Hilda gazed out at the world through the windows, knowing nothing could see her through the tint. She felt as if her world was far behind, left in the dust. Hilda fretted that N would imprison her for life, she thought of the torture he would deal. Would he throw her in a dungeon and starve her? Or would he chain her to a wall and have her beaten? A shiver ran down her spine; maybe N had remained the same innocent boy she cared for...hopefully Ghetsis hadn't changed him.
The further they drove, the city soon became forest; a strictly forbidden area. Hilda was definitely in isolation now. She could make out forms of pokemon running through the woods; they were driving past the reserve. The reserve had been created instantly after N's victory, this is where every pokemon resided now. 'They shouldn't be separated off like this', Hilda thought.
"Your majesty, grunts in the reserve say there is a disturbance with some of the pokemon. Do you wish to intervene?" a grunt informed. Hilda's ears perked up as soon as the grunt spoke.
"Yes, of course. Hilda, do you wish to come along, or shall I send you straight to the palace?" N inquired. Hilda's heart begin to race; she'd be the first to be in contact with a pokemon in over a year. She tried to hide her excitement with a bored expression, she didn't want to give N the satisfaction.
"I've got nothing better to do. Sure, why not." she agreed. N smiled at her response and had the limo brought to a stop. The grunts left the vehicle first, then hauled Hilda out, and let king out last. They were greeted by a reserve ranger near an opening in the fence. Half of the grunts remained with the limo, while rest escorted N and Hilda through the reserve. Hilda watched as scared pokemon scurried between bushes, and others followed behind her. At one point, she thought she saw her beloved Samurott hiding in a grove of trees. Hilda tried to turn and run towards it, but a grunt held her back. For the rest of the walk, Hilda kept her head down and watched her feet slowly move.
"Just over there, sir." the ranger pointed to a Darmanitan and an Emboar butting heads. Steam seemed to pour from the Darmanitan's nostrils as the Emboar emitted a low growl. N's eyes held twinge of sadness, seeing two pokemon in conflict always discouraged him. The bold N strided over to the two beast, grunts slowly following behind. They stopped when N had reached the pokemon, they dare not go further. N placed a gentle hand on each of the pokemon,
"Friends, why do you fight? This is a sanctuary for you all to find peace. What has brought you two such negative feelings?" N asked softly. Emboar let out a booming bark of anger, whereas the Darmanitan grunted. N's face looked taken aback; he looked almost insulted. Hilda became very intrigued in knowing what the three were talking about. She pushed past a few grunts to see the confrontation, she wanted to see the beasts, "How can you argue about such a thing? I have freed you. You no longer have to battle one another." N said, he sounded desperate. When Hilda finally shoved her way in front of everybody, she gasped. Darmanitan and Emboar both turned in reaction to the sudden noise. Emboar's eyes widened and let out a low grumble, "Yes, she was a trainer; champion of Unova in fact." N said harshly. The Emboar's face lit up with joy and charged towards Hilda. All the grunts jumped back as the beast stopped in front of her; the gentle giant nuzzled Hilda affectionately. Hilda laughed and patted the top of its head.
"Hello, Kettle! it's good to see you too!" Hilda cooed. N's eyebrow arched in confusion.
"Kettle?" N asked.
"His name is Kettle. He was my friend's first pokemon." She explained. The Emboar stood protectively by Hilda's side as she talked to N, "Sometimes I don't think he remembers how big he is. Whenever he decides to be affectionate, he thinks he's the size of a Tepig and can be cuddled like one. It's awkward trying to cuddle something the size of the bear...but when he's in battle, he's a force to reckon with." Hilda told him. N was fascinated how much of a connection she had to a pokemon that wasn't her own; he was definitely aware of the connection she had with her own...
"Well Kettle, I would very much appreciate it you and the Darmanitan over there ceased fighting. If you two wish to be in contact with humans...maybe I'll send Hilda to comfort you." N forced out. Hilda stared at him in shock; he was breaking his principle rule. She could hear how much N struggled with saying it too. Darmanitan and Emboar bellowed happily in reply, "Excellent. Now if you wouldn't mind, we must return to the castle. Farewell, friends." With that, the grunts began forming uniform lines to escort the king back. Before anyone could gather her, Hilda rubbed Emboar's belly and promised him she'd return. Two grunts soon grabbed her and hauled her back to the limo.
Large oak doors opened before them, revealing a marvelous interior. Black wood paneled walls and polished granite floors; Hilda was awe struck. Nothing seemed familiar from the last time she was here. Legendary pokemon were constructed within stained glass windows, the colors were cast across the floor by the setting sun. Hilda gazed at the majesty as she followed N down a long hallway.
"I have the palace renovated since you were here." N said, "I saw the look on your face." he chuckled. Hilda didn't realize her jaw hung open. N stopped in front of two gold doors and sighed in exhaustion, "Leave us!" he commanded half-heartedly. Immediately the grunts scattered like roaches and vanished, "Hilda, much has changed since our battle. You know that, but not to what extent. Past these doors are my throne room, where we fought and you left me. I hold no resentment towards you, rather I still care deeply for you. However, since you didn't agree to be my queen, my feelings became irrelevant." N confessed.
"N, what are you trying to say?" Hilda asked, getting frustrated. She had feeling she knew where this was going; N would ask her to marry him again and that he still loved her. To be honest, she didn't know how she felt about him.
"What I'm trying to say is, against my will, I'm engaged to be married." N said bluntly. Well that was certainly not what Hilda was expecting. She took a step back; she was so use to having N always in her reach. She knew how selfish that was, but it was true. N always came to her beck and call; N was hers.
"Oh...Then, why did you bring me back here?" She asked, he voice sounded empty and hollow.
"Because I don't love Dmitria, my bride to-be. I love you, Hilda. I've always been in love with you. Concordia and Anthea taught me the difference, finally. I want you to be here. I have to marry Dmitria because she is of nobility, and I have to produce a pureblood heir." he told Hilda. He tried to hold her hands and gaze into her eyes, but she refused.
"N...I won't be your mistress. She will be your wife, your queen, the mother to your child...I can't compete with that." Hilda began to cry. She couldn't believe what was happening. Her dear, innocent friend had changed. N attempted to take Hilda into his arms, but she shoved him away, "No! Let me go home, N! You already won our battle, what else do you want?" she yelled, tears pouring down her face.
"My heart only belongs to you. I only love you." N tried to reason with her, "Hilda, my love, I can't allow you to leave. The sages also want you, you're the rebel leader. They've left me in charge of you, to imprison you and do with you what I wish. I will not harm you in any way or disrespect you, but I can't release you." N grabbed her wrist in a vice grip, "I have to present you to the council, then I will take you to your bedroom. We will speak privately." He wiped Hilda's tears away and sighed again. N pushed the doors open and dragged Hilda behind him. Ghetsis and a few other grunts were the only ones who currently occupied it.
"Ah, King N has returned!" Ghetsis announced. When he saw Hilda with N, Ghetsis became furious, "Who allowed tha-"
"The rest of the council wished for her arrest. I'm simply presenting my efficiency to them." N interrupted. N hauled Hilda further into the throne room, he motioned her to sit on the armrest of his throne. N sat down and smirked at his father. Ghetsis hurried out of the room with two grunts, "He is probably off to get Dmitria and the council. Don't worry, I will protect you." N whispered to Hilda.