Chapter 49: Pen Pals

Kiara told May and Dahlia all about the genie. She mentioned how she went to search for the golden rose. She mentioned how she returned to Petalburg to find it. And how she snuck into castle walls and stole it from Drew's room.

May told Kiara about how Norman banned her from seeing her friends. And especially Drew. She really misses him.

"So...you love him?" Kiara asked.

May blushed. "...yeah…"

"You two are meant to be together." Kiara said. "I agree that it's not fair that you aren't allowed to be with him."

May sighed. "Tell me about it…"

"Masquerain!" They heard a voice from May's balcony. They turn their heads to the voice.

"It's a Masquerain." Kiara said. Masquerain perched itself on the railing.

"But...it's not just any Masquerain." May said. She got up and walked to the balcony.

She stood in front of the Masquerain. She noticed that there was a paper hanging around his neck. Masquerain spoke to May.

"From Drew?" May questioned, translating what Masquerain said.

"Mas~?"

"Oh. I can understand Pokémon language." May explained.

"Mas, Masquerain."

May took off the paper hanging from Masquerain's neck. "So...this is a letter?" May asked, opening the folded paper.

Masquerain nodded. May opened the paper and started reading it.

Dear May,

I'm writing you this letter because I know that we can't see each other to talk in person. I remembered the fact that only Pokémon are allowed in castle walls if they don't live there, so I decided to use my Masquerain as a messenger. The royal guards won't say anything if they see Masquerain fly to your window and therefore we both won't get in trouble for it, that is, if you can keep these letters a secret.

There's something I need to ask you. I called your phone earlier today, but it was your Dad that picked up. He told me that you don't want anything to do with me anymore, and I was just wondering if that's true. Another thing, how is your sister doing? The gang are all curious about why you never told us you had a sister. Well, I hope to read from you soon.

Love,

Drew

May looked up. "Thanks Masquerain. I'll send a letter to him later."

Masquerain flew away. May walked back inside her room.

"What's that paper?" Dahlia asked.

"Drew has a good idea of sending letters to each other." May said. "So he won't have to come to the castle and get in trouble for talking to me."

"So, what does that letter say?" Kiara asked.

"Drew told me that he tried calling me, but of course Dad picked up."

"And what did he say?" Kiara asked.

"He told Drew that I want nothing to do with him anymore." May answered. May walked to her desk and sat down in the chair. "So, I need to make sure that he knows that's not true."

Dahlia and Kiara see May grab a paper and start writing. "Wow. You two are pen pals now." Kiara said.

"Mm hm."

"Hopefully Dad doesn't find out though."

"So Kiara, are you ready for your punishment?" May asked.

"Umm...I guess…" Kiara answered.

They're outside right now with two royal guards behind them. Since May's allowed to exit castle walls, she's going to give Kiara her punishment for what happened three days ago. And that punishment being…

"You're going to go to every single building of Petalburg City and apologize to everyone inside." May said. "And we'll see if there's something you could do for them to show them that you're friendly again."

"Everyone in Petalburg City? That could take days." Kiara complained.

"Then we better get started."

"All right then...if this is what I have to do, then I'll do it."

Drew opened his window for a Beautifly. The Beautifly flew in and perched itself on Drew's head. Drew reached up and took the paper that she's holding. He read the letter.

Dear Drew,

This letter idea is a good one. I hope we can continue doing this. I want to address the fact that my Dad does in fact have my phone. That's why I hung up so suddenly the other day. He walked into my room and saw me talking to someone on the phone. I told him it was a friend and he still took my phone away, so that I don't have contact with anybody. I'm sorry for anything mean he said to you when you called. None of it is true. There's no way I want nothing to do with you anymore. I still care about you. He just thinks that he can make you stop caring for me, but don't let the things he said get to your head.

And to answer your other question, Kiara is finally awake and feeling great. She apologized to my parents and by the end of a conversation, they said that I'll be the one who gives Kiara a punishment for what she did. So then I told my parents that what I have planned for her is in town and they agreed to let me exit castle walls again! But on one condition. We have to go with two royal guards. So I'm actually going into town after I send this letter via Beautifly to you. You might be able to see me, but I don't know what good that will do if we can't talk to each other. The reason I never told you guys I have a sister was because it's kind of a heartbreaking story for me. She just got up and left home three years ago and barely returned. She left without saying her reason why and at the castle, we avoided talking about it. Now it's okay to talk about. Tell the gang what I told you and tell everyone that I'm doing fine not being able to go to school for the last week.

And now I actually have something to ask you. Do you have the golden rose with you? Kiara told me all about the genie and now we're wondering where the rose went after she passed out. I want to know why you didn't tell me about something like that. You have a magic carpet AND a genie? Anyway, I'll talk to you soon.

Sincerely,

Princess May

"Thanks Beautifly." Drew said, looking up at the Beautifly on his head.

Beautifly flew out the window and Drew closed it.

"So, did you hear what you wanted to hear?"

Drew turned and looked at the genie who's leaning back on the sofa. "I did actually." He answered. "May still cares about me."

"Aww...how sweet."

Drew laid down on his bed. "Yeah…" He said, smiling. "And she knows about you."

"Well…" The genie started. "Before Kiara told May about me, I actually told her that I was friends with you, so...yeah."

"And when did you do that?"

"When I was turning Kiara into the Queen of Mean."

Drew sighed. "Well, I guess I'm glad you called me a friend."

"We're friends...right?"

Drew sat up. "Of course we are Genie. I just hope that May isn't mad at me for hiding you from her…"

May and Kiara walked towards the very right of the city to start there. Kiara rang the doorbell of someone's house.

"Don't be nervous." May said.

"I-I'm not nervous." Kiara said. "What makes you think I'm nervous?"

"Umm...you're shaking." May pointed out.

Kiara sighed. "I just want the people to forgive me."

"And they will. I'm sure of it."

The door opened. The lady saw Kiara and gasped. She hid behind the door, peeking around the corner.

"C-c-can I help you with something?" The lady stuttered.

"I'm just here to...apologize." Kiara said. "To your whole household. Can we come inside?"

The lady walked out from hiding. "Just apologize to me and I'll tell everyone else."

"Well, okay then." Kiara said. "I'm really sorry about the way I was three days ago. I was so hooked on becoming Hoenn's Queen and ruling that...I didn't pay attention to the fact that I'm not cut out to be a worthy Queen. I understand that now. And I'm truly sorry for the fear I caused."

"Oh umm…"

"Is there maybe something that Kiara could do for you to help her prove that she's nice again?" May asked.

"Hmm…" The lady hummed, thinking. "I guess she can fold the laundry for me." The lady moved out of the way. "Come on inside, Your Highnesses."

Kiara walked inside the house. May looked at the royal guards. "You guys stay out here." May said and then she entered the house. The royal guards faced the road and stood right outside of the house. The lady closed the door.

"Come this way." The lady said. She led them to the living room. "Just fold the clothes in this basket and place them on the table. Come find me when you're done." With that said, she walked away.

May sat on the couch. "Now, get to work."

"You're not going to help me?" Kiara questioned.

"Nope. This is your punishment, remember?"

"Right…"

"So get to work."

"Okay then." Kiara started folding clothes from the laundry basket. "Are you enjoying yourself when you can just boss me around like this?"

"Maybe a little." May answered. "Technically, Dad wants me to boss you around."

"I guess that's true." Kiara said. "Hey May? I have a question."

"What is it?"

"Am I going to be able to go to your school?"

"Well...I told you how I can't go." May said. "But I don't think you can either. If I'm allowed to go next school year, then I'm sure you'll get to go with me."

"Yeah. I want to meet your friends and boyfriend."

"I told you he's not my boyfriend!" May said, blushing.

"But you want him to be…" Kiara teased.

May exhaled. "Maybe…" she said dreamily, staring up into space.

"I wonder what kind of things I'll have to do for these people."

"Well, one thing's for sure, you'll be doing something for everyone."