Morning arrived and after a healthy breakfast courtesy of the vineyard owner Ash and Amelia excused themselves again. Amelia grabbed her skates and guided Ash towards a nearby lake which they'd freeze so the Performer can train in figure skating. Ash following loyally in tow he couldn't wait to see her in her element. He was spoiled by now in how she set up her act yet Amelia never got boring to him.

Ash already confident in her victory despite any potential competition it clouded his judgement. After watching all of her hard work in person she deserved nothing but the best though. The Performer normally so into it she ignored the world around herself, she took a quick glimpse of her favorite fan.

"He's smiling. I'm doing something right."

She did a multiple spinning pirouette with her Pokémon to complete her act with her finishing pose. Getting closer and closer to the perfect performance she skated back to the edge of the lake where Ash helped her up to cross the small elevation change upwards. Holding her in balance before helping her seat down he handed Amelia's shoes as she took her skates off.

They said nothing just enjoying the company of the other as Ash was running out of says to praise her. Her Performance written into

"I don't see any way she can lose. Not now."

"Marvelous, quite spectacular."

They were interrupted by a male voice clapping for her as she just finished changing. Dressed in a black polo shirt and beige trousers Amelia's eyes widened. Cursing her luck that he of all people had to be here.

"A rare privilege to see you practice, Amelia." The male again complemented her while clapping. Ash saw her response and could tell she wasn't as happy as before. This affected him as well as this stranger took away her smile but waited for her to answer so he can understand the situation.

"Viktor, what is it you're doing here?" The heir asked him as he interrupted them.

The male was the final one that tried to court her before she told the truth to Ash about her 'arranged' marriage quest. Amelia did not tell Ash his identity but as he stood there with a smirk on catching her she truly was annoyed at him invading her practice and according to his ally Stacy, massive crush.

"On business for my parents. I decided to come early as my appointment is after your family leaves. I don't want to keep Mr. Vincent waiting."

A partial lie as he was here to disrupt the Valuer family mostly. While his partners were preparing to steal their wealth right from under their noses he'd handle their so called powerful guest. Eyeing Ash he was a obstacle needing getting rid off.

"You know him?" Ash asked her.

"Ash, this is Viktor. He's an associate of the family." Leaving out the most important bit to not confuse things between them she really wished he won't bring up his attempt at 'courting' her. He withheld a smirk as he was one of the instigators of the troubles in the Valuer family.

"I've heard the accusations on your mines. Quite a horrible scenario."

"I'm am refrained from speaking to anyone about it outside of our close circle. If you wish to know ask my parents."

Amelia's experience and education paid off as she refused to speak about matters not concerning to others. The heir tight lipped Ash followed her example as she was much more familiar with these situations. Tapping his foot he wanted Viktor to go saving Amelia.

"Come on. Leave already."

Viktor now eyed the boy seemingly latched onto the heir his expression blank but probably grating to him. The boy smiled as if he did not know he was irritating the two.

"Ash was it? Are you new servant to the Valuer family?"

"Ash is a close associate of mine and not a servant. He is a valuable friend and ally of mine personally with no ties to our business."

The heir jumped in shooting down the suggestion of Ash in her family's employment as he is too valuable. A few words speaking so highly of him Ash felt proud she saw him as highly as she did.

"Interesting she defended him like that. Seems Stacy was right. Now I remember. I saw you in the Kalos League and later in the world tournament. Top 32 I remember."

"That's right. Next time we'll do better. We're on a break before we start training again."

"Then how about we do a quick battle? I am undefeated and facing someone of your stature will tell if I'm capable enough to enter the world tournament myself."

Normally Ash would accept the challenge from one like him to a battle but his presence made Amelia feel awkward. He bit his tongue for now so that maybe this dude would get the hint in that his presence wasn't welcome here. If not he'd battle him away.

"We're guests here and I don't want to damage Mr. Vincent's home. If you can find a place that won't get in the way of our battle and won't do damage to the outside then we'll take you on."

"Excellent response." Amelia was severely impressed by Ash's diplomacy as she smiled. Any fears about him not fitting in with her 'rich and polite culture were gone now as he behaved proper. Sure he lacked the vocabulary associated but he really tried and that was enough.

"Hmm…well then…another time perhaps. I'm certain we'll encounter each other again. I'm still waiting for your response. Adieu. ~"

Viktor left the duo having gotten what he needed out of them. Now he can start his planning to really drive a rift between the guest and the Valuer's. The chess master already slipped his hand into his pocket for his phone and to inform his partners once he got out of sight of the raven haired duo.

Ash looked at Amelia who had her eyes squinted. A soft glare she turned her head away so Ash couldn't see.

"You ok?"

"I am now." Her voice betraying her as she was genuinely upset.

"You sure? It seems you didn't like him."

"I don't want to talk about him."

"He said he was undefeated. Is it true?"

"He claims to be."

"I don't believe him." Ash over the years had gotten a grip at gauging his opponents and how strong someone seemed. Viktor did not seem that tough at first and if he was why hasn't Ash heard about him on the PWC list?

"It's not important. I don't want to talk about Viktor."

Amelia killed the topic with that not willing to disclose why it bothered her so much. She looped around to the boy she likes a lot more. Her expression softening her trademark smile came back to her as a small blush washed over her face.

"I rather talk about you. Your polite handling in dismissing him was impressive."

Ash scratched his cheek looking sideways.

"Heh he…you think so? I just do what you told me to do."

"You're doing well enough. Come on. You must be hungry from watching me."

"Ah. There they are."

Amelia's parents were waiting for the duo with lunch. Them sitting down with Ash trying his hardest to mind his table manners in the rich family's presence Louise asked how productive they were.

"How did your practice go?"

"Splendid."

"She's more than ready for the Showcase. She'll win for sure this time."

Ash again giving confidence Amelia felt it too. She felt the difference between previous preparations before but now it felt the whole world could not slow her down and despite recent losses rode a wave of confidence.

"How nice to hear."

"We'll see about that." Charles not to certain letting results rather speak for themselves as he quietly sipped his tea. Amelia stopped eating and stood up from her table spot.

"Father. Mother. May I make a request?"

Amelia had this in her head for a long time. The parents looked at her ready to hear it. She was nervous to maybe not allow it but it was the best time to ask and to see if her new method would work. Ash eager to know as well waited for his next bite till she finished.

"Can I go to Snowbelle City alone with Ash and Alfonso stays behind?"

This drew curiosity from everyone in particular her family. Her father raised an eyebrow as he thought it was clear what her rules were outside of the Valuer estate and associates territory like the vineyard. Charles sat his cup down and locked eyes with her.

"A strange request. You never went alone somewhere without him or anyone else of our staff. Why this sudden shift?"

"I rather keep the reason to myself why I only want Ash to come with me. I think it would be great for my development as a Performer."

Amelia realizing a bit back she needed to see more of the world like Ash has done. Her progress with her away from her rich heritage more fruitful than private tutors. The basics they taught were excellent but to excel beyond it she needed to experience being a normal person and not being cradled by servants or bodyguards. And she wished for some breathing space.

Her mother more natural to Amelia's request than her husband. She knew her daughters' like for the special guest but she wanted to hear it from a man that was always by her side when leaving Fluerrh City.

"Alfonso?" The aid in presence told the parents his assessment.

"Mr. Ketchum has kept her safe when we went for miss Amelia's skating studies to Circhester and him guaranteeing her safety in the Steel type resort when they looked for the missing Scizor. He is well qualified in the safe keeping of miss Amelia's well being to my observation and he has my highest recommendation for this task if you decide to grant your daughters' request."

Charles knows his wife would say yes but something still bothered him.

"And what will you do? Snowbelle City is not too far from Fluerrh City so people may still recognize you from our family."

The current mystery and commotion about the mines going on it was regional news. He did not need his daughter away on her business and being bothered by press in that city.

"I'll dress up as Amy."

"Who is Amy?" The father being secluded during his investigation did not witness Amelia's cover.

"The disguise you had when I got swarmed by people?" The outfit Amelia cobbled together so she could go undercover in her hometown without being bothered by her fans and others. She did not calculate Ash being swarmed by curious people instead after their home was struck by an explosive demanding information from the inside. Ash looked from his seat at her already prepared to answer if the parents asked on his word on keeping her safe.

"Yes."

"I see no reason. Charles."

"Fine. You can go without our staff but the boy is entirely responsible for your safety. If anything happens to you under his watch…"

"I get the message. You don't have to say more cause I know your expectation. 'Amy' won't get in trouble."

"That settles that."

The vineyard visit nearly concluding Ash and Amelia would go their separate ways from her parents soon. The two were going to head out to Snowbelle City to stay there so Amelia can practice on natural ice and not artificial like she did before. The Showcase a few days away it would be the last step she needed to be fully prepared.

Ash and Amelia smiled at each other having time to themselves away from anyone again just like the S.S. Shimmer. The two eager to go out again Ash finished his lunch at moderate pace before going with Amelia again to take in the final sights of the vineyard before leaving to Amelia's special Showcase.

Viktor doing his round on the vineyard after meeting up with the black haired duo took out his phone. Calling his red haired Performer accomplice things did not go as he wanted but he had enough data for her.

"It's me."

"I have number recognition. Did you crush him?" Stacy eager to know his progress.

"Not yet. Two things. They're either dating or she has a leash on him that's really tight. He's a coward. He won't be an issue once we fight."

"Hmm…after I humiliate the heir again of course…"

Stacy soon moving to Snowbelle City too intend to keep her winning streak intact. As a debut Performer she already turned heads as an idol before and beat the heir. Now with extra preparations her keyring already had place for the unique prize waiting for her in Snowbelle City and an audience with the best promoter of Showcases in the last few decades.

"Good luck."

"Luck is for the poor." The Performer said to him to which he nodded his head in agreement.

"Indeed it is."

Hanging up on her he looked over the vineyard. A beautiful setting of the land he looked towards getting a piece of it for himself. Vincent might sell him some property after acquiring the Valuer fortune so he and his associates Stacy and Byron will slot in nicely as a replacement once they grabbed the Valuer fortune for themselves.

Been a bit hasn't it? Still working on it but that's life I guess. Been quite a year for me in my private life.

The Snowbelle City stuff is next up which might be a multi parter so crunch time again. Or my usual end of year bad luck comes bothering the family again cause I swear we're cursed whenever a year ends.

Later.