrations and disturbances Ash was as invisible as the air itself. She knows he was there but there hasn't been a dangerous feeling coming off him at all. On senses alone Espeon trusted him and Ash's Pokémon but there still were some warnings the Eeveelution handed out at a potential tear in their so far well constructed bond.

"We both want them to be happy so forgive me if I seem demanding for a dance partner. Just be certain that if he hurts her he'll pay the price."

"Expect a good shock if she does the same." Pikachu tensing his cheeks at that threat. If somebody hurt his best friend he'd hurt them keeping the electricity in his cheeks just in check. Espeon smirked as she sat up and went away.

"Good. I don't expect anything less from a Champion Pokémon. That was all."

The air cleared between them after the disaster that was their dance practice Espeon feeling the same as Pikachu she laid down to sunbathe and energize her forehead gem in the sun. Amelia kept a sideways glance to see how her partner went along with Pikachu.

"I was scared they wouldn't get along after dance practice failed. Thank you Espeon."

Using her incredibly sensitive fur that acted as a radar Espeon felt Amelia's relief and went to nap. The two trainers continued building their sandcastle as it was finally finished having spent all afternoon working on it. Ash seeing the final result it was all Amelia's architecture and he was quite impressed what they built together.

"It's a nice design. Where did you get it?"

"Last nights dream about…I've been drawing castles since I was little. Which doesn't want to be a princess?"

Hoping to high heaven he did not hear her first train of thought Ash and Amelia were admiring their creation. A nice castle build it was to small to live in it for them. Amelia maybe rich, privileged and not being royalty but one thing she won't deny once it came to kings, queens and what not.

"At least I found my prince charming."

After dinner the two just couldn't get enough of each other and did even more dance practice. Ash holding to Amelia as he was taught the Performer gave a gentle smile. Waltzing away Amelia couldn't wait for a future dance party and to see Ash all dressed nicely. This day was just wonderful according to her. All the time she wanted for her Showcase, hanging out with Ash and none of her family commitments getting in the way. A rarity but she already got used to it.

"I think we're done for today." Finishing their dance and fun for today Ash really wanted to stick around a little longer. Maybe Amelia had some movies they could binge watch together. Alfonzo present the personal aid became used tp seeing his watch and her guest grow quite close. Happy for the girl he still had to do his job.

"Your parents called miss. Only to remind you the vineyard visit is soon and should keep an eye on the calendar."

"Did you have to ruin the mood?" Unaware both youngsters thought the same thing. Amelia worried a little Ash could sense it as he still held onto her reassuring her.

"We have enough time. You already got a good hold of your Performance and if the Showcase were tomorrow you'd win."

"I admire your faith in me. I know I talked about my fanclub but I can say for certain you are my biggest fan. You're certainly my favorite."

Both were faintly blushing now. Letting go off each other Amelia's face was hotter than his own. Raising a hand Ash put it on her forehead.

"Your face is red. You're not sick are you?" Afraid she caught a cold Amelia shook no as his hand still was on her much to her joy.

"It's nothing." Seeing him worried now she took a hold of his wrist and put if off.

"You sure?" Still worried about her Amelia just grew warmer at his care. She should really start caring more for him after all the attention he showered her with. Planning a few things to show her appreciation in turn she wanted to kiss him on the cheek as a clear message but Alfonzo got in the way as a witness and will snitch it to her parents. With them saying goodnight and crawling underneath her cover Amelia again tried to dream the same thing as her knight in shining armor challenging her father's black knight for her hand.

Later.