Hello once again!

As I have promised, I have updated once more! I am so happy to present this chapter. I was on a roll when I wrote this and I sincerely hope that you guys like this chapter.

I also want to thank ChloboShoka and Creative Writer 2000 for their reviews. It really made me so happy. I do want to encourage those that have me on their favourites or are following this fic to please review. I want to hear from you!

Disclaimer: I still don't own anything.

"Talking"

"Singing"

Enjoy!

The Prince Is Giving A Ball

While in the carriage, the four people within didn't even bother to make a sound. Kasumi and Kenji didn't think they could find their voices while Shu was simply enjoying the outside. Shigeru didn't bother talking since his thoughts were on Ash and petting his Eevee. It really was a wired name when you thought about it. Were the common people so deprived from several pleasantries that they got creative with names? Judging by the clothes Ash was wearing he must have been part of the help. To be honest, he didn't care if the other boy was or not. There was something about him though…he had to get to know him better.

The carriage returned to the palace in record time. The moment Shigeru got out of the carriage he was undressed and dressed again while Eevee practically ran out of his arms to go play. If there was one mystery in the world then that would have been it. How did they manage to do that? He could only guess. Anyway, he was getting his shirt and vest on as he was walking toward his grandfather's quarters. For some reason, all the important talks liked to be held there.

"After I begged you not to you went to the town," Kasumi said.

Shu turned to her, "I take it you found your voice…"

Kenji and Shigeru laughed a little which earned them a death glare from the girl.

"I did go to town and I had a great time. No one recognized me and I was among normal people," The prince said.

Kenji sighed, "Honestly, normal people aren't all that they are cracked up to be. I mean Kasumi and I are normal people what does that tell you?"

"What Kenji is saying is that normal people are dying to be you," Shu said before the girl was able to form a response.

Shigeru rolled his eyes, "That's because they don't know what it's like. I'm in a gilded cage."

"Let me get this straight," Kasumi said, "You live in a gorgeous palace, you have tons of money and you have rich beautiful girls and boys throwing themselves at your feet. Is there something I'm not getting?"

Kenji said, "If we get anything through to you it should be that you stop sneaking away from the palace. We three can't keep lying to your grandfather and sister. There are laws against that."

With that being said Shu opened the door and Shigeru entered with gusto. Unbeknown to the prince, his three attendants snuck after him.

When Shigeru entered the room he saw his sister, Nanami with a roll of parchment in her hand. This could mean many things especially since his grandfather King Yukinari was busy with a chess game.

The teen cleared his voice, "You wanted to see me, you two?"

"Yes we did," Nanami said as she picked up the parchment she was working on, "I wanted your opinion on a few things for the ball that we are going to have."

He groaned, "Not another ball! I think you're getting into these parties too much. Do we even have enough money to do another one so soon?"

"Yes we do," The old king said.

She smiled as she walked toward her brother, "It's for the best brother. Grandfather thinks that it's time you settle down with someone. Before you say it, it's fine if you choose to marry a boy. My husband and I are fully capable in producing an heir. You just need to get married. One day this kingdom will be yours and you need to be ready for that."

"I know but I kind of want to be in love when I marry. Like how you and your husband were," Shigeru said.

She nodded, "I understand but I know that you can find someone at the ball."

"Sister!" He exclaimed

She kept going, "It's only a small party of some friends…"

"And all the eligible boys and girls in the kingdom," Yukinari said.

He sighed, "Really? You went that far?"

"Desperate times call for desperate measures," She said, "Now I need you opinion on the menu."

Unfortunately for her, the young prince didn't hear it since he stormed off in a fury. The princess sighed and then opened a curtain to reveal Kasumi, Kenji and Shu.

"Kenji, Kasumi and Shu," Nanami said as she motioned the three to go to her.

The three replied, "Yes Princess?"

"Write this down," She said, "A proclamation from the prince…"

Kenji piped up, "Excuese me, Your Majesty. I couldn't help but over hearing. I have to say, I don't think the prince sounded—"

"Kenji, take this down," The princess replied then singing, "His Royal Highness Crown Prince Shigeru Midori Akihiro Eiri Watanuki Fusao Haruto Ichiro Gary -"

Shu made a face, "Gary?"

"Gary," She nodded, "Naoyuki Kaito, He'll thank us for this later, is giving a ball~!"

Soon the three were back in town but this time they had a scroll and two guards that played trumpets.

Kenji announced and sang, "The prince is giving a ball!"

"His Royal Highness Crown Prince Shigeru, brother of Her Majesty Princesss Nanami Chiharu Emiko Akahana Daisy-" Kasumi sang before she was cut off.

Sakaki lifted an eyebrow, "Daisy?"

"Daisy," She nodded, "Nagisa Miku, is giving a ball~!"

The crowd of people along with the attendants sang, "The prince is giving a ball~! The prince is giving a ball~!"

Then, like ratata, the some people scrambled to spread the word to other people. Sakaki almost ran to his children who were in a candy, shop of all places.

"They spread the message far and wide the prince is giving a ball!" The man sang, "They say he wants to find a bride, he may find one at the ball!"

Musashi excitedly sang, "Oh, if only he proposed to me!"

"I wish that he'd proposed to me!" Kojiro replied.

Sakaki nodded, "Just leave your hair and clothes to me."

"The prince is giving a ball~!" They sang.

Since we're not interested in what our step family is doing after this, we'll move on to someone else. Ah! There's Shu! He's busy with the seamstresses. Let's look, shall we?

The green haired teen sang, "Now, if you please the crown decrees some peau de soie with frills. A silky sateen in Aubergine or red if someone spills."

He was immediately presented with the correct fabrics. He nodded and gave them a smile which caused the young ladies around him to faint. Meanwhile Kasumi was with the butchers.

"Now surely I'll need a side of ham and lots of beef fillets. A marbleized steak, a rack of lamb and veal raise to braise," She sang briskly.

Kenji was with the cheese makers with his list. He always liked these people, they were nice.

He sang, "Limburger, Swiss and Gourmandise Cheddar Gruyere and Bleu chunks of Swiss in barrels please, make sure that it's holey too."

Since Shu was good with his job, he was now with the bakers informing them what he needed.

"Puddings and pies and rum soufflés, succulent chocolate rounds. Crème puffs they can chew away to gain some royal pound," He patted the head baker on the shoulder.

Soon Kasumi, Kenji and Shu were in the center of the market place. They hopped on barrels and stood on them in front of everyone.

They called out, "The prince is giving a ball~! The prince is giving a ball~!"

"The prince is giving a ball~! The prince is giving a ball~!" The town's people repeated. Since they didn't hear it enough already.

Kenji sang out, "His Royal Highness –"

"200 orchids, 400 poppies, 600 roses, 800 lilies-" Shu counted as he marked them off a list.

Kasumi called out, "Crown Prince Shigeru –"

"1,000 oranges, 2,000 plums-" Shu kept marking things off his list.

Kenji was running out a breath, "Akihiro Eiri Watanuki –"

"Raspberry,blueberry, strawberry, gooseberry –" He checked it off of the list.

She took a breath, "Fusao Haruto Ichiro Gary brother of Her Majesty Princess Nanami –"

"Chocolate and cheddar-" The green eyed boy marked the list.

The older of the three sang, "Chiharu and Daisy, Grandson of His Caviar King Yukinari Genji Hiroshi Natsuo Samuel -"

"SAMUEL?" The entire group in the center market place shouted.

"SAMUEL!" The three answered back, "Is giving a ball~!"

The people were bustling with activity and that leads us to Satoshi and Takeshi. Apparently they weren't paying attention to the singing that was taking place.

They sang, "The prince is giving a ball…"

Back at the palace, Shigeru was bored out of his mind once again. Even though his mind kept wandering to Ash, there was really nothing he could do. Currently, the prince was in his room with his Eevee when Shu came in with his Roselia.

"Now the entire kingdom knows of the upcoming ball and they seem to be excited about it," He said.

The prince rolled his eyes, "Great. Not only will the rich people throw their children at me but now the common folk as well."

"Perhaps the guy you spoke to today will be at the ball," He said, "You liked him didn't you?"

The other stared in shock, "How did you know about that?"

"I'm not your 'Fairy' Godfather for nothing," He explained, "It's my job to make sure that you find the one you're destined for. Although something tells me, that person might also have help on his side."

The brown haired boy sighed, "I guess you're right?"

"So what was the guy's name?" Shu asked.

"Ash," He replied.

The 'Godfather' and the two pokemon exchanged looks.

"You're kidding right?" He asked, "What kind of a name is that?"

The prince glared, "Be nice will you?"

"I'm just saying," The other shrugged, "It's like the name Rapunzel, you have to wonder what the heck the parents are thinking nowadays…"

He thought about it, "You do have a point there."

"I know," The guy sighed, "it's a gift Shigeru."

The brown haired teen looked up at his Godfather, then at his Eevee and places his hands on his face. He sighed, all he wanted to have some normalcy in his life. Is that really too much to ask for?

There was a crashing noise followed by someone yelling at someone else. The two teens in the room looked over at the door.

Apparently, yes Shigeru, it is too much to ask for. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Elsewhere, Takeshi and Satoshi had just left the town and were walking home. They figured that if they left early, they could get some important stuff done. On the other hand, they also wanted to have some time to gossip among themselves.

"So who was that guy?" Takeshi asked.

Satoshi sighed, "It was just a guy that has an Eevee who really liked me."

"You know who else I heard that has an Eevee," The taller one said, "The crown prince. You know, they say he's throwing the ball."

He nodded slowly, "Is that so? I wonder how many people have Eevees here…"

"Me too," Takeshi sighed then said, "So, do you want to go to ball?"

The shorter boy chuckled, "I had no idea you felt that way about me. I'm flattered but you're not my type."

Pikachu and Vulpix snickered while the older boy blushed a deep crimson.

"Not with me!" He exclaimed, "I meant if you wanted to go and try your luck with the prince! I hear anything goes when it comes to what he likes."

Satoshi lifted an eyebrow, "Where do you hear these things? How come I never hear this stuff?"

"After you left I met a girl named Haruka and she was telling me all about it," He answered, "So? What do you think? I think you should go."

The younger looked at the ground, "I know, I would want to go but I would have to ask my Stepfather…you know how that goes."

"How about we ask him together?" He offered, "Remember, I have to ask too."

Satoshi nodded but he doubted Sakaki was going to let him go. He also doubted that Musashi and Kojiro would enjoy the idea of him going. His thoughts then traveled to the Handsome Stranger with an Eevee. A small smile graced his face at the thought of the teen. He was weird but he was also nice and honest. He liked that…he liked that a lot.

When they arrived to the house the Pokemon immediately ran inside to hide. The boys looked at them and laughed. They took their time in putting the groceries away and while Takeshi began to make the afternoon tea, Satoshi began to dust the house. All the while, his mind was on the ball and the mysterious prince he was curious about meeting.

The carriage pulled up as Satoshi was returning to the kitchen. He felt himself getting nervous. He heard his stepfamily come in and head upstairs, where their tea was waiting for them. He looked over at his friend who was taking off his apron.

"Come on," Takeshi said, "We might as well ask now."

Is this a cliffhanger? I think it is!

If you want the next chapter to be posted sometime next week, then you have to review! So review please!

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With love,

SanguisRubeus